Things are going from bad to worse for the owners of America's newspapers as circulation declines dramatically. Here are the figures for the top 25 newspapers. Interestingly, only The Wall Street Journal, which is the number one newspaper in terms of circulation, saw a slight increase. Could it be because that paper does not give away it's content for free online? Or because it is considered a conservative paper? Or both, or neither?

Meanwhile, CNN finishes last in ratings for primetime, behind Fox and MSNBC. I think this is more about ideology, as the conservative talk shows on Fox during primetime have long been dominant, but the effort in recent years by MSNBC to create a stable of liberal talk shows is finally starting to pay off. It is classic counter-programming. CNN, trying to be all things to all people, is merely becoming boring and irrelevant.

There will be a public option in the Senate health reform bill, with an opt out provision for the states. I still think it will not pass. It's all a delusion, anyway.

William Kristol believes the future of the GOP is outside the Beltway, as conservative leaders arise from the heartland, all of whom are not currently serving in Washington. He cites the popularity of Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, Sarah Palin and Newt Gingrich. Huckabee, Romney and Palin, of course, are all former governors, with only Gingrich tied closely to Washington as a former House Speaker. But even Gingrich is less associated with Washington, as he has been out of office for many years now.

As German troops fight in Afghanistan, and Washington insiders buzz about the resignation of a somewhat prominent young American official who is now publicly questioning why we are fighting in that country, Eugene Robinson has it right when he says that the President is faced with an all or nothing choice. Either back General McChrystal and give him the troops he needs, or withdraw.