Cut and Run: McCain's Financial and Political Crises

John McCain's actions said all there is to say.

And what they didn't say, David Letterman did.

After announcing to the nation that, as a patriot, he was suspending campaigning and rushing to Washington to solve the economic "crisis," McCain did nothing of the sort.

Instead, he rushed to CBS, so he could get on TV with Katie Couric.

But wait, you say, I'm being unfair. Americans need to hear from their prospective presidents—more than ever in a time of "crisis."

Not if you are McCain, and you're afraid to spend two hours tomorrow night in the glare of a nationally televised presidential debate, attempting to explain why Americans should give the Republicans four more years to finish the job of ruining the country.

Given the magnitude of that task, I'd cut and run, too.

So, you cancel the debate and chat up America's sweetheart.

Is there anyone in this country who doesn't view McCain's (latest) hasty, flailing ploy as a cynical political stunt?

Is there anyone who believes that the Wall Street "crisis" will be solved by a desperation dose of presidential politics?

McCain was in the middle of another week in which (1) Americans were concluding he had nothing to offer on the economy, (2) serious questions were being raised about his running mate's ability to perform even the simplest chores of political leadership, (3) his campaign manager was revealed as the beneficiary of a sweetheart deal from the same rotten financial institutions that we taxpayers are bailing out.

I would try to change the conversation, too.

The Wall St. Journal editorial page, no friend to Democrats, used a damning adjective to describe McCain the other day. Conservative columnist George F. Will spotted it, and seconded the motion. It's one of the more frightening words I've seen used to describe a potential president.

The word is "untethered."