Lawmakers from Texas, Arizona, and California helped defeat a $700 billion credit-market rescue in the U.S. House, voting more in line with their followers, or constituents, than their leaders.
For too many lawmakers, five weeks before Election Day, the threat of market calamity and arm-twisting from party leaders couldn't overcome impassioned opposition back home, where the rescue plan is drawing fire as a bailout for rich Wall Street bankers.
Er, in a democracy, aren't the people supposed to be doing the leading?
For good or ill?