Unfortunately, all the mid-day news seems to be from the right side of the buffet line:

* Ashley Parker breaks down the new, improved Romney campaign staff structure, if you’re interested in seeing who you’ll soon see quoted regularly in Politico.

* Frum reviews latest installment of Caro’s biography of LBJ, and finds “implicit critique” of Obama’s leadership style.

* 69 House Dems defect to back transportation bill that includes go-ahead for Keystone XL.

* American Crossroads and Crossroads GPS, twin gems in Satan’s Jeweled Crown of 2012 Super-PACs, announces $100 million raised for this cycle.

* Joe Manchin refuses to endorse Obama, says “I’m worried about me.” Clearly.

And in non-political news:

* Bob Dylan and Elton John pay tribute to late Levon Helm.

Back shortly in hopes of better news.

Ed Kilgore

Ed Kilgore is a political columnist for New York and managing editor at the Democratic Strategist website. He was a contributing writer at the Washington Monthly from January 2012 until November 2015, and was the principal contributor to the Political Animal blog.