Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Program

Time back home with the fam' and then a nasty bout with the flu have caused a blackout in postings . . . but with the small miracle of antibiotics, I hope to be back to business.

Here are some things that have piqued my interest to start the final week of November:

• This 2nd Mike Huckabee ad began running in Iowa this week. "Believe" is not Chuck Norris approved, but instead aims to highlight Huckabee's conservative credentials and the "principals" he stands for. The Prince of Darkness demurs, calling Huckabee "The False Conservative."
• The Hillary Clinton express is fighting back this week. An interview with Katie Couric revealed the Senator has never even contemplated losing. This just as a new Zogby poll shows Clinton trailing all of the major Republican candidates in general election match-ups --- including Huckabee.
• Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney are ratcheting up their attacks on each other. What's worse? Appointing a judge who allowed a killer to go free and kill again -OR- recommending a homeland security chief who was later indicted?
• Still, despite -- or maybe because of -- the fluid nature of the Republican race, Marc Ambinder reports Republicans are expecting a low Iowa caucus turnout. Estimates now range between 75,000 - 95,000 G.O.P. caucus goers -- that's 30,000 less than Democrats predict.