Losing Ugly  —  There's losing.  There's losing honorably.  And then there's John Edwards.  —  Mike Huckabee is not going to be president.  The loss in South Carolina, one of the most highly evangelical states in the union, made that plain.  With a ceiling of 14 percent among nonevangelical Republicans …

Primary Choices: John McCain  —  We have strong disagreements with all the Republicans running for president.  The leading candidates have no plan for getting American troops out of Iraq.  They are too wedded to discredited economic theories and unwilling even now to break with the legacy of President Bush.

The Ideas Bill Forgot  —  It was a remarkable moment: A young, free-thinking presidential hopeful named Bill Clinton sat down with reporters and editors at The Post in October 1991 and started saying things most Democrats wouldn't allow to pass their lips.  —  Ronald Reagan, Clinton said, deserved credit for winning the Cold War.

Democrats Test Messages in Early Nationwide Ads  —  A coast-to-coast onslaught of presidential campaign advertisements began rolling out this week, with Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton already spending millions on commercials in Feb. 5 nominating states on a scale more reminiscent of a general election.

Was that a whisper in Romney's Ear?  —  What's a debate without a little blogging fun?  During the GOP Presidential Debate on MSNBC, a very curious thing happened during a Tim Russert question to Mitt Romney.  You can hear what seemed like an on air-whispered answer directed at Romney …

In Senate, a White House Victory on Eavesdropping  —  WASHINGTON — A White House plan to broaden the National Security Agency's wiretapping powers won a key procedural victory in the Senate on Thursday, as backers defeated a more restrictive plan by Senate Democrats that would have imposed more court oversight on government spying.

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do  —  We begin, as one always must now, again, with Bill Clinton.  The past week he has traveled South Carolina, leaving discord in his wake.  Barack Obama, that “fairytale,” is low, sneaky.  “He put out a hit job on me."  The press is cruelly carrying Mr. Obama's counter-jabs.

Christian author has problem with conservatives  —  ORLANDO, Florida (AP) — Donald Miller still loves God and Jesus.  Don't misunderstand him.  —  His problem is with Christianity, at least how it's often practiced.  —  “It's a dangerous term so I try to avoid it,” said Miller …

Fact Sheet: Tony Rezko  —  Today, NBC aired an undated photo of Hillary and Bill Clinton taken with Tony Rezko and tried to compare that picture to Sen. Obama's 17-year relationship with the indicted influence peddler.  Over the course of her career, Hillary has probably taken tens of thousands of photos.

YEP, HE SAID IT  —  Seems McCain did say that.  —  Here's the video to refresh your memory ...  TPM Reader BY just sent in this clip from the Boston Globe ...  I guess it was too much to ask to have Russert crash and burn on this one.  —  Russert's quote was: “I know a lot less …

Washington Sets $150 Billion Plan To Jolt Economy  —  Taxpayers to Get Credits; Boost for Big Mortgages Via Fannie and Freddie  —  WASHINGTON — Congress and the White House hammered out an economic stimulus package that would put $150 billion into the hands of consumers and businesses …

How Real Was the Prosperity?  —  We're just beginning to figure out how much of the nation's recent growth was the result of a credit-induced frenzy.  Here are some guideposts  —  Mark it down.  Clear the slate.  Get it all behind us.  That's what the big banks are trying to do now.

Hamas challenges Egypt's bid to close Gaza border  —  RAFAH, Gaza Strip (Reuters) - Egypt started to close its breached border with the Gaza Strip on Friday but Palestinian militants bulldozed a new opening in a challenge to Cairo and Israel's blockade of the Hamas-run territory.

Exclusive |  Edwards rises in S.C. polls  —  Palmetto State native might be in striking distance for 2nd-place finish  —  Watch John Edwards.  —  With only a day left before Saturday's S.C. Democratic presidential primary, the former U.S. senator from North Carolina and S.C. native is making a move, tracking polls suggest.

GOP's campaign therapist tells party — It's not so bad  —  Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.) doesn't hold a degree in psychiatry, but he has taken on the role of therapist to the depressed House GOP conference.  —  And the counseling he gives to donors, would-be candidates and colleagues is simple and consistent …