The McCoward Files: Pachyderm Turns, Donkey Stands Firm. McCain Feints. Obama Fights.

"We do not support government bailouts of private institutions. Government interference in the markets exacerbates problems in the marketplace and causes the free market to take longer to correct itself."

-- Republican Party platform, 2008

Their core principles are wrong and they know it. You know it too.

So why on Earth would you vote for them?

Now John McCain is "abandoning his campaign" to run to the plush safety of his D.C. office and hide. He says he'll "help" correct the problem he was insisting didn't exist a week ago, and which he's been working to make possible for his whole career.

Thanks but no thanks, Senator. I think the message when he arrives should be, "John, you sure look tired. Why don't you sit down, relax, have a Fresca, and let us do the work?"

"Really."

"No, really."

Ronald Reagan had the good sense to take a nap when the action went over his head. John McCain awake is dangerous. He should learn from Reagan's example.

McCain also wants to cancel the presidential debate tomorrow night. Something about the crisis being too important to let the people see him defend his tainted political philosophy, or something.

If you think that makes any sense at all then you really have been drinking too much Kool-Aid.

I say he's a coward, running from the schoolyard rather than face the fair fight he instigated with an opponent he thought he could defeat with smears, lies, and insinuations about insufficient patriotism and questions about his background.

Friction may not have killed the spin machine, but suddenly Americans are interested in politics and taking their civic responsibilities seriously. A little late, but seriously.

Reality is responsibility.