SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 10:06 P.M. ET:

GROWING CONCERN – In contrast to the two polls we normally use – Rasmussen and Gallup – other polls reporting this week show a growing lead for President Obama.  The Fox Dynamics poll out tonight shows Obama ahead 49-40.  While most professionals in politics believe that the race is much closer, as do we, the three major polls out this week show gains for Obama among independents.  It's clear from comments I read that Republican heavyweights are growing increasingly concerned at Romney's inability to score any points.  His campaign thus far seems to be saying, "Obama isn't very good," and that's it.  He isn't making the case for himself, and seems to have no sense of urgency.   He has about two weeks before the GOP convention to light some fires.

OBAMAN STONEWALLING – The pro-Obama PAC responsible for the ad charging Mitt Romney with being responsible for the death of a woman continues to refuse to pull the ad, despite the disgust expressed even by Democrats.  The White House has pretty much washed its hands of the matter.  And Mitt Romney himself has only expressed a general disapproval.  The Republicans should make a very big deal about campaign tactics this low, and certain Limbaugh and Hannity are doing so.  But the Obamans won't budge.

CHICK-FIL-A BOILING IN NC – The Chick-fil-A controversy is boiling in North Carolina where, not many years ago, conservatives would have made short work of attempts to damage the chain over the traditional religious views of its founder.  But North Carolina in recent decades has seen an influx of very liberal academics and researchers – the kind who had no problem with the near-lynching of three innocent Duke University lacrosse players falsely accused of sexually assaulting an African-American dancer.  As a result, a militant minority in the state sides with the anti-Chick forces.  According to Politico:  "In Thursday’s poll, 44 percent of “somewhat liberal” North Carolinians had a favorable opinion of the restaurant, as did 62 percent of moderates and 96 percent of 'somewhat conservative' voters. Overall, 68 percent of North Carolina voters have a favorable opinion of the restaurant, 22 percent disapprove and 10 percent have no opinion."

REMARKABLE AGREEMENT – And a possible rebuke of President Obama.  How often have you seen a major Arab official agreeing with Israel on a strategic matter?  Just doesn't happen very often.  But this week the foreign minister of Bahrain, an influential and wealthy Gulf Arab state, tweeted an article by Michael Oren, the Israeli ambassador to Washington, about the danger posed by a nuclear Iran.  Iran is a neighbor of Bahrain.  Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa's tweet signaled agreement with Oren's point that sanctions, plus a credible military threat, are required to stop Iran's military program.  Oren argued that Iranian leaders don't see that credible military threat.  By tweeting the piece, Bahrain was gently rebuking President Obama for not making the threat stronger and clearer.  Quite a remarkable diplomatic event in the Mideast.

August 9,  2012