-A story breaks. Within hours, it has 300 million Americans in its grip. It haunts the airwaves. It has taken over the cable shows. The blogosphere? In a fit of convulsions. Read the shocking, sordid tale of a straight-talking presidential candidate and a seductive blond lobbyist. [NYT]

-Plus, Washington Post, not to be outdone, rushes to the scene. [WaPo]

-And don’t forget the reactions, especially on the right. In our humble opinion, this ignoble hit-and-run by the eeevil NYT will be viewed as a feather in McCain’s cap and burnish his right street cred for the Oval.

• McCain disavows relationship, denies special treatment, “disappointed” overall. [Politico, CNN Video]
• Right to Sulzberger: “You got nuthin’, NUTHIN’”. [Powerline, Campaign Spot]
• Or maybe “the meat was lawyered out of it.” [Josh Marshall]
• Tho perhaps it was just reckless. [Obsidian Wings]
• And yet, why did NYT sit on this story for months and publish it now? [Swampland, The Plank]

-Ha ha, funny! Context: Despite a spate of losses, Hillary’s support is strongest in non-primary states (Florida, Michigan) where Obama never campaigned. [Andrew Sullivan]

-Obama: But did he inhale? [New Yorker]

-More Americans believe in ghosts than approve of Bush 43. [Grammar Police]

-Two days old, but we’re still snickering about this video of Chris Matthews embarrassing an Obama supporter. [Huffington Post]

• Bonus: Obama’s legislative record, quite intact, actually, thanks. [Andrew Sullivan]