hillary clinton and bernie sanders, tied. clinton at 48%, sanders at 47%. she does lead in south carolina, but her campaign is well aware of the new national poll tonight, as well. which could spell a long and difficult battle ahead. hillary clinton now leading bernie sanders by just two points nationally. secretary clinton had a 31-point lead nationally just two months ago. and tonight, a revealing quote from clinton herself about her weakness on the campaign trail. abc's cecilia vega inside clinton headquarters tonight. >> i'm one of those mothers who met with her and was able to make it through. >> reporter: hillary clinton today, standing with the tearful chicago woman who's death in a jail cell sparked outrage. >> we need to face the reality of systemic racism. >> reporter: clinton and bernie sanders trying to woo minority voters. from the campaign trail -- >> what we have to do is bring justice back to the criminal justice system. >> reporter: to the airwaves -- >> bernie sanders. >> hillary clinton. >> reporter: clinton's now facing the possibility s

and clinton. cecilia with me now. and you saw the new poll in south carolina, but you're covering this campaign. hillary clinton has spent a lot of time in nevada. what does this tell you? >> reporter: it says she's feeling the pressure there. she is heading back to nevada. you can hear how grueling this campaign is in her voice. her campaign is telling me they are bracing for an extremely tight race in nevada, david. they say it all comes down to turnout. we'll see on saturday. >> cecilia, thank you, as always. >>> now to the battle over the supreme court tonight. just a short time ago, president obama doubling down on his promise to nominate a candidate to replace justice scalia. and this image tonight, justice scalia's chair, his door draped in black. and democrats pointing to this image tonight. president reagan in 1987, nominating anthony kennedy with just 13 months to go in his second term. kennedy, of course, later confirmed. but republicans tonight are rejecting that argument. abc's chief white house correspon

and then calling hillary clinton, quote, evil. even bernie sanders' wife defending clinton tonight. we're also one-on-one with marco rubio, with jeb bush. abc's political team spread out across new hampshire at this hour, and we begin tonight with abc's tom llamas. >> reporter: tonight, a trump and we are right there with him. is tonight you're night? >> well, we'll find out. you tell me. i think we have certainly big crowds. i'm hearing good things, but you never know. >> reporter: trump taking no changes, visiting with voters in manchester. >> very excited, huh? >> i love it! >> reporter: i van ka greeting supporters in windham. >> we are going to make america great again because of your father. >> thank you for saying that. and thank you, you're right here with us. >> reporter: the whole family here, sitting down to dinner at a manchester steakhouse. trump begging voters to make him a winner. >> your wife is disgusted with you, she said, i'm leaving. no matter what, she says, darling, i love you, but i've fallen in love with another man. i don't give a damn. you got to get out to

hillary clinton was supposed to be here in florida today. this is who showed up in her place. >> we keep rewarding people who tell us things they know they can't do, because it pushes our hot buttons. >> reporter: bill clinton going after bernie sanders and coming under fire himself from this trump supporter. >> you liked his money. you took his money. >> i certainly did. >> reporter: the former president, firing right back. >> i took his money for my foundation, where i used it to better than he's using it now, i guarantee that. >> reporter: later, i asked clinton an nevada. you seem like you are nervous in nevada right now. should you be? >> it's a caucus. any time you have to caucus, it's more unpredictable. >> reporter: sanders feeling so confident, he's leapfrogged ahead to michigan, where he was met with huge lines and nearly 10,000 supporters, all feeling the bern. >> and cecilia vega with us live. you were telling us the clinton campaign signaling it is closer what are they seeing in south carolina? >> reporter: well, they see a much

but i met hillary clinton. i met president clinton. >> reporter: but sanders today, winning the support of another civil rights icon -- super star harry belafonte. >> i think he represents opportunity. i think he represents a moral >> reporter: all signs the campaign is moving to a new battlefield. the democratic vote, more than 90% white in iowa and new hampshire. but in south carolina, more than half of the democratic vote could come from african-americans. and in nevada, blacks and latinos could make up a third. but sanders acknowledging clinton has a head start. >> she's got the instra tuck sure, the name, the ground game. >> i agree. >> reporter: you bring? >> she's ahead of us. but we're moving quickly. she was ahead of us in iowa and new hampshire. but we caught up. >> and cecilia vega with us live. clinton and sanders both heighting hard for south carolina. tonight, that state's most powerful democrat appears to be torn, choosing his words very carefully? >> reporter: very carefully, david. congressman

we stopped by hillary clinton's hi, how are you? where they are calling thousands of people. >> we're making thousands and thousands of calls. >> reporter: out of this office alone. in the pages of "vogue," an inhave sprekive moment for clinton. asked if the u.s. was ready for its first female president, considering new york city hasn't saying, quote, "i think it's gotten better. but i think there's still a very deep set of concerns that people have, which very often they're not even aware of are they couldn't articulate." >> and cecilia vega live from nevada tonight. tonight, bernie sanders leveling pretty harsh words towards clinton when it comes to her support of president 0obama? >> reporter: that's right. it's an interview with b.e.t. sanders is saying that clinton is cozying up to the president. we know what that's about. that's trying to win support from the african-american community, where the president is enormously popular. clinton firing back, just now, highlighting sanders' own criticism of the president. david, this fi

secretary clinton is better organized in the big states. she's got a lot of support from minority voters and the support of the political establishment and if she wins in iowa tonight, they're going to close ranks behind her big-time. as for ted cruz, i think he can survive a close second to donald trump in iowa. but if trump opens up a big lead over cruz, or even worse, his nightmare scenario is that marco rubio slips by him, then it's going to be very hard to imagine how he recovers from that. but if he's close, he's got money, he's well organized in the southern states, got support there, he can survive. >> all right, george, looking forward to joining you later tonight. george and the entire powerhouse political team standing by. throughout the night and we will break in live with results. and then, we are onto new hampshire and the next big debate after iowa, and right before the new hampshire primary. join martha raddatz and me and we moderate the republican debate next saturday night, right here on abc. >>> and from the political sto

secretary clinton, your super tuesday prediction? >> just happy to be in virginia, working hard for every single vote. >> reporter: she's riding a wave of momentum after her south carolina blowout, winning 86% of the black vote. that's even more than president obama won in 2008. now, she's looking for a repeat and alabama, where african-americans make up half of all democratic voters. >> and tomorrow, this campaign goes national. >> reporter: bernie sanders now facing tough questions about the future of his campaign. >> we got decimated, but eddecimated. but we got killed. >> reporter: while he packed in the crowds today -- >> we can win. no question. here in minnesota. if we have a turnout. >> reporter: the vermont senator logged just two stops on the campaign trail. while clinton and her husband made a super-sized super tuesday push, visiting three different states and the eight different cities. both clintons now have their eyes on the same target -- donald trump. >> when the republicans say they want to make america great again,

the clinton team responding to word that clinton aides may now have to testify. >> reporter: david, clinton's campaign manager said right wing attacks are behind this court case. for her part, she is here in this church tonight, making her last-minute pitch to south carolina voters. david? >> cecilia, thank you. >>> next, to a major new voice in the battle between apple and the fbi tonight. of course, at issue, whether apple should help the fbi unlock the iphone used by one of the san bernardino attackers. tonight, that tech giant, microsoft founder bill gates now weighing in, saying this isn't about finding a back door into that phone. he says it's an isolated case. again tonight, abc's pierre thomas. >> reporter: tonight, apple fbi and at apple stores across the country. >> hands off our phones! >> reporter: microsoft founder bill gates was weighing in on apple's fight against the court order to open a san bernardino killer's iphone. >> nobody's talking about a back door, so, that's not the right question. this is a specific case, where the government's asking for access to information. the

clinton today. now live from new hampshire tonight. the clinton camp has got to be concerned about that national poll, a near-tie now? >> they say they always expected it to be a close race here. but i spoke with hillary clinton, and i said, do these numbers mean you're not doing something right? she said she's sticking to her strategy, and feels good about it. >> thank you. before moving on. jonathan karl, here with me tonight. we're just hoping you could give us a lay of the land, where will folks be standing? >> i expect two debates tomorrow night. here with donald trump and ted cruz. they've been locked in a blood feud, this is the first time they've gone face-to-face since cruz beat trump in iowa. the second debates, featuring marco rubio versus everybody else. especially the governors, jeb bush, john kasich, and chris christie. they want to emerge from this debate as the primary alternative to the outsiders, and the only way they can do that, knock down rubio. >> thank you. and so is the weekend before the big republican debate.

clinton. her top aides are calling key supporters to tell them the campaign is ready for the next fight? >> reporter: that's right, david. there were calls today to hill. aides trying to ease concerns after what happened in new hampshire. the big question right now, though, is what happened next? these aides privately are saying they are heading into south carolina in good shape, but they are worried about what would happen in nevada, david. >> all right, cecilia vega with us again tonight. thank you. >>> to another breaking headline at this hour. late today, the department of justice suing the city of ferguson. filing a civil rights lawsuit, alleging the city routinely violated the rights of residents, misusing law enforcement, calling the abuses, quote, ongoing an pervasive. the nation watched those images as they came in, police in combat gear, clashing with protesters. after the death of michael brown, the unarmed black teen, killed by a white police officer. a grand jury later choosing no

sanders team aware, showing clinton with a near-30-point gain. here's what they said. >> reporter: in their final push in south carolina -- tonight, bernie sanders and hillary face-to-face. >> hello, south carolina state! >> reporter: both visiting historically black colleges right next to each other. this is the line for people on these campuses, many young voters are split. there's a big line waiting here to see bernie sanders, too. what is it about bernie sanders? >> he's consistent. >> no. >> reporter: clinton hoping a momentum from a big win in south carolina will carry her into super tuesday. making 22 campaign stops here this week. while sanders is looking ahead, visiting eight other states for super tuesday and beyond. this morning in minnesota, sanders turning up the attacks. >> because maybe what you said behind closed doors is a little bit than what you're saying to the american people. i would hope she would do that. >> how are you? >> reporter: but clinton, pouring on the southern charm. bachelor party. >> cecilia vega with us. after

hillary clinton and bernie sanders. and this evening, the early gift for clinton. >>> inside the rescue, one passenger trapped. >>> and the dramatic fire chicago. passing up free money? >>> and america remembering harper lee and her work, read by generations of american >>> good evening. it's great to have you with us on a friday night. we begin with the showdown just president. and breaking developments on both sides tonight. in south carolina, the republican rumble, and the new poll. donald trump at 28%, but his lead not as large as before. cruz five points behind. rubio in third, with 15%. and tonight, donald trump at the center of another headline. telling people to boycott apple until they help the fbi break into the terrorists iphone. we have it all covered. tom llamas leads us off from south carolina. >> reporter: tonight, donald trump with a new target. the billionaire now declaring war on apple. >> how do you like it? i just thought it. >> reporter: trump fuming as the tech giant refuses to help investigators u

just 14% for clinton. but part of clinton's message worked with voters. >> i am proud of the progress we've made under president obama. stand with president obama. president obama. >> reporter: clear majority of iowa democrats want to continue obama's policies. and the vast majority who care about electability voted for hillary clinton. >> and jon karl with us tonight from iowa. still trying to get out with that blizzard. jon, good luck with that. but in the meantime, i wanted to ask about the republicans. let's go back to them. donald trump, his ace in the hole still would appear to be he did very well with voters looking for someone from the outside. >> reporter: no question. and nearly half of the iowa republican caucus goers said they were looking for an outsider. 46% of them went for donald trump. we're going to see a lot of that going forward. if you are looking for an outsider, chances are, donald trump's your guy. >> all right, jon karl with us tonight. jon, good luck and safe trip home. and with i

and hillary clinton in a fierce battle with bernie sanders. >>> the blizzard warnings across several states tonight. the bus flipping. dozens hurt. we're tracking two major storms at this hour. >>> the cruise ship on its way back to the u.s., hit by hurricane-force winds. gusts more than 100 miles an hour. >>> the zika virus. and tonight, the cdc moving to its highest level of alert in response to the outbreak. and now, the question, should traveling to rio? >>> and, peyton manning's victory lap. will it be his last? what he's saying tonight. and why the other star, cam newton, walked out. >>> good evening from new hampshire tonight. the countdown is on until the new hampshire primary. a major blizzard hitting. tonight. but first, the battle playing snow. fresh off the big republican debate right here on abc. the candidates are out in full force tonight. new numbers coming in at this hour. donald trump leading the republican race, followed by marco rubio and ted cruz, gaining ground right behind them, though, ohio 2k3w06 nor john kasich. donald trump, trying to seal the deal. we're o

, cecilia vega, who covers the clinton campaign. thank you. >>> we move on now to major new developments tonight in the zika virus. the health emergency declared in florida, now widening. they are spraying tonight. and now, a fifth county on alert. at least 12 known cases in florida. more than 50 nationwide. and now word of the first confirmed case contracted through a blood transfusion. abc's linzie janis in florida. >> reporter: tonight, the state of florida ramping up its fight against the zika virus. >> all the cases in florida are travel-related. the mosquito that causes zika virus is common in florida. >> reporter: the governor now declaring a state of emergency in five counties. so, are they prepared? florida has 20 million residents and over 100 million tourists a year. and right now, they have less than 1,000 kits to test for zika. the governor is requesting thousands more. do we think there are many zika virus that don't know they have it? >> only 1 in 5 individuals who have been bitten and infected by a mosquito show any

hillary clinton with a decisive win in nevada, the south away now. celebrating on that stage with former president bill clinton. and tonight here, you will hear tone. meantime, bernie sanders this evening, not backing down. he was asked directly today, and you will hear how he answers. here's what he's up against. the latest poll in south carolina showing clinton with a nearly 30-point lead. abc's jonathan karl on the campaign tonight. >> reporter: a newly-energized hillary clinton is back on top, >> thank you, nevada! thank you so much! >> reporter: she's confident enough to make this extraordinary admission. >> i think there's an underlying question that maybe is really in the back of people's minds, and that is, you know, is she in it for us or is she in it for herself? >> reporter: and now, a shift in tone. clinton talking less about herself, less about "i" and more about "we." >> we hear you. we see you. we're incredibly grateful to you. because we're in this together. we are all in this together. we all have to do our part. >> reporter: clinton

. >> reporter: hillary clinton feeling the love in south carolina. >> we need you! >> i'll be there for you. >> reporter: from gymnasiums -- >> i will always remember south carolina. >> reporter: the enthuse yam here reflecting just how strong clinton's lead is in the palmetto state, especially among african-american voters. >> we love some clinton. >> reporter: what do you know about bernie sanders? >> nothing. >> nothing. >> reporter: nothing? >> nothing. >> reporter: clinton and her husband bill crisscrossing the entire state. making 13 stops in south carolina this week alone. bernie sanders, just two, but he's drawing massive crowds in super tuesday states and beyond. 7,000 in missouri, 8,000 in massachusetts, 9,000 in oklahoma. >> together, we're going to transform america. thank you. >> reporter: sanders recently telling me, he still has a path to the nomination. there are a number of people right now who say the math just doesn't add up for you, looking forward. how do you think you can win this nomination? >> are you ready for this one? the answer is by gett

now it's hillary clinton and both now have agreed to several more? >> reporter: that's right, david. the dnc announcing today there will be six more debates, one right here tomorrow night in new hampshire, and now, one, also in flint, michigan, where as you know, david, they have been dealing with that water crisis. >> all right, cecilia vega, thank you. >>> and tonight, just days before new hampshire, word that two candidates might soon be out of the race. rand paul says he is out. he will now focus on his re-election to the senate. and then rick santorum. he won iowa four years ago. tonight, he's expected to drop out of the race a bill later. let's get right to abc's jonathan karl. we do have one more question on politics before we move on. this fight between trump and cruz over those messages suggesting ben carson was dropping out on the day of the iowa caucuses. is this going away, jon? >> reporter: absolutely not, david. and, you know, trump is now demanding that the iowa results be nullified. that's not going to happen. but if there is one thin

leader harry reid choosing her, saying, it's time for the party to consolidate behind clinton. senator sanders, though, vowing to stay in until the long haul is over. speefking to enthusiastic crowds, lines to see him in kansas city today, wrapping around the block. south carolina, of course, next for the democrats. clinton ahead by nearly 30 carolina. >>> stand with abc news for full coverage on super tuesday with special editions of "good tonight." and george and the entire powerhouse political team on the air beginning at 10:00 p.m. eastern, tuesday night. >>> now, to an abc news exclusive, and the national conversation tonight. the debate over whether apple should help the fbi break into the iphone used by sigh yad farook, one of the san my exclusive interview with apple ceo tim cook, who is standing firm. saying this is not about one iphone. this is about hundreds of millions of iphones and protecting everyone, american families, and the information they store on their phones. and he says, what the fbi is now asking would set a dangerous precedent. two polls just this week

. >> reporter: tonight, hillary clinton's new ad invokes the horrific church shooting in charleston, south carolina, using the husband of a victim. >> somebody called me on the phone. she said, reverend thompson? i said, yeah. she said, there's shooting around the church. and i just dropped the phone. >> reporter: reverend anthony thompson. his wife myra singleton thompson was killed that day. >> hillary is really committed to making sure that the guns don't get into the wrong hands. >> reporter: bernie sanders is channeling the pain of another african-american family. >> i was able to see my dad die on national tv. >> reporter: erica, whose by police. >> we need to believe in a leader like bernie sanders. >> reporter: both candidates battling for key african-american votes. at last night's debate, something else. sanders asked if he's standing in the way of the first woman president. >> senator, do you worry at all that you will be the instrument of thwarting history as senator clinton keeps claiming? >> i think from an historical point of view, somebody with my background, somebody

today in boston, he attacked clinton as a political opportune is. >> and the people of the united states need to know the