John was there. Where were Hillary and Barack?

Today, the United States Senate voted 81-16 to pass an economic rescue plan Thursday that would speed $600 to $1,200 in rebates to most taxpayers and $300 checks to low- income people, including disabled veterans and the elderly.

President Bush called on Congress to send him an economic stimulus package that would help Americans jump start a sluggish economy.

Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, both sitting US senators who have made the economy a centerpiece of their White House campaign platforms, declined to vote on the pending measure and instead engaged in self-serving political campaigning.

Presumptive GOP presidential nominee John McCain, also a US Senator, took time from the campaign trail to cast a vote in favor of the proposed legislation.

Here is Clinton's take on the US economy.

Here is Obama's views on the economy.

Nice to see Obama and Clinton on their day jobs.

NOTE: Both of California's two Democrats voted yes on the economic stimulus package. News story here.