"In the end, don't forget, the three main benchmarks are there to reflect the regional conditions, " he said.

WSJ: Brent Benchmark Is Skewed by Crude Measure

Partly, too, Mr McCain's low rating may reflect the difficulties of making his main policy proposal, campaign-finance reform, interesting to voters.

ECONOMIST: The trouble with heroes

Vendors have also made their top engineers and researchers available as advisers, and are adapting their plans to reflect the fact that security has become the main priority.

ECONOMIST: Regulating rebels