Back to the issues...

As Gloria Borger correctly notes, attack ads cannot sustain an entire campaign. Though they often make it a little more interesting.

The McCain camp attempted to get beyond the pettiness, releasing the first issue ad in what seems forever.  This comes in light of the escalation of financial market chaos.  The key is that the bad investment decisions by these few affect all of us, particularly retirees. How does a person that believes in limited government (who, me?) address these concerns? 

I think that the McCain camp is right to emphasize the role that government has had in facilitating these bad investments.  For years we've allowed bankers and financiers to break the rules that apply to them.  We should be enforcing these rules and regulations and, indeed, toughening up the current regulations.  What some of these banks did to home owners (though certainly nowhere near all of foreclosing home owners) is nothing short of criminal.

However, the answer isn't government assistance.  The long term answer is actually in less government involvement, contrary to those what want current stability through government bailouts.  A government that allows these firms to pay for their choices (by not reaping a reward for them) has the best long term interest of the nation at heart and will ensure that only companies that make wise economic choices stay in business.

It's true that in the meantime "main street Americans" will be hit hard.  No matter who is President come February 2009, that will be the case. The question is who has the best policies for the long term future our economy?  Undoubtedly, that candidate is John McCain.

For more information see John McCain's plan to create jobs using the free market.

UPDATE:  CNN highlights the tough talk of each campaign on regulators who failed to do their jobs.  Who should we trust with this important task?  John McCain and Sarah Palin, who have constantly challenged agencies to be more accountable to the interests of the American people or Sen. Obama and Joe Biden who simply haven't?  

I think I'll trust McCain, the candidate with a record of reform.