Afternoon roundup.

First of all, I hope the best that can be hoped for the people of Haiti or anyone else that is in the country for work, leisure, or humanitarian reasons.  Human tragedy on this scale tends to put a lot of other things in perspective.  Martha Coakley and Scott Brown also took a minute away from the campaigns to express their condolences.

Coakley said, "I join with all Americans and people across the world in offering my thoughts and prayers to the people of Haiti. I am profoundly concerned about the impact of yesterday’s earthquake on millions of people in that country. As Americans, we are best when we pull together to help those in need when there is a crisis. And this is a crisis. We must all commit ourselves to working with the people of Haiti to help in their relief and rebuilding efforts for their country."   Brown tweeted his prayers, and offered this link for anyone that wants to help.

Now back to the campaign...

--The "Coakley staffer 'attacked' the Weekly Standard reporter" story took on a life of its own today.  It has been reported all over the place so I won't say much about it (except that McCormack comes off like a whiny brat/the Don King character in Rocky V: "touch me and I'll sue!"), but here is the link to his original post,  Coakley's response that she is being "stalked" by Scott Brown staffers, and Michael Meehan's apology.

One final (and obvious) thought on this: this is the last thing Coakley needed right now.

--Coakley has posted a letter from Vicki Kennedy on her website in which the widow of the late Senator Ted Kennedy says, "Throughout my husband Ted’s life, you were always there for him, for me and for the entire Kennedy family.  We are tremendously grateful for your friendship and support in the past, and we ask you to stand with us now to support Martha Coakley in the crucial race to fill Ted’s remaining term.  This Tuesday, January 19 everything is on the line."

The direct ask from Vicki on behalf of the entire Kennedy clan may provide an interesting test to measure the remaining political pull of the famous Massachusetts family.

--I can't link to State House News (subscription only), but Senate President Therese Murray told reporters she was push-polled by the Brown campaign.  SHN also reports that Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino are optimistic that Coakley will prevail on Tuesday.

--The Fix's Chris Cillizza is all over the race today.  This morning he noted that more than $6 million will be spent on TV ads in the race (that cheering you hear is from local TV execs).  Then he wrote that Republicans already view the race as win-win.  Finally, he opined that this race is going to provide a blueprint for Republican candidates next November (even suggesting they will copy Brown's truck ad).

--Over at Politico, Glen Thrush says Martha Coakley is no longer shy about playing the "Kennedy card." White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says "there's a lot at stake" in Massachusetts.

--The Phoenix's Adam Reilly wonders why Ayla Brown's defense of her father is front-page news.

--Martha Coakley scored three newspaper endorsements today (on top of the Globe), picking up the nods of the Boston Phoenix, Providence Journal, and Newton Tab.   The Phoenix called Brown "a know-nothing reactionary," while the Providence Journal said, "our state is so boring we pay more attention to races in Massachusetts."

--Finally, Friday is the deadline to request an absentee ballot.  If you can't vote on Tuesday, go visit your town hall tomorrow.