Revolt of the Nihilists  —  In 1933, Franklin Roosevelt inherited an economic crisis.  He understood that his first job was to restore confidence, to give people a sense that somebody was in charge, that something was going to be done.  —  This generation of political leaders is confronting …

A READER AT A MAJOR NEWSROOM EMAILS: “Off the record, every suspicion you have about MSM being in the tank for O is true.  We have a team of 4 people going thru dumpsters in Alaska and 4 in arizona.  Not a single one looking into Acorn, Ayers or Freddiemae.  Editor refuses to publish anything …

In reintroduction, Palin to do more interviews and “tell her story”  —  Tacitly acknowledging criticism that she's been diminished in part by an overly protective media shield, Sarah Palin will take a more forward-leaning approach and do additional interviews in the weeks ahead, a top aide said today.

Biden's strategy: Go easy on Palin  —  If Sarah Palin goofs, flounders, stumbles or blunders during her debate against Joe Biden on Thursday night, Biden is going to let it slide.  —  “If she makes a gaffe, he underplays it,” one of the people prepping Biden for his vice presidential debate told me.

Treasury, Fed Low on Rescue Options  —  The failure of the $700 billion bailout bill leaves Treasury Secretary Henry M. Paulson Jr. and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke with few options to continue their urgent campaign to rescue the financial system.

A Defining Moment  —  The stage is set for someone to play Washington, Lincoln, or Churchill.  An entire generation of leadership is failing, as the world watches aghast.  —  Greedy Wall Street hot shots are worse than discredited.  —  Rep. Nancy Pelosi at the hour of national crisis proved …

With Brokaw as Elder Statesman, NBC Plans Future of ‘Meet the Press’  —  WASHINGTON — Sometime between Election Day and early December, NBC News will make a final decision about who will replace Tim Russert and his interim successor, Tom Brokaw, at the helm of “Meet the Press,” Steve Capus …

Republicans fault Pelosi speech for bailout's failure  —  House Republicans on Monday blamed a partisan speech from Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the failure of a massive Wall Street bailout measure.  —  “I do believe that we could have gotten there today had it not been for this partisan speech …

When Madmen Reign  —  Madness.  —  I'm not holding my breath, but I would like to see the self-proclaimed conservative, small government, anti-regulation, free-market zealots step up and take responsibility for wrecking the American economy and bringing about the worst financial crisis since the Depression.

Wall St. Problems Viewed as ‘Crisis’ in Latest Poll  —  Most Americans see the current financial situation as a “crisis,” and there is overwhelming concern that the failure of the House of Representatives to pass the economic recovery package will deepen the problem, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

Chris Matthews Interviews His Daughter...Without Disclosing It  —  On Friday's “Hardball,” Chris Matthews interviewed a number of student members of the group Concerned Youth of America.  —  One of those students — Caroline — is his daughter, a student at the University of Pennsylvania.

The politics of the bill  —  There is no glory to go around here.  Assume, arguendo, that most people in the House believed both that the bill would be passed, and that anyone who voted for it would suffer politically, except maybe in New York.  —  Pelosi screwed up royally.  She is the Democratic Tom DeLay.