SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 8:24 P.M. ET:

AN IMPORTANT DEATH – Jacques Barzun, one of the intellectual giants of the 20th century, has died at 104.  He was actively writing until almost the time of his passing.  Barzun, a Columbia professor and provost (chief academic officer), had a reputation as something of a conservative, which probably tarnished his name in certain circles in recent years.  Also, he sinfully moved to his wife's home town of San Antonio, Texas, after his retirement, which stunned a part of society that believes civilization begins in Manhattan, vacations in Martha's Vineyard, and ends in Berkeley.  Barzun's "From Dawn to Decadence," examined the deterioration of Western Civilization.  In one of his last acts as a public intellectual, he urged the return of ROTC to Columbia.  Urgent Agenda posts Barzun's quote on political correctness near the top of our right-hand column every day.  We members of the Jacques Barzun Fan Club (yes, it exists) mourn the passing of a professor's professor.  

POLL LATEST – Latest polling confirms what we've been seeing.  Romney is up nationally, but is having a very hard time closing the deal in the Electoral College.  Late polls show him trailing in key states like Ohio.  The Electoral College may divide by a few points, so every state counts.  The possibility of a Romney win in the popular vote, but a loss in the electoral vote, is significant.  The EC could also tie, throwing the race to the House of Representatives, where Romney would win.  Republicans should feel good about Romney's dramatic progress, but is it enough?

PERFECT STORM? – Another question looms:  Will Hurricane Sandy, making its way toward the East Coast, impact the election?  Possibly.  If it hits hard, Obama will make himself the center of action, sending FEMA into major action, contrasting himself with BUSH (!!) at Katrina.  If the storm hits New England, and Obama does a great job of "emergency management," which will be milked by the press, it could give him the key swing state of Ohio.  Might even influence North Carolina if the storm hits further south.  Could have an effect in Pennsylvania, which is close.  This could be the unexpected October surprise.

THE STORY BUILDS – Bill Kristol points to a statement by CIA Director David Petraeus, on Libya, that "no one at any level in the CIA told anybody not to help those in need; claims to the contrary are simply inaccurate."  Kristol is saying that Petraeus is, with these words, throwing Obama under the bus, as it's being widely reported that someone ordered that no outside help be given as our consulate was under attack.  Only the White House could give such an order.

October 26, 2012