South Carolina Thursday news roundup

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