President Obama said last week he would buy a Chevy Volt - but not for another five years. We can't fault him for that, in a weak economy lots of people postpone car purchases.  Well, technically, he said that he would buy one when he was no longer president but that means five years.  As long as Republicans trot out one of the current crop of candidates, Obama can maintain an approval rating lower than even Jimmy Carter and still get re-elected, there's no Ronald Reagan coming along.

Too little, too late for the Volt, though. Even a new cash-for-clunkers program that costs taxpayers $24,000 per car couldn't make this one viable.  General Motors has suspended production for five weeks and laying off 1,300 employees. They say it is capitalism at work - they need to "maintain proper inventory", which is auto industry speak for 'we can't sell these cars'.

No one ever wants to turn down free publicity but after Solyndra and too many other things to count, are companies out there hoping the president does not endorse them?  He's like a political version of The Madden Curse.