First Thoughts: The Dem Debate  —  I was tempted to call this encounter a draw but I am mindful that there are no zero sum debates in presidential politics.  —  And twenty minutes of Iraq happened.  And so I'll give Obama the edge.  Clinton was forced, for about 20 minutes, to recapitulate her vote on Iraq, over and over again.

The Choice  —  It's gotten to that time in the primary contest where lines are drawn, camps are solidified and conversations around dinner tables grow heated.  My friend Dan recently put it this way: “You start talking about the candidates, and next thing you know someone's crying!”

Quick Sum Up  —  Some very quick thoughts.  The debate was a surprisingly substantive discussion of a number of issues that actually resonate in people's lives.  Which means it wasn't really anything like a political debate.  I thought both candidates had a good debate.

Depressingly stupid goddamn journalism  —  Dear Dr. Atrios.  I have a good Wanker of the Day nominee for you.  His name is Jake Tapper and he's (tragically) a senior national correspondent at ABC.  He's also apparently illiterate.  Check it: … Or perhaps you should actually read …

More CNN debates on the horizon  —  LOS ANGELES (CNN) - CNN announced Thursday that it will partner with the Ohio Democratic Party and the Ohio Republican Party for back-to-back presidential debates at the end of February.  —  With the race for each party nomination likely to extend beyond …

Obama bagman is sent to jail over $3.5m payment by British tycoon  —  James Bone in New York, Dominic Kennedy in London  —  An undeclared $3.5 million (£1.8 million) payment from a corrupt Iraqi-British businessman has landed Barack Obama's former fundraiser behind bars.

Obama's Muslim Summit  —  Reuters reports that if Barack Obama becomes President, he'll hold a summit with all leaders of Muslim countries: … Is he planning on doing this before or after bombing Pakistan?  Because that could have an effect on that gap he's talking about.

The Non-Debate  —  If one studies carefully the Clintama answers on the war on terror, illegal immigration, and Iraq then the magnitude of Republican infighting seems surreal.  The gulf between Hillary and McCain is Grand-Canyon like.  This debate came down to Obama, talking in vague generalities …

Last year's model: stricken US homeowners confound predictions  —  When Ray McDaniel, president of Moody's, addressed a debate in Davos last week, the mood was so hostile that some speakers joked that he was brave to appear “without a bodyguard”.  —  No wonder.

Glenn Beck's Rants Against ‘Juan McCain’ Would Not Be Welcome At RedState.com  —  Discussing last night's GOP debate on his radio show today, Glenn Beck and fill-in host Pat Gray mocked Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) by derisively calling him “Juan McCain.”  Beck, who considers McCain's sponsorship …

Coulter: If McCain's the nominee, I'll campaign for Hillary  —  The ne plus ultra of conservatives crapping away Iraq in a fit of spite at Maverick: “I think she would be stronger on the war on terrorism.”  Madness.  —  Blowback

Sun's low magnetic activity may portend an ice age  —  The Canadian Space Agency's radio telescope has been reporting Flux Density Values so low they will mean a mini ice age if they continue.  —  Like the number of sunspots, the Flux Density Values reflect the Sun's magnetic activity …

Shell sets record with £14bn profits  —  Shell was today accused of making “obscene” profits at a time when pensioners, motorists and industry are struggling with higher energy prices when it unveiled annual earnings of $27.6bn (£13.9bn).  —  The oil major has made British corporate history …