Daily Political Wire

George Wenschhof

Fighting Continues in Tripoli - while the outcome is certain, fighting continues between loyalists to the Gaddafi regime and rebel forces who now control most of the city. You can read an update here.

The larger question is how will the transition unfold from 42 years of autocratic rule into a hopefully more democratic form of governing. It is likely a U.N./NATO force will be asked to send "boots on the ground" as well as provide other necessary assistance.

As has been the case in Iraq, bringing a melting pot of ethnic groups together in a representative government will be a challenge.

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Energy and Commodity Producing States Lead in Job Creation - the finance states of the Northeast and the housing states of the West fared the worst in a Gallup poll released today. The state of Maryland fell in the average range of job creation with an index of 14. To read all of the results of the poll click here.

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Deven Sharma To Resign as President of Standard's and Poors - the announcement comes weeks after the credit agency downgraded the credit rating of the U.S. government. Citibank chief operating officer Douglas Peterson will replace him on September 12. TPM.com has more here.

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Will Republicans Win the Senate in 2012? - that is the question as Republicans also will face a potential backlash in the House elections where voters will weigh in next year on how they feel the first year tea party Representatives fared in their first year in office. Democrats need to have a net gain of 23 seats to retake control of the House

23 of the 33 Senate elections next year are currently held by Democrats. Republicans only need to pick up 4 seats to gain control of the Senate. The Washington Post has their early take here.

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Spotlight on Perry Reveals Little Depth - the initial roll out of the Texas Governor's presidential campaign has certainly brought attention. Unfortunately, for Rick Perry, it shows a candidate ill suited to reside in the White House. Richard Cohen has an op-ed here.

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Dueling Jobs Plans - are set to be unveiled in September. One, by President Obama and the other by Republican Mitt Romney. Romney will make his announcement in Nevada on September 6. TheHill.com has more here.

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Pataki To Join Republican Presidential Field? - former New York Governor George Pataki is the latest to seriously consider joining the ever growing list of contenders for the Republican Party nomination. He heads to all important Iowa to speak at a major fund raiser on Saturday. CNN.com has more here.

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