REPUBLICANS IN MICHIGAN TODAY

Today, Mitt Romney must win in Michigan (where his father served three terms as governor) if his campaign can go on. John McCain won in 2000, and another win for him here (he took New Hampshire) would establish him as the clear front-runner leading into South Carolina, where Mike Huckabee has a good shot at winning. This race remains wide open.

The Democrats aren't competing in Michigan. The Michigan Democratic party violated party rules by setting their primary before the February 5 primary date as outlined by the national party.

Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are becoming increasingly antagonistic toward each other, and John Edwards is hoping the two can do enough damage do to each other so he can float to the top. It doesn't appear to be happening. Edwards is trailing in neighboring South Carolina, which holds its Democratic primary soon.

But in Nevada, it's a different story. Polls have all three tied. Could this be Edwards comeback, propelling him to win South Carolina?

Quick Clips

Obama, Clinton Continue to Spar Over Abortion Records
A Negative Turn in a Dangerous Game for Clinton, Obama
Clinton's King Comment 'Ill-Advised,' Obama Says
Bitterness grows between Clinton and Obama
Clinton, Obama search for heroes in 'super delegates'
Obama Tries to Stop the ‘Silliness’
McCain Faces Payback From Old GOP Foes
Friends of the Father
Romney States Case to Auto Industry
In Trench-Warfare Season, Toss Old Campaign Rules
Candidates Collide at the Detroit Auto Show
Romney Battles McCain for Michigan Lead
Candidates Cruise the Auto Show
Blogtalk: An Uncommitted Vote?
McCain, Romney Take Different Routes to Win Over Michigan Voters
GOP hopefuls promise help to struggling Michigan
Republican eyes on Michigan primary
Culinary Workers Fume Over Casino Caucus Suit
Hopefuls Zigzag Across U.S.
Who's Backing Whom?
McCain Moves Into Lead; Obama Gains on Clinton
Race, Sex and the Battle for the Democratic Nod
Now, economy tops war in election
Clinton, McCain lead among California voters
Poll: McCain, Clinton nab national leads
Iraq Defense Minister Sees Need for U.S. Security Help Until 2018

<><>DEMOCRATS<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

THE FIELD

Obama, Clinton Continue to Spar Over Abortion Records

Wall Street Journal Washington Wire
January 14, 2008

Susan Davis reports on the presidential race. Two Democratic presidential candidates with 100% pro-choice voting records should have little to argue about on the issue of abortion rights, but in the increasingly combative nature between the campaigns of Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, no charge is going unanswered…

A Negative Turn in a Dangerous Game for Clinton, Obama

By Dan Balz
Washington Post
January 14, 2008

The Democratic presidential campaign took a sharply negative turn over the weekend, led by Hillary Clinton's performance on NBC's "Meet The Press" and by a comment from Robert L. Johnson, one of her most prominent African American supporters, that was widely seen as trying to draw attention to Barack Obama's drug use as a young man…

Clinton's King Comment 'Ill-Advised,' Obama Says

By Anne E. Kornblut and Perry Bacon Jr.
Washington Post
January 14, 2008

COLUMBIA, S.C., Jan. 13 -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton defended her recent remarks on civil rights Sunday, as Sen. Barack Obama weighed in on the controversy for the first time, describing Clinton's earlier comments about the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. as "unfortunate" and "ill-advised."

Bitterness grows between Clinton and Obama

By Janet Hook
Los Angeles Times
January 14, 2008

She accuses him of letting talk trump action on the Iraq war. He says she has descended into 'political point-scoring…

Clinton, Obama search for heroes in 'super delegates'

By Peter Nicholas and Peter Wallsten
Los Angeles Times
January 14, 2008

Endorsements -- and the Democratic players behind them -- could make the difference in a close contest…

OBAMA

Obama Tries to Stop the ‘Silliness’

By Jeff Zeleny
New York Times
January 15, 2008

Barack Obama urged Democratic voters not to become embroiled in racially-charged discussions. His comments came after Hillary Clinton received a tepid reception at an event remembering Martin Luther King Jr…


<><>REPUBLICANS<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

McCAIN

McCain Faces Payback From Old GOP Foes

By Jonathan Weisman
Washington Post
January 14, 2008

Over the past decade, Sen. John McCain has annoyed, aggravated and nearly destroyed some of the most powerful members of Washington's Republican establishment, creating a list of antagonists including anti-tax crusader Grover Norquist and the vehement Gun Owners of America…

ROMNEY

Friends of the Father

By David D. Kirkpatrick
New York Times
January 14, 2008

Several of George Romney's former associates have come out against Mitt Romney…

Romney States Case to Auto Industry
McCain Repeats SUV Tax Claim Against His Rival in a Key State for Both Men

By Michael D. Shear and Juliet Eilperin
Washington Post
January 14, 2008

DETROIT, Jan. 13 -- Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is tying his fate in the presidential primary in Michigan to the survival of the American auto industry, casting himself as the champion of its workers while blaming his rival Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for Washington's indifference to its plight…

<><> PRIMARY CONTESTS<><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

GOP IN MICHIGAN, JANUARY 15

In Trench-Warfare Season, Toss Old Campaign Rules

Wall Street Journal
January 15, 2008

Republicans hold their Michigan primary today, but it doesn't figure to decide much, except perhaps whether Mitt Romney can survive the state where his father's auto company died. Then it's on to South Carolina…

Candidates Collide at the Detroit Auto Show

Wall Street Journal Washington Wire
January 14, 2008

Elizabeth Holmes reports on the presidential race. If you're a presidential candidate in Detroit and you're looking for a photo op, the Detroit Auto Show is the place to be. WSJ's Elizabeth Holmes reports from the campaign trail as candidates take a spin through the American International Auto Show in Detroit. Entourages for Republican rivals Mike…

Romney Battles McCain for Michigan Lead

By Michael Luo
New York Times
January 15, 2008

Polls indicate the contest is neck-and-neck between Mitt Romney and Senator John McCain, with Mike Huckabee further back…

Candidates Cruise the Auto Show

By Nick Bunkley
New York Times
January 14, 2008

Cars took a back seat at the Detroit Auto Show for a few hours Monday, as the three top Republican candidates in Tuesday’s Michigan primary stopped by to tour the exhibits. Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee and John McCain each visited the displays of all three Detroit automakers to chat with their executives and see new, fuel-efficient…

Blogtalk: An Uncommitted Vote?

By Ariel Alexovich
New York Times
January 14, 2008

Democrats in Michigan, stripped of their presidential selection delegates, have a few options for tomorrow's primary day -- among them voting for Hillary Rodham Clinton, "Uncommitted," or a Republican…

McCain, Romney Take Different Routes to Win Over Michigan Voters

By Juliet Eilperin and Michael D. Shear
Washington Post
January 15, 2008

DETROIT, Jan. 14 -- Mitt Romney said Monday that as president he would ease fuel-efficiency standards and spend billions more in federal money to bolster struggling automakers, a direct appeal to voters in a state that is likely to determine whether his campaign remains competitive or is relegated to also-ran status…

GOP hopefuls promise help to struggling Michigan

By Johanna Neuman and Maeve Reston
Los Angeles Times
January 14, 2008

Huckabee, McCain and Romney focus on the state a day ahead of its primary…

Republican eyes on Michigan primary

By Scott Martelle
Los Angeles Times
January 14, 2008

The state's early vote Tuesday will cost it half of its delegates to the GOP convention -- but it's still shaping up as a must-win contest for the top three contenders…

DEMS IN NEVADA, JANUARY 19

Culinary Workers Fume Over Casino Caucus Suit

Wall Street Journal Washington Wire
January 14, 2008

June Kronholz reports from Nevada on the presidential race. Shades of Florida 2000, says the Las Vegas Culinary Workers Union. The union is furious about a lawsuit filed by the state teachers’ union and six individuals against the state Democratic Party over a plan to hold caucuses in nine Strip casino hotels Saturday…

<><>RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE<><><><><><><><><><><>

Hopefuls Zigzag Across U.S.
Candidates Target Messages, Intensify Their Attacks

By Amy Chozick
Wall Street Journal
January 15, 2008

NEW YORK -- With the Iowa and New Hampshire nominating contests behind them, Republican and Democratic candidates have altered their messages and stepped up their attacks in a cross-country effort to win over voters in states with contests in coming weeks…

Who's Backing Whom?

By Bill Turque and John Wagner
Washington Post
January 14, 2008

The Maryland Women for Hillary Council lists more than 130 civic and political leaders who are endorsing Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's presidential candidacy, from Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski to Ann Castaldi, the "Former First Lady of Greenbelt," as she is described on the campaign Web site. Clinton (D-N.Y.) also has the backing of Gov. Martin O'Malley and Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown…

<><> POLLS<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

McCain Moves Into Lead; Obama Gains on Clinton
Giuliani Falls to 4th in National Poll

By Dan Balz and Jon Cohen
Washington Post
January 14, 2008

The first contests of the 2008 presidential campaign have led to a dramatic shake-up in public opinion nationally, with Sen. John McCain now leading the Republican field and Sen. Barack Obama all but erasing Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's once-overwhelming advantage among Democrats, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll…

Race, Sex and the Battle for the Democratic Nod

Washington Post
January 14, 2008

Race and gender are this week's central flash-points in the race for the Democratic nomination. Here are some data from the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll to add to the mix…

Now, economy tops war in election

By Peter Grier and Amanda Paulson
Christian Science Monitor
January 14, 2008

Indicators like high oil prices and the slumping stock market have voters concerned…

Clinton, McCain lead among California voters

By Cathleen Decker
Los Angeles Times
January 14, 2008

Hillary Rodham Clinton holds a commanding lead over Barack Obama in California as the Democratic presidential contest heads toward the Feb. 5 primary, a new statewide poll has found. John McCain's resurgent campaign claimed a slim lead among Republicans, with a trio of candidates competing to challenge him…

Poll: McCain, Clinton nab national leads

By Susan Page
USA Today
January 14, 2008

WASHINGTON — Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Rodham Clinton is holding her ground with women voters, but rival Barack Obama has narrowed her lead by scoring major gains among African-Americans and young people…

<><>WAR/TERROR<><><><><>><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Iraq Defense Minister Sees Need for U.S. Security Help Until 2018

By Thom Shanker
New York Times
January 15, 2008

The minister’s comments suggested a longer U.S. commitment in Iraq than had previously been indicated…