After cutting an eight day losing streak on Wednesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average tread down again, shedding 238 points to 11, 658 by 10:56 AM.

FORBES: Initial Claims Show An Economy Still In Limbo As Equities Break Down

In that kind of circumstance, I think the natural political instinct is to tread lightly, keep your head down, and to play it safe.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama Takes Questions from Senate Democrats

The first answer is that, no matter which contender wins the prize, America will tread a very different path from the gloomy one down which George Bush has taken it.

ECONOMIST: Conclusion