His hope is that she will continue to energize the GOP's economic and social conservative base while simultaneously closing the gender gap and buttressing his pro-reform image.

CNN: Analysis: Four things McCain needs to accomplish this week

Now, with a dwindling tax base and growing worries about the social effects of wrenching economic dislocation, it is allowed to spend more than it earns on job-creation schemes and infrastructure.

ECONOMIST: The Thai slump