SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 10:23 P.M. ET:

THE HIDDEN ISSUE – We said earlier this year that gasoline prices may become the hidden issue of this campaign.  We've now learned that gas prices have more than doubled under the Obama administration.  When Obama was inaugurated the average price was $1.84 per gallon.  It's now $3.85.  Will this affect the election outcome?  In a logical world it should, because the increase is due in part to Obama's shortsighted energy policies and his genuflecting to environmental militants.  But it's not a logical world.

ONLY TEMPORARY – A liberal activist judge in Wisconsin has struck down nearly all the state law enacted by reform Republican Governor Scott Walker and the legislature, law that allowed the people of Wisconsin to take back control of their government from public-service unions.  But Walker, ever cool, is not panicking.  The local judge's decision will be appealed, and the Walker camp is reasonably sure that the legislation involved will be upheld.  Meanwhile, the governor is resisting the expected demands by unions that the judge's temporary decision be put into effect immediately.

POLLING CHAOS – I've rarely seen major polls so thoroughly disjointed.  You'd think the polling organizations were polling different countries.  Most polls are showing Obama up and gaining, and gaining particularly in critical swing states.  The major outlier, and the 900-pound gorilla in the room because of his past high accuracy, is Scott Rasmussen, who has Romney leading, and much closer races in swing states.  I'm guessing that things will settle down in a few weeks, once memories of the convention are past and the maniacs in the Mideast stop their adolescent venting.

AND MIDEAST CHAOS – I'm glad that, consistent with national responsibilities, Republicans aren't buying the line that they have to shut up during the Mideast crisis.  We are in the midst of a presidential campaign, and Americans have the right to know the full views of their presidential candidates.  In this connection, our guys are reminding the country that Barack Hussein Obama Jr., in running for president the last time, said that he was uniquely qualified to guide our relations with the Muslim world because he was brought up in a Muslim country, and his half-sister is Muslim.  The actual statement is here.  Not exactly prophetic words.

September 14, 2012