The vote crossed the 218 threshold. They will continue to dribble in but the measure has passed.

In a flash of insight Nancy Pelosi did not insult the oppositon and helped to round up votes on her side–leaving us to wonder whether the prior failed outcome was the result of malice or sheer incompetence. The GOP increased their count as well. Perhaps this will calm the stock market and free up some credit. The race for credit (the political kind) and to translate the lessons of the financial mess into political terms is on. But I agree with others who have observed that getting this behind him–and having a boffo debate by his running mate–was what John McCain badly needed.