The West and Russia

Fox News: Reports that Russia has threatened to take action over the deal between Poland and the USA, the action would go beyond Diplomatic methods. Have the Russians lost the plot are, have they drunk to much Vodka, you don't threaten the USA and Poland in this manner, its negative on two fronts, the West will but Russia in the Cold Freeze and on the USA domestic front this helps McCain. Obama is seen as weak on National Security, his first response to the the War between Russia and Georgia was seen as weak by most commentators. Think 1960 Election when Kennedy used the Missile Gap to win, if you are seen as weak the USA voter will go with the hawk. SIMPLE LESSON FOR RUSSIA, IF YOU WANT OBAMA TO WIN, GET OUT OF GEORGIA, IF YOU WANT MCCAIN TO WIN ANOTHER COLD WAR, THEN JUST CARRY ON, POOR RUSSIA.

McCain leading Obama

Reuters/Zogby: As noted don't do individual polls during the week in less they are different from the norm, this one has McCain ahead of Obama. On the whole in most polls Obama has a slim lead over McCain. The RCP Average of polls has Obama ahead by 1.2%. This Reuters/Zogby Poll has the following result, McCain 46% - Obama 41%. It should be noted that this Poll was taken while Obama way on holiday and McCain had the stage to himself. Thus we have the Convention to come up and also a VP to be named. As Obama and the Democrats go first, one should expect Obama to get a bounce from the Convention, it should be noted that Senator Kerry managed to get a negative bounce from his Convention. It will be interesting to see the Polls after both Conventions, in the West Wing Season 7, the Republicans had the lead it would be interesting to see what the polls show after the Conventions. It should be noted that the Republicans in the TV series lost the election even after having a lead after the TV Conventions.

The West and NATO

The New York Times: Reports that NATO has stated that its relationship with Russia can not be the same as it was before the War between Russia and Georgia. The problem is that the French though they had a deal with Russia but to quote an old Reagan line, " Trust but Verify " the Russians have broke their word on the deal. The West has to send a message to Russia, no more land invasions, the top of this list should be the Ukraine, the Russian bear has to but back in his cage.

The Russian Bear in Georgia

Fox News: Reports that Russians Troops don't seem to be moving back due to the conditions of the Ceasefire between Russian and Georgia. The Russians wont move in less they think that the West will place NATO troops in Georgia, it has to be a threat that the West will carry out, the Russians do not want to be seen as having been chased out of Georgia by the NATO. The setting of a deadline when NATO troops would arrive would make the Russians understand that they have to move back to home soil. This is not 1956 or 1968, Russia might have to learn that the hard way with NATO troops coming up the road to replace them on the border between Russia and Georgia.

McCain Win ?

CNN: Looks at how well McCain did in the Presidential Forum against Obama. Lets recall in 2000 everyone thought that Gore would preform well in the Presidential Debates and show Bush the Exit Door. The reverse happened, Obama does not do well in Debates when he is challenged, and if his sole answer is that he did a speech against the War in Iraq before it started then this race is over well before November. How about telling people what his grandmother thought about being thrown under the Bus so Obama didn't have to throw his Pastor under the Bus.

Deaths in Afghanistan

BBC News: Reports that ten French Soldiers have been killed in Combat and another twenty one wounded in Afghanistan. The UK since 2001 has lost 116 Armed Forces Personnel, while the USA has lost Five hundred. Afghanistan is going to be a long and bloody War.

NATO on Russia and Georgia

BBC News: Reports on a NATO meeting to discuss the action of Russia in Georgia. A lot blame on Russia but what about sending in military support to replace the equipment destroyed by Russia, how about NATO peacekeepers to draw a line in the sand, NATO can not be seen as weak by Russia.