McCain AWOL

The decision of John McCain to suspend his campaign temporarily in order to concentrate on the financial crisis was reckless behavior that calls his judgment seriously into question.

By McCain's own admission, the economy is not his strong suit and his allegedly country-first, non-partisan gesture reeked of politics - it tried to put him in the role of great statesman without whose leadership at this critical hour the republic will fail. If the voters buy that, there are old encyclopedia salesmen who wish to make their acquaintance.

The obligation of John McCain - and Barack Obama - is to walk and chew gum at the same time, in other words, prep for the presidential debate on Friday night and also work to solve the financial crisis. If a candidate can't do that, he should quit now. An election was held in this country during the Civil War; it can he held while Republican and Democratic leaders figure out what Masters of the Universe to bail out.

As it is, the latest news is that Republicans and Democrats in Washington have worked out a deal. The likelihood of an agreement underscores the point that Friday night's debate must go on - and no excuses.

Anything to keep George W. Bush off our television screens. There he was last night, spreading gloom in millions of homes during prime time - as if we haven't suffered enough.

I thought it was a dreadful speech, delivered with the clueless air of a security guard explaining why the burglars had broken into the house during his watch but asking the residents to trust him some more.