SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 6:05 P.M. ET:

COINCIDENCE OR NOT? – FROM CNBC:   A new study finds an increase in accident insurance claims in three states that have approved the sale of marijuana for recreational use.  According the Highway Loss Data Institute, the number of vehicle collisions reported to insurance companies in Colorado, Oregon and Washington is 3 percent higher than what would have been expected if those states had not made it legal to buy pot.  "We're concerned about what we're seeing," said Matt Moore, the institute's senior vice president. "We see strong evidence of an increased crash risk in states that have approved recreational marijuana sales."  While Moore's research finds a greater crash risk, his study does not say if the increase in collisions in the three states were directly caused by drivers who were high.  Further study is needed, but that drug has to have at least some effect.  We're talking human life here.

I THINK SHE'LL BE SPENDING MORE TIME WITH HER FAMILY – FROM FOX:   It's been more than seven months since Election Day, but Americans' opinions of Hillary Clinton remain the same.  A new Gallup poll finds just 41 percent of Americans have a favorable view of the former presidential candidate, with 57 percent expressing an unfavorable view.   It's the same split that Gallup found in December 2016. Gallup said that historically, losing presidential candidates have gained popularity after the election.   Let's not be unduly harsh.  She's been nationally famous for 25 years, and it's unlikely that opinions of her will change that much.  She's also dragged down by an unpopular party.

I LOVE IT – FROM FOX:   On "The Fox News Specialists," Katherine Timpf said no picture summed up the left's dismay at Jon Ossoff's (D) loss in Georgia than a screenshot of crestfallen CNN contributors.
As CNN cut to a break, the internet caught politics editor Mark Preston, political analyst Gloria Borger, political director David Chalian and reporter Dana Bash frowning as they sat around a table.  The photo was also shared on several blogs and websites.  Timpf said the media and Democrats billed the race as a referendum on President Trump.  Go to the link.  It includes the photo.  Send those people a word of encouragement.

June 22, 2017