SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE:

LAMB CLAIMS VICTORY – FROM THE HILL:  CANONSBURG, PA — Democrat Conor Lamb declared victory early Wednesday morning in his razor-tight bid for a Pittsburgh-area House special election, although the race hasn't yet been called.  The seat, which voted for President Trump in 2016 by a 20-point margin, was once considered an easy win for Republicans. But Lamb currently leads Republican state Rep. Rick Saccone by 579 ballots, with some absentee ballots outstanding.   "It took a little longer than we thought, but we did it. You did it," Lamb told supporters at his election night party shortly before 1 a.m.,  after he was introduced as "congressman-elect."  "We followed what I learned in the Marines — leave no one behind. We went everywhere, we talked to everyone, we invited everyone in."   He ran as a pro-gun, I'm not Nancy Pelosi, Democrat.  Let's see if he can hold on to that identity.

A BRIGHT SPOT FOR CAMPUS CONSERVATIVES – FROM COLLEGE FIX:  A University of Colorado Boulder program that brings a token conservative scholar to campus each year is expanding, with organizers citing its popularity with both right- and left-leaning students and well-respected scholars as big reasons for its growth.  For the past five years, the public university’s Conservative Thought and Policy Program has brought one visiting scholar to campus each year. For the 2018-19 school year, it will grow to include two scholars.  The growth stems from an increase in the amount of strong candidates applying for the position, the program’s strong financial footing, and its popularity and success so far, CU Boulder professor Robert Pasnau told The College Fix.   That's terrific.  A conservative program done right.  It should be expanded to other campuses.

March 13,   2018