Hillary Clinton has "scandalous information" about Barack Obama.

Robert Novak tells us:

Agents of Sen. Hillary Clinton are spreading the word in Democratic circles that she has scandalous information about her principal opponent for the party's presidential nomination, Sen. Barack Obama, but has decided not to use it. The nature of the alleged scandal was not disclosed.

She's decided not to use it? Seems to me this is using it.

This word-of-mouth among Democrats makes Obama look vulnerable and Clinton look prudent.

Prudent... devious... pick your adjective.

UPDATE: The Clinton response:

"A Republican-leaning journalist runs a blind item designed to set Democrats against one another. Experienced Democrats see this for what it is. Others get distracted and thrown off their games," Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said in a statement.

"We have no idea what Mr. Novak's item is about and reject it totally."