SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 9:03 P.M. ET:

GETTING TIGHT IN LIBYA – You have to be careful about taking everything that comes out of Libya at face value, but it does appear that the rebels are now fighting for the capital of Tripoli, where, presumably, Muammar Gadaffi is hiding, counting his frequent flier miles.  There have also been battles reported in other parts of Libya, with the rebels winning some, and loyalists winning others.  Is this the endgame?  We don't know.  We aren't even sure who the rebels are and where their loyalties lie.  But there is a growing feeling that Gadaffi's days in "power" are numbered.

OUTMIGRATION? – A Dubai-based newspaper asks in an editorial whether Americans will leave America if job opportunities appear in other countries.  The paper asks, provocatively, whether there will someday be "Americatowns" in Chinese cities.  The fact is that there was some serious outmigration during the Great Depression, with a number of immigrants returning to their native countries.  And we know that the flow of illegal immigrants into the United States has slowed dramatically as a result of hard times here.  But I really doubt that native-born Americans will leave the U.S., except for extreme economic opportunity.   Unless free wi-fi is involved.

DEMS PANIC IN WEINER'S DISTRICT – Disgraced and resigned Democratic Congressman Anthony Weiner represented a district in New York considered absolutely safe.  No great campaigns required.  Just truck the Dem voters to the polls on election day.  But now a minor panic has broken out among Democratic officials, who realize that the district may go, gulp, Republican.  Republican candidate Bob Turner has the support of former Mayor (and lifelong Democrat) Ed Koch, and a recent poll showed him within six points of Dem nominee David Weprin.  Barack Obama's numbers are in free fall in New York State, which isn't helping Weprin.  Dems are trying to scare voters by claiming that Turner will take away their Social Security and Medicare.

PENNSYLVANIA SLIPPING FOR OBAMA – AT 9:28 P.M. ET:  No Dem since Harry Truman in 1948 has won the presidency without carrying Pennsylvania.  But a new poll puts President Obama's approval rating in the state at 35%.  The economy is clearly the main factor.  If Pennsylvania remains competitive in 2012, you may be sure Republicans will remind voters of Obama's 2008 comments about the state, made privately...that people in Pennsylvania, when confronting their fears, cling to their guns and their religion.  First time around, even that statement didn't break through the hypnotizing effect of Obamamania.  Pennsylvania voted for him.  This time around?  I wouldn't be so sure.

August 20, 2011