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MC Rove Raps Clinton

Speaking at the Republican National Committee's Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C., former White House adviser Karl Rove pokes fun at Hillary Clinton's 15% edge over "Uncommitted" in the Michigan primary, and the more than 20,000 votes for "the guy who believes in UFOs."

McCain Defends Stance On Confederate Flag In S.C.

(AP)John McCain's losing 2000 campaign in South Carolina continues to follow him as he travels the state this time around. At multiple events today in the state, protesters waved Confederate flags and passed out flyers as the candidate's bus arrived -- and one of the protesters asked the senator a question at an event, the Associated Press reports. The protesters were against McCain's call in April 2000 (after the primary) for the flag to be removed from the top of the statehouse -- even though he sidestepped the question during his primary battle with George W. Bush. At the time, he said not taking the stance during the campaign was a "sacrifice of principle for personal ambition." In an interview from a few months ago with Katie Couric that airs tonight on the CBS Evening News as part of the Primary Questions series, McCain also stood by his stance and called it the "worst advice" he had ever given himself. "Probably the worst piece of advice I've ever given to myself was when the Confederate flag was flying over the state capitol in South Carolina," he said. "And I decided that I would say it's not an issue I should be involved in, that it should be decided by the people of the state of South Carolina. I knew it was a symbol that was offensive to so many people. And afterwards, I went back and apologized. But it was needless to say, by saying that I wouldn't have anything to do with an issue like that was an act of cowardice." At the event today, after one of the questioners said he thought taking down the flag was wrong, McCain responded by saying he "could not be more proud of the majority of the people of this state'' who agreed the flag should be removed, according to the AP. He later told reporters, "I believe the issue has been resolved in the minds of the overwhelming majority of the people of South Carolina." The McCain campaign is aggressively going after any negative attacks on the senator, trying its hardest not to have a repeat of 2000. Although he leads in polls following his New Hampshire win, he still has many critics in the state. Read the other candidates' responses to the question on the worst advice they have ever given or received.

Starting Gate: Fred's Campaign Is Not Dead -- Yet

(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)Fred Thompson's campaign, left for dead after a lackluster effort in last fall's run-up to Iowa and New Hampshire, is showing some signs of life in South Carolina. On the days of the New Hampshire primary, Thompson headed south and began digging in for what could be his last stand. Is it paying off? Yes and no. According to the latest Palmetto Poll, conducted by the University of Clemson, Thompson remains in a distant fourth, garnering just 10 percent. John McCain leads the GOP race with 29 percent, Mike Huckabee gets 22 percent and Mitt Romney is third with 13 percent. In the August Palmetto Poll, Thompson led the field with 19 percent. But while Thompson's poll numbers might not be soaring, his rhetoric has gotten sharper over these past ten days. Just yesterday, the former Tennessee senator took aim at each one of those currently ahead of him. Thompson accused Romney of pandering and said his approach to the economy is less-than conservative. "Romney was very effective in Michigan doing what he does best and that is tailoring his message to a particular audience," said Thompson. "He basically - as I could pick up with it - promised that the federal government was going to come in and bail out Michigan when he got elected president. Very conservative notion, don't you think?" While taking it easier on his longtime friend McCain, Thompson still managed to get in a dig about his support for last year's failed immigration reform bill. "I knew that he was on the wrong track," he said of McCain. "And the American people said so and they rejected that bill." Thompson then took aim at Huckabee. "At least McCain's record's been out there for about 20 years. We've got some Johnny-come-latelies now that don't want to talk about their record and they're hoping there's not enough time for anybody to even to examine it, because where they've been in the past." This is the feisty Thompson that has been on display at the most recent debates and it's made him a much different candidate than the laconic manner in which he carried himself throughout the fall and early winter. Despite the rejuvenation, it may be too little, too late even in an incredibly jumbled and unpredictable field. But Thompson could prove to be a spoiler in the race. After finishing second in Michigan, McCain needs a win in South Carolina to reclaim the small burst of New Hampshire momentum which vaulted him to the top of national polls. Huckabee needs a victory in South Carolina to prove that his Iowa win was no fluke and that his claims of Southern appeal are solid. (Romney's win Tuesday takes some of the pressure off of him in a state that would be difficult for him under most circumstances). Between McCain and Huckabee, who does Thompson pull support from most?

Chelsea Clinton, (Temporary) Sorority Girl

Chelsea Clinton is reaching out to the sorority sisters. As UWire reports, Clinton told members of the "Inter-Sorority-Council" at Stanford, her alma mater, that her mother's campaign is looking to be more accessible. California votes on Feb. 5th, and with uncertainty in the Democratic race, the delegate-rich state could make a difference. "The strategy seems almost ingenious: target an all-female slice of the Stanford population that may be less politically engaged but more socially connected, and present them with an impressive young woman who lived in the Cowell cluster herself ten years ago," write The Stanford Daily editors. But the event wasn't quite as accessible as some Stanford students would have liked, as non-Greeks were frozen out of the event. "Chelsea"s mum appearance sponsored by the sorority system, a naturally exclusive institution that accepts and rejects candidates based on notoriously subjective qualifications, only perpetuates the major criticisms of the Clinton campaign," write the editors. For more from our partner UWire, click here.

It's Getting Intense Out There

It's getting pretty hot in the campaign kitchen these days and tensions are rising between the candidates and between the campaigns and the press. We're not yet in Britney Spears territory but the unblinking eyes of the cameras are catching some interesting moments. Yesterday, former President Clinton got into a heated debate with a local reporter from California over perceptions that the Clinton campaign is behind a lawsuit seeking to prevent the Nevada Democratic Party from holding caucuses in Casinos this weekend. The arrangement should help Barack Obama after he received the endorsement from the state's powerful Culinary union and was filed by the Nevada teacher's union which is seen as friendly to Clinton. And the candidates themselves aren't always pleased with the questions they're getting from the press. During a question and answer session with reporters this morning, Mitt Romney took offense to the suggestion by one journalist that he was not being entirely honest when he denied that lobbyists are helping to run his campaign. CBS News' Scott Conroy reports that the exchange was over Ron Kaufman, a well-known lobbyist Romney campaign adviser who is often seen by the governor"s side while on the road. Romney pointed out that Kaufman is unpaid and does not attend senior strategy meetings.

Leahy Endorsement Could Give Obama A Subtle Boost Among Dems

Sen. Patrick Leahy's endorsement of Barack Obama today would at first seem to have little intrinsic value - Vermont has a tiny share of delegates and isn't even among the states voting on Feb. 5. But it does give Obama a good name to toss out, one that is seen as both experienced and a favorite of establishment Democrats. Leahy was elected to the Senate in 1974, making him one of its most veteran members. Backing Obama, then, is a subtle rebuttal to Hillary Clinton's frequent claim that her experience in the Senate and as first lady makes her more qualified to be president. If an old hand like Leahy thinks Obama is the better candidate, it might convince other elected Democrats and donors that the Illinois senator deserves their support. Leahy also chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee and last year led the party's fight with former Attorney General Alberto Gonzales over the firings of several US attorneys. His tussles with the Bush administration over Gonzales and other issues - especially civil liberties and other constitutional concerns - have made him popular with activist Democrats. Exit polls out of New Hampshire showed that Clinton beat Obama among registered Democrats, and the timing of this endorsement suggests it could be part of a bid to burnish Obama's credentials among that group. Finally, Leahy has been an outspoken opponent of the Iraq war, and voted against the resolution authorizing the use of military force there - a resolution Clinton supported. Lately, however, the Clinton campaign, especially former President Bill Clinton, has been questioning the authenticity of Obama's opposition to the conflict. The endorsement from a consistent opponent of the war is a quiet rebuttal to the Clintons' assertions, and Obama alluded to the issue in a press release announcing Leahy's support. "Senator Leahy had the judgment and courage to vote against the Iraq war, and he's been a champion of our rights here at home, and of human rights around the world," Obama said. "I look forward to working with him to stand up to the special interests, rally Democrats and Republicans together to get things done, and bring about change we can believe in." Again, this endorsement, in and of itself, is unlikely to change any votes in Nevada and South Carolina. But it does indicate that the Obama campaign may be focusing on getting the backing of more Democrats to complement the candidate's existing edge among independent voters.

Obama Union Supporters Say Clinton Is "Shameless"

A Nevada union supporting Barack Obama is taking the gloves off in a new Spanish radio ad that blasts Hillary Clinton in advance of Saturday"s democratic caucus. UNITE HERE, under the umbrella of the state"s largest union, is running the ad in response to a lawsuit filed to disallow members from caucusing at their places of work - mainly casinos. The lawsuit was dismissed today but this ad is adding plenty of fire to the issue. Listen to the ad here The following is a translation of the ad: "Hillary Clinton does not respect our people. Hillary Clinton supporters went to court to prevent working people to vote this Saturday - that is an embarrassment." "Hillary Clinton supporters want to prevent people from voting in their workplace on Saturday." "This is unforgivable!" "Hillary Clinton is shameless." "Hillary Clinton should not allow her friends to attack our people's right to vote this Saturday. This is unforgivable, there is no respect." "Senator Obama is defending our right to vote. Senator Obama wants our votes. He respects our votes, our community, and our people." "Senator Obama's campaign slogan is "S Se Puede, S se puede." ("Yes We Can")." "Vote for a president that respects us, and that respects our right to vote." "Obama for president, "Si Se Puede" ("Yes We Can")."

Starting Gate: Don't Bet The Ranch

(AP / CBS)In a campaign where the unexpected is the only certain bet, Nevada's caucuses tomorrow are a perfect illustration of this crazy political year. In what other year would an important nominating contest where the turnout estimates range from 20,000 to 100,000 seem so at home? All bets are off in Nevada tomorrow as state Democrats gather in unfamiliar circumstances to add their voice to the fierce battle between Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards. Like so much else in this campaign, the advantages for one candidate seem clear and the outcome appears a safe bet. Even as he was suffering a stunning setback in New Hampshire, Obama was getting the endorsement of Nevada's influential Culinary union, widely seen as the state's premier organizational tool in the caucuses. The state's teachers union has not endorsed but is considered to be in the Clinton camp. They filed a lawsuit after Obama napped the Culinary support to try and stop party rules which allow voters to caucus in casinos - where plenty of those union members work and can participate even while on the clock. That suit was thrown out yesterday, clearing the way for what appears on the face of it to be an Obama win tomorrow. But don't bet the ranch. Nobody, it seems, has a handle on just what the cards will look like when they're finally dealt. Union members are furious at the attempt. In a radio ad yesterday, the Culinary union began running a Spanish-language ad calling Clinton "shameless" for allowing supporters to file the lawsuit. "Hillary Clinton does not respect our people," the ad says. "Hillary Clinton supporters went to court to prevent working people to vote this Saturday - that is an embarrassment. Hillary Clinton supporters want to prevent people from voting in their workplace on Saturday. This is unforgivable!" But both the Clinton and Obama campaigns have invested heavily in organization in the state. Obama may have the most powerful union but Clinton and Edwards have influential labor support of their own. And polls in the state indicate any one of the three could emerge with a win. In 2004, when the state was relegated to a basically meaningless contest, just 9,000 Democrats turned out for the nominating caucuses. As many as ten times that number may participate tomorrow in over 500 locations to take part in a process which is difficult for even Iowans to navigate - and they have decades of experience doing it. They'll be showing up at more than 5,000 sites across the state. High stakes with low odds of predicting a winner. Sounds kind of like the perfect description of campaign '08.

Huckabee's Comments On Confederate Flag, Gay Marriage Draw Attention

Looks like Mike Huckabee has the inside track on the pro-Confederate flag vote in South Carolina. New radio ads airing in South Carolina during conservative talk shows praise Huckabee for calling disputes over the confederate flag an issue for the states, the Associated Press reports. South Carolina Republicans go to the polls Saturday. "You don't like people from outside the state coming in and telling you what to do with your flag," Huckabee said in Myrtle Beach, S.C., on Thursday. "In fact, if somebody came to Arkansas and told us what to do with our flag, we'd tell 'em what to do with the pole, that's what we'd do." The radio ads, from Americans for the Preservation of American Culture, also take aim at John McCain - he has been "calling the flag a racist symbol for years," one spot says - and Mitt Romney, who said "that flag shouldn't be shown" in a debate. Huckabee, by contrast, "understands that all the average guy with a Confederate flag on his pickup truck is saying is he's proud to be a Southerner," according to one ad. "Mike Huckabee understands we value our heritage and why." The flag flap is not the only social issue Huckabee finds himself involved with: He is taking heat for comments he made to beliefnet about gay marriage this week. "I think the radical view is to say that we're going to change the definition of marriage so that it can mean two men, two women, a man and three women, a man and a child, a man and animal," Huckabee said. David Smith of the gay rights group the Human Rights Campaign told CNN that Huckabee is "equating a loving marriage between two people of the same sex with some form of bestiality. I think that's really out of the mainstream of American thought, and most people will find that offensive."

Magic On Clinton's Team In South Carolina

CBS News Chief Political Consultant and Atlantic blogger Marc Ambinder reports that Magic Johnson has a new radio ad in South Carolina endorsing Hillary Clinton - and implying that Barack Obama is an untested rookie. "My rookie year, we won our first game on a last second shot," Johnson says in the spot. "I was so hyped. But the captain of my team said, 'take it easy rookie, it"s a long season, it"s a long road to the championship.' He was right. Winning comes from years of hard work and preparation." It's worth noting that, as Ambinder's skeptical commenters point out, Johnson's team won the NBA Championship his rookie season. You can listen to the spot here.