It's over!

I can think of no more succinct way to summarize the Republicans' electoral defeat than to quote the late Gerald Ford: Our long national nightmare is over.

The real McCain speaks up

Just 15 minutes after the polls closed here on the west coast, John McCain gave the most gracious and eloquent concession speech I have ever heard in my life.

It was the real John McCain who gave that speech.  I like that guy.  I've missed him.  I still might not have voted for him, but the McCain who spoke tonight would have made a much better president than the McCain who's been campaigning all year.

Economist made the right choice

Sir -

I have been hoping that the Economist would not endorse John McCain. Self-admittedly ignorant of economics, he would slash federal spending when consumer spending has already collapsed. He would also retain George Bush's lopsided tax cuts, robbing us of the fiscal breathing room needed to maintain stimulus now and to lay the foundation for a stronger economy after the recovery. If, as many fear, we are falling into an abyss with respect to liquidity and demand, these plans would be disastrous.

Barack Obama has proposed more sensible policies than Mr. McCain on economics and across the board. I am delighted that you have endorsed Mr. Obama, and that you have done so "wholeheartedly."

McCain would bring economic doom

Manufacturing activity collapsed last month. Interest rates fell almost to zero. Deflation started to set in. These are signs of an impending depression, where monetary policy fails and spending is the only tool left in the toolbox.

John McCain's plan? Slash government spending when it's the only thing still propping up the economy. Keep the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy, perpetually robbing us of the fiscal balance needed to enable rebuilding.

Barack Obama's smart plans would limit the damage, while McCain and his ignorant Hoover-Bush policies would bring economic doom. Never have we had a clearer choice in front of us.