More on the close connection between the Dems and the financial meltdown from the UK Independent:

Of all the characteristics of a successful politician, none is more essential than bare-faced cheek. Never has this been more evident than in the past fortnight, as senior Democrat members of the US legislature have sought to lay all the blame for the country's financial crisis on the executive arm of Government and Wall Street.

Neither of these two institutions is blameless – far from it. Yet when I see such senior Democrats as Barney Frank, Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, and Christopher Dodd, Chairman of the Senate's Banking Committee, play the part of avenging angels – well, I can only stand in silent awe at the sheer tight-bottomed nerve of it. These are men with sphincters of steel.

It's all true, of course, but I sort of wish he'd found a different way to describe Barney Frank.

[shudder]

Sarah Palin did very well last night, I think that much is clear. The Wall Street Journal has a fine editorial noting this fact, and also pointing out where McCain and Palin can improve their message when it comes to the financial crisis:

Maybe John McCain should fire the advisers who won't let Sarah Palin do more interviews. The Alaska Governor has faced two major campaign challenges -- her acceptance speech and last night's debate -- and each time she's shown herself worthy of the national stage. Let Mrs. Palin be herself, and then when she makes a mistake, as every candidate does, it won't be treated like some epic judgment on her fitness to be Vice President...

...Mr. Biden had his strongest moments on the economy, trying to link Mr. McCain to the current financial problems and "deregulation." On this point, neither Mrs. Palin nor Mr. McCain have yet offered Americans an adequate response. It isn't enough to denounce "greed and corruption" on Wall Street, as Mrs. Palin did every few minutes. If that's the problem, voters will elect the Democrats as more practiced class warriors.

On the second point: I think this isn't so much a Palin problem as it is one of McCain reacting to the crisis with populism rather than an appeal to the truth of the situation. Hopefully that changes soon.