SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE – AT 11:54 P.M. ET:

DONALD BEATS OSCAR – FROM ADWEEK:   More than 43 million watched Pres. Donald Trump‘s first address to Congress last night on the broadcast and cable news networks, according to Nielsen.  Fox News was the most-watched on all of TV for the speech, drawing 10.765 million. NBC was second (first among the broadcasters) drawing 9.144 million. Among the younger news demo (A25-54) NBC was first, followed by Fox News. NBC had The Voice as its lead-in. As these are Nielsen numbers, this only includes TV viewing and not viewers who watched on streaming services.  Trump beat the Oscars, which only drew 32.9 million viewers.

MAJOR EQUALITY NEWS – FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE:   The University of Minnesota is shedding its "king" and "queen" titles for homecoming, organizers said Monday. Instead "royalty" will be the term of choice.  The Student Unions and Activities office said in its announcement that the change come this fall is "an effort toward gender inclusivity."  "We wish to promote a spirit of inclusion at the University of Minnesota," the announcement continued. "This change allows the University to select the best student representatives for the U based on campus and community involvement — regardless of gender."  Organizers said they "can be any combination of any gender identity."  The move away from gender-specific labels has been going on for several years on campuses around the country.  Anyone hear of any conservative inclusivity?  How about some campus royalty wearing Reagan T-shirts?  I don't hear much interest from the Anthropology Department.

HOUSEGUEST – FROM THE DAILY MAIL:   Barack Obama is turning his new home in the posh Kalorama section of the nation's capital - just two miles away from the White House - into the nerve center of the mounting insurgency against his successor, President Donald J. Trump.  Obama's goal, according to a close family friend, is to oust Trump from the presidency either by forcing his resignation or through his impeachment.  And Obama is being aided in his political crusade by his longtime consigliere, Valerie Jarrett, who has moved into the 8,200-square-foot, $5.3-million Kaloroma mansion with the former president and Michelle Obama, long time best friends.  Jarrett played a vital - if at times low-key - role in the Obama presidency. She lived in the White House, dined with the Obamas, and helped shape his domestic and foreign policies.  The gossip will now begin.

March 1, 2017