Inside the Beltway

A U.S. delegation journeys to Bangkok on Tuesday to begin negotiations with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to resume recovery of the remains of American servicemen missing in action from the Korean War. More than 7,900 people remain unaccounted for.

Robert J. Newberry, deputy assistant secretary of defense for POW/missing personnel affairs, leads the team, which includes representatives from the State Department, the Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office, the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, the U.S. Pacific Command and the United Nations Command-Korea.

“Accounting for Americans missing in action is a stand-alone humanitarian matter, not tied to any other issue between the two countries,” a statement says.

POLL DU JOUR

• 26 percent of Americans say they are “extremely enthusiastic” about the 2012 presidential election.

• 35 percent of Republicans, 35 percent of conservatives, 26 percent of Democrats, 24 percent of liberals and 46 percent of tea partyers agree.

• 67 percent of Republicans say they could “change their mind” about their preferred candidate.

• 33 percent say they will “definitely support” that candidate.

• 66 percent are “satisfied” with the Republican field for 2012.

• 26 percent of Republicans say they’re most likely to support Mitt Romney, 25 percent support Herman Cain, 13 percent support Rick Perry.

Source: A CNN/ORC poll of 1,007 U.S. adults conducted Oct. 14-16; the sample included 416 Republicans.

• Leaks, creaks, squeaks to jharper@washingtontimes.com.

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