Juan Cole: "Iraq as an issue was back front and center in Iraq on Monday in the South Carolina presidential debate among the Democratic candidates. Barack Obama complained that his record of opposing the Iraq War had been distorted by Bill Clinton, who had called the image of steadfast consistency on Obama's part in that regard a 'fairy tale.' Clinton replied that Obama took down his anti-war speech from his web site and voted several times to fund the war once he was in the senate. I don't believe either of these criticisms is fair. No Democrat voted actually to continue the war. They voted for the only budget they could get past the Republicans."
Josh Marshall is running video clips of last night's South Carolina debate.
Political Wire: "A new American Research Group survey in Florida finds Sen. John McCain leading the Republican primary race with 29% support, followed by Mitt Romney at 22%, Mike Huckabee at 17%, and Rudy Giuliani at 16%."
Ed Cone: "Part of the genius of making 'liberal' a dirty word in American politics was the malleable definition of a 'liberal,' which often means 'someone in less than complete agreement with the speaker on a given issue.' It's the Limbaugh method: if something is good or successful, call it conservative, if it's less good or doesn't work, sneer that it is 'liberal.' But with the old Reagan coalition fracturing, the meaning of "conservative" is now in play."
Political Wire: "A new Field Poll in California finds Sen. Hillary Clinton leading Sen. Barack Obama, 39% to 27%, among likely Democratic voters. John Edwards is third with 10% support."
Political Wire: "Sen. John McCain is tied with Rudy Giuliani among New York State likely Republican presidential primary voters, 30% to 30%, according to a new Quinnipiac poll. Mitt Romney is third with 9%, followed by Fred Thompson and Mike Huckabee with 8%. In the Democratic race, Sen. Hillary Clinton runs away with 51% support, followed by Sen. Barack Obama at 25% and John Edwards at 11%."
Here's a roundup of last night's Democratic debate in South Carolina from Political Wire.
Barack Obama (via ABC News): "I feel like I'm running against both Clintons."
Political Wire: "The Boston Phoenix obtained a new EMC Research poll in California that shows Sen. John McCain's support among likely Republican voters has dropped six points in the last week to 24% while Mitt Romney surged to 20%, making the race a statistical tie. The leaders are trailed by Fred Thompson at 12%, Mike Huckabee at 11% and Rudy Giuliani at 7%. On the Democratic side, Sen. Hillary Clinton leads with 39% support, followed by Sen. Barack Obama at 28% and John Edwards at 12%."
Political Wire: "A new Public Policy Polling survey in South Carolina finds Sen. Barack Obama leading the Democratic presidential race with 44% support, followed by Sen. Hillary Clinton at 28% and John Edwards at 15%."
"2008 pres"
4:59:00 PM 
|
