Maria Cantwell

Over the course of a conference call with Howard Wolfson, Terry McAuliffe and a number of high-profile Hillary Clinton supporters, some variation of the phrase "found her voice in New Hampshire" was used at least six times.

New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez said it first, but it was repeated by McAuliffe, Wolfson and Washington State Senator Maria Cantwell. From Chuck Schumer we heard that Hillary is "in touch with what people need and want," from Cantwell that in the last two days before New Hampshire she saw the "passion" in Hillary, and that the candidate is "connecting and connecting with women."

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee of Texas noted that voters were "passionate, they were connected to the Clintons...they see her as having ideas and as being an inspiration." California Senator Dianne Feinstein added that "there is a great emotional connection between woman and Hillary."  read more »

Ben Cardin has fended off Republican Michael Steele in Maryland, all but ensuring that Democrats will not lose a single Senate seat in 2006. Republicans had also made noise about knocking off Democratic incumbents in New Jersey and Michigan, but their candidates in those states have come up far short. One other Senate Democrat, Maria Cantwell of Washington, was originally seen as a potential target, but Republican Mike McGavick's campaign has flagged badly down the stretch.

Meanwhile, with 85% of precincts reporting in Virginia, Republican incumbent George Allen and Democrat Jim Webb are in a dead heat.

-- Steve Kornacki

Gore Vidal-or Moses as he's known among the prophets-is back in town to lead us from the wilderness  read more »