“Business Friendly Climate” is one of the buzz phrases we see and hear a bit more frequently these days. I guess it is a phrase that may have always been around to some extent but is not just limited to the business press. But what exactly does “Business Friendly Climate” actually mean?

For what it’s worth, I’m fairly certain that McDonalds goes through a hiring exercise of this nature most every spring; they just consolidated it all to one day this year and apparently received the hoped for public relations splash.

Not that this post will penetrate the bubble around economists such as New York Times Economix blog contributor and economist Casey Mulligan, but let’s play with some numbers here.

We’re seeing more and more discussion of the fact that Republican candidates nationwide have basically dropped off the map, relying on advertising and the national mood over retail campaigning and public appearances.

The DSCC has secured an ad buy in Connecticut, where they thought they wouldn’t have to pay attention to the race between Attorney General Richard Blumenthal (D) and WWE executive Linda McMahon (R). This $250,000 ad buy – with more likely to come – starves other candidates of potential resources. West Virginia, where the DSCC just dropped some money, also fits into this category.

But Democrats may have just caught a break in Connecticut. McMahon, appearing at a news conference that she abruptly shut down, made comments about the minimum wage that are a gift for her opponents to paint her as out of touch.

Moshe Adler’s Economics for the Rest of US is a strong introduction to the core conceits and theories of modern economics. The book takes readers on a well written tour of leading thoughts on key topics of perennial concern. Employment, equality, efficiency, wages are thrown around moving minds and legislation. As we struggle with high unemployment, stagnant wages and international competition, these issues must be understood. I would recommend this work as a intellectually curious guide to thinking about vital issues and the discipline of economics. It is valuable to have a fast, smooth run through of these topics. The interplay between the field of economics and the economy is a long ignored and vital discussion.

As media pundits have noted, Sen. Barack Obama’s selection of Delaware Sen. Joe Biden adds many years of foreign policy experience to the ticket.

Less well-known is Biden’s long support for working families and their unions. America’s union movement, Biden has said, is

the only thing that keeps the barbarians at the gate.