Hillary Accepts no defeat & Cartoon of the Day

First for the Cartoon of the Day:
This Election Cartoon is just a nice representation of where Hillary stands in the current race. The Political Cartoon is a great depiction of her "grasping for straws" strategy that currently is inching her forward in this election.

Reeling from her Democratic rival's 11 straight wins in nominating contests, Senator Clinton rejected the perception that her performance Thursday in a high-stakes debate in Austin, Texas, had a valedictory tone.

"This is going to be a spirited election between now and March 4," Clinton told supporters at a rally in Dallas, Texas.

Hillary Clinton Friday denied she was contemplating defeat for her White House bid, after her wistful tribute to Barack Obama in a debate was seen by some observers as an admission of looming failure.

"I am thrilled at the depth and breadth of support I have across the state," she said, knowing that Texas, along with Ohio, makes up a pair of must-win contests for her.

But in the debate the night before, the generous tribute she paid to her rival was seen by some commentators as an admission that her quest to be the first woman president could fall short.

"You know, no matter what happens in this contest -- and I am honored, I am honored to be here with Barack Obama. I am absolutely honored," she said, and reached out to shake his hand.

While Clinton was making the case that her campaign was not on its last legs, presumptive Republican nominee John McCain was back in Indiana, attempting to shrug off news reports that connected him to corporate lobbyists and one, in the New York Times, that suggested he had had an improper relationship with a female lobbyist.

Besides the pressure of a lagging campaign, the death of a police motorcyclist who crashed while escorting Clinton in Dallas Friday cast a pall of sadness over her team.

"I just learned of the death of a Dallas police officer in a devastating accident that occurred as these motorcycle officers were leading our cars to this site," Clinton said.

"We are just heartsick over this loss of life and I have asked that my condolences be conveyed to the family."

Meanwhile Clinton's camp sought to turn her melancholy remarks in the debate to her favor.

"What we saw in the final moments in that debate is why Hillary Clinton is the next president of the United States," her spokesman Howard Wolfson said in a statement.

"Her strength, her life experience, her compassion. She's tested and ready. It was the moment she retook the reins of this race and showed women and men why she is the best choice."

Senator Obama, who leads Clinton 1368 to 1271 in the race to win enough delegates to capture the Democratic nomination, made several appearances in Texas Friday, one of two large states to hold primaries on March 4 expected to either rescue or end Clinton's White House hopes.

Now favored to win the Democratic nomination, Obama -- who seeks to become the country's first African-American president -- spent part of the time jousting with McCain over US foreign policy.

McCain attempted to skewer Obama over his offer in Thursday's debate to speak to leaders of US foes without preconditions, focusing on Cuba after the resignation of Fidel Castro.

"So Raul Castro gets an audience with an American president, and all the prestige such a meeting confers, without having to release political prisoners, allow free media, political parties, and labor unions, or schedule internationally monitored free elections," McCain said.

"Senator Obama says he would meet Cuba's dictator without any such steps in the hope that talk will make things better for Cuba's oppressed people."

Obama hit back in his own statement: "John McCain would give us four more years of the same Bush-McCain policies that have failed US interests and the Cuban people for the last 50 years.

"My policy will be based on the principle of liberty for the Cuban people, and I will seek that goal through strong and direct presidential diplomacy."

The Debate of Democrats in the Election in 2008

Barack Obama has challenged rival Hillary Rodham Clinton's candour and trustworthiness while trying to distance himself from a contributor facing criminal charges, as the Democratic presidential campaign took on an increasingly mean twist.

Republican candidates, meanwhile, seized on America's financial worries to tout their own economic credentials as a wide-open presidential nomination contest moves forward.

The Democrats also have been pushing their own economic plans, but they were overshadowed by more bickering between the front runners as Obama said Clinton has indulged in doubletalk on bankruptcy laws, trade and other issues.

Obama and Clinton clashed bitterly over questions of truthfulness and consistency in a televised debate on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Obama was forced to distance himself from a contributor who faces fraud and extortion charges after Clinton seized upon it.

Obama said he had no indication of any problems when he accepted thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Antoin "Tony" Rezko.

Politicians "don't always say what they mean, or mean what they say," the Illinois senator told about 900 people at Winthrop University in South Carolina, where the next Democratic contest is taking place. "That is what this debate in this party is all about."

"My relationship is he was somebody who I knew and had been a supporter for many years, he was somebody who had supported a wide range of candidates all throughout Illinois," the Democratic presidential candidate said in an interview with CBS television's Early Show.

Some $US86,000 ($A99,000) has been sent by the Obama campaign to various charities after the money was linked in some way to Rezko.

Former President Bill Clinton sought to lower expectations for his wife in the South Carolina primary while raising them for Obama.

He told a crowd of about 100 people in Charleston he was proud of the Democratic Party for having a woman and a black candidate and he understands why Obama is drawing support among blacks, who are expected to makeup at least half the primary turnout.

"As far as I can tell, neither Senator Obama nor Hillary have lost votes because of their race or gender. They are getting votes, to be sure, because of their race or gender - that's why people tell me Hillary doesn't have a chance of winning here," Clinton said.

"But that's understandable because people are proud when someone who they identify with emerges for the first time."

Former North Carolina senator John Edwards, who acknowledged that he got his "butt kicked" last week in Nevada, has staked his fading hopes on South Carolina, the state where he was born and whose primary he won in 2004.

He won the endorsement of one of the state's largest unions, the Communications Workers of America, as he gave details of an economic plan his campaign said would offer the state's struggling economy $US1.5 billion ($A1.73 billion) in relief.

On the Republican side, candidates campaigned on the weak US economy ahead of the January 29 contest in Florida, which looms as the final single-state test before both campaigns go national with more than 20 primaries and caucuses on February 5.

Millionaire Mitt Romney touted his business experience in a new ad released in that state.

"I know how America works because I spent my life in the real economy," says the man who made millions as a venture capitalist. "My plan will make America strong."

The Republican race remains fragmented, as three candidates - Romney, Arizona Senator John McCain and preacher turned politician Mike Huckabee - have split the spoils in contests that netted three different winners in six states.

In Orlando, Florida, McCain said he believes the US economy can recover despite anxiety of a prospective recession.

"Our economy is experiencing significant challenges," the Arizona senator said. "I believe the fundamentals of our economy are still strong. And, nothing is inevitable, and I am convinced that we can make a comeback."

McCain spent the morning at an Orlando company that makes spas and hot tubs, meeting with local business leaders and holding an economic round-table with them.

The former Vietnam prisoner of war was endorsed by retired Army General Norman Schwarzkopf.

"Senator John McCain has served our country with honour in war and in peace," Schwarzkopf, who commanded US forces in the 1991 Persian Gulf war, said in a statement released by the campaign. "He has demonstrated the type of courageous leadership our country sorely needs at this time."

The Republican field narrowed on Tuesday as ex-TV star and former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson quit after a series of poor finishes.

Hillary in 08: Bill attracts attacks.

Mr. Bill Clinton has suddenly become the shining new target for the Obama Campaign in the 08 Democratic Primaries. With his outspoken personality he has made a few comments that have attracted the lime light and put the focus on his words instead of the beliefs of his wife. Could this prove to be beneficial for the Clinton Campaign or will voters hold responsible, Hillary Clinton, for the actions and words of her husband Bill?

The Guardian describes the scene well:

At Lizard's Thicket diner, by the side of a Columbia highway, he let his breakfast, a southern concoction of omelette and grits, grow cold.

He was enjoying taking questions from reporters too much to care about food. After weeks of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama being the top of the news agenda, he was the story today.

Standing with a cup of coffee addressing about 40 journalists crowded into the diner, he joked: "I like to stay out of the papers. I am not used to this. I am a little out of practise."

While aides pleaded for him to be allowed to eat and told reporters "no more questions", Bill Clinton could not resist taking another and another. He spoke about his role as Hillary's attack dog against Obama, about whether his presence was doing her more harm than good and about the increasing viciousness of exchanges between the Clinton and Obama camps.

Arguments were inevitable in politics, he said, adding: "This is a contact sport." Bill Clinton's shift from being Hillary's spouse, loyally standing behind her on stage and working daily town hall meetings, to top of the news agenda began yesterday morning.

The story accelerated after an ugly series of personal exchanges between the two leading Democratic candidates in a televised debate at the South Carolina holiday resort, Myrtle Beach.

Obama complained about Bill Clinton making statements that were "not factually accurate". The story grew overnight as Hillary Clinton confirmed she was leaving South Carolina - a virtual acceptance that she is not expected to win the state's Democratic primary - and would instead concentrate elsewhere.

She was leaving Bill in charge. He has won South Carolina before. Is this southern politician, one of the most formidable campaigners in modern history, capable of producing another surprise?

Sometimes labeled the first "black" president because of the rapport with African-Americans he established during his presidency, is he capable of defeating Obama - or at least narrowing his poll lead - in a state where about half the Democratic voters are African-American?

And there is another question. If he is going to be so dominant in the campaign, will he also interfere if Hillary wins the White House and he becomes, as he himself described it, the First Laddie?

Hillary Clinton Rolls Through Nevada on a Razor's Edge

New York Sen. Hillary Clinton has won Nevada's Democratic caucuses, giving her two early contest wins over her rivals for her party's presidential nomination.

"I guess this is how the West was won," Clinton told cheering supporters in Las Vegas. The victory was her second straight, coming after an upset win in the New Hampshire primary.

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama ran a strong second, with former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards finishing a distant third.

Voters told NPR that the economy was the most important issues on their minds, including job stability and the high number of foreclosures in the state.


More than 120,000 Democrats — nearly one-third of all of Nevada's registered Democrats and 10 times the number of Nevadans who participated in 2004 — showed up at 520 precincts around the state. This marks the first year Nevada has held an early presidential contest.

Exit polls conducted by the Associated Press and TV networks show that Clinton received the support of female voters, Latinos and senior citizens— winning despite the fact that two major union endorsements went to rivals Obama and Edwards.

Nearly half of Nevada Democrats surveyed in exit polls said they were looking for someone who can make changes. Clinton overwhelmed Obama among the quarter of Nevada Democrats looking for a candidate with the right experience.

Nevadans gathered Saturday in high schools, casinos and cowboy bars for the state's first early presidential caucuses.

As caucus-goers waited to register, candidates worked the long lines, shaking hands and taking photos with supporters. Former President Bill Clinton brought along daughter Chelsea to hand out buttons and fliers to union workers and urge them to support his wife. Illinois Sen. Barack Obama had already received the endorsement of the culinary workers' union, which has roughly 60,000 members.

Former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards left Nevada Friday to focus on other primary contests, after a week of feverish campaigning in the Silver State. Although he came in third in the caucuses, he secured the support of United Brotherhood of Carpenters, as well as the United Steelworkers.

Nine hotels and casinos had been designated as Democratic caucus sites, in a move aimed at making it easier for casino workers to participate. The state Democratic Party let the culinary workers' union, which has endorsed Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, choose the sites. The decision was challenged in court by the state teachers' union, which argued that the sites unfairly favor Obama. Ultimately, the court decided the sites were acceptable.

In the days leading up the Nevada caucuses, a Reno Gazette-Journal poll showed Clinton, Edwards and Obama in a statistical dead heat: Obama with 32 percent, Clinton with 30 percent and Edwards with 27 percent.

But Clinton spent little time savoring her victory in Nevada.

The candidates scattered Saturday afternoon to other campaign spots to prepare for upcoming primaries. Next on the calendar is the South Carolina Democratic primary on Jan. 26.

From NPR staff reports and the Associated Press.

Hillary in 08: Does Michigan Like Clinton in 08?

Clinton's two main rivals -- Barack Obama and John Edwards -- removed their names from the ballot, and the national party stripped Michigan of its delegates because it held the primary before Feb. 5, a violation of party rules.
Hillary Clinton scored a largely empty victory in Tuesday's Democratic presidential primary, taking slightly more than half the votes, while her main ballot opponent -- Uncommitted -- received about 40%.
Clinton led Uncommitted 55%-40% with 97% of the vote counted Tuesday night. About 600,000 people voted in the Democratic primary.
The National Election Pool poll, conducted by Edison/Mitofsky of New Jersey, surveyed 997 Democratic voters at 40 polling places in Michigan. The margin of error was plus or minus 4 percentage points.
"Anything over 50%, we're ecstatic," Blanchard said. "A win is a win is a win, given what happened in Iowa and New Hampshire."
Christina Montague, state coordinator of Michiganders for Obama, was happy with the result, and said it proved Obama's strength in Michigan.
"We didn't want to be totally disenfranchised," she said. "I think we've done a fabulous job. We really worked hard."
Relatively few independent and Republican voters chose to vote in the Democratic primary, the poll found.