John Heilemann notes a "vexing dilemma" for President Obama: "Saving the
banks is the sine qua non for the country's emergence from its
ever-deepening miasma, but in doing so, Obama risks incurring a tsunami
of bailout rage. If, on the other hand, he appeals too much to
populism, he risks driving elites away. Either outcome could deny him
the support he needs for the rest of his agenda. Getting the economics
right may be devilishly difficult -- but the politics are even trickier,
and just as crucial."