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

CASH FOR JEB – From Bloomberg:   Behind a garden modeled on Monet's, Jeb Bush addressed a lawn-full of chief executives and hedge-fund managers at an East Hampton, New York, estate Saturday morning. While the candidate is no stranger to courting wealthy donors, this time was different: about half the attendees were Democrats.  "This guy sells well," said Kenneth Lipper, the money manager and registered Democrat who hosted the event, after Bush left. Virtually the only one who left without writing a check, Lipper said, was a buck deer that wandered past the group assembled on the wooded grounds.  Fascinating story.  Jeb is clearly positioning himself as the candidate who can cut across party lines and appeal to the great American middle...and to minorities.  That's fine, as long as he maintains a strong conservative position.  Reagan ran as a strong conservative, but had the ability to appeal to disenchanted Democrats, creating the Reagan Democrats.  Jeb, should he be the nominee, would have the same opportunity. 

DR. BEN ON CALL – From Breitbart:   Retired pediatric neurosurgeon and 2016 GOP presidential candidate Ben Carson will be the featured speaker Tuesday at the Washington, D.C. #WomenBetrayed rally to defund Planned Parenthood.  To date, some 60 cities are confirmed as holding rallies – all of which have been coordinated by the nation’s largest organization of pro-life millennials, Students for Life of America (SFLA) and its partner organization Pro-Life Future. The rallies urge citizens across the nation to demand their states investigate, prosecute and defund Planned Parenthood.  The Washington, D.C. rally will be held on Capitol Hill.  I think Democrats are underestimating the power of the Planned Parenthood videos that have come to light.  Abortion, in particular late-term abortion. may well be the sleeper issue in next year's election.

MAJOR PARTYING NEWS – From PanAm Post:  Without knowing the crimes alleged against him, the general director of the Venezuelan Federation of Liquor Producers (Fevelif) was arrested on Friday, July 24. According to local media, Fray Roa could appear in court on Monday, July 27.  While there remains no stated justification for the arrest, Venezuelans haven’t failed to notice that it occurred right after Roa shared revelations with journalist Gabriela Frías on her television program Global Portfolio, broadcast on CNN en Español...“Fray Roa reported the emergency that the distillation sector in Venezuela is facing; now the SEBIN have taken him away. They did the same with a doctor. What does that solve?”...The industry representative complained about the lack of raw materials for the production of beer and malt in the country. Moreover, the businessman took the opportunity to announce a “zero-hour” (planned strike) to protest the critical situation Venezuelan liquor producers are facing.  Roa reported that the perilously low stocks of beer would only last until the first week of August, and explained that this is largely due to the non-payment of US$2.7 billion that the regime owes the brewing industry.  What a crisis.  What does a college fraternity in Caracas do?  I'm sure President Obama is readying aid.  Please send bottles of Bud to families in need.

July 27,  2015