SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 10:43 P.M. ET:

BRITAIN BLOCKS TRADE WITH ARGENTINE MILITARY – Britain has suspended all exports to the Argentine military because of continuing tensions over the Falkland Islands.  Argentina's somewhat strident, nationalist government, which is moving closer to Venezuela, Cuba and Iran, has been making new demands based on the notion that the Falklands, a British possession, should belong to Buenos Aires.  That, of course, was the cause of the 1982 Falklands war, won by Britain under Margaret Thatcher. 

JAPAN THREATENED – It has been revealed by Tokyo that Japan had to scramble jets 156 times in 2011 in response to approaching Chinese aircraft; and it had to scramble jets 247 times in response to Russian planes coming close to Japanese airspace.  Both China and Russia set a record in 2011 in aircraft making invasive moves toward Japan. 

RUBIO FINED – Senator Marco Rubio has been fined $8,000 by the Federal Elections Commission for accepting more than $210,000 in improper contributions during his 2012 run for the Senate.  This is not good for Rubio's chances to be put on the national ticket.  The Dems will make major hay with the fine, in part to draw attention away from their own internal problems, and in part to drive Rubio down just as he is rising.  But Rubio obviously should have been more careful. 

ROVE PROJECTS – Very senior Republican strategist Karl Rove says that, as of now, Obama has enough safe or leaning states to win the electoral college in November, but cautions that this will change as more polls are conducted and as the campaign heats up.  It's odd because the Democrats are showing signs of desperation and panic, which means their internal polling may not be as positive for them as Rove indicates.  Most observers are predicting a very close race, but predictions at this stage are essentially entertainment.  Six months to go until the election.  About 20 lifetimes in politics.

April 27,  2012