SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:10 P.M. ET:

BURSTING BUBBLES – I've never seen the exhilaration of a national convention deflated as quickly as happened to the Democrats today.  This morning's jobs figures were devastating that even journalists normally friends to the president commented on the damage they could do to his campaign.  Remarkably, the administration tried to paint the numbers as positive, as if it were just learned that the Titanic was going down more slowly than previously thought.  But there was no hiding the economic truth.

A GALLUP BUMP – Gallup is showing a respectable bump for the president after the convention, with Obama leading Romney, 48-45%, in Gallup's tracker.  The president's approval is up to 52% as well.  However, Gallup appears to be an outlier in this, at least thus far.  Rasmussen shows no particular bump, and neither does a new Reuters poll.  We may see some change in the next few reporting days, as polls taken after Obama's acceptance speech are made public.

MAJOR MOVE BY CANADA – In a major diplomatic development, Canada announced it is closing its embassy in Tehran and bringing its people home.  It has also ordered all Iranian diplomats to be out of Canada within five days.  Canada plays a substantial diplomatic role in the world, and its action may be an indicator that other nations may follow.  There is widespread speculation as to why Canada chose to take this action.  It has, in recent years, been one of the true defenders of human freedom, often shaming the Obama administration, and maybe it has simply had enough of Iran's behavior, including its support for Syria's Assad.  Or, Canada may be signaling its belief that the time for diplomacy over Iran's nuclear program has passed, and is useless.  Or, Canada may expect military action in the region, and wants to protect its diplomats.  Watch this situation closely.

RAHM RAMBLES ON – Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Obama's former chief of staff, had plenty of time to attend the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte.  But his city is falling apart, beset by a staggering crime wave that sees it turned into a shooting gallery every weekend.  And Chicago faces a teacher strike on Monday, its first in a generation, which would turn tens of thousands of teenagers loose on the streets during school hours.  What a prospect.  What a great reason to make a tourist visit to the Windy City.  Make sure to wear flashy jewelry and sport your iPods.
Chicago is the president's home city.  We'd be curious to see his reaction if it descends into chaos.  He'll probably blame CHENEY (!!!!). 

September 7, 2012