SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:16 P.M. ET: 

CUOMO ROMPS – FROM THE NEW YORK POST:  Gov. Andrew Cuomo fought off a challenge from the left to capture the Democratic nomination as New Yorkers rejected progressive challenger Cynthia Nixon in the state’s Democratic primary.  With roughly 25 percent of the vote counted, Cuomo had a lead of 66 percent to 34 percent over Nixon...A minute after voting ended at 9 p.m., Nixon released a statement essentially conceding and declaring that since polls showed Cuomo up by as much as 41 points, a narrower margin of victory could be seen as “a major embarrassment and significant under-performance for the two-term incumbent.”  I'm no fan of Andy Cuomo, but his margin of victory was no embarrassment.  It was spectacular, considering that New York is one of the most "progressive" states in the country.  Some "progressives" did win other primary battles, but the big prize, the governorship, went solidly to the more moderate establishment.

REALLY? – FROM THE NEW YORK POST:  Billionaire ex-mayor of New York Mike Bloomberg plans to run for president in 2020 as a Democrat, The Times of London reported Thursday.  Bloomberg, who considered independent runs for the White House in 2008, 2012, and 2016, will challenge President Trump, the paper reported, citing sources.  “Mike Bloomberg told me he is going to run in 2020,” a source told the paper.  “He has the money to see it through while other candidates knock themselves out.”  In June, Bloomberg, 76, reportedly said at a fundraiser that he’s “revving up” for 2020.  One person close to Trump said the three-term Gotham mayor would make a formidable opponent.   Oh, I don't know.  Bloomberg has put on this face before, only to decide not to run.  Look, he was a decent mayor and is a fine man.  But he has the excitement factor of a doorknob, and will be 78 in 2020.  If the Dems wanted an old white guy they'd go with Joe Biden.  If Bloomberg did run, he should do so as an independent, in effect starting his own party.  That would make more sense than trying to fight the identity-politics regimen of the Democratic Party. 

PASSING – FROM FOX:  Three-time Tony Award nominee Marin Mazzie, known for powerhouse performances on Broadway in "Ragtime," ''Passion" and "Kiss Me, Kate," has died. She was 57.
Mazzie, who battled ovarian cancer starting in 2015, died Thursday morning at her Manhattan home surrounded by close friends and family, said her husband, actor Jason Danieley.  Mazzie's broad career went from screwball comedy — in "Kiss Me, Kate" and "Spamalot" — to riveting, dysfunctional moms in "Next to Normal" and "Carrie." She earned other Broadway roles in "Man of La Mancha," ''Bullets Over Broadway," ''Enron" and "Into the Woods."  She is survived by her husband and fellow actor Jason Danieley.   I didn't want this to go unnoticed.  There was a time when theater stars were national stars – think Mary Martin or Ethel Merman – but no more.  Yet fine actors and actresses provide thrilling live performances every day and night.  Marin Mazzie was one of the best.  I wish her name had been better known across the country.  Her death at an early age leaves us poorer.

September 13, 2018