SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 7:44 P.M. ET:

OBAMACARE DRAGS OBAMA DOWN – A new USA/Gallup poll in 12 key battleground states shows that Americans still don't like Obamacare.  A clear majority say passing it was a mistake, and that they would favor repeal if Republicans get the power to send it packing.  Of course, there is a possibility that key provisions of the law will be struck down by the Supreme Court months before the election.

LAST STAND? – Those despots whom the gods bring down first write a Constitution.  Syrians are "voting" on a new Constitution that reads like something Tom Jefferson might smile at.  Of course, it's being pushed by a regime that is murdering thousands of its own citizens in the streets, and has already been rejected by the opposition.  The Syrian situation is deteriorating by the day, as the "international community" dithers.  Our government is hinting this weekend at new measures to stop the bloodshed, but there are no specifics.  I'm not even sure there's a policy.

TWISTING THE TRUTH – I can't deny a certain uneasiness about Rick Santorum's constant injection of his religious views into the campaign, even though I respect them, and respect him for living his faith.  But there's a grossly dishonest headline making the rounds on the internet suggesting that Santorum declared that John F. Kennedy's famous Houston speech on separation of church and state made him want to throw up.  Not so.  Santorum was saying that the idea that only people of non-faith should enter the public square made him feel sickly.  Be careful of attempts to caricature Santorum because of his deeply held faith.  Read what he actually says.

February 26,  2012