Hillary, Rudy in a Dead Heat in Nevada

Presidential frontrunners Hillary Clinton and Rudy Giuliani are tied in a head-to-head Nevada matchup, according to a CNN poll taken just ahead of tonight's Dem debate in what is now an early-primary state. But Clinton dominates her rivals for the party's nod, with 51% to Barack Obama’s 23% and John Edwards’ 11%, CNN reports.

Despite those stats, the media storyline has the former first lady facing pressure to re-establish her dominance at tonight’s event. Clinton was weakened by her performance at the infamous October 30 debate, CNN and Reuters agree. The underdogs are insisting she’s proved to be a double-talker and are pointing to her camp’s planted town-hall question last week. (More Hillary Clinton stories.)