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

JIMMY ENDORSES, IN A WAY – From London's Daily Mirror:   Former US President Jimmy Carter tonight told the UK Parliament he wants Donald Trump to land the Republican nomination ahead of frontrunner Ted Cruz .  Speaking on a visit to Britain, the 91-year-old Democrat warned Mr Cruz is committed to “Far Right-wing politics” which he would pursue “aggressively” if he makes it to the White House.  By contrast, Carter said, outspoken billionaire Mr Trump has no fixed views at all.  “If I had a choice of Republican nominees, between Cruz and Trump, I think I would choose. Trump - which may surprise some of you,” he told an audience in the House of Lords.  I'm sure Donald will describe this endorsement as HUGE.  It ain't.

OBAMA TAKES A RIDE – From Mediaite:  Today, President Barack Obama made the first appearance at a U.S. mosque in his seven-year presidency. He and the Council on American-Islamic Relations selected the Islamic Society of Baltimore for the big event. He made some valid points and included some touching moments, but detractors are continuing to rail against his choice of mosques.  In 2010, the Islamic Society of Baltimore was placed under FBI surveillance following the arrest of one of its members. The member had been planning to bomb an Army recruiting center near the mosque in Catonsville.  As the late Gilda Radner put it, "It's always something."

YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS UP – From The Politico:  Donald Trump has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize.  The billionaire presidential candidate, whose controversial comments and hard-edged policy proposals have upset many, was nominated for: "his vigorous peace through strength ideology, used as a threat weapon of deterrence against radical Islam, ISIS, nuclear Iran and Communist China,” according to a copy of the nomination letter obtained by the Peace Research Institute in Oslo, Norway. According to PRIO, Trump was nominated by an American.  Considering the standards of the Nobel Peace Prize, he'll probably be one of the top contenders.

February 3, 2016