(CNN) – Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign announced Friday it would launch a second ad in Nevada next week titled "Stand by Us." The 30-second spot highlights how Clinton 'stood up' on health care for children, the National Guard and reservists and on raising the minimum wage.

Then the ad takes a local turn: "Now Hillary's standing up to stop the nuclear waste dump at Yucca Mountain."

Yucca Mountain is a key issue for Nevadans who don't want nuclear waste in their backyard. Presidential candidates tend to flaunt their opposition to the repository for potential caucus-goers.

A similar Clinton Campaign ad with the same title began airing in South Carolina on Thursday. The differences? There is no mention of Yucca Mountain and Clinton is 'standing up' against privatizing Social Security instead - a position not mentioned in the Nevada ad.

Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama are the only candidates running ads in the Silver State. By next week, they will have aired two apiece.

McCain is out with an attack ad countering Romney's earlier ad.

(CNN) — Just hours after Mitt Romney’s campaign debuted a new New Hampshire television ad criticizing John McCain, the Arizona senator’s campaign shot back with a spot that took aim at Romney – its first ad to mention an opponent by name.

“As you hear Mitt Romney attack John McCain, consider these words from New Hampshire newspapers,” says the announcer. “The Union Leader says John McCain has ‘conviction’ and Granite Staters want a candidate who will look them in the eye and tell them the truth. John McCain has done that. Mitt Romney has not."

“The Concord Monitor writes, ‘If a candidate is a phony … we'll know it. Mitt Romney is such a candidate.’ That's why Romney's hometown newspaper says the ‘choice is clear’: John McCain.”

The 30-second spot will begin airing this evening in New Hampshire, where McCain is now a close second to the former Massachusetts governor in most recent polls.

A McCain campaign official tells CNN the "counterpunch" has been ready for several days, in anticipation of a Romney TV attack in the Granite State.

UPDATE: Romney spokesman Kevin Madden responded within minutes of the ad's release. "Sen. McCain has a troubling history of neglecting substantive issues and getting personal in his attacks against those who happen to disagree with him. It’s the McCain way," he said.

–CNN’s Rebecca Sinderbrand

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) — Here's a quick look at what's making news in South Carolina politics this morning:

A new CBS News poll shows a virtual tie for first place in South Carolina among likely Democratic primary voters, with Barack Obama narrowly edging Hillary Clinton by a margin of 35 percent to 34 percent. John Edwards is at 13 percent.

Among Republicans, Mike Huckabee is still on top at 28 percent, followed by Mitt Romney at 20 percent. They are followed by Rudy Giuliani (12 percent), John McCain (11 percent) and Fred Thompson (10 percent).

The poll shows one-third of Huckabee's support comes from white evangelicals and churchgoers. But Romney has an advantage on illegal immigration: most GOP primary voters say he most shares their views on the issue.

Edwards will run his fifth South Carolina television ad of the cycle starting Sunday. The 30-second spot, called "Season," is running in Iowa and New Hampshire, and it puts a holiday twist on the issue most important to Edwards in this race.

"Thirty-seven million Americans live in poverty," he says in the ad. Who speaks for them? We do. This is the season of miracles, of faith and love." Watch the ad here.

McCain's campaign will unveil their first South Carolina TV ad at 1 p.m. outside their headquarters in Columbia. Former POW Col. Jack Van Loan, USAF (Ret.), Attorney General Henry McMaster and Adjutant General Stan Spears will make the announcement.

The ad comes three days after a new McCain radio spot and a day after the campaign sent out a new piece of direct mail that takes on illegal immigration.

The "Mormon issue" still nips at Romney's heels.

Ted Sorensen, JFK's former speechwriter and a supporter of Obama, will speak at noon in Columbia on the senator's behalf.

Don Fowler, former DNC chairman under Bill Clinton and a South Carolina superdelegate, has officially endorsed Hillary Clinton.

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) – Here's a quick look at what's making news in South Carolina politics this morning:

Hillary Clinton's campaign says they will announce a "prominent" South Carolina endorsement on a conference call at 2:30 p.m.

JFK's former speechwriter Ted Sorensen will campaign for Barack Obama tomorrow in Columbia at the Jewish Community Center.

Sen. John McCain will send out a new mail piece in the state today promoting McCain's judgment on the troop build-up in Iraq and also raising the topic of immigration, tricky territory for the Arizona senator.

Mitt Romney criss-crossed the state yesterday, holding press conferences in airport hangars and facing questions about his falling poll numbers. The State writes that Romney is seeking to "re-energize supporters." Mike Huckabee spokesman Adam Piper calls Romney "desperate."

Romney defended his ads drawing contrasts with Mike Huckabee in Iowa, and also raised questions about Huckabee's Christmas ad now running the Hawkeye state.

"I hope Gov. Huckabee like all of us at this time, is sensitive to that diversity of faith and the liberty of peoples to worship God as they choose," Romney said.

Dan Hoover takes a big picture look at the GOP race with one month to go until the Republican primary.

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) — Here's a quick look at what's making news in South Carolina politics this morning:

Mitt Romney will zoom around South Carolina in an airplane today, hitting major media markets: Spartanburg, Columbia, Savannah, Charleston and Myrtle Beach. Think some of those Confederate flag protesters will show up to say hello?

Bill Clinton was in South Carolina yesterday but made scant mention of Barack Obama, sticking to in-depth policy issues like energy independence and trade agreements rather than talking about the horserace.

He told an audience in Orangeburg that, as president, Hillary will sign up former president George H.W. Bush to help fix America's damaged reputation abroad.

Clinton had also planned a meeting with Rev. Al Sharpton, who was also in South Carolina on Monday, but Sharpton's flight was delayed. However, a Sharpton aide said the two men spoke by phone instead:

"The President was in South Carolina today and mentioned the issue of hate crimes and Rev. Sharpton's leadership on that issue on several campaign stops," said Sharpton spokeswoman Rachel Noerdlinger. "President Clinton pledged that Senator Clinton will continue to address the issue of hate crimes and the need for tougher legislation."

Roddie Burris at The State wraps up Clinton's trip here. (Including Katon Dawson's jab that the Clintons "are very out of tune with the people of the state.")

Meanwhile, Terry McAuliffe was in the Upstate on Monday defending Hillary: "She's not an ax murderer," he said. "She has not sold drugs to children."

Obama is up with a new television ad today, his second in the state.

Reps. Ray Mabus and Brad Carson, Democratic congressmen from conservative districts who are supporting Obama, were in South Carolina yesterday touting Obama's electability, and making the claim that Hillary Clinton will hurt down-ballot candidates in 2008.

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) – Here's a quick look at what's making news in South Carolina politics this morning:

Former President Bill Clinton, the Clinton campaign's favorite surrogate in South Carolina, campaigns in Sumter and Orangeburg today. He will speak at the Sumter County Exhibition Center at 11:45 a.m. and at Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College at 2:30 p.m.

Mitt Romney is out with a new mailer blasting Mike Huckabee's tax record. It's Romney second contrast mail piece in one week.

Sen. John McCain is up with a new radio ad in the state today.

McCain told supporters near Charleston over the weekend that "we've got to win the coast." He was also questioned about his faith in the Upstate on Saturday.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution takes a big picture look at the South Carolina primary (no, its not by Aaron Sheinin).

State Sen. Glenn McConnell has filed a bill to require all government services to be conducted in English only.

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby 

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) – Here's a quick look at what's making news in South Carolina politics this morning:

The Los Angeles Times writes up Edith Childs, the "Fired up!" woman behind Barack Obama's favorite campaign anecdote. (Childs also claims Obama fudges a few facts about the now famous story.)

Former South Carolina Democratic party chairman Joe Erwin endorsed Obama for president on Wednesday, saying he plans to work "aggressively" for the campaign.

The Democratic candidates may be in Iowa, but would you settle for a celebrated author instead?

Samantha Power, a Pulitzer-prize winning author and senior foreign policy adviser to Obama, will campaign for the senator in Columbia, Myrtle Beach and Charleston on Thursday.

The Clinton campaign announced that Victoria Rowell, the daytime actress and best-selling author of "The Women Who Raised Me," will campaign across the state Thursday, Friday and Saturday. (She also campaigned in the state in August.) Find an event here.

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) – Joe Erwin, former chairman of the South Carolina Democratic party, endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for president on Wednesday.

Erwin said on a conference call with reporters that Obama "can build relationships in Washington and around the country."

"Barack Obama is the person who most gets the eyes and ears and increasingly the hearts of independent voters," he said.

Erwin, from Greenville, was party chairman from 2003 until April of this year.

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) — Here's a quick look at what's making political news in South Carolina today:

John Edwards is up with his fourth TV ad in South Carolina, and the airtime may be helping: Edwards is rising, albeit slightly, in state polls numbers. In the 60-second spot, called "Heroes," he tells Democrats to "have a little backbone" and "stand up for working men and women."

Mitt Romney is out with a new mailer hitting all of his rivals on the illegal immigration issue, except for Sen. John McCain.

As for McCain, he spoke to the Greenville Rotary Club on Tuesday, telling business-minded Upstaters that he would keep Bush's tax cuts permanent. He also said he wasn't surprised by Romney's criticisms of his rivals.

Trying to avoid prison time, Thomas Ravenel's attorneys say he is not a "drug lord."

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

GREENVILLE, South Carolina (CNN) — Sen. John McCain said Tuesday that he's "not surprised" Mitt Romney has a new television ad in Iowa attacking Mike Huckabee's record on illegal immigration.

McCain was asked about the ad by reporters after speaking to the Greenville Rotary Club.

"I didn't know, but I'm not surprised," he said. "I wish we could talk about our own qualifications and vision rather than attacking other candidates, which apparently the Romney campaign is now seems to be doing quite frequently. I don't think it helps. I think the ultimate result is that we get low voter turnout and that's the opposite of what we all want."

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) — Here's a quick look at what's making news in South Carolina politics this morning:

Sen. John McCain is back in the Palmetto State once again, meeting with local residents at Al's Family Restaurant in North Augusta. Later, he delivers a speech on energy security in Aiken and holds a meet and greet in Batesburg-Leesville.

Almost 30,000 people came out to see Oprah and Barack Obama on Sunday. Watch the video here.

The Obama campaign took full advantage of the political bonanza, targeting undecided voters waiting in line outside the stadium and signing up new campaign volunteers.

Here's the State's wrap. And a nice piece from Dan Balz at the Washington Post.

A new Mason-Dixon poll shows South Carolina is now up for grabs … for both parties.

Obama has erased Sen. Hillary Clinton's long-held lead in the polls, with Clinton now at 28 percent to Obama's 25 percent. John Edwards, perhaps benefiting from his recent TV ad buy, has creeped up to 18 percent.

As for the Republicans, the poll still shows a toss-up of a race. But one thing has changed: Mike Huckabee. The former Arkansas governor has rocketed from fifth to first in the polls, changing the game in South Carolina. Read all about it here.

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) — Here's what South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson had to say Thursday about Mitt Romney's speech:

"The Republican Party has a proud tradition of being inclusive, and our candidates have never shied away from talking about their faith. Each Republican candidate for president, including Governor Romney, has candidly and passionately discussed the role faith plays in their lives, and it is critically important they continue to keep faith as an important part of the public discourse during this election."

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) – Here's a quick look at what's making political news in South Carolina this Thursday morning:

Mitt Romney will give "The Speech" about his Mormon faith at 10:30 a.m. in Texas. And while Romney is in Aggie country, his speech is aimed right at skeptical Christian voters in Iowa and South Carolina. Watch the speech live on CNN.

And speaking of Mormonism, Cyndi Mosteller, co-chair of Fred Thompson's South Carolina steering committee, told the Palmetto Scoop yesterday that the faith is "inconsistent with so many basic Christian doctrines and it’s very unusual to the point that it’s almost unbelievable." Ouch.

Asked if he agreed with Mosteller's comments yesterday while campaigning in Columbia, Thompson tip-toed around the issue: "I don't know, let's what and see what he has to say without prejudging his comments, and if i have any comments to make, it will be made with full information."

An October poll by CNN showed that 50 percent of Americans see Mormons as Christian, while 41 percent do not. 10 percent were unsure.

Thompson was in Columbia Wednesday picking up the endorsement of South Carolina Citizens for Life, which is an affiliate of the National Right to Life Committee, which endorsed Thompson last month.

Thompson said he does not have a hunting license.

And he caught flak from some Confederate flag fans for his comments about the flag at the CNN/YouTube debate.

John Edwards will campaign in South Carolina today, stopping in his hometown of Seneca, then Walhalla, and after that heading down to Charleston, where he will appear with actor and outspoken activist Harry Belafonte.

Oprah/Obama-palooza will move from the Colonial Center to Williams-Brice stadium.

Ron Paul will return to South Carolina on Saturday, speaking at the Peace Center in Greenville.

How jammed up is the early primary calendar? The South Carolina Republican Party has chartered a 737 from New Hampshire the day after the Jan. 8 primary to make sure journalists can be shuttled down here for the Republican debate in Myrtle Beach on Jan. 10. There are 189 seats available.

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) — Here's a quick look at what's making news in South Carolina politics on Wednesday:

Fred Thompson continues his two day campaign swing through the state, making meet & greet stops at Garren's Restaurant in Pickens, Grady's Great Outdoors and Mama Penn's Restaurant in Anderson and Flight Deck Restaurant in Lexington.

Thompson wasn't about to stop anybody from eating the fried chicken at Wade's in Spartanburg on Tuesday.

Dan Hoover wraps up Thompson's campaign stops yesterday.

John Edwards will return to South Carolina tomorrow, visiting his hometown of Seneca. He will open a new Oconee County Democratic Headquarters and speak at Walhalla High School.

Mike Huckabee gets to work! His campaign just announced a rigorous three-day campaign swing through North and South Carolina starting Thursday, making 12 separate campaign stops in Greensboro, Charlotte, Bluffton, North Charleston, North Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Greenville and then back across the state line into Asheville.

After Hillary Clinton released a (debatable) list of African-American endorsers last week, the Obama campaign released their own list of 130 minister endorsements.

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) — Here's a quick look at what's making political news in South Carolina this Tuesday morning:

Former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson meets with local voters in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Later, he stops by Blue Ridge Shooting Sport Store in Greer and then holds a "Meet Fred" event in Greenville.

An AP-Pew poll of likely Democratic primary voters in South Carolina shows Hillary Clinton at 45 percent, Barack Obama at 31 percent and John Edwards at 10 percent. No other candidate came in over two percent.

If you want tickets see see Oprah rally for Obama in Columbia, you'll have to get on the waiting list.

The State does "sidewalk politics" — what's the mood on the street in heavily Democratic Orangeburg County? Read it here.

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) — Here's a quick look at what's making political news in South Carolina this morning:

Fred Thompson and Mitt Romney both criticized the Conferederate flag during the debate, which, like it or not, still remains a bit of a flashpoint in South Carolina. Here's what they said.

And Romney added some context to that abortion mail piece he sent out here last week.

Observers here are paying attention to the Palmetto Poll released by Clemson University yesterday.

It shows a larger section of undecideds than other polls, but continues to show a wide-open race among GOP candidates. However, Rudy Giuliani, the one time frontrunner in the state, has fallen to just nine percent, while Mike Huckabee has catapulted to 13 percent.

For the Democrats, Hillary Clinton's once impenetrable lead has all but evaporated. She is at 19 percent, followed by Barack Obama at 17 percent, and John Edwards at 12.

Read the wrap-ups from Dan Hoover and John O'Connor.

Oh yeah: Open house at the Governor's mansion today!

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) — Here's a quick look at what's making political news in South Carolina today:

Sen. John McCain fits in a campaign stop in Clemson before heading down to St. Petersburg, Florida for the CNN/YouTube debate.

In Anderson Tuesday, McCain continued to pound Democrats on Iraq.

The L.A. Times covers McCain campaigning in South Carolina, saying that he "spoke of little else [other than Iraq] as he campaigned Monday and Tuesday in Lexington, Seneca and Anderson." But, they say, "He favored the troop increase that has led to a drop in Iraq violence, but not to a surge in his polling numbers."

Meanwhile, Sen. Hillary Clinton picked up the endorsement of dozens of black ministers in Spartanburg, which the Greenville News calls "a potentially serious blow to fellow Sen. Barack Obama."

South Carolina GOP chairman Katon Dawson took a jab at Clinton, who reportedly said in Aiken, “I am proud to say I have a lot of Republican support in South Carolina."

Dawson responded: "Hillary Clinton is as popular among South Carolina Republicans as President Bush is among San Francisco liberals. Bill Clinton never carried our State, and Hillary certainly won't carry South Carolina next November."

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) — Here's a quick look at what's making political news in South Carolina this morning:

Sen. John McCain hit the campaign trail once again Monday for the first time since returning from Iraq, and slammed Democrats for ignoring what he says is clear success in Iraq.

Today, McCain, R-Arizona, attends an event to honor war veterans and first responders at Chick Fil-A Restaurant in Seneca. Later, McCain holds a town hall meeting in Anderson.

Meanwhile, Sen. Hillary Clinton will receive an endorsement in Spartanburg and attends an "Organizing for Change" event in Aiken. Later, she visits with teachers and parents and hosts a discussion on education at Bennettsville Middle School in Bennettsville.

The Spartanburg Herald-Journal has a clue as to who might be endorsing Clinton.

The State looks at what Oprah may mean for Sen. Barack Obama in South Carolina.

The South Carolina Democratic Party is urging young people to register to vote.

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

COLUMBIA, South Carolina (CNN) – Here's a quick look at what's making political news in South Carolina this morning:

On Dec. 8 and 9, Barack Obama will put to the ultimate test the theory that a celebrity can influence voters. Oprah Winfrey will campaign with Obama for those two days, making a stop in Columbia on Sunday, Dec. 9. Details here.

Oprah's influence among women — African-American and working class women in particular — could help Obama appeal that vital subset of voters, who are still deciding between Obama and Hillary Clinton in South Carolina.

Mike Huckabee impressed congregations at two Baptist churches on Sunday while lapsing into his former role as minister. Read about it here. It's worth noting that there were a good number of national political reporters and TV cameras in tow.

Dan Hoover says Huckabee is "trying to ignite a surge like the one in first-voting Iowa."

Sen. John McCain, back from his Thanksgiving visit to Iraq, will visit Hudson's Smokehouse in Lexington this afternoon for a "Hometown Heroes Support the Troops BBQ."

After a six-week absence, Sen. Hillary Clinton will campaign in South Carolina tomorrow, hitting Spartanburg, Aiken and Bennettsville. Find the events here.

Dr. Ron Paul, who may be winning the South Carolina sign wars, will campaign in Myrtle Beach today and Charleston on Tuesday.

– CNN South Carolina Producer Peter Hamby

Fred Thompson tries some moose chilli at a gun store in New Hampshire Friday.

BRISTOL, New Hampshire (CNN) - Just one day after Thanksgiving, Fred Thompson said he was thankful for being in the Granite state and for being in the company of those who favor the second amendment.

"In this primary we need to remember that those rights are always an issue," the former Senator from Tennessee said. "And some of my opponents have bad records or no records and I have a solid record in support of the second amendment."

This marks the second time Thompson has held a gun related campaign stop in New Hampshire, a decision that speaks to Thompson's efforts to court a conservative pro-second amendment constituency.

"I think its kind of a forgotten issue right now because Democrats are not making much of an issue out of it. They were against gun rights for a long time and they paid for it at the polls," Thompson continued: I don't think the American people think that taking guns out of the hands of law-abiding citizens makes for a safer America. Just the opposite."

Thompson reiterating his record and commitment to supporting gun owner organizations while in Congress. He also shared his personal ties commenting that he had once owned his own skeet shoot.

While making a tour of the Granite state gun shop, Thompson purchased a pair of purple gloves for his four year old daughter and a shirt for himself that read, "Skip's Gun and Sport Shop: Daycare for Men." He also took a moment to try some "Moose Chili" prepared by a local Granite state gun owner who had shot the moose last year.

Related: Supreme Court to rule on gun ownership rights

–CNN New Hampshire Producer Sareena Dalla