SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 8:33 P.M. ET: 

STEAM HEAT – Lots of heat directed today at the Republican National Committee for agreeing to the terms that made last night's debate a farce.  The farce was created by three mean-spirited "journalists" asking insulting, demeaning questions.  Even some liberals today winced at the low standards.  CNBC should stand ashamed.  But get this:  NBC gets to host another Republican debate in February.  I think the RNC should read NBC the riot act, and make it clear that the public expects a much higher level of journalism.  This is about the American presidency.

BUDDING SCANDAL – The nerve – a government agency trying to hide climate-change research from a Congressional committee.  Didn't the American people pay for that research?  From Fox:  The Republican head of the House science committee is fighting to obtain documents from the Obama administration on a controversial global warming study, as the agency that produced it locks down internal records despite a subpoena.  The report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) claims to refute prior studies showing the rate of global warming had flattened in recent decades.  Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, a global warming skeptic who questioned the data, issued a subpoena on Oct. 13 for the agency to "compel production of documents and communications relating to adjustments of historical temperature data."  I'm neither a proponent nor a denier.  I want more facts, and I become suspicious when facts are withheld. 

RYAN IS IN – From The Hill:   Lawmakers on Thursday elected Rep. Paul Ryan the 54th Speaker of the House, ending weeks of uncertainty over who would lead the raucous 247-member GOP conference after John Boehner’s surprise resignation.  On a day filled with pomp and excitement, the Wisconsin Republican received 236 votes for Speaker — more than the 218 needed to win on the first ballot. His only challenger, little-known Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fla.), whom Ryan defeated in an internal GOP election Wednesday, received nine votes from conservatives on the floor.  The nine GOP Webster backers were Reps. Dave Brat (Va.), Curt Clawson (Fla.), Louie Gohmert (Texas), Paul Gosar (Ariz.), Walter Jones (N.C.), Thomas Massie (Ky.), Bill Posey (Fla.), Randy Weber (Texas) and Ted Yoho (Fla.).  Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), a former Speaker herself and the person who presented the gavel to Ryan Thursday, received 184 votes, all from Democrats.  We wish Ryan well.  If he shines as speaker, and gets things done, there may well be a large white house in his future.

October 29,  2015