The Mini-Note

— -- The Note is undergoing some changes. In the meantime, The Mini-Note will provide you an early look at the must-read political stories of the day likely to dominate the political news cycle. If you want to get an early jump on the day in politics, you will want to make The Mini-Note your first stop of the morning.

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MUST-READS:

Washington Post's Dan Balz and Jon Cohen "Giuliani's Lead Shrinks, Clinton's Margin Holds" LINK

New York Times' Eric Lipton: "One Prosecutor's Ouster Central to Inquiry"LINK

Washington Post's Peter Baker and Jonathan Weisman: "Democrats Would Make Iraq Timetable in Bill 'Advisory'" LINK

ABC News' Teddy Davis: "Fred Thompson 2008: A Matter of When -- Not If, Top Backer Says" LINK

Politics of prosecutorial independence:

Washington Post's Peter Baker: "On the Hill, Gonzales Gets His Chance at Redemption: Insiders Say Loyalty Bought Him Time"LINK

Politics of abortion:

New York Times' Robin Toner: "Court Ruling Catapults Abortion Back Into '08 Race"LINK

2008: Republicans: F. Thompson:

Boston Globe's Rick Klein: "Ex-Senator Thompson Visits Congress, '08 Speculation In Tow" LINK

Bloomberg's Heidi Przybyla and Catherine Dodge: "Thompson, Potential Candidate, Gains Among Party Conservatives"LINK

2008: Republicans: Giuliani:

Los Angeles Times' Michael Finnegan: "Giuliani shifts stance on abortion method"LINK

2008: Republicans: Romney:

Washington Post's Chris Cillizza: "Romney's Odd Historical Reference" LINK

2008: Democrats:

Associated Press' Beth Fouhy: "Democrats scramble to court Sharpton"LINK

Bay Area Reporter's Lisa Keen: "Dems battle for gay votes"LINK

Des Moines Register's Tom Beaumont: "Seven presidential candidates make plans to visit Iowa"LINK

2008: Democrats: Clinton:

Politico's Ben Smith on Harold Ickes: "Hillary's Hammer Returns"LINK

New York Post's Ian Bishop: "Hillary's Popularity Ratings Go Negative" LINK