McCain Abandons Michigan:

Temporarily, at least. Sen. John McCain's people have announced that they are temporarily pulling the campaign out of Michigan, where polls show the senator is falling further and further behind, with Obama's lead now in double digits. (See NPR.) With the auto industry in a world of hurt and the Republicans in congress voting against any bailout, the state's voters have sent McCain a strong message. His campaign, however, has indicated it reserves the right to return at any time. (Is that a threat?)

Who's Ag'in It?

The list of 25 senators who voted against the bailout is a curious one. Neither the far right nor left like the plan, which both conclude is nothing but a give-a-way to banks who have already squandered a massive fortune. What, they want to know, is to prevent them from doing the same thing again. Besides, the plan does nothing to address the central problem of a failing housing market. (See The New York Times story.)

You gotta ask yourself, pilgrim, what kind of economy is it anyway that relies on continuously building ever more new and bigger houses that cost more and more money. That's why it's called a balloon, sooner or later it's gotta bust.