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

FASCINATING – From CNN:  "(CNN) – Ted Cruz, R-Texas, has won another straw poll, boosting his national profile and elevating his name among potential 2016 presidential contenders.  The firebrand freshman senator and tea party favorite was among a handful of 2016 hopefuls speaking at the Republican Leadership Conference in New Orleans this week.  Cruz finished in first place in the annual conference's presidential straw poll at 30.33%. Dr. Ben Carson, a Fox News commentator and conservative activist, finished in second with 29.38% while Sen. Rand Paul, R-Kentucky, was third with 10.43%."  Cruz is brilliant, a bit uncontrolled, but he's learning.  He and Rand Paul are sometimes paired as "libertarians," but Cruz's foreign-policy views are better, more Reaganesque, than Paul's.  Dr. Ben Carson is rising in popularity.  He would be a fine vice-presidential candidate.

LAST U.S. POW RELEASED – From WaPo:  "Taliban fighters released the sole remaining American military hostage Saturday morning to a team of U.S. troops in eastern Afghanistan, who quickly hustled him onto a helicopter. Once airborne, Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl scribbled the letter 'SF?' on a paper plate, seeking confirmation that he was with Special Operations forces. 'Yes!' one of the troops hollered back above the din of the aircraft’s blades, according to a defense official who described Bergdahl’s first moments of freedom. 'We’ve been looking for you for a long time.'"  This story is far from over.  It turns out that Bergdahl's release came only after the U.S., in secret negotiations with the Taliban, agreed to release five prisoners from Guantanamo.  Many in Congress are up in arms about the deal, fearing the five released fanatics pose a serious danger to Americans.  More on this in the next few days.

LOUISIANA HAYRIDE – Republicans, finally understanding they can only win elections by uniting behind a candidate, are moving toward selecting one to oppose vulnerable Democratic Senator Mary Landrieu in November.  From The Hill:  "The Louisiana Republican Party took the rare step of endorsing Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) out of several GOP candidates vying to unseat Sen. Mary Landrieu (D).  The state party announced it would be throwing its full support and resources behind the three-term lawmaker, as they geared up for a top GOP target in the midterm elections.  Roger Villere, head of the state GOP, noted Saturday that such an early endorsement is an 'extraordinary move' for the group. The last time the party decided to endorse a candidate when several Republicans were still in the running was when it backed then-Rep. Bobby Jindal ahead of his successful gubernatorial bid."  A good precedent.  Bobby is terrific.  Good luck to Bill Cassidy.  Landrieu hails from a respected Louisiana political family.  She's vulnerable, but she fights.

May 31,  2014