Looks like Dodd will retire, too, making Connecticut’s seat a somewhat harder pick-up for Republicans as Democrats will find a candidate who’s less scandal-ridden. Too bad. I had hoped exposure to Kennedy had imbued him with enough of the “I’m an untouchable legacy whom the nation needs in Washington” feeling that he’d stick around until the bitter end.


The “Californiazation” of America — the growing tendency of our political system to make promises in social spending programs that it isn’t prepared to pay for with tax increases.

The market speaks about the company we all own part of: Ford Motor Co. posted a 33% rise in December U.S. light-vehicle sales, ending a stellar year for the auto maker compared with its rivals. Ford recorded its first full-year market-share gain since 1995….The largest U.S. auto maker—General Motors Co.—posted a 5.7% decline.