SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE:

ROMNEY TAKING OFF?   There's a new respect for Mitt Romney starting to emerge in a number of internet posts.  Romney's campaign ads are excellent.  His quick replies to President Obama, especially on economic matters, are sharp.  Hes well organized, with a smooth-running machine.  Is the guy learning to fight?  It's too soon to say, but Fox will have another campaign debate within weeks, and we'll be able to assess how he does, when a lot of fire is directed at him.

THE JAWS OF VICTORY?  Eyebrows are being raised over new Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta's comment that we are within reach of defeating Al Qaeda.  Some analysts are saying the statement is premature, but others agree that the terror group is in poor shape in the Afghan/Pakistan region, although active elsewhere.  Panetta's statement can be read as justification for Obama's troop withdrawals from Afghanistan.  On the other hand, it can be seen as an endorsement of further effort to finish the job.  No doubt Panetta will be asked about this in coming days, and we'll get a sense of where he sees the Afghan mission.

July 9, 2011