On this day in 1990 the Central Committee of the Soviet Union's Communist Party agrees to give up its monopoly on political power as recommended by President Mikhail Gorbachev. The end was near. On to today's top stories:

"McCain Appeals to Conservative Critics" (Libby Quaid, Associated Press) "I do hope that at some point we would just calm down a little bit and see if there's areas we can agree on," said John McCain yesterday during a press conference. A sincere attempt to bridge the differences between him and prominent conservatives? Or a father lecturing the kids? It played both ways yesterday. We could find out at today's CPAC conference in Washington, where McCain is scheduled to speak.

"Obama on Pace to Raise $30 Mil in Feb" (Jeanne Cummings, The Politico) What does it say about the race that Barack Obama is on pace to raise $30 million this month, while the Clinton campaign revealed its candidate had to loan herself $5 million last month? First, as pundits have speculated, it probably means that the longer this thing goes on for, the worse it might be for Hillary. And second, with Clinton's slim lead in delegates and victories in big states on Tuesday, money isn't everything.

"McCain Hasn't Reached End of Rocky Road" (Susan Page and David Jackson, USA Today) In an interview with reporters Page and Jackson, McCain sounds off on everything from re-energizing the base to keeping the campaign "fun." Oh, and we learn that Mother McCain celebrates 96 years today.

"Huckabee Claims Identity as Candidate of the South" (Adam Nossiter, New York Times) And it's a claim with a lot of truth to it, as we saw on Tuesday. Instead of campaigning yesterday, Huckabee saw down with his staff to discuss the road ahead and how to use his enthusiastic base of support in the upcoming primary states.

"Romney Faces Long Odds in Bid to Overtake a Surging McCain" (Michael Levenson and Lisa Wangsness, Boston Globe) That said about Huckabee, neither he or Mitt Romney have much of a chance to win the nomination. It's been said that Romney would have to win 50% of the remaining delegates to simply catch McCain, and nearly all to beat him for the nomination.

"In Republican Race, Calculations Turn Complicated" (Laura Meckler and Elizabeth Holmes, Wall Street Journal) The interesting thing about both Huckabee and Romney staying in the race is that though bitter rivals they share a common cause: Unseating McCain. As noted, this will be difficult if next to impossible to do, and judging by the friendship between Huckabee and McCain, the former might take a dive eventually to keep Romney from the top.

"Race, Gender Divide Democratic Voters" (Alan Fram, Associated Press) Much as they are loath to admit it, identity politics -- with an added dose of lingering prejudice -- has riven the Democratic party between Clinton and Obama. Exit polling data shows that Democratic voters are choosing based on which candidate looks most like them. Predictable perhaps, but surely not the image that the party of diversity wants to advertise.

"Brownback Courting Right for Sen. McCain" (Alexander Bolton, The Hill) Mr. Social Conservative himself is on an outreach program to ease concerns among the conservative elite that McCain is untrustworthy.

"California's Green Party Voters Reject McKinney" (Jeffry Scott, Atlanta Journal-Constitution) Which is most unfortunate. One immutable law of American politics is that former Rep. Cynthia McKinney is always good for a laugh. By the way, CA's Green Party chose Ralph Nader.

Get today's other election stories at RCP's Politics and Election page.