In campaign news, the focus of the Democratic race has turned to South Carolina, where the next Democratic primary will be held on Saturday. In a debate last night in Myrtle Beach, tensions repeatedly rose between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
Obama criticized former President Bill Clinton’s role in the campaign.

Sen. Hillary Clinton: You talked about Ronald Reagan being a transformative political leader. I did not mention his name.
Sen. Barack Obama: Your husband did.
Clinton: Well, I’m here. He’s not. And…
Obama: OK. Well, I can’t tell who I’m running against sometimes.

Moments later, Senator Obama defended his recent comments about Ronald Reagan.

Sen. Obama: Hillary, we just had the tape. You just said that I complimented the Republican ideas. That is not true. What I said — and I will provide you with a quote — what I said was, is that Ronald Reagan was a transformative political figure because he was able to get Democrats to vote against their economic interests to form a majority to push through their agenda, an agenda that I objected to. Because while I was working on those streets watching those folks see their jobs shift overseas, you were a corporate lawyer sitting on the board at Wal-Mart.

Senator Clinton later criticized Senator Obama’s voting record as a state senator in Illinois.

Sen. Clinton: Well, you know, Senator Obama, it is very difficult having a straight-up debate with you, because you never take responsibility for any vote, and that has been a pattern. You, in the — now, wait a minute. In the Illinois state legislature…

(Audience booing)

Clinton: Just a minute. In the Illinois state senate, Senator Obama voted 130 times present. That’s not yes, that’s not no. That’s maybe.