SNEAK PEEK: 'Words Matter, Promises Matter, Pledges Matter'
A nationally televised ad has Clinton and Obama at odds once again
January 21, 2008— -- 5 days until the South Carolina primary (Democrats)
8 days until the Florida primary
For once, Rudy Giuliani was not the only one gaming out the Sunshine State: on Monday, the Clinton campaign seized on Barack Obama's decision to launch a 50-state national cable buy as evidence that the freshman senator has broken his pledge not to campaign in Florida, a state which flouted Democratic Party rules by scheduling its primary before Feb. 5.
"In the heartland, words matter, promises matter, pledges matter," said former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack, a Clinton supporter, on a conference call with reporters.Before penetrating a substantial number of Florida homes with its paid message, the Obama campaign consulted with the chairwoman of the South Carolina Democratic Party.Carol Fowler told the Obama camp "unequivocally" that she "did not consider" a national cable buy to be in violation of the pledge made to the early states of South Carolina, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Iowa.
On a conference call that was chock full of Florida reporters, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe accused the Clinton campaign of "looking for some time now to try to find a way to break their word."
"To ascribe any kind of import to [Florida's Jan. 29 primary] would be a serious mistake," said Plouffe. "First of all, there are no delegates at stake. And secondly, there is no campaign. So there is now way to evaluate the appeal of the candidates."
On behalf of the Clinton camp, Vilsack took a very different tack when discussing the Sunshine State's importance.
"Florida counted yesterday as much as it counts today," said Vilsack.
Even though the Obama camp acted with Fowler's blessing, the Clinton campaign's Monday call will likely boost the bragging rights which the former first lady can claim if she comes out on top in the Jan. 29 balloting.
On Monday night, the top three Democratic '08ers -- Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards -- meet in Myrtle Beach, S.C., for a debate co-sponsored by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus.
The 8:00 pm ET debate, which will be moderated by Wolf Blitzer, will run two hours.
You can follow Rick Klein's live blogging of the debate here.
Who Among Us Does Not Love NASCAR?
Rudy Giuliani took the courtship of NASCAR dads to a new level on Monday.
After taking a lap around the Daytona International Speedway in his campaign bus, America's Mayor asked if he could drive a pace car.
Told, "sorry sir, we gotta get you to the town hall, we got people waiting," Giuliani started pouting.
"I wanna ride the pace car . . . during the campaign, I wanna ride a pace car! Will you let me ride a pace car? Do I need a license for that? . . . One time, boys. One time.""We're all little boys," he added, "don't you know that?"
Watch it here.
Read more from ABC's Jan Simmonds here.
The kicker:
"We don't think this is a problem. They think it is a problem." --Obama campaign manager David Plouffe on the Obama's national cable buy
On the campaign trail…
JOHN MCCAIN
-- 10:00 am ET: Attends rally with Florida Military Veterans, Pensacola, FL
-- 11:00 am ET: Holds media availability, Pensacola, FL
-- 12:15 pm ET: Attends rally with Florida Military Veterans, Fort Walton Beach, FL
-- 6:00 pm ET: Attends fundraiser with supporters, New York, NY
SENATOR SAM BROWNBACK (supporting McCain)
-- 9:30 am ET: Speaks at Blogs for Life Conference, Washington, DC
-- 10:00 am ET: Holds media availability, Washington, DC
-- 12:45 pm ET: Speaks to the March for Life Rally, Washington, DC
-- 3:00 pm ET: Speaks to Republican national Committee March for Life Reception, Washington, DC
SENATOR LINDSEY GRAHAM
-- 1:00 pm ET: Holds press conference to announce endorsement for McCain, Columbia, SC
MITT ROMNEY
-- 8:30 am ET: Addresses the Republican Jewish Coalition of Florida, Boca Raton, FL
-- 10:00 am ET: Holds event with voters, Coral Springs, FL
-- 3:30 pm ET: Holds event with voters, Naples, FL
ANN ROMNEY
-- 11:00 am ET: Attends event with voters, Ponte Vedra, FL
-- 1:30 pm ET: Visits with voters at events, Alachua, FL
-- 3:30 pm ET: Attends event with voters, Ocala, FL
RUDY GIULIANI
-- 10:30 am ET: Meets with voters at event, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
As for the Democrats…
BARACK OBAMA
-- 9:45 am ET: Attends event with voters, Greenville, SC
-- 12:30 pm ET: Attends rally with voters, Greenwood, SC
-- 4:00 pm ET: Attends town hall meeting with voters, Lexington, SC
-- 6:00 pm ET: Appears at rally with Kerry Washington and Usher Raymond IV, Orangeburg, SC
JOHN EDWARDS
-- 9:30 am ET: Attends town hall meeting with voters, Conway, South Carolina
-- Appears on the Late Show with David Letterman
At the White House. . .
PRESIDENT BUSH
-- Meets with members of Congress to discuss an economic stimulus package, Washington, DC
-- 12:10 p.m.: Addresses the March for Life via telephone, Washington, DC (tentative)
POLITICAL NEWS STORIES ON ABCNEWS.COM
ABC's Good Morning America Reports: Barack vs. Bill: Obama Hits Ex-Prez Over 'Troubling' Attacks LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper Reports: S.C. Kingmaker Is Staying Neutral LINK
ABC News' Sunlen Miller Reports: Obama Pushes Back Against Rumors About His Faith LINK
ABC News' Kate Snow and Sunlen Miller Report: Clinton Misses MLK March in South Carolina LINK
ABC News' Matt Stuart Reports: Romney on MLK: 'An Individual of Passion' Can Change a Nation LINK
ABC News' Jan Simmonds Reports: Yankee Backs Giuliani, While New Struggles Arise LINK
ABC News' Jake Tapper Reports: Clyburn Says Racial Attacks Will Toughen Up Obama LINK
ABC News' Jan Simmonds Reports: Giuliani Pleads: 'I Wanna Ride a Pace Car!' LINK
ABC News' Rick Klein Reports: Live-Blogging from Democratic Debate LINK
ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf Reports: Roe v. Wade Advocate for Abortion Rights to Endorse Ron Paul LINK
POLITICAL VIDEO AT ABCNEWS.COM
Rudy Sked Keeps Him Off Track
Rudy Giuliani visits Daytona International Speedway. LINK
Traveling on the Hucka-plane
Reporters get treated to Mike Huckabee's travel antics and press conferences. LINK
"On The Trail" with Paul is a Lonely Ride
Up close with Ron Paul as the only reporter traveling in the candidate's SUV. LINK
Yankee Stumps for Giuliani in Florida
New York Yankee Center fielder Johnny Damon takes the stage for Giuliani. LINK
Edwards Says He's Proud of Obama and Clinton
Sen. John Edwards plays up his South Carolina roots during MLK event. LINK
Obama on Economy
Obama offers hope and direction in a speech about the weakening economy. LINK
Bush's Top Ten Funniest Moments
Hilarious highlights from the commander-in-chief. LINK
Romney Raps 'Who Let the Dogs Out?'
Former governor stops by a MLK Day parade in Jacksonville, Fla. LINK
Where Is Monica Lewinsky Now?
ABC takes a look at the historical scandal. LINK
Obama Responds to Clinton's Accusations
In a candid interview Obama challenges Bill Clinton's statements. LINK
Weekly Political Round-Up
George Stephanopoulos looks back at the latest political developments. LINK
Bush Honors MLK
Bush pays tribute to King at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library. LINK