SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 7:30 P.M. ET:

CLEAN SWEEP – We noted this morning that the Quad-City Times, a major Iowa paper that supported Obama in 2008, has now endorsed Romney.  We now can note that all four major Iowa newspapers have endorsed Romney.  Iowa is a swing state, and these endorsements might have some impact in the right direction.  It is extraordinary to have this kind of clean sweep.

GALLUP – Gallup shows Romney up by four.  But the Gallup survey of approval/disapproval of the president has been all over the map this week, and is now even.  I've come to put more trust in the Rasmussen poll.  By the way, the IBD/TIPP poll, which is respected, shows Obama with a one-point lead.  But, given the margin of error, it's a dead heat.  Romney has been rising in that poll all week.

STONEWALL – The White House, trying to run out the election clock, is stonewalling further questions on Obama's role in the Libya fiasco.  The classic question, "What did the president know and when did he know it?" is not being answered.  It's becoming clear that the White House was at the center of the decision not to send aid to our beleaguered consulate under attack in Benghazi.  At the same time, the Army general who runs our Africa command is being replaced, and there is informed speculation that he aroused the displeasure of the Obamans by objecting to their decision not to send help to our people in Libya.  This requires a full Congressional investigation.  The mainstream media is downplaying the story.  Gee, I wonder why.

October 28, 2012