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If there is a rock and a hard place in the U.S. economy, small businesses are there. Right in that little crevice where money is tight — and getting tighter. Right where weekly payrolls can be financed only by personal credit cards or home equity loans.[...]

The White House waged a multifront campaign Tuesday to persuade Congress to accept its vast economic bailout plan, though many in Congress, still unhappy with what they were hearing, continued to push for changes that would provide stronger protection[...]

U.S. to Take Over AIG in $85 Billion Bailout; Central Banks Inject Cash as Credit Dries Up - WSJ.com

WASHINGTON -- The Treasury Department Wednesday announced a financing program designed to provide cash for the Federal Reserve to use in the attempt to address liquidity pressures in the financial market.

Stocks plummeted Wednesday as investors welcomed the Federal Reserve's $85 billion rescue of American International Group but then moved on to bet which Wall Street firm might be the next in peril.