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

MAMA MAXINE SPEAKS – FROM FOX:  Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., who appeared on BET Wednesday to lambast President Trump's State of the Union Address, called for a parental advisory each time the president appears on television.  “Whenever he appears on TV there should be a disclaimer that says ‘This may be may not be acceptable for children,'” she said.  Waters recorded a pre-taped response to Trump’s address, which was broadcast on attorney and political commentator Angela Rye’s BET special.
“One speech cannot and does not make Donald Trump presidential. He’s not presidential and he never will be presidential. He claims that’s bringing people together but make no mistake, he is a dangerous, unprincipled, divisive, and shameful racist,” Waters said.  Please note that Mama Maxine's response was pre-taped.  In other words, she responded to the president's speech before she even heard it.  Genius.

SIGN OF THE TIMES – FROM FOX:   Virgin Atlantic says it will feature "Love Suites" on some of its New York bound jets that are designed with couples in mind.  It will have three Love Suites in some Airbus A330-200 planes that are joining the fleet in March, along with other special seating arrangements. The Love Suites are ideal for dual dining, watching movies together or catching up on "work," according to the airline. The seats are located in the center of the cabin.  The revamped Upper Class seating arrangements include "freedom suites" and extra-private corner suites in the jet's upper cabin.  All three private corner suites will include free Wi-Fi messaging and a barista-style coffee menu.  I'm sure the "love suites" are all about work.  As I understand it, each flight will offer the services of a sexual harassment attorney.

ROMNEY TO ANNOUNCE – FROM THE HILL:  Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney will reveal later this month whether he'll run for Senate in Utah.  Romney announced the timeline in a short tweet Thursday, saying he would reveal his decision on Feb. 15.  "Looking forward to making an announcement on February 15th about the Utah Senate race," he tweeted, along with a link to his website.  Romney is expected to launch a bid to replace retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), a bid that would make him the far-and-away favorite.   His potential candidacy has been the source of speculation for years, with Senate Republicans excited at the chance for the former Massachusetts governor to join them in the body.  As a former presidential candidate, he'd immediately have stature and name recognition.  But he must make his peace with President Trump, whom he's criticized regularly, and recognize that Trump is the leader of the party.  Romney is 70, and would be a probable presidential contender in 2020 if Trump declined to run again.  He would be 76 in 2024, still a possibility.  But Mike Pence or Nikki Haley would be more popular among Republican voters.

February 1, 2018