JONATHAN GEWIRTZ ON GRAMM, MCCAIN, AND OBAMA: “Phil Gramm spoke the truth. The economy is in a slow period, but the recession that many of us (including me) anticipated has not happened.” Truth in an election year? Naturally, he must be punished. As one of the commenters notes: “As accurate as Gramm is, I think we can see why he didn’t go far in politics.”

UPDATE: No recession here!

ANOTHER UPDATE: Jonah Goldberg:

Because it’s a peeve of mine, my ears always seem to be catching people talking about how much we need straight talkers in this country who won’t cave to their handlers, won’t spin, won’t poll-test their views. And yet, whenever somebody speaks honestly, down comes the thunder. I think this is a bipartisan phenomenon, by the way.

Indeed.