SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:25 P.M. ET:

MASTERSTROKE? – That's how some political pundits are describing today's announcement of changes in deportation practices by President Obama.  Others are describing it as a crass political move, possibly illegal or even unconstitutional.  Both may be right.  But by the time the legalities are sorted out and the lawyers have their say in court, the political damage to the Republicans might be done, with substantial effect.  With one stroke the president has appealed to the Hispanic community on a highly emotional issue, thrown the Republicans into disarray on the immigration issue, and undercut the possible vice-presidential candidacy of Marco Rubio, some of whose ideas were stolen blind by the president's announcement.  Not bad for a day's work for the Chicago political team.  We'll be examining today's news over the next week.

MORE REALISTIC – A new Rasmussen survey of likely Michigan voters has Obama at 50% and Romney at 42%.  This comes only a few weeks after another poll showed Romney with a slight lead.  I think the Ras poll is more realistic.  Michigan, with its heavy unionization and vast minority vote in Detroit, is a profoundly blue state.  John McCain didn't even bother campaigning there in 2008.  However, the fact that Obama barely cracks 50% is actually good news for Romney.  If that's the best Obama can do in Michigan, he may well be in serious trouble.

YOU MAY LAUGH NOW – We are informed by the Obama administration's spokesman for national security affairs that the reset of relations with Russia has worked.  Ben Rhodes said that the reset has produced "very positive results."  Right.  And the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor cleared a great deal of dock space that had been taken up by battleships.  Are the Obamans delusional, cynical, or mythical?  Are there any other possibilities?

CULTURAL DECLINE – An Arizona school district is contemplating a stricter dress code for elementary-school teachers, believing the current rules are too vague.  The current code only requires that teachers dress "professionally," apparently too difficult a concept to grasp.  The proposed code would ban flip-flops, visible underwear, visible cleavage, bare midriffs, overly tight, loose or transparent clothes, bare shoulders, short skirts and exercise pants.  Would you want your children taught by "teachers" who had to be told this?  I wonder when they'll require teachers to be literate.

June 15,  2012