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:

Wall Street Journal's John Harwood: "Obama Narrows Gap With Clinton"LINK

New York Times' "The Caucus" blog: "Bloomberg Tells Gore He Should Run in '08"LINK

Iraq:

Washington Post's Jonathan Weisman: "House Passes Iraq Pullout Timetable"LINK

ABC News' Teddy Davis: "Biden, Brownback Discuss Plan B for Iraq"LINK

Joe Lieberman in the Washington Post: "One Choice in Iraq"LINK

Associated Press: "Hot Rhetoric in Washington"LINK

2008: Democratic Debate:

ABC News' David Chalian: "Democrats Head South for First Presidential Debate"LINK

ABC News' Steve Portnoy: "Two Ways to Make History: Clinton vs. Obama Divides the South" LINK

ABC News' Teddy Davis: "Heading Into First Debate, Richardson Draws Contrast on 'Residual Forces'" LINK

Baltimore Sun's Paul West: Debate season opens tonight: White House hopefuls hope to avoid gaffes while in TV spotlightLINK

Los Angeles Times' Mark Z. Barabak: "Race is onstage in South Carolina debate: Democrats may have to address the issues of inequality and justice"LINK

The State's Aaron Gould Sheinin: "Debate expert says S.C. event's format favors front-runners"LINK

The State's James T. Hammond: "Political, media 'stars are aligned' for S.C. State"LINK

The Hill's Sam Youngman: "Dems walk tightrope in S.C. on guns"LINK

Chicago Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet: "Getting ready to debate Obama and his staff prepare thoroughly for the S.C. event"LINK

2008: Republicans: McCain:

ABC's Jake Tapper: "McCain Relaunches Campaign Ship"LINK

Washington Post's Michael D. Shear: "For McCain, a Second Try at the White House"LINK

Washington Post's Howard Kurtz: "Journalists and John McCain: Is The Honeymoon Really Over?"LINK

Tuscon Arizona Citizen's Blake Morlock: "Poll: McCain's support in Ariz. Slipping"LINK

Politico's Mike Allen: "McCain calls for Gonzales to resign"LINK

New Hampshire Union Leader's Clynton Namuo: "McCain starts his day in Portsmouth"LINK

2008: Republicans: Giuliani:

New York Times' Marc Santora: "Giuliani Broadens His Message on Terrorism"LINK

New York Daily News' David Saltonstall: "Rattling sabers, & Dems: Rudy gleefully watches as foes froth over his Iraq war rhetoric"LINK