A Combative Thompson Sways Voters  —  MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — John and Ann Berenberk dutifully watched the umpteenth Republican presidential debate on television on Thursday night and had an epiphany.  It was about the candidate they had previously referred to as the tall, silent one.  Fred D. Thompson.

Women vs. Oprah  —  WASHINGTON, D.C. — The absence of Oprah Winfrey from the frantic four last days of the New Hampshire primary campaign after her heavy schedule in Iowa backing Sen. Barack Obama may be traced to heavy, unaccustomed post-Iowa abuse of the popular entertainment superstar by women.

Joe Won't Be The Veep Pick For McCain  —  Unlike in the 2004 campaign, when a still-angry McCain allowed rumors of a second-slot deal with John Kerry to percolate just a little before denying them, the McCain campaign wants to scotch rumors of a similar deal with Senator Joe Lieberman.

Clinton camp hits Obama |  Attacks ‘painful’ for black voters  —  Many in state offended by criticism of Obama, remarks about King  —  Sharp criticism of Barack Obama and other comments about Martin Luther King Jr. — all from people associated with Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign …

MINORITY REPORTS  —  After New Hampshire, a hint of racial politics. … The brief interregnum between the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary may be remembered as a time when it appeared that the magical qualities ascribed to Barack Obama included an ability to suspend all the ordinary rules of politics.

Clintons Move to Tamp Down Criticism From Blacks About Recent Comments  —  WASHINGTON — The Clinton campaign moved Friday to try to quell a potentially damaging reaction to recent comments by Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton that have drawn criticism from African-Americans …

VICTORY!... In Kuwait Bush Claims Surge a Huge Success!  (Video)  —  “History will say, it was when you were called upon, you served, and the service you rendered was absolutely necessary to defeat an enemy overseas so we do not have to face them here at home...”