If form holds, although it seldom does in a race of 26 miles 385 yards, that would leave Americans far down on the money list.

Budget deficits could be higher than expected, scaring financial markets and leaving Americans worse off.

We leave Americans for dead when it comes to spies.

That would mean raising about $15 billion, which would still leave Americans lightly taxed.

Paradoxically, a tax cut could actually leave Americans with less to spend on themselves.

The conflict has left Americans divided, even in their own minds.

But the carnage of Sept. 11 has left Americans with little patience for moral uncertainty.

And he left Americans to ponder a history lesson.

Too many of the president's economic policies have left Americans and American companies struggling.

The deadliest terrorist assault in the nation's history has left Americans feeling vulnerable and unambiguously patriotic.