Ralph Reed's standing in national GOP circles is getting a test. Campaign Money Watch, a campaign finance watchdog group, is calling on John McCain to cancel plans for an Aug. 18 fund-raiser in Atlanta hosted in part by Reed, the former state GOP chairman and ex-leader of the Christian Coalition.

The organization cites Reed's association with Jack Abramoff, the disgraced Washington lobbyist now in federal prison for influence peddling. Reed lost a 2006 bid for lieutenant governor largely because of revelations of that relationship —- uncovered by McCain's Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

"Senator McCain knows exactly how Ralph Reed helped Jack Abramoff defraud Indian tribes out of tens of millions of dollars," said David Donnelly, director of Campaign Money Watch. "Senator McCain should spare himself any further embarrassment by canceling this event immediately. Whose help will he accept next? Tom DeLay's?"

Republican National Committee spokeswoman Katie Wright said she found Campaign Money Watch's statement "laughable."

"I suggest they take a closer look at Barack Obama's friends like convicted felon Tony Rezko or his national co-chairman Harry Reid, who took nearly $68,000 from Abramoff," Wright said.

Candidates push diplomacy for Russia

John McCain and Barack Obama on Monday called for a multipronged diplomatic effort to force Russia to withdraw from Georgia, saying Moscow's relationship with the rest of the world depends on its backing down.

Speaking to reporters in Pennsylvania, McCain said Russia appears intent on toppling the Georgian government rather than simply restoring the status quo in the pro-Moscow province of South Ossetia, which Georgia is trying to keep from breaking away.

"NATO's North Atlantic Council should convene in emergency session to demand a cease-fire and begin discussions on both the deployment of an international peacekeeping force to South Ossetia and the implications for NATO's future relationship with Russia," McCain said.

Obama also urged a multinational response but added that the U.N. Security Council should play a major role in helping end the crisis.

Democrats to try 'town hall' format

The Democratic National Convention in Denver will be an "American town hall," with citizens from eight cities asking questions dealing with issues average people care about, Democratic leaders said Monday.

It will include both live and taped questions from residents in Atlanta; Denver; Columbia; Detroit; Philadelphia; Raleigh; Richmond; and Tampa.

The description of the program as "America's town hall" drew a sharp response from Tom Kise, a spokesman for John McCain.

"Since he became the nominee, Barack Obama ignored John McCain's invitation to have real town hall meetings around the nation," Kise said in a statement. "When Obama does hold town hall-type events, they are with his hand-selected fans and not undecided voters."

Democratic leaders also confirmed that neither John Edwards nor his wife, Elizabeth Edwards, would be speaking.

Obama to announce VP choice via e-mail, text message

When Barack Obama chooses a running mate, the first person to find out could be you.

In an e-mail to supporters, Obama's campaign manager said voters can sign up to receive an e-mail or a text message "the moment" he makes his decision.

"No other campaign has done this before," David Plouffe said in the e-mail. "You can be part of this important moment."

The e-mail asks supporters to pass the message to friends and family, another way for the campaign to collect information on potential voters and contributors.

—- From staff writers Jim Galloway and Aaron Gould Sheinin and news services