Las Vegas — What best motivates voters? In both Michigan, where Romney easily beat McCain today, and in the current Democratic battlegrounds, the answer seems to be the economy. In the Republican approach, Romney's business background gave him an opportunity to project himself as the man best able to fight for jobs in economically depressed Michigan. Meanwhile, according to the Democratic story line, the Bush Administration has led the country into recession and only the Democrats can cushion ordinary families and help the country rebound.

Immigration, energy policy and terrorism were raised by NBC's questioners on tonight's Democratic debate, but the three remaining Democrats dwelled most of the time on the sour economic news of late. Hillary Clinton deftly inserted references to having talked to out-of-work Nevadans and promoted an economics “Town Hall” she will hold here tomorrow. John Edwards invoked once again the specter of special interests and rapacious corporations. Barack Obama drew a line back to lobbyists who fought to create the sub-prime mortgage market, he said, and now seek protection from its consequences. All told, it was not a pretty economic picture, although the city outside is America's premier boomtown.

One is reminded of John Kennedy's quip after his first briefings as President that things were just as bad as he said they were. We are at a point when the forecasts are not good and a number of candidates may benefit.

At least the racially charged comments of recent days have been publicly dispensed with. Now we only have the economy (and terrorists and special interests) to worry about.