SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:55 P.M. ET:

DEMS AT WAR – FROM CNN:   (CNN) The head of the Democratic National Committee will not speak at the party's convention next week, a decision reached by party officials Saturday after emails surfaced that raised questions about the committee's impartiality during the Democratic primary.  Debbie Wasserman Schultz, whose stewardship of the DNC has been under fire through most of the presidential primary process, will not have a major speaking role in an effort "to keep the peace" in the party, a Democrat familiar with the decision said. The revelation comes following the release of nearly 20,000 emails.  I love it.  Even the national chairwoman gets purged to save Bernie's feelings.  When do we see the guillotine?

GRAND ADMIRAL KERRY DEFENDS THE NATION – FROM THE WASHINGTON FREE BEACON:   Secretary of State John Kerry said in Vienna on Friday that air conditioners and refrigerators are as big of a threat to life as the threat of terrorism posed by groups like the Islamic State.  The Washington Examiner reported that Kerry was in Vienna to amend the 1987 Montreal Protocol that would phase out hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, from basic household and commercial appliances like air conditioners, refrigerators, and inhalers.  You may see an air conditioner or refrigerator operating this week.  Call the police!  If you see something, say something!

JOHN, SHUT UP –  FROM THE HILL:   Ohio Gov. John Kasich says Donald Trump will have trouble winning the key battleground Buckeye State in November.   "Ohio's a snapshot of the country. People in Ohio want to see a positive agenda, a positive way to move forward," Kasich told Philly.com, calling Trump a “divider.”  "My position is, I'd like to see Donald become a unifier and positive. We just have some fundamental disagreements including a few areas: trade, immigration, foreign policy," he added.  Kasich, who mounted his own GOP presidential run, has not endorsed Trump, the Republican nominee for president. He did not attend last week’s Republican Nacional Convention in his home state.  "Without an endorsement, I thought it would be inappropriate for me to go in there and make some kind of a talk," he said.  "There will be no way that I'm going to vote for Hillary Clinton. As for what I do in the end, I don't know," he added.  Remaining silent might be helpful, John.  If you want a political future, don't knife your party's nominee in the back.

July 23, 2016