memeorandum: DISAPPOINTING SEBELIUS. — The Internet Gods chose last night … (Dana Goldstein/American Prospect)

2:35 PM ET, January 29, 2008

Top Items:

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: Ross Douthat, Matthew Yglesias, michellemalkin.com, Hot Air and NY Daily News

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.

Discussion: Open Left, Ben Smith's Blogs, New York Times, Associated Press, DownWithTyranny!, No More Mister Nice Blog, Washington Post, Tom Watson, Comments from Left Field, The Swamp, The Moderate Voice, Truthdig, FP Passport, The Democratic Daily and The Page

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.

Discussion: Sister Toldjah, Time, KnoxViews, GregsOpinion.com, The Carpetbagger Report, The Page, NO QUARTER, Middle Earth Journal, HillaryClinton.com, MSNBC, The RBC and The Politico

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 …

Discussion: Think Progress, Political Radar, The Swamp, Slog and The Crone Speaks

Angela Delli Santi / Associated Press: Bill: Hillary would be good for economy

John Milburn / Associated Press:
Obama wins backing of Kansas governor

Discussion: The Fix, Associated Press and Ben Smith's Blogs

Matthew Yglesias:
A Surge of Applause — SOTU tea-leaf reading: … And there you have it.

Discussion: Firedoglake, D-Day and Lawyers, Guns and Money

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, Firedoglake, Pajamas Media, The Moderate Voice, MyDD, Outside The Beltway and Taegan Goddard's …

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%.

Discussion: Donklephant and PoliGazette

Adam C. Smith / St. Petersburg Times:

Crist endorsement is surprising, risky … For Rudy Giuliani, Nov. 18 was to be a pivotal day on his march to the Republican nomination. — Popular Gov. Charlie Crist was to anoint him as the best choice for Florida Republicans, and the two of them, starting in St. Petersburg …

Discussion: Riehl World View and TIME

Marc Ambinder:
Romney's Major Florida Advantage

Discussion: Jonathan Martin's Blogs, National Review and Hot Air

Bill Nichols / The Politico:
Voters decide winner in McCain-Romney fight

Discussion: The Hill

Jonathan Martin / Jonathan Martin's Blogs:
McCain sends out harsh robocall hitting Mitt from right

Discussion: Pam's House Blend, The Caucus and The Page

Alex Frangos / Wall Street Journal:
Age May Help McCain in Florida

Discussion: NY Daily News, New York Times and Los Angeles Times

Marc Ambinder:
Does A McCain Radio Ad Gaybait?

Discussion: AMERICAblog and Jonathan Martin's Blogs

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.

Discussion: New York Times, The New Republic, Comments from Left Field, Donklephant, The Caucus, Slog, Balloon Juice and TPM Election Central

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.

Discussion: Political Machine and The Field

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.

Discussion: Liberal Values, Spin Cycle and The Corner

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.

Discussion: protein wisdom and The American Scene

Chicago Tribune:

Cash to fugitive's family — Some of the $3.5 million went to pay off certain Rezko debts, while $20,000 went to the family of Alber Najjar, who also had extensive connections with Rezko's food companies but became a federal fugitive in 2004 when he fled to Lebanon following his indictment on bookmaking charges, prosecutors said.

Discussion: Taylor Marsh, Norwegianity, The Huffington Post, The Trail, TPM Election Central, Associated Press, Wonkette and The Politico

Brian Ross / ABCNEWS:
Obama ‘Backer’ Rezko Ordered to Jail

Discussion: Crunchy Con

Paul Davenport / Associated Press:

Rep. Grijalva switches to Obama from Edwards — PHOENIX — Democratic U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona is endorsing Barack Obama after earlier backing John Edwards in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. — Grijalva cited Obama's electability and his intention to …

Discussion: Liberal Values and New York Times

Peter Slevin / Washington Post:
Obama Mines Small, Traditionally Red States

Discussion: TIME

The Politico:

Earmark debate roils GOP ranks — President Bush made a war on earmarks a key priority of his State of the Union address Monday night — but Republicans remain paralyzed by internal struggles over how to curb their addiction to spending projects. — Even as Bush called on Congress …

Discussion: Think Progress and DownWithTyranny!

David D. Kirkpatrick / New York Times:
Question of Timing on Bush's Push on Earmarks

Discussion: Boston Globe, TPMmuckraker, Washington Post, Think Progress, The Carpetbagger Report, The Heretik and Brendan Nyhan

NOW-NYS, National Organization for Women …:

Search Site With — Women have just experienced the ultimate betrayal. Senator Kennedy's endorsement of Hillary Clinton's opponent in the Democratic presidential primary campaign has really hit women hard. Women have forgiven Kennedy, stuck up for him, stood by him …

Discussion: The Carpetbagger Report, Right Wing News, Say Anything, Feministe, AMERICAblog, culturekitchen and Obsidian Wings

Dana Goldstein / American Prospect:

DISAPPOINTING SEBELIUS. — The Internet Gods chose last night, smack in the middle of the State of the Union, to crash the Prospect site, so please excuse our lack of live commentary on the speech. I had been excited about Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' official Democratic rejoinder, but her speech left me cold.

Discussion: Washington Monthly