TODAY'S NEWS HEADLINES for INDEPENDENT VOTERS

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE INDEPENDENTS!

• Independents key in New Hampshire-McCain, Obama appeal to undeclared voters (By Finlay Lewis, San Diego Union Tribune) Quotes Russ Ouellette, New Hampshire Committee for an Independent Voice
• National Focus Poses Challenge for Obama (Washington Post)
• Electability is key for voters in S. Carolina-For some black Democrats, Obama's Iowa win is a sign that Americans see past race, but others doubt his chances of a November win (Chicago Tribune)
• N.H. independents may hold key to future (Los Angeles Times)
• Finally, NH votes (Union Leader)
• Independents' Day-There are probably enough Independents to go around to both John McCain and Barack Obama. (National Review Online, By Jim Geraghty)
• The GOP's Jesse Jackson Moment? (The Atlantic: Mark Falcoff, by Ross Douthat)
• California Unaffiliated voters key to victory (Mercury News)
• Obama seen as unifying black and white voters (NY Newsday)
• N.H. independents likely to decide primary winners (NY Newsday)

BLOOMBERG

• Bloomberg in Spotlight but Still Not in Fray (Wall Street Journal)
• Obama’s Surge Deflates Forum and Talk of a Bloomberg Run (New York Times)
• Bloomberg Could Get on Texas Ballot with 43,991 Signatures, Even Though Media All Say He Needs 74,108 (Ballot Access News)
• Angry Independents Call for Bipartisanship-Oklahoma conclave brings together possible candidate Bloomberg and other middle-roaders (US News & World Report)

RON PAUL

• Ron Paul on the Verge of Going Third Party? (National Ledger, By Eric Dondero)
  

IT BEARS REPEATING:

• Why the Left Doesn’t Appreciate Obama (by Randy Shaw, Beyond Chron blog San Francisco Chronicle): "Yet bloggers are suspicious at Obama’s appeal to independent voters. Some take a giant leap in concluding that Obama’s attempt to broaden the Democratic base is a sign that he will allow such backers to water down or “co-opt” his policies as President......"
• Obama follows other African-American presidential hopefuls (reprinted on Raw Story): Not sure why Lenora Fulani's historic 1988 run for president is termed "marginal" since she was the first woman and first African American to be on the ballot in all 50 states... Oh, that's right, she ran as an independent candidate.....!!!!