What doesn't look like a ploy? That the Republicans in Congress would hold up a bill that President Bush says is vital for the future of America, just so that John McCain could have time to show up for a photo-op and take credit for it?

That is exactly what Republicans in Congress would do: Every one of them.

Should Russia decide to launch missles or strategic bombers against the United States, they won't fly across Alaska. They will fly over the North Pole and Canada, which is the shortest route to the US. That is why the US and Canada established the DEW line in the 1950's.

They would not bother to go near Alaska at all.

But I thought that John McCain's sheer presence in Washington was going to guarantee a solution? That is why he had to duck out of the debate to go there, right?

Re: "how is this race even close?"

The 30% of Americans who are Religious Fundamentalists will vote for Sarah Palin, no matter what. That is a base that now words, actions, history of acts on the part of John McCain orSarah Palin can take away because James Dobson has told them to vote that way.

Add to that those who will never vote for even a partly African American and you have a much closer race than should be.

"Prominent Republicans" now say it would be a mistake for John McCain to be a no-show.

However 100% of Republicans, without a single exception, will declare what a brilliant, presidential move it was for him to stay in Washington. That is what 100% Party Loyalty means.

Re: "What kind of power are they weilding when they fight against safeguarding the american people?"

John McCain has always been about grabbing the spotlight. Regardless of the consequences to the American people.

He has always been protected by a Free Pass from media reporters (all those McCain Family Barbecues), and now has the addition of 100% loyal Republicans who define thier first loyalty to The Party, with their country being a far distant second (if it is on the list at all).

Everyone in Nevada knows John McCain's position, and for 90% of those not in Nevada the issue does not exist (since itis not in their back yard). So, if Barak Obama got into a debate about Yucca Mountain with John McCain, it would have enabled Seantor McCain to paint Senator Obama as anti-nuclear power, and not lose any votes outside of the state.

It was, IMO. a smart move on Mr. Obama's part to not supply the McCain campaign with the sound bites for those stories. Now the RNC will just have to make things up, as usual.

It doesn’t matter. FoxNews will offer the official explanation, and 100% of Conservatives will believe that version, whatever it is, as long as they are told to believe it.

Or were we looking for logic and sensibilities here?

There is one parallel between the current emergency bailout of the financial industry and the invasion of Iraq. And it is the most disquieting of all. The bailout, like the invasion, is ultimately, the responsiblity of George W. Bush.

How about Ed McClelland stop shilling for the McCain campaign and just reports the facts.

For far too long we have been treated to reporters telling us that "John McCain doesn't really believe what he is saying... This is what he really believes".

I believe that John McCain really does equate Barak Obama with Brittany Speers. Because John McCain personally said he approved of the ad that said so.

John McCain really does approve of the agenda of the Religious Right: Because he went on bended knee to Pat Robertson and spoke at Liberty University. What better way to judge the man than by what he says and does?

I believe that John McCain just loves George W. Bush's tax cuts. Because that is what he says, every time.

I believe that John McCain honestly believes that Sarah Palin is the most qualified person to be Vice president of the United States, and step in to take his place, should it be necessary. Because that is exactly what John McCain said and how he made his decision.

Would the author make similar excuses for Barak Obama? Of course not!

But John McCain can still count on at least this segment of his Base to try to get him into the White House. Those McCain Family Barbecues are still paying dividends.

So much for John McCain riding into town to "save the day!"

Let's see if John McCain "suspends" his campaign again (cancelling Sarah Palin's debate with Joe Biden, of course) and parachutes in to "set things right". In which case all of the Republicans will vote "no".

John McCain is personally responsible for this bill's failure. 100%. Congress was close to agreement on a flawed, but best-available bill to get our financial systems back on track.

By riding in on his white horse, John McCain emboldened the "ideology at all costs" Republicans in the House and allowed them to block a deal, last week and this.

As a result, all of the fallout now is singly accountable to John McCain's theatrics, including any economic depression that follows.

And it is about time that we started holding this grandstander accountable for the mess that will likely ensue.