SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 10:57 P.M. ET:

GWEN MIFFED – It is reported that news diva Gwen Ifill is mightily miffed over not being invited to moderate a presidential debate this year.  She'd been invited in 2004 and 2008, and apparently thought she had a lifetime appointment, like a Supreme Court justice.  Ifill, one of the most biased journalists on TV, did not turn in notable debate performances in either of her turns at bat.  She and others are concerning about lack of "diversity" among the moderators chosen for 2012.  Translation:  Gwen's group isn't "represented."  As for the other 4,000 who aren't, I guess it's tough luck. 

EYEING THOSE POLLS – We've promised readers to keep watch on the strange polling developments of the last three days.  Mitt Romney has lost six points in the Rasmussen tracker, a stunning number, and rather unlikely.  Ras now has Obama leading Romney by two points.  At the same time, today's Gallup tracker shows the same steady numbers it's shown for the three days – Romney up two over Obama.  Usually, it's the reverse, with the Rasmussen poll showing stronger Republican numbers than Gallup.   We'll watch this, but I'm guessing there'll be a correction in the Rasmussen results. 

BETRAYAL – The U.S. is accusing Iraq, ostensibly an ally, of aiding Iran through financial and other transactions that are easing the effect of international sanctions on the Tehran regime.  While there is no open confrontation between the Obama White House and the Iraqi government, there are tensions and serious meetings behind the scene.  This demonstrates the difficulty, once again, of doing anything positive in the Arab world.  We gave the Iraqis a democracy, and they're knifing us.  We have also pulled every American military unit out of Iraq, which fulfilled a pledge Obama made to his "anti-war" supporters, but which left us with precious little leverage.  Smart move, Barack.

August 18, 2012