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1.) Let’s just have Howard Stern moderate the presidential debates — Does the moderator of the vice presidential candidate debate have a conflict of interest? TheDC’s Neil Munro and Josh Peterson reports:
“The moderator of the lone October vice presidential debate was previously married to a top Obama official, an association both ABC News and the left-leaning Commission on Presidential Debates do not view as a conflict of interest. ABC Senior Foreign Correspondent Martha Raddatz, whose role as moderator was announced on August 13, was previously married to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski — an Obama appointee. Genachowki and Raddatz were married in 1991, the same year he graduated from Harvard Law School. Their marriage ended in 1997; the two have a son together. Raddatz does not report on the FCC for ABC News.”
Maybe this is significant, maybe not. But why can’t we just have Jake Tapper moderate all the debates? Or if we are interested more in entertainment than competence and impartiality, why not Howard Stern? Actually, that’s not a bad idea. He would make the candidates uneasy and when they are uneasy they are less likely to stick to their talking points. We may even get some candid conversation. Two cheers to that.
2.) To be or not to be … — Mother Nature may be a Democrat. TheDC’s Alexis Levinson reports:
“Tropical Storm Isaac is on a collision course with the Republican National Convention. If it hits, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn told CNN, he is ready to cancel the convention. ‘Well, absolutely, we’re prepared to call it off,’ Buckhorn said, as the Bradenton Herald reported. ‘I mean, safety and human life trump politics. I think the RNC recognizes that. The organizers, certainly Gov. Romney, recognize that.'”
3.) Good investment or great investment? — Even the government gets some things right sometimes. TheDC’s Taylor Bigler reports:
“The U.S. Postal Service — which is currently in the throes of snowballing debt — wasted $1.2 million on the production of ‘Simpsons’ themed stamps, according to an inspector general’s report. One billion stamps featuring the cartoon family were produced — and only 318 million were sold, the Washington Post reports.”
Just to be clear, we’re not talking OJ Simpson stamps. But, really, America, what are you thinking? Who wouldn’t want Homer Simpson stamps?
4.) Why can’t he be Pakistan’s prime minister? — Recently removed Pakistani Ambassador to the U.S. Husain Haqqani opened up about the problems with the U.S.–Pakistan relationship and even said that the two countries should cut the pretense that they are allies. TheDC’s Jamie Weinstein (ME!) reports:
“’Pakistan ends up behaving like Syria while wanting to be treated like Israel,’ Haqqani told several dozens journalists, think tankers, opinion makers and government officials at a luncheon in Washington held by the Center for the National Interest … And the behavior change is not going to come unless and until there is behavior change on your part. So you should stop the meddling. … You have to stop going in and seeing all our politicians and thinking they are all your friends and trying to influence. Make Pakistanis realize that America has an interest in Pakistan, but you know what, America respects Pakistani opinion. Show respect for Pakistani public opinion. And if Pakistanis don’t want to be your friends, you don’t want to be their friends, thank you very much.'”
TheDC Morning attended the luncheon and was very impressed. He is a true patriot to his country, unfortunately too few in his country probably even realize it.
5.) Poll of the Day: Americans don’t believe they are better off today — USA Today/Gallup Poll asks adults nationwide, “Would you say you and your family are better off than you were four years ago, or not?”: 45% said better off, 53% percent said not better off, while 3% were unsure.
6.) Tweet of Yesterday — Andy Levy: I hope Prince Harry doesn’t lose his job 🙁
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