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

OBAMA RISING? – The Gallup poll of presidential approval shows Obama rising to 47%.  He was at 41% in late October, just before the election.  It's hard to know whether this is an outlier, a normal fluctuation, or actual improvement.  Obama has been far more active in usual following the drubbing his party took at the polls last month.  The poll may simply reflect increased activity.  His disapproval declined to 49% from a recent 55%.  We'll have to see what other polls say in coming weeks.

GOOD DECISION – From Fox:  "A large sign outside a New Jersey elementary school that misspelled “December” appears to have cost the principal her $108,000 a year job.  The Bergen Record says the sign outside School 20 in Paterson also notified people of the date for “progress reepor” and contained a backward numeral 1.  City school board member Corey Teague circulated a photo of the error-filled signage and complained why nobody noticed for more than a week. December was spelled 'Dicember.'  'If this is how the administration takes care of signage, how can we expect the students to do better? We must be held to a higher standard,' he wrote in an email accompanying the photo.  Days after Teague brought up the sign, education officials announced that the principal, Antoinette Young, was being demoted and transferred to another school."  Good outcome.  Mr. Teague, who is African-American, will probably feel the heat from some "community" activists.  He is brave and did the right thing.

ABOUT TIME – From Fox:  "New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is urging President Obama to demand that Cuba return convicted police-killer Joanne Chesimard before he proceeds with efforts to improve diplomatic relations with that country.  Chesimard was found guilty of killing New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in 1973 before escaping from prison and fleeing to Cuba. The 67-year-old Chesimard has since been provided safe haven by the Cuban government.  'Cuba’s provision of safe harbor to Chesimard by providing political asylum to a convicted cop killer … is an affront to every resident of our state, our country, and in particular, the men and women of the New Jersey State Police,' Christie wrote. 'I urge you to demand the immediate return of Chesimard before any further consideration of restoration of diplomatic relations with the Cuban government.'"  Good move by Chris, but it won't happen.  Obama's party is controlled by people who probably think Joanne Chesimard was a victim.

December 21, 2014