Rory Cooper of Heritage, on Obama in Russia: “His goal, much like his Global Warming agenda, is to unilaterally eliminate our nation’s strategic defenses, and other countries will eventually see the light and play along. Unfortunately, here in reality, Russia is unwilling to help with Iran, unwilling to make concessions on Tblisi, unwilling to engage in human rights issues and is unwilling to allow the U.S. to protect its homeland and allies with a missile defense shield.”

Republicans recruitment for House is “showing promise.” It is apparently easier to get people to run when Obama rather than George W. Bush is in the White House.

That swamp has not yet been drained: “A former executive for a defense contractor with ties to Democratic U.S. Rep. John Murtha has been charged by federal prosecutors with taking about $200,000 in kickbacks from a subcontractor.” But here is the buried lead: “[Defendant]Richard Ianieri was charged via a federal criminal information, which typically indicates that a defendant is cooperating with prosecutors.” Hmm.

Mark Steyn mocks the power of positive economic thinking expounded by Robert H. Franks: “The stimulus will work because enough economists are saying it will work that their prestigious postnominal credentials will impress enough of the masses into thinking it will work, which in turn will make it work. I can’t wait to see him in The Music Man in summer stock telling the kiddies that if they just think lovely thoughts the band will sound great.”

Good reason to think twice about making it easier for Big Labor to organize: “From 2003 to 2008,the aggregate gross domestic product (GDP), in constant, chained 2000 dollars, for the states with the lowest share of workers under union monopoly control increased by a healthy 17.3%. . . And in the 10 states with the highest private-sector unionization, aggregate output grew by just 9.9% — roughly 57% as much as in the lowest-union-density states.”

The “sort of God” misspoke about where he met Michelle. But the administration’s hymnal (the new Newsweek) is there to make excuses.

Is New Jersey in worse shape than California? “The difference between California and New Jersey is simple: The Trenton crowd can always balance their budget by passing the tax burden down to the local level. The Sacramento crowd can’t. That’s why the Golden State is running out of gold while the Garden State remains fertile ground for the big spenders.” So the state government is at the end of its rope in California while in New Jersey the taxpayers are.

It’s only July, but Bob McDonnell is back on top in at least one poll in the Virginia gubernatorial race. Democrat Creigh Deeds had momentum and good buzz coming out of his upset primary win but he really has been invisible in the last month.

Republicans catch a break in New Hampshire: “New Hampshire Attorney General Kelly Ayotte announced today she will be resigning her post to pursue a campaign for the Senate, landing Republicans a top-tier recruit to run against Democrat Paul Hodes.”

Has Mark Sanford weathered the storm? Frankly the man is the luckiest politician in the country — Michael Jackson died and Sarah Palin resigned, entirely  absorbing the media and public.

And on Michael Jackson, kudos to Ruth Marcus who joins Rep. Peter King in asking “What are we glorifying him for?”

From the “You don’t say” file: “There are Democrats in Pennsylvania who feel [Arlen] Specter can’t be trusted, and they question whether he will do the right thing if he is re-elected.”