If so it might be an interesting political tactic on S&P's part. Issue a downgrade to show you're serious, but include a 'math error' that justifies an almost-

If so it might be an interesting political tactic on S&P's part. Issue a downgrade to show you're serious, but include a 'math error' that justifies an almost-immediate retraction. If a ratings agency feels that it's necessary to use scare tactics, that's scary enough in itself.