*Sen. John McCain told Don Imus yesterday that no major piece of legislation in the nation's history has ever passed without support from both sides of the aisle, and that the president didn't reach out to Republicans on health care reform. I'd have to do some homework to speak to the first point, but how can the senator allege the latter with a straight face? Of course there was an attempt to get Republicans' input on health care, but the obstructionist party wouldn't bite. Republicans could have helped make a better bill, but didn't. It finally became clear that Senate Democrats would have to go it alone.

*Just saw the president speak at a town hall meeting in Ohio. His comments on health care were notable. Too bad he didn't "campaign" sooner and more forcefully around the country, rather than wait as 435 congressmen and 100 senators were thrashing around.

*If you don't wear an American flag lapel pin, does that make you less patriotic than those who do? I think not.

*Remember the James Taylor benefit concert for Haiti can be heard live tonight at 8 p.m. on WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

*The Mets got Gary Mathews Jr. today in a trade with the Angels. Is it too soon to order World Series tickets?