Playing by Clinton Rules  —  Barack Obama had a theory.  It was that the voters are tired of the partisan paralysis of the past 20 years.  The theory was that if Obama could inspire a grass-roots movement with a new kind of leadership, he could ride it to the White House and end gridlock in Washington.

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.

Debating a Primary Do-Over  —  It is looking increasingly likely that Democrats in Florida and Michigan are going to have a do-over of their primaries, so that their 366 delegates — who could be enough to tip the nomination one way or the other — can be seated at this summer's Democratic National Convention in Denver.

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 …

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?

Paul hints presidential campaign will end soon  —  (CNN) — Republican presidential candidate Ron Paul is hinting that his run for the White House is about to end, saying the “presidential campaign will soon wind down.”  —  His comments came two days after Sen. John McCain became the presumptive GOP nominee.

McCain begins to take charge at RNC  —  The Republican National Committee tomorrow will announce the appointment of three top John McCain loyalists to help coordinate the party's effort with McCain's campaign and to lead the joint voter contact program, according to GOP sources.

Freedom Means Responsibility  —  Nearly 16 years ago in these very pages, I wrote that “'one-size-fits all' rules for business ignore the reality of the market place.”  Today I'm watching some broad rules evolve on individual decisions that are even worse.  —  Under the guise of protecting us …

Dumb and Dumber: An Essay and Its Editors  —  I've never watched Oprah Winfrey's show, bought a Celine Dion CD, read “Eat, Pray, Love,” or fainted at an Obama rally, although he is my preferred candidate.  According to Charlotte Allen, that makes me an “outlier,” an exception that proves the rule that women …

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.

Over the Top  —  An overview:  —  From the first voting in Iowa on Jan. 3 she had to prove that Clintons Are Magic.  She wound up losing 11 in a row.  Meaning Clintons aren't magic.  He had to take her out in New Hampshire, on Super Tuesday or Junior Tuesday.  He didn't.  Meaning Obama isn't magic.

A Friend Indeed  —  John Hagee has some odd ideas about Jews that, as a Jewish person, make me uncomfortable.  Jews, as most people know, have suffered a lot of persecution over the years.  According to Hagee, we were getting what we deserved: … Mark Kleiman points out that Abe Foxman …