SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 7:48 P.M. ET:

WEIRD – While the president had some "get tough" remarks for Iran in his speech to the UN this morning – aimed at American voters, no doubt – he continued to blame the Mideast violence on that YouTube trailer that actually surfaced four months ago.   He simply cannot accept that the attack on our consulate in Benghazi, Libya, was planned, something that seems pretty obvious to just about every expert who's commented.  Just imagine what this man's second term would be like.

GOOD MOVE – Two Republican members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee – Bob Corker of Tennessee and Johnny Isaakson of Georgia – are demanding that Hillary Clinton turn over cables sent by Ambassador Chris Stevens, who was murdered in last week's attacks in Libya, before the State Department does its own internal review.  The demand is correct.  Who can be enthusiastic about the department investigating itself?   Also, the investigation will be under the direction of former Ambassador Thomas Pickering, practically a symbol of the foreign-policy establishment.  He recently signed a political statement endorsing Obama's approach to Iran, which should have disqualified him from this sensitive task.

TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY – A Taliban spokesman, Qari Yousef Ahmadi, says that thousands of British-born Muslims are prepared to give their lives to kill Prince Harry, who is serving in Afghanistan.  “We have thousands of attackers ready to give up their lives for the prophet Mohammed and kill the prince. That is our intention. They come from all over the world – from England, Pakistan,” the Daily Star quoted Ahmadi, as saying.  I hope the British government takes this seriously.  Harry is too rich a target to remain in Afghanistan, even if he admirably wishes to show that royalty also serves.  He could be killed, and others around him killed.  Pull him out.

OBAMA GAINS – After showing the race essentially tied for many days, Gallup today reported a three-point lead for President Obama, 48-45%.  This is still awfully close, especially as Gallup is measuring registered voters, rather than likely voters.  Also, it's striking that Obama can't reach the 40% mark.  There is much controversy over many of the polls being taken, with Republicans charging that they routinely over-sample Democrats. 

September 25, 2012