Manufacturing, construction going through the roof

"Manufacturing activity rose in September for the 16th consecutive month, but at a more gradual pace than in August, an industry research group reported Friday.

"The Institute for Supply Management said that its manufacturing index registered 58.5 in September, down from 59 in the previous month, and slightly higher than the 58.3 reading forecast by analysts."

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"Construction spending surged in August to the highest level on record, fresh evidence that the housing market is helping move the economy ahead.

"The Commerce Department reported Friday that the value of buildings put in place clocked in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1.02 trillion, a record high. That represented a 0.8 percent increase in August from July's level."

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Could this perhaps be the real reason why John Kerry eschewed domestic issues to try and transmogrify Iraq into Vietnam II?

If issues were a smorgasbord, John Kerry's would be an amalgamation of stewed prunes, steam brussel sprouts, and mashed turnips. He had to pick something, and after waiting far too long to do so, all of them had spoiled.

He'll have to wait for November 3rd to regain access to the filet mignon - in the Senate cafeteria.