The Clinton-Obama exchange  —  CNN is providing transcript, and the full transcript of their first exchange is after the jump.  —  It began with this line from Obama, on his taxing and spending plans: “What she said wasn't true."  —  MODERATOR: She says that the new programs that she proposes she essentially

CNN readers respond angrily to ‘race or gender’ story  —  (CNN) — Within minutes of posting a story on CNN's homepage called “Gender or race: Black women voters face tough choices in South Carolina,” readers reacted quickly and angrily.  —  Many took umbrage at the story's suggestion …

“Who Let The Dogs Out?"  Mitt Romney Wants To Know  —  From CBS News' Scott Conroy:  —  JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA — Mitt Romney was greeted warmly by a largely African-American crowd at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Parade in Jacksonville.  He shook hands with several dozen parade-goers and even hugged a few of them.

Election 2008: New York Republican Presidential Primary  —  New York: McCain 26% Giuliani 20% Romney 13%  —  When Rudy Giuliani and his campaign team came up with the strategy to skip the early states and wait until Florida before entering the fray, they probably never expected to be trailing in New York State.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS  —  It's hard for me to think of much good from this debate.  If you view debates like a boxing match, I guess it was lively and perhaps entertaining, in the sense that a good boxing match can be, though the fighting was more intense than well executed.

BILL HAS A ‘DREAM’  —  EX PREZ NODS OFF DURING MLK AWARD PRESENTATION  —  Bill Clinton showed yesterday why he made it into the book “The Art of Napping."  —  During an appearance at the Convent Avenue Baptist Church in Harlem, the former president was caught nodding off.

McCain's Straight Talk For Florida: There Are Some Homes That Won't Be Coming Back  —  Taking a page from his Michigan strategy, John McCain lets Florida homeowners know he won't be there for them the next time an Andrew comes ashore: … UPDATE:  —  Politico's Jonathan Martin adds on the insurance issue:

SC Democrat debate: Punch, Judy, and Silky; Update: Squabbling, mud-slinging, the gloves are off!  —  Update 10:55pm Eastern.  I agree with every word of this: … As I noted below, Hillary's answer to the question about whether she wants to end the war or win it (she channeled Cindy Sheehan's …

THE FED-UP FEMALE....Reader Mary S. emails to echo something that I've heard from more than a few women:

Despite Blog Support, Flake Bid a Long-shot  —  Every so often, the liberal or conservative blogospheres will get excited and mobilized to make something happen that probably never will.  Such is the case with the growing movement to get Arizona Rep. Jeff Flake (R) onto the House Appropriations Committee.

DEBATE BLOGGIN'  —  8:23 Economy, economy, e-c-o-n-o-m-y ...  8:24 “You gave a great speech..."  —  8:29 PM ... Man, this can degenerate pretty quickly, can't it?  Each side got in a couple really low blows there.  I still think Hillary is just intentionally misrepresenting what Obama said about Reagan.

Scarlett Johansson boosts morale in Kuwait  —  If anyone has wondered what can make a battle hardened Marine act like a love-struck high-schooler, the answer is simple—a meet and greet with Scarlett Johansson.  —  The 23-year-old bombshell met with nearly 600 service members at Camp Buehring …