Today, the 186-member Democratic platform committee put together a draft document “united behind a commitment that every American man, woman and child be guaranteed to have affordable, comprehensive health care.” Other highlights of the platform — which will be adopted at the Democratic convention later this month — are “complete redeployment within 16 months” from Iraq, closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, and “tough, practical, and humane immigration reform in the first year of the next administration.”

The FBI yesterday revealed that in 2004, it improperly obtained the phone records of reporters for the New York Times and the Washington Post. Requiring such records requires the approval of the deputy attorney general, a procedure not followed in these cases. According to the New York Times, the “records were apparently sought as part of a terrorism investigation, but the F.B.I. did not explain what was being investigated or why the reporters’ phone records were considered relevant.”

The Financial Times reports that Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) campaign is vetting Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) as a potential vice presidential running mate. One adviser said, “[McCain] loves Lieberman. And he is on the [short-]list because Lieberman has never embarrassed anyone, never misspoken. The first rule is, don’t take someone who costs you votes.” The adviser also added, however, that many conservatives “would be pissed as hell.” Lieberman will also likely attend the GOP convention and may be speaking there.

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In an interview yesterday with National Journal On Air, host Tammy Haddad asked investigative journalist Jane Mayer whether the White House has responded to her new book’s revelations on the administration’s secret detention program. Mayer said that the White House has refused to comment, although many of her sources within the administration have praised the work:

No, there has been just plain radio silence. Though, I can say, I’ve actually heard from some of the sources. This book is not just based on talking to critics of the administration. It’s talking to lots of people on the inside: inside the White House, inside the CIA and the FBI and the military. And it’s been really gratifying. I’ve actually gotten some really wonderful phone calls from people who’ve said, “You know, you got it. Thank goodness someone told the story.” So that actually has really made me feel good.