Capitol Steps

The Washington Post

follows up its

on an internal

memo that alleges the civil rights group's former president and Senate candidate

showed favoritism toward women he dated with a

, by Matthew Mosk and Cheryl W. Thompson, on Saturday. While it's important to ask where these allegations are coming from and why they're being made now--to scare Mfume out of the Senate race, natch, before he even really starts running--the whole thing definitely doesn't do good for the former West Baltimore-area congressman's image.

It's also important to note that Mfume is strongly denying the allegations and shows no signs of backing down. In the

Sun

's Saturday

, David Nitkin finds him acting like it's business as usual: "This is not hard," Mfume tells him. Others note that the Senate hopeful is fairly behind organization-wise. On the other hand--

take note--

is on Mfume's side.

Sunday

Sun

Perspective columnist

at the race post-Mfume memo, and it sounds like he's handicapping the race in favor of Baltimore-area

, saying that the nearly charisma-less congressman will surprise people on the campaign trail, and that his substance will overcome Mfume's style + story + substance.

In other

news, Southern Maryland

is

Cardin today.