Slate has a pretty interesting article on the finances of Slate has a pretty interesting article on the finances of Barack and Michele Obama; long story short, there's a pretty vast gulf between the Obamas and either the McCains or the Clintons. In any case, prior to the publication of Barack's two books the Obamas were squarely on the cusp between upper middle and lower upper class; I have to wonder how their financials compared with the rest of the Senate. The books made quite a bit of money, which the Obamas have invested in what the authors suggest is a "too conservative" strategy for a couple of their age and means. I have to admit that an investigation this detailed leaves me vaguely unsettled, even when the subject is a presidential candidate. Nevertheless, I find it endlessly fascinating that the candidate most vigorously tarred with the "elite" label in this election possesses by far the most modest means ... --Robert Farley
