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.

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.

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!”

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.

Transcript of Thursday's Democratic presidential debate  —  This is the transcript from Thursday night's Democratic presidential debate between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama sponsored by CNN, The Los Angles Times and Politico.  —  LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) — WOLF BLITZER, CNN: Let's begin with Senator Obama.

Democratic Debate in Los Angeles  —  The following is a transcript of the Democratic debate in Los Angeles, as provided by Federal News Service.  —  PARTICIPANTS:  —  SENATOR BARACK OBAMA  —  MODERATORS:  —  WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR  —  LOCATION: KODAK THEATRE, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA

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 …

As McCain Wins, Critics on Right Look Again  —  WASHINGTON — Senator John McCain has long aroused almost unanimous opposition from the leaders of the right.  Accusing him of crimes against conservative orthodoxy like voting against a big tax cut and opposing a federal ban on same-sex marriage …

Poll: Clinton, McCain leading in Minnesota  —  With just five days until Minnesota's precinct caucuses, a new statewide poll shows Republican John McCain and Democrat Hillary Clinton leading in the race for president.  The Minnesota Public Radio News/Humphrey Institute poll shows McCain …

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

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 …