SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 8:32 P.M. ET:

WE WILL HAVE TODD AKIN TO KICK AROUND AGAIN – The embattled Republican Senate candidate from Missouri, whose recent reckless comments about rape resulted in demands from party leaders that he give up his nomination, reaffirmed today that he'll do no such thing.  He appears to mean it, and will be a problem for the GOP through election day.  He might even cost Mitt Romney the state of Missouri.  The only thing the Republicans can do is propose a write-in candidate.

GOOD THINKING – Romney strategists are being careful to maximize every bit of television time they'll get next week.  With the major networks only devoting an hour a night to the GOP convention – a disgrace, in my view – the campaign wanted to be sure Ann Romney was featured.  She now will be, and Marco Rubio will introduce Governor Romney for his acceptance speech.  Ann Romney proved to be a tremendous asset during the primaries, and will be again during the general-election campaign.

DEM STRATEGY – We are learning that the number of Democratic field workers in many states may outnumber Republicans by as much as three to one.  Because the magic of 2008 is gone from the Dem campaign this year – Obama has proved less than the new messiah – the Dems have decided to place a greater emphasis on person-to-person contact at the grassroots level.  By contrast, the GOP is saving its huge financial advantage for a major TV advertising campaign.  Seems to me that the Republicans might spruce up their ground game a bit.  Personal contact does count, the the Dems have built major big-city operations largely on personal contact.

HARD TIMES?  REALLY? – Despite severe economic times, top colleges in the Washington, D.C., area are still showing annual increases in applications.  Of course, these institutions have money to give out if families of accepted students can't pay the freight.  However, it's being noted that schools in the middle, and the more modestly equipped colleges, are showing clear signs that we're in a recession, with declining applications.  Some 375 colleges have vacancies this year, compared with 279 last year. 

August 24,  2012