This is obviously an intentional ploy by puppy-kicking Republicans to sway the election.

The Dow Jones industrial average scored its first close above 12,000 Thursday as Wall Street, showing its growing confidence despite new evidence of a weakening economy, managed to hold on to a slim advance.

The stock market’s most prominent benchmark ended the day at 12,011.73, the ninth time in just over two weeks that the Dow has achieved a record high close. The record came one day after the index of 30 blue chip stocks made its first foray past 12,000.

The Dow’s latest milestone came on the anniversary of Black Monday in 1987, when the Dow plunged 508 points and also suffered its second-biggest percentage drop in history.

Though it is nice to see our friends in the MSM not taking this obvious conspiracy lying down. Thank you for making sure to focus on “a weakening economy” and Black Monday, instead of this obvious campaign trick.

The finish above 12,000 was the latest sign that the stock market continues a cautious recovery from the losses and despair investors suffered in the early part of this decade.

And thank you for calling this a “cautious recovery” instead of a powerful rally or a remarkable milestone - like you did back in 1999 - which would have undoubtedly played right into Republicans’ hands by allowing them to take some credit. Thank you, also, for not using terms like “surging” or “hurtling” towards the record - like you did back in 1999. Again, might’ve given Americans a chance to improperly thank the Bush tax cuts.

Many analysts, who use the S&P 500 as their benchmark, shrugged off the Dow’s move.

And thank you so much for finding a few investors who can properly dismiss this momentus occasion as just another ho-hum day. We are grateful you have contained your excitement and didn’t react to today’s news like you did in 1999. That would’ve certainly played into Karl Rove’s hands, for sure.