Former Aide Takes Shots at Edwards

"The war on terror is a slogan designed only for politics -- it is not a strategy to make America safe," Edwards said . "It is a bumper sticker, not a plan. It has damaged our alliances and weakened our standing in the world."

-- Anne E. Kornblut

Clinton Targets Gay Donors

Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) held her first major fundraiser targeting gay and lesbian donors in the 2008 election cycle last night, with several hundred guests expected at the Mayflower Hotel for the event. Among the members of the host committee: Hilary Rosen, the recording industry lobbyist, and Fred P. Hochberg, dean of Milano, the New School for Management and Urban Policy.

Nearly 40 backers were listed as sponsors of the "lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community for Hillary" event. "There's obviously some disappointment about marriage," Rosen said, referring to gay marriage, which Clinton does not support. But, she said, all leading Democratic candidates are "consistent on that issue, so that's kind of taken off the table here."

"I think there's a growing awareness among the community that like so many other issues, Senator Clinton understands how to address the complicated issues of supporting gay families and partnerships and dealing with discrimination issues. And I just think she'll be a smarter, better president for our community," Rosen said.

-- Anne E. Kornblut

Romney, Dodd Unveil New Ads

In an effort to raise their profiles in Iowa and New Hampshire, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney (R) have unveiled new television advertisements.

In his ad, Dodd claims that his appeal to front-runners Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and Clinton to support legislation that would cut off funds for the war in Iraq by March 31 paid off, with the ad saying: "It worked. Now Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have changed their positions to follow Chris Dodd."

Romney's ad focuses on the state he governed for four years. "In the most liberal state in the country, one Republican stood up and cut spending, instead of raising taxes. He enforced immigration laws, stood up for traditional marriage and the sanctity of human life."

"In the toughest place," the ad concludes, "Mitt Romney's done the toughest things."

-- Zachary A. Goldfarb