John McCain, Republican of Arizona, spoke yesterday at Joe's Meat Shoppe in North Hampton, N.H.
(alex brandon/Associated Press)
Campaign Notebook
DES MOINES - Poll numbers released last night showed Democrat Barack Obama and Republican Mike Huckabee leading their rivals with three days remaining before the Iowa caucuses. The poll by the Des Moines Register showed Obama, an Illinois senator, with the support of 32 percent of those surveyed, compared with 25 percent for Senator Hillary Clinton of New York and 24 percent for former senator John Edwards of North Carolina.
Among Republicans, Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor, had the backing of 32 percent of those surveyed, and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney had 26 percent. Arizona Senator John McCain was in third place with 13 percent.
Other polls have shown far closer races in recent days within both parties. The poll was conducted over four days ending Sunday. The margin of error was 3.5 percentage points.
The poll said Obama was benefiting from an influx of first-time caucus-goers. (AP)
ABC, Fox News cut some candidates from debates
NEW YORK - ABC and Fox News Channel are narrowing the field of presidential candidates invited to debates this weekend just before the New Hampshire primary, in Fox's case infuriating supporters of Republican Ron Paul.
The roster of participants for ABC's back-to-back, prime-time Republican and Democratic debates Saturday in New Hampshire will be determined after results of Thursday's Iowa caucus become clear.
Fox, meanwhile, has invited five GOP candidates to a forum in its mobile studio in New Hampshire on Sunday. Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Mitt Romney, and Fred Thompson received invites, leaving Paul and Duncan Hunter on the sidelines.
The network said it had limited space in its studio.
Jesse Benton, Paul's spokesman, said it was a "big mistake" not to include his candidate. Some livid Paul supporters are distributing e-mails calling for a boycott of Fox advertisers.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
McCain takes a shot at Romney in N.H.
LONDONDERRY, N.H. - John McCain told voters yesterday that the nation needs a leader, not a manager - an apparent slap at Mitt Romney, whom McCain is close to surpassing heading into the final week before the New Hampshire primary.
"I'll put my leadership - not management - but leadership credentials up against anybody's," McCain said.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
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