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

The Voters Revolt  —  The Reagan administration had its pragmatists and its so-called ideologues.  It had James Baker as well as Ed Meese.  Reagan carried moderate states like Connecticut, Wisconsin and Washington, as well as conservative ones like Wyoming and South Carolina.

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.

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 …

Pre-emptive nuclear strike ‘an option’  —  The west must be ready to resort to a pre-emptive nuclear attack to try to halt the “imminent” spread of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, according to a radical manifesto for a new Nato by five of the west's most senior military officers and strategists.

The Democratic Debate in South Carolina  —  DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES PARTICIPATE IN A DEBATE SPONSORED BY CNN AND THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS ON JANUARY 21, 2008.  SPEAKERS: SEN. HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON, D-N.Y., FORMER SEN. JOHN EDWARDS, D-N.C., SEN. BARACK OBAMA …

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:

Attorneys probe deepens  —  The federal investigation into the firing of nine U.S. attorneys could jolt the political landscape ahead of the November elections, according to several people close to the inquiry.  —  Washington's attention has been diverted from the scandal since …

Take Charge, Central Bankers  —  There's a global stock market tsunami gathering force.  It may hit U.S. shores very hard this morning.  —  Much of this is panic over a U.S. recession threat that has yet to clearly materialize.  The world sell-off also vastly overestimates loan …

In Matters Big and Small, Crossing Giuliani Had Price  —  Rudolph W. Giuliani likens himself to a boxer who never takes a punch without swinging back.  As mayor, he made the vengeful roundhouse an instrument of government, clipping anyone who crossed him.  —  In August 1997, James Schillaci …

Earmarks Seen Likely to Continue  —  WASHINGTON — President Bush is unlikely to defy Congress on spending billions of dollars earmarked for pet projects, but he will probably insist that lawmakers provide more justification for such earmarks in the future, administration officials said Monday.