White House press secretary Jay Carney was asked about the statement yesterday by DNC chairman Debbie Wasserman Schulz when, speaking for Democrats, she declared, “We own the economy.” Carney’s response was, “We all own the economy.”

I’m reminded of the old joke when the Lone Ranger and Tonto spot a horde of Indian braves approaching them, ready for battle. “It looks like we’re in trouble, Tonto,” the Lone Ranger says to his sidekick. To which Tonto replies, “What do you mean ‘we,’ white man?”

What do you mean “we,” Mr. Press Secretary?

Whether Jay Carney likes it or not, the political rules are in place and they are long-standing: the president gets the credit and the blame for the state of the economy. Those rules won’t change for Barack Obama. He owns the economy. Get used to it.