Inside US poll battle as fight turns dirty for Democrats  —  HILLARY Clinton has been branded a “monster” by one of Barack Obama's top advisers, as the gloves come off in the race to win the Democrat nomination.  —  In recent TV appearances Mrs Clinton had looked desperate and on the back foot.

Clinton weapon double-edged in Pa.  —  Together, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell make an odd pairing.  Clinton is the model of message discipline, a politician whose steely demeanor and unerring ways cause voters to question her authenticity.

The Great Non Sequitur  —  WASHINGTON — She threw the kitchen sink at him.  Accused Barack Obama of plagiarism.  Mocked his eloquence.  Questioned his truthfulness about NAFTA.  —  Wasn't enough.  Hillary Clinton still faced extinction in Ohio and Texas.  So what do you do when you have thrown the kitchen sink?

Archivists block release of Clinton papers  —  LITTLE ROCK — Federal archivists at the Clinton Presidential Library are blocking the release of hundreds of pages of White House papers on pardons that the former president approved, including clemency for fugitive commodities trader Marc Rich.

On the Red Phone  —  Here's an idea for an Obama ad: a montage of Clinton's Sybillish personalities that have surfaced during the campaign with a solemn voiceover at the end saying, “Does anyone want this nut answering the phone?”  —  How is it that she became the one who's perceived …

Desperation and the Puerto Rico primary  —  It's a sign of the strange times we live that this question is being asked at all:  —  Will Puerto Rico decide everything?  —  Strange because of a number of things:  —  a.  Puerto Rico has only 8 superdelegates and 55 delegates.  —  b.

Housing, Bank Troubles Deepen  —  Foreclosures Reach  —  A New Record;  —  Home Equity Falls  —  Two crucial barometers of the nation's housing market have worsened markedly in recent months, ratcheting up pressure on policy makers in Washington for action to stem the growing housing crisis …

Row over military uniforms in public  —  Plans to urge soldiers, sailors and airmen to wear their uniforms in public were in disarray last night after RAF personnel were ordered to dress in civilian clothes while off-duty because of persistent threats and abuse.

Party Donations Show G.O.P. Edge  —  WASHINGTON — For all the success that Democratic presidential candidates have had in raising money — taking in a combined total of over $500 million in the current race — the Republicans are beating them in one crucial area of fund-raising: the money being raised by the parties themselves.

Obamaworld versus Hillaryland  —  The contenders are battling over the soul of the Democratic Party  —  JOHN EDWARDS has been saying since 2004 that there are two Americas—the America of the rich and privileged and the America of the poor and put-upon.  The results of March 4th proved that there are also two Democratic Parties.

Senate Democrats Hope for a Majority Not Seen in 30 Years: 60 Seats  —  WASHINGTON — When Mark Begich, the popular 45-year-old mayor of Anchorage, came to town for a meeting of mayors in January, he was beckoned to the Capitol by the Senate majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada.