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Just a month ago, conventional wisdom had Henry T. Perea's mayoral campaign benefiting from a large Democratic turnout in Fresno to support Barack Obama.

John McCain's pick of Sarah Palin has his running mate has energized the Republican base, however, and Ashley Swearengin's mayoral effort could benefit from Palin's place on the ticket.

The Fresno mayoral race is supposed to be non-partisan and, indeed, there won't be a "D" next to Perea's name of an "R" next to Swearengin's on the ballot.

But in a race that polled as a dead heat a few weeks ago, the Palin effect could provide Swearengin with enough support to win -- especially if McCain continues his momentum and Fresno Democrats stay away from the voting booth.

Big bounce for McCain

The latest Gallup Poll shows McCain getting a big bounce from Palin and the GOP convention. McCain now leads Obama nationally 48% to 45%.

Happy Birthday, Google
The online giant is now 10 years old. Read the story of its start and amazing growth here. Pictured above are Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin.

Palin will do interview with ABC's Charles Gibson

Rick Davis, McCain's campaign manager, says that Palin would not "put herself before a cycle of piranhas called the news media" until reporters started to treat her "with some level of respect and deference." I guess that makes Gibson, who recently interviewed McCain, the GOP's choice to query Palin. Read the Washington Post story here.

Olbermann, Matthews are losers in NBC's intramural squabble

MSNBC will shift to David Gregory to anchor news coverage of the coming presidential debates and election night, relegating Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews to analysts' roles. It's a step toward rebuilding credibility with viewers. So says the New York Times.

Sports Beat

If you look really close, you'll see former Fresno State softball star Laura Berg in this Nike commercial. Thanks to blogger The Fresnan for the heads-up.

Laugh of the Day

"Not getting tapped as vice president was disappointing for Mitt Romney, but don't worry about Mitt. He's going to continue doing just fine. He will be playing Palmer Courtland on 'All My Children.'" - David Letterman

Quote of the Day

"A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way." -- Mark Twain

Listen to my commentaries with Jim Boren, The Bee's Editorial Page boss, Monday through Friday on KYNO 1300 AM.