We have no inside knowledge of the machinations in the Congress over the proposed $700 billion bailout plan that the government's top financial stewards recommend. We do, though, think we can speak for many Americans who don't want their lawmakers in Washington to have one eye on the current credit conundrum and the other on the election calendar.
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Few people comprehend the depth or breadth of this financial dilemma. But when awareness catches up with fact, the pols of all persuasions had better be able to say that they set aside partisanship this week and for as long as it takes to right a jittery economy.

To be clear: When the dust settles, Americans will score what happened this week. They'll decide that John McCain, Barack Obama and all the rest did put America first, or that they really focused on whatever advice was coming from their campaign aides. If, as we expect, bipartisanship rules, neither candidate for president will have anything to fear from that assessment. If one candidate or one party exploits this moment to score points, the public's judgment will, and should, be harsh.