SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 5:22 P.M. ET:

GALLUP – Much buzz about today's Gallup tracker showing Obama up two points, when yesterday the race was tied.  I have my doubts about this poll, as Obama's approval went up four points in one day in the same survey.  I think we have some statistical noise here.  The first debate, by the way, will occur October 3rd in Denver.

DOES ANYONE CARE? – I can testify, having negotiated New York City traffic on Friday, that the UN boys are back in town.  You can tell by all the limos outside the Waldorf-Astoria, and the small groups of security men with little tags in their lapels.  Obama addresses the General Assembly Tuesday, and his speech is important, given recent events in the Mideast.  Observers are asking whether he'll do the full grovel to "other cultures," or finally show some maturity and insist that those who demand respect give some in return.  We wait.

WHAA? –From Breitbart:  "President Barack Obama is about to release or transfer 55 Gitmo prisoners, despite reports that the Libyan believed to be behind the killing of US Ambassador Christopher Stevens was a former Guantanamo inmate transferred to Libyan custody.  The large percentage of those scheduled to be released are Yemeni, according to a list made public by the Obama administration."  Looks like an attempt to shore up the president's leftist base by showing that he's shrinking Gitmo.  There are also credible reports that the Obamans may soon release back to Egypt the so-called "blind sheik," who played a key role in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center.  Such compassion.  Yuch.

September 23, 2012