McCain on banking and health  —  OK, a correspondent directs me to John McCain's article, Better Health Care at Lower Cost for Every American, in the Sept./Oct. issue of Contingencies, the magazine of the American Academy of Actuaries.  You might want to be seated before reading this.

Linking Obama to Ex-Fannie Mae Chief Is a Stretch  —  “Obama has no background in economics.  Who advises him?  The Post says it's Franklin Raines, for ‘advice on mortgage and housing policy.’ Shocking.  Under Raines, Fannie Mae committed ‘extensive financial fraud.’ Raines made millions.

Poll: Racial misgivings of whites an Obama issue  —  WASHINGTON (AP) — Deep-seated racial misgivings could cost Barack Obama the White House if the election is close, according to an AP-Yahoo News poll that found one-third of white Democrats harbor negative views toward blacks — many calling them …

Uneasy feelings  —  Details are scarce on the big buyout; but as a few dribble out, I'm getting uneasy.  —  Here's the source of my uneasiness: the underlying premise behind the buyout seems, still, to be that this is mainly a liquidity problem.  So if the government stands ready to buy securities at “fair value”, all will be well.

The Palin Effect  —  Her enemies are bellowing like a wounded moose.  —  Now that the dust is beginning to settle from the whirlwind descent of Hurricane Sarah, it may be time to stand back a little and assess in perspective what the moose-hunting beauty from Wasilla, Alaska, has wrought.

Hale “Bonddad” Stewart: The Death of Republican Philosophy  —  Last week was historic.  It is a week that financial and economic people will study for generations.  It also marked the end of certain elements of the Republican Party's ideology.  Below are statements the Republican party …

Obama's radio address: the economy  —  DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Sen. Barack Obama will be on the radio nationwide today, delivering the weekly Democratic Radio Address for the second time since getting his party's nomination for president.  —  Not surprisingly, he will be talking about the economy …

Exclusive: New Doubts Over Palin's Troopergate Claims  —  Internal Government Document Contradicts Sarah Palin, Campaign  —  An internal government document obtained by ABC News appears to contradict Sarah Palin's most recent explanation for why she fired her public safety chief …

Charges Dropped Against DN!  Journalists - Investigation Needed  —  The St. Paul City Attorney's office announced Friday it will not prosecute Democracy Now! journalists Amy Goodman, Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar.  St. Paul Mayor Chris Coleman also issued a statement Friday that …

Meanwhile, the Other No. 2 Keeps On Punching  —  FLAT ROCK, Mich. — As the economy reels, Senator Joseph R. Biden Jr. — the Other Running Mate — has been absolutely butchering Senator John McCain across the Rust Belt this week.  It is not clear who has noticed.

The Budget and the Bailout  —  The bailout will clearly carry a big bill, likely in the $500 billion to $1 trillion range.  As the Post reports today, opponents of Social Security and other government social programs are already using this expense as a rationale for curtailing such spending.

Anchorage Paper: McCain Confuses National Guard and Army Troops  —  NEW YORK From David Hulen at the always-valuable Alaska Politics blog at the Anchorage Daily News (www.adn.com) tonight:  —  “Candidates spend a lot of time talking, and they all misspeak sometimes.