American politics, in essence, remains a math problem. Do you have the votes?

1) Hey McC! What's in your wallet? "If there is a deal with the House involved, it's because of John McCain." Sen. Lindsey Graham (R., S.C.) in the WP [9-27-08]. So now that the deal fails, what's that say? Huh? Speak up.

2) Politics 302: Humility goes a long way in politics. Sarah Palin to Katie Couric (CBS Evening News 9-30-08), contrasting herself with Joe Biden's three decades of experience: "I'm the new energy. The new face. The new ideas." Never believe your own hype.

3) Last week's financial crisis debacle in a nutshell: Dana Milbank [WP 9-26-08], describing the scene among House Republicans after McC's announcement that he was suspending the campaign and heading to D.C. :"'Daddy's coming home!" joked one.'"

4) What those debates are really like: Jim Lehrer, who has moderated more presidential debates than any other living being, on the tension at the scene: "You can smell it. It's under your arms and in your toes. It is extraordinary what these guys go through." Jim, they have stuff for that now. See your pharmacist.

5) AAAAHHHHH!!! It's him!!!! Commenting on the first '08 presidential debate for The Huffington Post, Bob Shrum said, "Tonight I think we know who the next president will be." Can't somebody get him work in France or something?

6) Bill Agonistes: Appearing on CNN's "Larry King Live" last week, President Bill Clinton explained that he would campaign for Obama after his Clinton Global Initiative ended and after "the Jewish holidays."He added that when he campaigned in Florida he may be assigned to "sort of hustle up what Lawton Chiles used to call the 'cracker vote' there." Following Clinton's appearance on NBC's "The Late Show" the previous night, Chris Rock said to David Letterman, "Is it me, or he didn't want to say the name Barack Obama?"

7) Dumbest column on the McCain decision to suspend his campaign: And the Award goes to Dick Morris and Eileen McGann [NYP 9-25-08], calling it a "bold move" that "helps the country, too." It gets better. "McCain's power in the current situation comes from a simple fact - he, not Obama, can cut the deal by getting President Bush and Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson to back a 'bailout plus' bill." Dude, have any American candidates since Clinton actually paid for your advice?

8) Across the great divide: Rep. Alcee Hastings (D., Florida), in comments to a gathering sponsored by the National Jewish Democratic Council, "If Sarah Palin isn't enough of a reason for you to get over whatever your problem is with Barak Obama, then you damn well had better pay attention. Anybody toting guns and stripping moose don't care too much about what they do with Jews and blacks. So, you just think this through." [ABC News 9-24-08]

9) What was it, parent-teacher night at CBS? Something strange about McC's joint apearance with Sarah Palin before Katie Couric this week to clear up a few things. Kind of like your dad coming down to set that troublesome grade school teacher straight. "And while were at it, you're giving her too much homework, too."

10) Letting his inner Ed Rollins play out: Ed Rollins, to the NYT [9-28-08], "This isn't a lame-duck administration. This is a dead-duck administration."