Note 5 - VIEs NIMS VIEs (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures
Derivative Assets	$ 20,315,000			$ 20,315,000			$ 26,212,000
VIE debt	273,379,000			273,379,000			520,114,000
Statement of Operations
Net investment income	38,763,000		46,554,000	124,826,000		140,531,000
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, gain (loss)	126,008,000		229,783,000	558,626,000		(372,777,000)
Net gains (losses) on other financial instruments	80,602,000		4,882,000	160,900,000		(159,882,000)
NIMS VIEs
Balance Sheet Related Disclosures
Derivative Assets	4,900,000			4,900,000			10,900,000
VIE debt	31,200,000			31,200,000			141,000,000
Maximum exposure (1)	37,900,000	[1]		37,900,000	[1]		135,800,000	[1]
Statement of Operations
Net investment income				400,000		0
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, gain (loss)				(1,300,000)		(1,400,000)
Net gains (losses) on other financial instruments				3,100,000		(37,100,000)
NIMS VIEs Additional Disclosures
Net cash inflow (outflow) for VIEs				(99,900,000)		(169,700,000)
Exposure for NIMS bonds purchased	$ 900,000			$ 900,000
Number Of NIMS Bonds Purchased				1
Average Remaining Maturity in Years of Existing NIMS Transactions				1

[1] The difference between the carrying amounts of the net asset/liability position and maximum exposure related to VIEs is primarily due to the difference between the face amount of the obligation and the recorded fair values, which include an adjustment for our non-performance risk. The maximum exposure is based on the net par amount of our insured obligation as of the reporting date.