SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 8:58 P.M. ET:

TIN EARS – Some people in politics just don't get it.  If there's one person who should be careful about image it's Anthony Weiner, the disgraced former Democratic congressman, who had to resign his seat after publishing more-than-racy pictures of himself on the internet.  If there's another person who should be cautious it's his wife, Huma Abedin, Hillary Clinton's top aide, and a Muslim whose family connections to the Muslim Brotherhood have come under some scrutiny.  Barack Obama praised her effusively at a recent Muslim gathering.  So what do these two do?  They move into a $3.3-million Manhattan apartment owned by a major Democratic moneybags who is tight with the Clintons and with Obama himself.  The pad would normally rent for 12-14 thousand bucks a month (yes, that's right), and the Weiners are not rich.  Clearly, they're being subsidized.  Such lavish living by a disgraced pol and his wife will not endear them to the only people who can resurrect Weiner's career...the voters.  Dumb move.

CNN'S DESPERATION – CNN, which bills itself as the most trusted name in news, apparently doesn't care for the label any longer.  Its ratings are in the tank, and so the profound journalists are searching Hollywood, not newsrooms for new talent.  Same old story.  It's the bottom line that counts.  CNN is apparently looking for somewhat classy versions of reality shows, and is talking with producers who do work for Bravo, the Discovery Channel, and the History Channel.  That's fine, but if CNN wants to really boost its ratings it would try actually to be the most trusted name in news by playing is straight, keeping mouthpieces like Soledad O'Brien, Christiane Amanpour and Fareed Zakaria under control, and winning some credibility with its dwindling audience.  But CNN was founded by left-winger Ted Turner, who later showed his colors by marrying Jane Fonda, and the die was cast.

HOMELAND'S LACK OF HOMELINESS – There's a simmering situation at Janet Napolitano's Department of Homeland Security, with two male employees suing the agency, claiming their careers have been cut short by anti-male bias on Napolitano's watch.  There are claims of women having special relationships with Napolitano, although she has never been involved in any personal scandals.  We can't judge the veracity of the claims involved in the lawsuits, and I doubt if there'll be any major bulletins before the election in November.  But this could prove embarrassing should Obama win a second term, which itself would be embarrassing for all of us.

SECRET WEAPON – Paul Ryan's secret weapon in this campaign may well turn out to be his brilliant, telegenic wife, who could instantly dispel any notion that the GOP is waging a war on women or is afraid of accomplished women.  Jenna Ryan was a tax attorney for a major Washington firm and is a graduate of Wellesley College, Hillary Clinton's alma mater and a heavyweight feminist institution.  (I can just see the panic at Wellesley if a Republican graduate gains fame.  Maybe they'll claim they don't know her.)  We haven't heard Jenna speak, and apparently she stays in the background, but she's considered exceptionally intelligent, and I'd love to see her in the spotlight.  Another asset to the Ryan cause. 

August 13,  2012