As worldwide stock markets tanked today and the Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged more than 700 points to drop below the 10,000 mark, President Bush talked things over with small business owners in Texas. To be precise, the President chatted with a car dealer, an auto repair shop owner and two restaurateurs. He might have as well been on the moon.

This country cries out for leadership, or at least a sense that Washington has somewhat of a grip on the financial future. Instead, the White House website reassures us that the President conducted a “very illuminating conversation” in San Antonio. He admitted that people in Texas and elsewhere aren’t too keen on the Administration’s $700B bailout of Wall Street. “Had we not done anything, people like the folks behind me would be a lot worse off. We'll make sure, as time goes on, this doesn't happen again,” said the President, truly the lamest of ducks.

The President, who has both feet out the door, said of the bailout: “We don't want to rush into this situation and not have the program be effective. It's going to take a while to restore confidence in the financial system. But one thing people can be certain of is that the bill I signed is a big step toward solving this problem.” How's that for a solid pitch for the so-called economic revitalization plan? Is there any way to dock the President's pay?

News from the campaign trail is equally disheartening. Team McCain is flunking the leadership test. Vice President hopeful Sarah Palin is accusing Barack Obama of palling around with “terrorists” like Bill Ayers. The feisty but seriously out-of-touch Hockey Mom urged John McCain to take off the gloves when he debates Obama tomorrow.

That's exactly what McCain doesn't need. Why an alumnus of the disgraced Keating Five crew would want to lodge personal attacks on Obama is beyond me--unless the GOP ticket doesn’t have a clue about how to restore our global and financial reputation.

McCain is also stumbling over his healthcare bill, which is truly a staggering unjust piece of garbage. His proposal cuts $1T over the next ten years from Medicaid and Medicare. The guess here is that McCain wants the poor and elderly to share in this nation's financial suffering. Those lucky enough to have jobs after the Bush regime are to have benefits taxed under McCain's health scheme.

Let's hope two serious adults show up for No. 2. We know at least one will be there.