SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:03 P.M. ET:

ASSAD SAYS NYET – Syrian President Assad has refused a request from President Obama that he step down.  No one was surprised by Assad's rebuff.  The United States has little sway over Syria, and Syrian governments traditionally have shown contempt for American officials, even having ambassadors and secretaries of state wait hours for appointments with Syrian bigwigs.  Assad promised elections by Febrary, a meaningless promise unless we know just how those elections will be organized, and who will be permitted to run.

TIN EAR – Why is it that some politicians can't relate to the feelings of the individual voter?  The latest tin ear to make an awkward appearance belongs to Mitt Romney.  It is announced that Romney plans to nearly quadruple the size of his $12-million beachfront California mansion.  (I thought he was from Massachusetts.  Or is it Michigan?)  A Romney campaign official said the change was needed to accommodate a growing family.  There's nothing like doing something really tacky, right in the middle of a presidential campaign and a massive national recession.  But for those of you with growing families, expansion of your $12-million homes is definitely the way to go...if you can find good help.

DSK TO BE CLEARED – Updating a story we carried yesterday, a number of news organizations are now reporting that Manhattan (NY) District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. will definitely request a judge to drop all charges against former International Monetary Fund head Dominique Straus-Kahn.  DSK, as he's widely called, was charged with sexual assault by a hotel maid, whose credibility apparently lies in tatters.  One issue, here, as we noted, is whether leaders of the black community will let the matter rest, or start demonstrations on behalf of the maid, which could get out of hand during a long, hot summer.  It is also reported that the maid's lawyer is under investigation for obstruction of justice.  DSK would be free to return to France, where, until this charge, he was considered a leading candidate for president.  It is uncertain whether he can resume his political career.

August 21, 2011