CLINTON SLIPPING IN KEY EARLY STATES

Sen. Hillary Clinton's stock as a presidential candidate is falling in key early-primary states, while that of her two chief rivals - Sen. Barack Obama and John Edwards is on the rise.

The Washington Times reports Clinton's weakness in Iowa (4th in a poll last month) and New Hampshire (in a dead heat with Obama after leading him by 23 points in a previous poll) may have something to do with her less-critical stance on the Iraq war. Analysts interviewed by the Times also say Clinton is just not lighting the fire of the electorate.

EMILY'S LIST TO ENDORSE CLINTON

The nation's largest political action committee, Emily's List, is ready to get behind Clinton once she announces. The Chicago Sun Times said the pro-abortion PAC is promising very early support for Clinton.

CLINTON HEADS TO IRAQ

Clinton and two other members of the Senate Armed Services Committee will be heading to Iraq this weekend, where they will be meeting with top Iraqi officials about conditions there. The trio will also meet with top U.S. military officials there and will visit Afghanistan as well.