SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 9:35 P.M. ET:

HAS NEW PHOTOS – It is seriously reported in the New York press that Anthony Weiner, who had to leave Congress after he was found to have posted lewd pictures of himself on the web, is considering a comeback.  He's even thinking of running for mayor.  First thing, he'll have to get a whole new set of pictures...dressed.  Second, he'll have to answer questions about his wife – a top assistant to Hillary Clinton – who is said to be linked to the Muslim Brotherhood.  After he completes steps one and two, we'll see.

HILLARY'S TRAVELS – Hillary Clinton has just visited Egypt, where her Rodney Kingish plea – can't you people all get along – seemed to fall on deaf ears.  The military replied to Clinton's call for harmony by making it clear that it won't allow the Muslim Brotherhood to control the country.  Now Clinton is in Israel, presumably to talk about Iran, but actually to counter the political impact of Mitt Romney's upcoming visit.  Obama has not visited Israel during his term, as he apparently feels uncomfortable with countries that are on our side.

VIRGINIA – Please notice the attention that President Obama is giving to Virginia, a critical swing state that he carried in 2008.  Polls show Obama gaining in Virginia, and an increasingly hard climb for Romney.  Once again Obama has hammered away, with Romney forces barely responding.  Virginia has a large African-American population and, in the northern part of the state, a large population of government workers and transplants from Yankee country.  Losing Virginia would mean a much tougher road for Romney, and the Obama forces know it.  A key point:  Although one would expect Romney to do well in the major military centers in the Norfolk area, that apparently is not happening.  These areas also contain large minority populations, which are pro-Obama.

July 15, 2012