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.

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.

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 …

Area voters in Florida Primary are reporting problems at polls  —  One voter was told by poll workers there was no Democratic primary today  —  On Florida Primary day, voters are reporting problems across Central Florida from Daytona Beach to Hunter's Creek.

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.

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 …

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.

More Florida spin  —  The Clinton campaign convened a conference call this afternoon to keep pushing its line on how much Florida matters.  —  We'll be able to judge their success with this spin, my colleague David Kuhn points out, in terms of whether the television networks pay much attention to Hillary's numbers tonight in Florida.

Bush Issues Signing Statement On Defense Act, Waiving Ban On Permanent Bases In Iraq  —  President Bush yesterday signed the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act after initially rejecting Congress's first version because it would have allegedly opened the Iraqi government to “expensive lawsuits.”

An Iraq recession?  —  One thing I get asked fairly often is whether the Iraq war is responsible for our economic difficulties.  The answer (with slight qualifications) is no.  —  Just to be clear: I yield to nobody in my outrage over the way we were lied into a disastrous, unnecessary war.

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.

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?).

House Passes 15-Day Extension to Surveillance Bill  —  Just now, the House changed the bill to make it a 15-day extension instead of 30-day one, and the bill passed by voice vote.  It all happened rather quickly.  So it seems as if there really wasn't much disagreement on this at all.