The Race for President Comes Down to the Final Four

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Last night it was the Republicans, tonight it's the Democrats--in California for their last debates before they go almost nationwide next Tuesday. With just two Democrats left and just two Republicans with a real chance, will the debates make a difference? Will either nomination be decided any time soon? Also, a break in an undersea cable cuts Internet services to of Asia, the Middle East and North Africa, and record profits for Royal Dutch Shell. What about oil-industry subsidies?

Making News

Internet Out in Middle East and India ()

Large portions of Asia, the Middle East and North Africa have lost the Internet and other high-technology services, apparently due to breaks in undersea cables off the coast of Egypt. Businesses have been brought to a standstill. Earl Zmijewski is Vice President and General Manager of Renesys Internet Intelligence Services, which manages the global Internet.

Guests:

Earl Zmijewski: Vice President, Renesys Internet Intelligence Services

Main Topic

The Republican Debate and the Mad Dash to Tsunami Tuesday ()

John McCain went into last night's debate as the Republican front-runner against Mitt Romney, with Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul standing by. Before tonight's Democratic debate, Hillary Clinton's lead over Barack Obama appears to be slipping. McCain and Romney are competing to lead a party now sharply divided between moderates and conservatives. Are Obama and Clinton different enough to expose gulfs between Democrats? Will this week's debates make a difference? What's at stake next week when Super Tuesday creates the equivalent of national campaigns for both parties?

Correction: We quoted Bill Clinton as saying in a speech, "We just have to slow down our economy and cut back our greenhouse gas emissions ‘cause we have to save the planet for our grandchildren." Although he did say that, he went on to explain at length why slowing down the economy would not be a good idea. Warren, who did not know the full context, apologizes and thanks listeners for pointing out his mistake.

Guests:

Jonathan Martin: Senior Political Reporter, Politico.com
James Antle: Associate Editor, American Spectator
Dan Schnur: Communications Director, McCain's 2000 Presidential Campaign
Matt Bai: Political Writer, New York Times Magazine
Ron Brownstein: Political Director, Atlantic Media

Reporter's Notebook

Another Record Profit Announced by an Oil Company ()

Royal Dutch Shell's total profits for last year were $31 billion, a jump of 23 percent from last year. The record profits of $75 million a day, according to Britain's Daily Mail, are based, on prices per barrel that touched $100 this winter. The CEO called the results "satisfactory," but some British labor leaders are calling for a windfall profits tax. Juli Niemann, oil and gas analyst with Smith, Morre and Company in St. Louis, Missouri, is co-author of The Complete Idiots Guide to the Politics of Oil.

Guests:

Juli Niemann: Oil Analyst, Smith, Moore & Company

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