The Republicans held another debate. The ten candidates in the prime time debate spent as much time debating the three moderators as they did debating each other. The candidates agreed on one thing: every one of them would be a better president than Hillary Clinton. Actually they agreed on another thing: Hillary would get the vote of all 3 CNBC moderators. That debate was on the same time as a World Series baseball game. As Will Rogers said in October 1928, “My idea of the height of conceit would be a political speaker that would go on the air when the World Series is on.” (DT #683)

The Republicans have another debate next week, on Fox Business Network. They are expecting better questions. The viewers are hoping for better answers, at least answers that can help separate the herd of candidates.

The three remaining Democrat candidates have another debate four days later on CBS. The most intriguing question is this: Will Sanders and O’Malley really take on Clinton, or will they take it easy on her?

None of these candidates has to be concerned about the World Series. The Kansas City Royals won tonight, beating the New York Mets 4 games to 1. They came from behind to win, which gives a glimmer of hope to most of the lagging candidates. It also shows that a New Yorker can be beat.

In Congress, the Republicans finally agreed on Paul Ryan as Speaker of the House. John Boehner shed a few tears as he handed over the gavel and headed home to Ohio. Ryan assured his family he will spend weekends at home playing with the kids… and hunting deer.

The economy continues to limp along, but it’s better here than about any other country you can name. Our big retailers are hoping folks finally decide to spend the money they have been saving with cheap gasoline. Up to now, these drivers have been paying old bills instead of taking on new credit.

You probably know about the tragedy a week ago in Stillwater, Oklahoma. At the homecoming parade at Oklahoma State University, a woman drove her car into the crowd, killing four and injuring dozens. This was Will Rogers’ favorite college, then known as Oklahoma A & M. On Feb. 5, 1931, Will spoke at the school. Here are comments he wrote about it in his newspaper columns. “(I spoke) at the best agricultural school in America, Oklahoma A and M. Their cattle win all the shows, and their (students) win all the judging contests. It’s not a raccoon coat college… I had a nephew graduate from there and he has turned out mighty good, and it’s a great school.”