SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:52 P.M. ET: 

AND HE DOESN'T EVEN PLAY ONE ON TV – From Reuters:  "(Reuters) - Whether it's the earnest Josiah Bartlet from 'The West Wing' or the manipulative Frank Underwood in 'House of Cards,' Americans prefer television presidents to their real-life POTUS, President Barack 'No Drama' Obama.  A Reuters-Ipsos poll taken this month found 54 percent of Americans held an unfavorable opinion of Obama, known for his cool and cautious presidential style, while 46 percent were favorable.  In contrast, asked to imagine that David Palmer of "24" was president, 89 percent of those who had seen the real-time Fox counterterrorism drama said they held a favorable rating of the decisive president played by Dennis Haysbert.  Martin Sheen's Jed Bartlet of "The West Wing" - beloved by Democrats, including many who work in Obama's White House - was rated favorably by 82 percent of its NBC viewers."  Obama should go into TV acting.  It's the only thing that can save him.

OBAMA AND CLINTON MEET – The commander-in-chief and the emailer-in-chief met today.  From the White House spokesman:  "'As I noted in today’s briefing, President Obama and Secretary Clinton enjoy catching-up in person when their schedules permit,' he said. 'This afternoon they met privately for about an hour at the White House and discussed a range of topics.'"  Yeah, I'll bet they did.  Clinton is surely aware of the stories going around Washington that it's the Obama crowd itself that is trying to derail her presidential nomination.  Wonder if it came up.  Or did Hillary simply ask what the price would be for Barack's support, such as backing an Iran deal?  Just speculatin'.  But there will be a price.

MONEY MACHINE – From the Dallas Morning News:  "Texas GOP donors have lined up for a Jeb Bush political committee fundraiser in Dallas on Wednesday that will include a rare political appearance by his brother.  The invitation asks for donations or for attendees to raise up to $100,000 per couple.  The reception on behalf of the Right to Rise Super PAC will be held at the home of bank executive Gerald Ford and his wife Kelli."  Jeb is winning the money race, but his campaign is just not catching fire.  Many conservatives have doubts about him, and the Bush name is not particularly helpful in a country that seems to want new faces.

SMALL TIMERS – The White House and State Department took more verbal swings at Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu today, continuing a campaign that looks increasingly childish and petty.  We're the only country doing it.  Meanwhile, in the world outside the sandbox, Yemen is falling apart, there is terror in Tunisia, and the war against ISIS is going poorly.  But that Bibi, he's got to be stopped!

March 23, 2015