1. JOHN KERRY ENDORSES OBAMA From the story, quoting Kerry: “Who better than Barack Obama to turn a new page in American politics, so that Democrats, independents and Republicans alike can look to the leadership that unites to find common ground…. Barack Obama can help our country turn the page and get America moving by uniting and ending the division that America faces. He has a superb talent, as all of you know, to communicate the best of our hopes and aspirations for American and the world.” [NYTimes]
2. SOUTH CAROLINA GOP DEBATE Initial word from MSM pundits and pollsters point to Fred Thompson making a strong overall performance. A new dynamic in the GOP field? [NYT] Quick response and analysis: [Weekly Standard]
3. IRAN HITS BACK WITH ALTERNATE FOOTAGE OF GULF INCIDENT Iran has responded with their own suspect version of what happened earlier this week in the Strait of Hormuz. [CNN] "The fact that it comes a couple of days before the President sets off on his trip raises questions," says Professor Gary Sick, an Iran expert at Columbia University. [TIME] Iran has also heightened their enforcement of Islamic law: “Using strict enforcement of Islamic law, the judicial authorities in a restive region of southern Iran amputated the right hands and left feet of five convicted robbers this week, part of what the government said was an effort to deter other troublemakers.” [NYTimes]
4. Boss fires staff for not smoking The owner of a small German computer company has fired three non-smoking workers because they were threatening to disturb the peace after they requested a smoke-free environment. "We're on the phone all the time and it's just easier to work while smoking. Everyone picks on smokers these days. It's time for revenge. I'm only going to hire smokers from now on." [Reuters]
