SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:43 P.M. ET:

GOOD DAY – Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan had a very good first day on the campaign trail today.  Crowds thus far have been large and enthusiastic, much more so than the crowds that have greeted President Obama.  The two will now separate and we'll see whether Romney, without Ryan at his side, can run an aggressive, take-no-prisoners campaign, the only kind that can win against Chicago politics.  I continue to be surprised at how weak the Dem response to Ryan's selection has been.  But we'll be watching for the first attack ads.

NO PALIN – Greta Van Susteren reports that Sarah Palin will not be speaking at the Republican convention.  It is unclear whether she was invited, or simply decided to pre-empt a possible humiliation by pulling herself out.  Palin's presence would no doubt excite the Republican base, and she can give a whale of a speech.  But she has, unfairly, become unpopular around the country, possibly in part because she's now seen more as a TV personality.  And Romney wants to avoid controversy at his coronation.  On balance, it's probably wiser that Sarah not speak, but I wouldn't be shocked if her day comes again.

AND IN THE REAL WORLD – As of 8:30 this morning, some 15 people had been shot over the weekend in Chicago, the president's home town.  Obama, who throws people under the bus with abandon, has apparently thrown a whole city under the bus.  He doesn't even mention the ongoing tragedy in Chicago, which is much worse than in other big cities.  Obama's former chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, is mayor of Chicago, but his anti-crime efforts have had little effect.  You would think someone in the news media would think of contrasting Chicago, which has turned into the Wild West, and New York, where crime has been under control for years.  But that would mean giving credit to former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and the media is not emotionally ready for that.

August 12, 2012