IN POSTMORTEMS of the debate Friday night, John McCain's statement that he wanted to eliminate ethanol subsidies has been widely overlooked, probably because Mr McCain was dodging a different question when he made the statement. (Note well: several clever commenters on our live blog did capture the moment.)

At this pass, with stress stimulating the control freak in the electoral spirit, it seems important to praise candidates who recognise that government intercession often works at cross-purposes with stated goals. Such is the case with domestic ethanol subsidies and their cousin, the tariff on ethanol imports. The combination helps insure that less efficient fuel sources stay in demand. Whether the goal for petroleum alternatives is strategic, environmental or economic, current ethanol policy confounds it.

Mr McCain's position on ethanol is not only correct but courageous. Several states with corn-fed (and pork-fed) economies are on the list of those he needs to win. The farmer's love for government handouts may be less pervasive than pundits think, but it seems unlikely that a political strategist put him up to this.

Many have taken Mr McCain at his word that economics is something he doesn't understand. In this case, he does well by instinct.

(Photo credit: AP