By Eric Gorski Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, both seeking to use religion to their advantage in the presidential campaign, have learned painful lessons about the risks of getting too close to religious leaders.

By Star Parker Scripps Howard News Service John McCain wants Americans to elect him to provide tough leadership in a dangerous world. But when it just takes some mud slung from a few left-wing Web sites to drive him under a rock, you have to wonder.

By David Usborne There are good reasons to separate state from church but politicians running for office in the United States often forget them. Barack Obama, scorched by his association with the Rev Jeremiah Wright, found out weeks ago.

McCain now appears cancer-free, has a strong heart and is in generally good health, according to eight years of medical records McCain's presidential campaign made available Friday as it sought to prove that, at 71, he is healthy enough - and not too old - to serve as president.

By LIBBY QUAID STOCKTON, Calif. - Republican John McCain has rejected endorsements from two influential but controversial televangelists, saying there is no place for their incendiary criticisms of other faiths.