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 …

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 …

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.

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.

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.

Does A McCain Radio Ad Gaybait? … That's a McCain robo-call, confirmed by the campaign.  Is this gay-baiting?  Or making the point that Romney flip-flops on social issues?  —  Raising the specter of scary homosexuals and their “special rights” is a time-honored last-minute trick …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.