Maureen Dowd's Take on what CNN dubbed "The Case of the Slipped Disk" (referring to the Democratic Senate Staffer who found a White House presentation dropped on a street corner by an intern): Secrets of the Yo-Yo's

"Maintain a positive issue environment," they instruct. Not a positive global environment, of course, just a positive issue environment. In midterm elections, they intone, "Presidents' standing matters." No kidding.

Karl urges Republicans to "Focus on War." Milking that war again. And "Promote Compassion Agenda." Not compassion itself, mind you, just the trompe l'oeil agenda.

Trompe l'oeil? Cool! I love trompe l'oeil!. Oh, wait, she doesn't mean it literally.