Time to Bring Out Mitt

We now have news the Federal Reserve and the Treasury Department will financially support Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to try to stem the latest housing market crisis. Since both companies guarantee or own $5.2 trillion in home mortgages this development will be the big news story over the next few days. Reporters and pundits will watch Wall Street to see how the financial markets react to the government's actions.

On the campaign trail the economy and increased anxiety will be the basis for reporters' and voters' questions. Sen. McCain is making efforts to show he understands voters' economic concerns. After Phil Gramm's flub (even if he's was unfairly maligned) McCain could use a new face to sell his economic plan over the next few days.

Enter Mitt Romney. He has the business bonafides to be respected. And he has the positive, can-do attitude that strikes a contrast with Gramm. As long as he sticks to pushing McCain's economic plan and rip Obama's tax-and-spend ideas instead of overplaying his hand like he did in Michigan Romney would be a valuable surrogate.