CLINTON ACCEPTS FOX DEBATE, RISKS LIBERAL ANGER

Senator Clinton is risking an angry tangle with the liberal blogosphere by agreeing to a debate proposed by Fox News, which was denied two Democratic presidential candidates debates last year by elements in the party angry at what they perceive at Fox’s right-wing tilt. “It was a good offer and we took it,” a top adviser to Mrs. Clinton, Howard Wolfson, told reporters in a conference call yesterday afternoon. “I hope that Senator Obama follows up by accepting.” Mr. Wolfson said the Fox-sponsored exchange, which would take place in Washington, D.C., on February 11, would be carried live on the city’s Fox affiliate and therefore represents a good opportunity to reach voters from Maryland and the capital taking part in the so-called Potomac Primary the following day. “It makes sense in terms of viewership,” he said. In March, outrage from liberal Web commentators often called the netroots led to the cancellation of a debate Fox planned to hold August 14 in Reno, Nev. Officially, the Nevada Democratic Party withdrew backing for the debate over joking comments Fox’s chairman, Roger Ailes, made comparing Mr. Obama to Osama bin Laden. A September session to be co-sponsored by Fox and the Congressional Black Caucus foundered for similar reasons. A spokesman for Mr. Obama, Bill Burton, said the campaign would decide “soon” on the candidate’s schedule for debates and other events.

McCAIN, ROMNEY FIGHT OVER DOLE

As Republican voters headed to the polls across the country yesterday, Senator McCain and Mitt Romney were bickering over the party’s 1996 presidential nominee, Senator Dole. The former Senate majority leader had written to Rush Limbaugh defending Mr. McCain against the radio host’s attacks on the Arizona senator’s conservatism, but Mr. Romney was dismissive of Mr. Dole in a response to reporters. “It’s probably the last person I would have wanted write a letter for me,” the former Massachusetts governor said on “Fox & Friends” yesterday morning. “I think there’s a lot of folks who tend to think that maybe John McCain’s race is a bit like Bob Dole’s race. That it’s the guy who’s next in line, the inevitable choice.” Mr. McCain jumped on the remarks, demanding that Mr. Romney apologize for denigrating a World War II hero. Mr. Romney did not apologize, but he clarified his comments later, telling reporters that Mr. Dole was “an American hero” and that he was referring solely to the 1996 race, where he drew a comparison between Messrs. McCain and Dole. “I do not think highly of the mental set that says we should choose our nominee based on how many years they’ve served and how long they’ve waited in line,” Mr. Romney said, according to the Associated Press. He tried calling Mr. Dole personally, but left a message with his secretary, the AP reported.

A NATIONAL PRIMARY? TEXAS VOTERS THINK SO

Super Tuesday may have been billed as a “national primary,” but Texas residents were reminded yesterday that the title is not quite as accurate as it sounds. According to Texas news site KSAT.com, voters in Bexar County flooded the local elections department with more than 1,000 calls asking where to vote in yesterday’s primary. Texas’s presidential primary, however, is a month away, on March 4. The report quoted a Bexar County election official who attributed the confusion to excitement in the national news over the February 5 contest, held in 24 states.

McCAIN REJECTS PUBLIC CAMPAIGN FUNDS

Mr. McCain will reject public financing for his campaign as he heads past Super Tuesday, the Politico reported. The senator had considered accepting taxpayer dollars last summer when his campaign neared financial ruin, but federal election laws put strict spending limits on candidates who take public funds. With early victories in South Carolina and Florida, Mr. McCain has been able to boost his fund-raising ability substantially.