Top Items:
Alexander Bolton / The Hill:
Clinton, Obama steal Bush's final show — All eyes were on Democratic presidential frontrunners Sens. Barack Obama (Ill.) and Hillary Rodham Clinton (N.Y.) Monday night as spectators and pundits followed their every move during President Bush's final State of the Union address.
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David Brooks / New York Times:
The Kennedy Mystique — Something fundamental has shifted in the Democratic Party. — Last week there was the widespread revulsion at the Clintons' toxic attempts to ghettoize Barack Obama. In private and occasionally in public, leading Democrats lost patience with the hyperpartisan style of politics …
Discussion:
michellemalkin.com, Fausta's blog, Ross Douthat, Hot Air, Matthew Yglesias and NY Daily News
Los Angeles Times:
Kennedys for Clinton — She stands for Democrats and for the nation, these family members say. — This is a wonderful year for Democrats. Our party is blessed with the most impressive array of primary candidates in modern history. All would make superb presidents.
Carl Hulse / New York Times:
For Democrats, a Gleeful State of the Union — WASHINGTON — Democrats never seemed so elated about the prospect of a major speech by President Bush. Or of having it finished. — “I think everybody is ready to turn the page,” said Representative Mark Udall, Democratic of Colorado …
Zogby:
Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby Poll: McCain Lead Widens As Primary Election Day Dawns in Florida — Giuliani, Huckabee tied in battle for distant third place — UTICA, New York - Arizona Sen. John McCain's lead over former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is growing wider as the Republican campaign ends …
Discussion:
MiamiHerald.com, Pajamas Media, MyDD, Outside The Beltway, The Moderate Voice, Taegan Goddard's … and Firedoglake
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Sam Stein / The Huffington Post:
McCain Accused Of Gay Baiting In Anti-Romney Attack — On the eve of the Florida Republican primary, Sen. John McCain launched a robo-call campaign attacking his rival Mitt Romney that some gay rights groups say amounts to gay baiting. — The call, which comes at the end of a hotly contested election …
Kathryn Jean Lopez / The Corner:
Final Morning of Florida Polls — American Research Group released their latest Florida tracking survey this morning. The poll sampled 600 likely Republican primary voters from January 27-28 and has a MoE of +/- 4%. — Gov. Romney is statistically tied for the lead with 34%.
New Hampshire Union Leader:
Hillary's word: It's worth nothing — COURTING VOTERS in Iowa and New Hampshire, last August Sen. Hillary Clinton signed a pledge not to “campaign or participate” in the Michigan or Florida Democratic primaries. She participated in both primaries and is campaigning in Florida.
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Marc Ambinder:
Tonight: Clinton Parties In Florida — Note: polls close in Florida at 7...and 8. This event begins at 7. — Will this really help her? She is going to be overshadowed tonight by the GOP contest. This is would be like the New England Patiots celebrating a pre-season victory. Weird.
Anne Applebaum / Slate:
Where Did All Those Gorgeous Russians Come From? — THE SAME PLACE AS THE UNGLAMOROUS ASSEMBLY-LINE WORKERS. — There was a particular historical moment, round about 1995 or so, when anyone entering a well-appointed drawing room, dining room, or restaurant in London was sure to encounter a beautiful Russian woman.
Washington Post / The Trail:
Richardson's Choice — SANTA FE, N.M. — Gov. Bill Richardson's phone has been ringing off the hook. Sen. Hillary Clinton called Sunday night. That was followed by a call from former president Bill Clinton, then a call from Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, who's supporting Clinton.
Confederate Yankee:
Media Still Trying to Martyr Obama — We've covered this ground before. For reasons they will not openly disclose, media worldwide are hooked on the possibility that Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama will be assassinated. — As noted by Mark Finkelstein this morning on Newsbusters …
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Pam / Pam's House Blend:
The fantasy of a ‘post-racial’ election — I am so sick of hearing “post-racial” bleated in the MSM over and over, seemingly in a desperate attempt to see Barack Obama's successes so far in garnering diverse support as a sign that somehow, voters are looking beyond race.
Carpetbagger / The Carpetbagger Report:
‘Pell Grants for Kids’ = Vouchers — In 2001, when the White House decided it would work with congressional Dems on No Child Left Behind legislation, Dems made one thing perfectly clear: no vouchers. Plenty of ideas were on the table, but there was simply no way Dems would support …
Andrew Roth / Club for Growth:
Members Who Have Sworn Off Earmarks — Shortly after joining Congress in 2000, Rep. Jeff Flake swore off earmarks forever. Others have followed. GOP Leader John Boehner was arguably the first among current House members. He shunned earmarks way back in 1990 (who said accepting earmarks was necessary for getting re-elected?).