SHORT TAKES ON THE DRIFTING WRECKAGE– AT 11:53 P.M. ET: 

FLAKEY FLAKE – FROM FOX:  Retiring Arizona Republican Sen. Jeff Flake on Wednesday threatened to pull support for all federal judicial nominees -- including 21 pending in the Judiciary Committee and 32 awaiting a vote on the Senate floor -- unless the Senate's GOP leadership permits consideration of legislation to expand protections for Special Counsel Robert Mueller's job.  The dramatic move by Flake, considered a potential primary challenger to President Trump in 2020, came immediately after Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell blocked his effort to introduce the bill for consideration by unanimous consent, which requires the approval of all 100 senators.  McConnell said the legislation, also backed by Delaware Democratic Sen. Chris Coons, is unnecessary because Trump has not suggested he will fire Mueller.  Flake strikes me as a man who was probably a very bad prom date.

THIS WAS A RESEARCH STUDY? – FROM DAILY MAIL:   Children tend to have the same number of romantic partners that their mother had - whether they witnessed her relationships or not.  Researchers say the findings, based on longitudinal data of mothers and children in the US since 1979, show mothers pass relationship skills to their kids, which influence how they interact with everyone, including romantic partners.  There is no longitudinal data on fathers, largely due to the outdated but lingering view that mothers are the most important figure in a household.  Psychologists told DailyMail.com that fathers do have a very profound effect on their kids' relationships, but since mothers are still the main stay-at-home parent for most Americans, it is likely their influence could still be stronger for now.  I'm not sure the world could have survived without this data.  I wonder who paid for it.

TIRED OLD PARTY – FROM THE WASHINGTON FREE BEACON:  Likely Democratic voters in primary states are not eager for a third White House run by Hillary Clinton, according to a new poll exclusively obtained by the Washington Free Beacon.  A 2020 primary survey conducted by TargetPoint Consulting revealed voter fatigue among Democrats with the two-time failed presidential candidate. The poll is the first to include Clinton among 2020 hopefuls, just as her former aides suggest she is gearing up for another presidential campaign.  The survey also reveals the top two most important issues to Democratic voters—securing single-payer health care and repeal of the Second Amendment.  Former vice president Joe Biden leads the field, but with just 29 percent of the vote. Vermont socialist Bernie Sanders is the only other candidate to crack 20 percent, while Clinton shares a distant fourth place with just 8 percent of likely voters saying they would support her in 2020. Oprah Winfrey also secured 8 percent of the vote.   Oprah, who is 64, is apparently the head of the youth movement.

November 14, 2018