The Morning Read: January 21, 2008

All four top Republican candidates are saying that Florida is the most important presidential primary so far.

Part of Obama’s South Carolina strategy is “to enlist the state’s black beauticians and barbers,” writes Helen Kennedy.

The Cincinatti Enquirer takes a turn examining Michael Bloomberg's non-candidacy.

Joe Bruno gets a big discount on a $10,000 per-night room, owned by a company that wants to build a hotel in Albany.

Eliot Spitzer expects to give New York City public schools less aid than he had anticipated.

That reduction in funds is drawing criticism.

But in a turnaround from last year, healthcare critics are scaling back a protest of Spitzer’s budget.

A new book with unflattering details about Spitzer is being shopped around.

Incomplete phone records were handed over to the commission investigating alleged threats made by a former Spitzer aide.

Chuck Schumer doubts it will be clear who the Democratic presidential nominee will be by February 5.

Things don’t look good for Rudy Giuliani in New York, writes Liz.

Dan Janison wonders if Arnold Schwarzenegger will un-enroll from the Republican Party, like his “soul mate” Michael Bloomberg. [second item]

Grace Rauh looks at the Reverend Calvin Butts’ endorsement of Hillary Clinton in the context of Bloomberg’s non-candidacy.

Reporters on the campaign better learn to text their (short) stories.

Former Schools Chancellor Harold Levy likes the idea of auditing charter schools.

The New York Post editorial board doesn’t like how the Campaign Finance Board punishes candidates for misusing public funds.

And the New York Sun editorial board says, 'I told you so' about Bloomberg and Newt Gingrich.