http://finance.yahoo.com/q?s=%5EDJI

As of now the Dow has dipped under 700 again, which means that within the last 2 days the Dow has given up almost all the gains they just made on "historical" Monday again.   Clearly, the economy is very sick, the financial markets are in free fall.  This is about as bad as the "black" 777 point drop from a couple of weeks ago.  

A stark reminder what this election is about.  Tonight's debate will have to be about the economy, first and foremost, given the realities we are seeing here once again.  McCain may think bringing up Ayers or Obama's Fannie/Freddie "connections" will score him points, but people are not only sick and tired of such a personal attack posture in "normal" election cycles, but in this cycle they would see it undoubtedly as an attempt to distract from what is really important.  The economy.  

I think McCain will overreach and put the final nail in his coffin in tonight's debate, just so he can fulfill a shallow promise he made that he will go after Obama's character in tonight's debate.      

Of course, it's still ALLL ABOUT HILLARY!

On Sept. 24, Hillary Rodham Clinton received a surprise phone call from the man she's often denounced as an economic know-nothing: John McCain.

This was no social call, even though Clinton likes McCain enough to keeps his photo on the wall of her Senate office. The GOP nominee had already chatted with Bill Clinton about the mortgage crisis and wanted to pick the senator's brain about her new proposal to have the federal government buy up bad mortgages and renegotiate terms more favorable to homeowners on verge of default.

"McCain said he had been motivated by it, he was very complimentary about what she had proposed and wanted to know more," said a person with knowledge of the call.

Clinton responded coolly: "She didn't engage him, she just said, `Thank you' and heard him out."

Three weeks later, at the town hall debate in Nashville, Tenn., McCain rolled out a $300 billion anti-foreclosure plan that's similar, if not identical, to Clinton's -- and subsequently credited the concept "to a suggestion that Sen. Hillary Clinton made not that long ago."

McCain is someone who can be easily baited to bring up certain things. We can be sure that McCain will try to make some kind of reference to Ayers. First Obama should quickly shoot it down by saying that there were republicans associated with him then. And that if he went by every aquaintance or peer in McCain's life whether in the army or in politics, he cannot guarantee he never associated with a racist who condoned Jim Crow laws back in the day and hatred towards a segment of America is hatred of America itself.

Then Obama could just say why McCain selected a VP whose husband was a member of a party that puts Alaska ahead of the nation. And why she gave videotaped speeches for this organization on at least one occasion.

We've seen what's been happening over the past couple of days.  As the gap continues to widen between Obama and McCain, cable news blabbermouths (even the otherwise impressive and insightful Chuck Todd) have compromised their objectivity tweaking the electoral maps to make the battlegrounds look more competitive than they really are.  Clinton-Dole like races are bad for ratings.  What should be more relevant, however, is how the Senate races correlate with the presidential numbers.

Democrats currently hold 50 seats + Lieberman in the Senate (I'm counting Bernie Sanders as a Dem because he's a better Dem than many nominal Dems).

More...

Is this you?

Holding down two jobs, not enough time to breathe, let alone canvass. Too busy making food and catching kids to even think about picking up a phone. Taking care of your momma because she's in so much pain that you hate to think about it.

Well, you can still help!

This is about reaching out to all the folks around you. If you're scared about cold calling, or about talking to people who might be Republican -- don't worry. You can generally pick out the Democrats (least you can if you've done canvassing like me, if not, you'll pick it up).

But here's the plan: talk in public, spread the message. If you enjoy a good ol' fashioned argument, find some Republicans (of an intelligent variety) to discuss politics with. If you'd rather feel the energy of Democratic Enthusiasm, well, there are folks out there too. Or, if you know some of the talking points, find an Independent (or someone worried enough to be independent thinking).

You're doing two things: 1. sharpening your wits and spreading information to people who should be getting it.

2. Speaking up. If you talk loudly in a public place, more than that person is gonna hear you. By being a Democrat, wherever you are, you make it more acceptable to be a Democrat.

I do this on the bus, or waiting for the bus, but it works just as well at the lunchtable, or waiting at the supermarket checkout.

Be friendly, be happy, be energetic.

It don't Always take time to help your fellow man

When John McCain pulled out of Michigan, many of us suspected that Wisconsin could be next, and accoording to WisPolitics, it may be about to happen.

This is great. I have been thinking all along when people say don't get to excited yada yada yada. People don't get it this is a legitimate crisis, and people don't care about stupid things like character attacks during a real crisis, so this post over at Politico was a great read.