SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:56 P.M. ET:

CANADIAN RETURNS – The mainstream (leftist) media has joyfully announced the election of Justin Trudeau as Canada's next prime minister.  This was expected, but the delight of the left was still evident.  Trudeau is the son of the late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, who had no great love for America, but who went to great parties with his wife, Margaret.  We now lose, but profusely thank, Prime Minister Stephen Harper, who has run Canada as a stalwart ally of the United States and freedom.  I wish Harper had been blessed with a better president to work with.  How long will it be before Canadians express buyer's remorse?  Maybe a week?

WEBB BOOMLET? – From the Washington Free Beacon: Jim Webb, the author and former senator from Virginia who also served as secretary of the Navy under President Ronald Reagan, is weighing an independent bid for the presidency, according to a press release sent by his campaign on Monday.  Webb, who is currently running for the Democratic presidential nomination and whose views on foreign policy, affirmative action, and other issues are widely considered out of step with his current party, will give a press conference on Tuesday, Oct. 20.  “Senator Jim Webb will hold a press conference on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, to discuss his candidacy, the campaign and his views of the political parties in the current election cycle,” said the release, which was headlined “Jim Webb To Consider Independent Run.”  Could be fascinating.  Webb could run as a true independent, a centrist, at a time when the parties are being increasingly pulled to the left (Dems) or the right (GOP).  The question is whether Webb can gain any traction at all.  If he can, which party does he hurt most?

WHOOPS – From mediaequalizer.com:  Embarrassed Washington Post editors were left scrambling earlier today after a story was accidentally published that declared Joe Biden’s presidential candidacy.  With “XXX” showing in certain areas where details were yet to be added, it’s clear the piece was meant to remain in draft mode. But somebody with a fat finger hit the wrong button. Before the story could be removed, the Republican National Committee grabbed and sent the copy to those on its “War Room” mailing list.  Once the error was discovered, it was replaced with an editor’s note reading “This file was inadvertently published.”  Notice the public excitement when the thing actually came out.  Maybe it's a message to Joe.

October 19, 2015