SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:46 A.M. ET:

NOTEWORTHY PASSING – From Fox:  "Genean Hixon, whose breakthrough treatment with penicillin at age 12 during World War II led to modern medical practices, died March 1 two days short of her 83rd birthday, the Denver Post reported.  Hixon died of liver cancer, which was diagnosed in December.  Hixon was hospitalized on July 24, 1943, with severe osteomyelitis — a bone disease that at the time was seemingly incurable and potentially fatal. She became one of the first American civilians to be treated with a 'mysterious miracle drug' – known now as penicillin -- and the Denver Post reported on her treatment in a series of articles."  Didn't know the story.  Now I do.

GOOD MOVE – From the Washington Examiner:  "Republican National Committee data operatives will build a list of the millions of Americans who have lost insurance policies due to Obamacare in order to help their candidates win over these voters at the ballot box in 2014 and 2016.  'Getting that information [on plan cancellations] and having good data as to who votes, who doesn't vote, voter registration, party affiliation, consumer characteristics, cross-referenced with that kind of information, I think, is important for us to have,' Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus told the Washington Examiner after his CPAC panel presentation Saturday morning."  Maybe the party is starting to move into the 21st century.  Cheers!

TALK ABOUT OPPORTUNISTS – From The Hill:  "Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (D) said Sunday that President Obama’s controversial healthcare law has been 'great' for residents of his state.  Crist has sharply criticized the healthcare law in the past. But the former Republican governor and 2008 GOP vice-presidential short-lister is running for his old post this year as a Democrat.  Crist said during an appearance on CNN’s 'State of the Union' that he would have no problem running on the healthcare bill, which is known colloquially as ObamaCare, as he seeks to regain his former office.  'I don’t think so at all' Crist said when he was asked if the healthcare law was hurting Florida citizens, especially seniors, as Republicans have alleged."  A perfect example of no class.

March 9, 2014