SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:55 P.M. ET:

LIKE A STONE WALL – Thus far Senate Republicans are sticking to their pledge not to bring up the president's nomination of Judge Merrick Garland, preferring to wait until a new president is elected.  It's highly unlikely that a Republican president would renominate Garland, and Hillary Clinton would probably be pressured by her base to choose someone much more liberal.  So, far now, the Garland nomination is going nowhere.  However, I would not be shocked if Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell changed is mind within a month or so, as Republicans start to reason that Garland, a deeply respected judge, may be the best they'll ever do.  As one commentator said, in normal times Garland would easily be confirmed.  These are strange times.

SAD – Frank Sinatra Jr. has died suddenly at 72.  He never reached the heights his father did, but he was a competent singer, with a fine voice, who built a musical career of his own.  Had he come along earlier, in the golden age of American popular music, sometimes called the Great American songbook, he probably would have been more successful and better known, and even had his own band.  We don't have many traditional "saloon singers" left, but the great songs of the golden age endure for many of us.

TRUMP TRUMPS CRUZ – From Fox:  Fox News has canceled its March 21 Republican presidential debate following Donald Trump's decision not to attend, three sources told CNNMoney on Wednesday.
Dan Hayes, the general manager of the Salt Palace Convention Center, which was scheduled to host the debate, said he had "received verbal statements from Fox News" that the debate would no longer be taking place.  Two Fox News sources familiar with the decision confirmed the debate had been canceled.  Trump thus denies to Ted Cruz what Cruz dearly wanted – a one-on-one debate, with John Kasich kind of standing there.  It was Cruz's chance to confront Trump.  Now that chance is gone, and the Cruz campaign will have to run a standard campaign.  I think it's very iffy.  Trump's move in pulling out of the Fox debate proved to be shrewd. 

WELL, THAT THREAT HAS EASED – From People:  Once Michelle Obama leaves the White House next year, she won't be looking back.  After delivering a keynote speech promoting education for girls around the world at South by Southwest on Wednesday, the First Lady said in a panel moderated by Queen Latifah that she "will not run for president."  Obama cited her daughters, Sasha and Malia, as one reason.  "I have these two young people at home. Being the daughters of a president, just think about it. Not so easy. They handled it with grace and poise."   If only their father had such grace and poise.  But I'm relieved that Michelle isn't running.  I don't know if I could take those forced morning exercises on CNN, or the healthy breakfasts.  Some things are just dreadful.

March 16,  2016