Thursday's Mini-Report

(Political Animal)  THURSDAY'S MINI-REPORT.... Today's edition of quick hits:

* Now here's a provocative charge: "Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has accused the United States of orchestrating the conflict in Georgia to benefit one of its presidential election candidates."

* The stock markets did well today, which I suppose means, based on Larry Kudlow's economic theories, that investors like what they're hearing from the Democratic National Convention.

* We talked earlier about John Goodman, who helped write McCain's healthcare plan, arguing that all Americans have access to healthcare thanks to emergency rooms. Soon after, the McCain campaign said Goodman isn't actually an advisor to the senator. The campaign appears to be lying.

* My friend Hilzoy's computer was stolen while at the Democratic convention. Damn.

* When Karl Rove thinks about hurricanes hitting the Gulf Coast, he thinks about how much they inconveniences Republicans.

* They want to let Abramoff out early?

* I didn't realize right-wing media personalities are still hung up on the whole Obama birth-certificate thing.

* AFSCME president Gerald McEntee spoke to Iowa Democrats this morning: "Toward the end of his 18 minute speech, McEntee sort of addressed the elephant in the room, saying there were some union members who won't vote for Barack Obama because he's black: 'I say to all those people out there in our own union and every other union in the United States: 'If that's the reason you can't vote for Barack Obama, that is bullsh*t and you have to change your mind.'"

* "McCain's Million Dollar Parking Lot"

* Del Martin died yesterday at age 87.

* Convention "word clouds" can be pretty interesting.

* And Tom Brokaw continues to carry water for McCain, suggesting that his background of a prisoner of war necessarily shields him against, well, everything.

Anything to add? Consider this an open thread.