Midday open thread

Anna Hazare, leader of anti-corruption movement in India (Reuters/Danish Siddiqui)

• Indian activist Anna Hazare appears to be making headway in his popular crusade against corruption:

  Prime Minister Manmohan Singh struck a conciliatory note towards Anna Hazare on Saturday, emphasising that the government was open to "discussion and dialogue" with the social activist who is on an indefinite fast to demand introduction of the Jan Lokpal Bill in Parliament.

  
  
• The Libyan rebels continue to close in on Tripoli.
  
• Chancellor Merkel is steadfastly opposed to Europe-wide government bonds as a possible solution to the debt crisis. Meanwhile, financial markets across the world continue to roil from the crisis in European sovereign debt.
• Gov. Rick Perry has pulled a tactical power move by getting former South Carolina GOP Chairman and top operative Katon Dawson as his war chief in the state. Dawson has caused some ire on the right in his party by becoming known for his aggressive outreach towards religious Black voters in the state, country club issues notwithstanding.
• Mitt Romney, however, is continuing his general election strategy by keeping the focus squarely on President Obama and the economy. At some point Romney HQ in Boston is going to have to take on Perry. Perry is building organization rapidly and will have to be dealt with before Romney gets to take on the President. And he's going to have to do it while the Obama Campaign continues to work on him, shaping the dynamics of the primary.
• Sarah Palin backs up Perry in his attack on the Federal Reserve, but continues to tease about her own presidential intentions. Rove says he thinks she will run, and I'm sure he's hoping she does as it will probably help Romney.
• Jon Huntsman ... I can't explain what he's doing. For some reason, he thinks he can win the Republican nomination by moving left. He is without a doubt the most clueless candidate in the race.
• Michele Bachmann is the queen of the Iowa State Fair, but she's got to expand her portfolio of states if she wants to win it all. Unlike Huckabee, she's got the discipline to raise money. However, she's going to have to amp up the crazy if she wants to get the free media that Perry seems to be soaking up like a sponge.
• This week I'm recommending Gaslight (1944) starring Charles Boyer and Ingrid Bergman and directed by George Cukor. I might mention the film co-stars one of my favorite fellas, Joseph Cotten. Although I'm not a Boyer fan, he shines in this psychological thriller. The real treat of course is the stunningly gorgeous Ingrid Bergman at her peak. She completely threw herself into the role of the distressed Paula, more than justifying her Best Actress Oscar win.

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