Many more chores to discharge before weekend guests arrive–a fairly apolitical crew, fortunately, so I won’t have to run my mouth any more than is necessary about the intricacies of Medicare policy or the Mood of the Non-College Educated Swing Voter. The political news is finally trickling off as media types go into a fatigue-coma or place their heads in vats of whisky. But here are a few remains of the day and week:
* Paul Ryan boasts he’s run a sub-3:00 marathon. Not being a runner, I don’t know if this compares with Mao Zedong breaking the world swimming record in the Yangtze River, but I guess it’s impressive in some circles.
* CNN publishes a roundtable of assessments of Romney’s convention from eight senior commentators. Four thought it was a smash boffo hit, four not so much. What a coincidence!
* Interesting Suzy Khimm piece at WonkBlog examining what Paul Ryan learned–and refused to learn–from Jack Kemp.
* Isaac-driven pre-Labor Day spike in gas prices should lead to bigger than usual dive after the holiday (unless more hurricanes hit Gulf!).
* Saletan notes Romney’s most specific comments on federal spending implicitly endorsed trillion-dollar boosts via Medicare and defense “cuts” he’d restore.
And in non-political news:
* University of Georgia’s substitute bulldog mascot Russ promoted to full status as UGA IX. A tonic for underdogs and temp workers everywhere.
Kathleen Geier, who seems to disdain time off, is back for her second consecutive gig as Weekend Blogger. I’ll be back for holiday duty on Monday.
Selah.
