Sep 23, 2008 11:21am

Stephanopoulos: McCain Holds Key to Administration’s Bailout Passage on Capitol Hill

ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos reports: If Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain doesn’t vote for the Bush administration’s $700 billion economic bailout plan, some Republican and Democratic congressional leaders tell ABC News the plan won’t pass.

"If McCain doesn’t come out for this, it’s over," a Top House Republican tells ABC News.

A Democratic leadership source says that White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten has been told that
Democratic votes will not be there if McCain votes no — that there is no deal if McCain doesn’t go along.

McCain, taking questions from the traveling media today for the first time in 40 days, said he doesn’t yet know how he will vote on the bailout.

But when he was asked by ABC News’ Ron Claiborne what he would do if the fate of the bill was in his hands, he said Senate Democrats should not use his vote as the determining factor on the success of the bill.

"This issue should be – and their vote should be determined in how we can resolve this crisis and get America going again," McCain said. "This is a huge crisis. We know, in the words of many  experts and mine, this is the greatest financial crisis since World War II. So to somehow, for the Democrats to say that their vote is going to be gauged on my vote frankly doesn’t do them a great deal of credit.

"Their first and only priority should be making sure this economy recovers and get back on our feet again," McCain said.

McCain has expressed concerns about Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s plan, which would amount to costing the American taxpayer two Iraq wars.

The Republican presidential candidate has suggested the original proposal lacks sufficient oversight, and he has said whatever plan emerges should protect family savings, homes, and student loans, and should eliminate obscene CEO compensation packages.

McCain said this week that any company that receives government aid should not be compensated more than $400,000 — the highest-paid government employee.

McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds told ABC News’ Jake Tapper that McCain has not made a decision one way or another.

"John McCain has been very clear that he has certain reservations about the details of the agreement that has been released at last notice," Bounds said. "There is no final agreement to review, but when there is John McCain will weigh in responsibly and appropriately."

Administration officials went to Capitol Hill Tuesday to urge Congress to pass the bailout package quickly, arguing the nation’s economy is teetering on the brink of a major recession.

Some senior Democrats on Capitol Hill have voiced concern that McCain will continue to oppose the Bush administration’s plan as a way to position himself as a critic of Wall Street and the Bush Administration.

If McCain doesn’t vote for the legislation, other Republicans might follow suit, leaving the Democratic-led majority to fight in Congress to pass the risky bailout plan.

However a Democratic congressional leadership source tells ABC News’ Jake Tapper that Paulson went so far as to assure Democratic leaders that McCain "won’t be a problem" — in other words that McCain will vote for the proposal.

User Comments

I think Congress needs to stay longer instead of recess and take a good long look at this bill. Better to take a few days or a week longer and get it right.

Posted by: infoseeking | September 23, 2008, 11:31 am 11:31 am

McPalin is putting politics before the country again.
what a shame

Posted by: watching | September 23, 2008, 11:31 am 11:31 am

If McCain backs out of this than I there will be no deal.
Thank you Democrats!

Posted by: Sandra | September 23, 2008, 11:33 am 11:33 am

See McCain is a true maverick

Posted by: Jane | September 23, 2008, 11:35 am 11:35 am

McCain all for McCain first. this just shows how entrenched in politics and power hungry he is

Posted by: McPalin | September 23, 2008, 11:36 am 11:36 am

Don’t trust the Republicans, Democrats. You’ve been screwed badly enough. Make sure you hear McCain publicly and unambiguously voice support for the bailout before you all sign on.

Posted by: chris | September 23, 2008, 11:36 am 11:36 am

Only count Ron Paul’s vote!

Posted by: Huh | September 23, 2008, 11:37 am 11:37 am

jane,
Maverick was a cowboy like Bush.
It Was McCain maverick deregulatiion that caused the whole problem.
after 30 years
This is called election day flip-flop

Posted by: really | September 23, 2008, 11:39 am 11:39 am

It’s funny that the Dems will only follow the Repulican nominee.

Posted by: cardinal | September 23, 2008, 11:41 am 11:41 am

info…I think you’re right. What are we paying these jerks for anyway!!! We are in a BIG problem right now…take their time so they get it right the first time…

Posted by: thetruth | September 23, 2008, 11:41 am 11:41 am

dont vote yes mccain. its a free mkt. let the deadwood die.

Posted by: ron | September 23, 2008, 11:42 am 11:42 am

Dear Senator McCain, Please call Ron Paul and ask his opinion.

Posted by: TommyRot | September 23, 2008, 11:44 am 11:44 am

Sandra…don’t blame the Dems it took more than 4 years to make this mess and the Reps had all the power in 2004…now it looks like a Reps is making the choice again…GOD HELP US…he doesn’t even know how many cars he owns, let alone how to vote on this…

Posted by: newvoter | September 23, 2008, 11:44 am 11:44 am

Watch “Comperhensive Annual Financial reports EXPOSED!” You’ll learn somethng about this mess.

Posted by: hmn | September 23, 2008, 11:44 am 11:44 am

What does McCain care about average Americans, he’s worth over 100 million dollars. So what if Wall Street and the financial institutions fail, he won’t be one of the millions out of work, he’s not worried about losing his house (any of the 8), he’s not worried about being able to retire (ever), no Ole John cares about himself first, like all REPUBLICANS.

Posted by: JR | September 23, 2008, 11:44 am 11:44 am

more politics…byte me!

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 11:46 am 11:46 am

McCain…byte me.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 11:47 am 11:47 am

This is a true testament to the gravitas, earned respect and stature that John McCain has in Congress. I am a lifelong Democrat who will vote for John McCain this fall- my 1st ever vote for a Republican. In these perilous times at home and abroad, we simply cannot afford an arrogant rookie as our President.

Posted by: American Voter | September 23, 2008, 11:48 am 11:48 am

John McCain in his deep dark thought—”If I vote no, it could cost me the election. Yet, if I vote yes, it could cost me the election. Man,even standing on both sides of the aisle doesn’t leave me room for error. God I wish I had a good VP to back me up on this one. Some one I could put in fornt of a camera,…..on their own”

Posted by: M.Alto | September 23, 2008, 11:48 am 11:48 am

The old hag looks like a dead man already. Why vote for dead person? Anyway what is Kibosh mean is that English word? The American journalists are so stupid they have no knowledge or intellectual capacity. Looks like all you need is to be dumb patriot. Liberal and Conservatives both suck.

Posted by: Jimma | September 23, 2008, 11:48 am 11:48 am

Palin…go home to your own country.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 11:49 am 11:49 am

Does this mean Congress should go ahead and plan for their vacations? McCain is a hypocrite. He can’t vote for deregulation and be against this. Deregulation inevitably ends in this. That had to have been in McCain’s mind all this time. Has he bought/sold any stock lately? My point is simply for us to follow the money. Works every time.

Posted by: Curly | September 23, 2008, 11:49 am 11:49 am

Tod Palin is not a patriot.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 11:49 am 11:49 am

So now the government controls much of our financial sector. Eerily close to socialism, dontcha think?

Posted by: Doug | September 23, 2008, 11:50 am 11:50 am

No bailout… soup lines are the new dinner date.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 11:51 am 11:51 am

The bailout is bailing out the rich! Go McCain! Do NOT let this happen!!! I will personally campaign against ANY and EVERY politician that supports this bailout.
It will not be enough. It will fail. And we will be paying for it for years and years to come.
Yes, no bailout means some rough times. But the learning will be much greater for those who got us into this mess if we let them pay for their own mistakes.

Posted by: Michelle | September 23, 2008, 11:51 am 11:51 am

Oh, and another thing, why should he vote for this? He doesn’t care about YOU unless you make over $5 million. Just a thought.

Posted by: Curly | September 23, 2008, 11:52 am 11:52 am

How come the Democrats are not waiting to see what Obama does before deciding what to do? I guess they have more confidence in McCain then Obama on the tough decisions. What does that tell you???

Posted by: billy bob | September 23, 2008, 11:52 am 11:52 am

Meanwhile, Obama fiddles as Rome burns!

Posted by: dl | September 23, 2008, 11:52 am 11:52 am

This shows what a snake McCain is. McCain you’re either for this or against this. You’ve been saying you’re a decision maker, make a decision! This is Bush and his secretary’s deal, not the democrats. If you lead them holding the bag in partisan politcs then you truly are a snake and I wont vote for you. Last thing we need, a snake for president.

Posted by: McCain is an idiot | September 23, 2008, 11:52 am 11:52 am

billy bob? huh? u hungry?

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 11:53 am 11:53 am

I smell a rat, If McCain does not support the Bush plan?
This is a ploy to show that McCain is not 4 more years of Bush.

Posted by: SirMikeB | September 23, 2008, 11:53 am 11:53 am

Yes, blame the Democrats,… or rather one demoncrat,… Slick Willy,… he’s the one that pressured the banks to expand their home loans to include low income family’s that didn’t qualify under sane mortgage lending rules,… he’s the reason they opened up to 40x and higher risk ratios,… that happened back in 1999,… not under Bush. Get a clue. The only politics that were even remotely involved in this matter until the recent “crisis” were the politics of greed on Wall Street and in corporate board rooms aorund the country. You want somebody to blame, look up the hill to the rich banker’s manicured lawn. Look at the people who stand to loose their homes,… who shouldn’t have been given a loan in the first place, but greedily signed on paperwork they couldn’t possibly have understood, heedless of any possible consequences. The blame need go no further than that.

Posted by: Capt D | September 23, 2008, 11:53 am 11:53 am

Finally, some thought being exposed. The vote should be NO. Let the chips fall where they may. This will be painful, but it is needed to get this country back on track. To many fat cats getting fatter, let them bleed for once

Posted by: VOTE NO | September 23, 2008, 11:53 am 11:53 am

Just think soon all you cry babies will have more to cry about. When John McCain is voted president you guys can go crazy with your blogs. I feel sorry for Obama that he has been misled to believe that he even has a chance come November.

Posted by: William Clinton | September 23, 2008, 11:54 am 11:54 am

See McCain is a true maverick
Posted by: Jane | Sep 23, 2008 3:35:08 PM
_________________
He’s a true maverick alright; he only voted with Bush 91% of the time. Shows he’s truly independent. (NOT)

Posted by: rhbate | September 23, 2008, 11:54 am 11:54 am

Let the deadwood die….
that “deadwood” is the lifesavings of hardworking Seniors who lived throgh decades of financial disasters only to face this one with no help, no hope, and no accountability from your free-market golden parachute jumping buds.
the “deadwood” is single moms trying to take a bit of the tax refund money they may not have to spend to catch up on their bills, and they tried to invest it and maybe, jsut maybe save enough to put the kids in college.
the “deadwood” is EVERY SINGLE MAN WOMAN AND CHILD WHO HAS INSURANCE IN JUST ABOUT EVERY MAJOR COMPANY IN AMERICA AND EVERY RETIREE OR SOON TO BE RETIREE WHO TRIED TO INVEST .
GO PUT SOME LIPSTICK ON THAT PIG.

Posted by: pamela | September 23, 2008, 11:54 am 11:54 am

This is a true testament to the arrogance, lack of concern for Americans and disregard that McCain has for the welfare of the US. I am a lifelong Democrat who will strive to keep a man as unprincipled as John McCain from the White House. In these perilous times at home and abroad, we simply cannot afford such an ignorant old neo-con as our President.

Posted by: JR | September 23, 2008, 11:55 am 11:55 am

How typically Republican!! Make a mess, blame it on Democrats, and then dump it on American citizens to fix it.
And there you have it — Bush’s gift to McCain.

Posted by: hang | September 23, 2008, 11:55 am 11:55 am

What a trap Democrats are setting to McCain!!!!
Incredible.
If McCain says “no”, then it will be up to Democrats to decide???
Well, then Sir please say “no”. Let them burn themselves in their own trap.
McCain/Palin 2008

Posted by: Monica | September 23, 2008, 11:55 am 11:55 am

So they wan’t McCain to vote with Bush now so they can use it against him later??

Posted by: Tyrone | September 23, 2008, 11:56 am 11:56 am

President of what? His wife sold Budweiser.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 11:56 am 11:56 am

McCain is a true elder in American politics, worthy of respect.

Posted by: Graveney | September 23, 2008, 11:56 am 11:56 am

I think there is a lot of blame to go around on this mess. How anyone can know who is at fault is beyond me. I do know however that the democrats are in charge of congress at the moment, lead the committees, and that Paulson is a democrat so they can be blamed for not sounding the alarm before it got to this point. I heard Obama yesterday blaming it on “they”. Who are “they”? Fortunately, there is property tied to these mortgages, which even though it is depreciated right now will eventually appreciate as it always does. Maybe the taxpayers won’t be stuck with as much as it sounds like right now. Just don’t let the congress tack on add-ons.

Posted by: Susan | September 23, 2008, 11:56 am 11:56 am

REALLY: you need to do your homework. This started with Clinton and kept on going through the Bush admin. Nobody wanted to tell poor people that they could not afford a home because it was not PC. So now, ALL of us are stuck with it regardless of party. I hope politicians have learned a lesson. If you can’t afford a home yet, you should not get a loan to buy one. I still say we are screwed regardless of who wins. All of them should be voted out.

Posted by: nookly23 | September 23, 2008, 11:57 am 11:57 am

McCain opposes it, he wont sign it.. He will be the next president..We may as well get used to it………

Posted by: ynot | September 23, 2008, 11:57 am 11:57 am

I don’t owe any politician squat!

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 11:58 am 11:58 am

Now who is playing politics? If the Dems want to vote for a package, then let them vote for the package. If it’s this is want they want to pass then let them put it out there and then everybody votes. Why are they playing politics at this stage of the game? This is what got us into this mess to begin with.
America is suffering because of partisan politics.

Posted by: mak | September 23, 2008, 11:58 am 11:58 am

Remember: Get the History correct. It was a president more interested in power, adding to his bank account and sex that started all this way back at the end of the ’90s: Clinton.

Posted by: Sparky | September 23, 2008, 11:59 am 11:59 am

I have zero confidence in Paulson. He is also quite repulsive. The idea of turning the entire fortune of the American people to this Frankenstein like creep, is just a living nightmare.
Even the way he said “McCain won’t be a problem” – is creepy crawly disgusting.

Posted by: Madeleine | September 23, 2008, 11:59 am 11:59 am

How about everyone vote NO for this- we cannot afford this and we should not do this- it will help NO ONE ECEPT THE FAT CATS ON WALL STREET!!!!

Posted by: Angela | September 23, 2008, 11:59 am 11:59 am

“He’s a true maverick alright; he only voted with Bush 91% of the time. Shows he’s truly independent. (NOT)”
What does that mean? Bush doesn’t vote. Do you mean McCain voted with republicans 91% of the time?

Posted by: susan | September 23, 2008, 11:59 am 11:59 am

Let’s not forget Mr. McCain was a member of the infamous Keating Five”" who was censured by the Senate for influence peddling in conjunction with the Savings & Loan scandal of the l970/80′s. A maverick trying to clean up a corrupt system? I don’t think so!

Posted by: James Kessinger | September 23, 2008, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm

At least McCain will have a position.
The Messiah is holed up somewhere reading Cliff Notes on foriegn policy.
Got a big test coming up on Friday, you know!

Posted by: Citizen_Alerted | September 23, 2008, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm

Suddenly this bailout depends on McCain? Where is Obama? I thought he was a Senator too? Where is he hiding in all of this? Behind Pelosi and Reid’s skirts? Suddenly freinds, the democrats have discovered that the presidentila elecrion is 42 days away, and they are willing to tank everyone’s 401K and mutual funds, hoping that that if their is a new great depression , they will win the election. I see you Chriss Dodd and You too Barney Frank! Don’ tell me you didn’t see this comeing!

Posted by: highwayman | September 23, 2008, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm

America is suffering because of America lost its moral compass. Greed and hate all around. This is all a GREAT learning experience for All Americans.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:00 pm 12:00 pm

And I guess Senator Obama will vote PRESENT!

Posted by: Present | September 23, 2008, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm

Email your Congress Person and Tell Them “NO MORE BAILOUTS” ——– http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ ———- Go here and find your senator by zipcode. ——- Send a message to your Congressmen. ——it works great ——– Tell them NO MORE BAILOUTS NO MATTER HOW LOUD BUSH AND PAULSEN SCREAM NO BAILOUTS PERIOD OR WE WILL VOTE EVERYONE THAT SIGNS ON THE BAILOUT OUT OF OFFICE IN NOVEMBER ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– send to these as well —————-Go to http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ —- or here —- http://www.house.gov/ — or here — http://speaker.house.gov/contact/ —– or email here —– comments@whitehouse.gov —————————————-
I would like to throw a shout out to Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky as he is leading this fight against the bailout for the people. If we could send him an email with a word of Thanks I am sure he would appreciate it.

Posted by: Bing | September 23, 2008, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm

I just read on the Huffington post that McCain all the way up until last thursday was a deregulator. It was even posted on the screen at the gop convention.
They even have a video on you tube with MCLie contridicting himself. I had enough, I voting for obama.

Posted by: Preston | September 23, 2008, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm

I bet John McCain will just conveniently be out of town for the vote. That’s his normal approach to tough votes. He skips far more than the 0.3% Obama infamously voted “Present” on during his years in the IL Senate.

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm

This article is nothing more than an opinion by Stephanoupolus. There are no incontrovertible facts. This is nothing more than an editorial piece. Question: Since when do editorial pieces make headline news? Answer: When ABC needs to create a hit piece to somehow make McCain look bad.

Posted by: rkej08 | September 23, 2008, 12:02 pm 12:02 pm

I can only hope McCain declines to go along with this ridiculous stunt!
I do not want to pay for corporate incompentence.

Posted by: Gini | September 23, 2008, 12:02 pm 12:02 pm

I like the fact that everyone is watching McCain for guidance and leadership; meanwhile, nobody gives a hoot what Obama thinks. Seems to make it clear whose experience commands more respect in a crisis.

Posted by: BJ | September 23, 2008, 12:02 pm 12:02 pm

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha!
This is positively, absolutely funny as hell. Can’t wait to see how it all unfolds.

Posted by: Kitty Wilberforce | September 23, 2008, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm

hmn –> You mean like ALL politicians!

Posted by: zee | September 23, 2008, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm

the hold up is over the benefits of a few people who are already rich…same old GOP.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm

McCain was CLEARED of all charges. At least make an argument based on facts.

Posted by: Susan | September 23, 2008, 12:03 pm 12:03 pm

American Voter: “This is a true testament to the gravitas, earned respect and stature that John McCain has in Congress.”
Wow. You really have no concept of politics do you? You really think John “I don’t know much about the economy” McCain is being looked to as a sage on this? No, it’s just a matter of the Democrats, faced with the undisputed dirtiest campaign tactics in modern memory, have put him on notice that they will not allow him to play politics on this vote.

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm

This is a bad bill. It should not be passed at all, let alone in a hurry. Ruching for passage is a classic sales tactic to get you to do what you know is wrong. $150 Billion will more than cover the next few months, we can see if this plan will work at all and it doesn’t kill us for the next 20 years financially. Then the time can be taken to see what really needs to be done and the next President can make a decision they know they will have to deal with instead of this lame duck.

Posted by: Danny | September 23, 2008, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm

Fannie Mae is where this whole financial mess started. Obama was the 2nd biggest recipient of cash from Fannie Mae. This is a fact. NOBAMA!

Posted by: Anna | September 23, 2008, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm

And where is Mr Obama in all this? I guess he’s not that important after all.

Posted by: s.b. | September 23, 2008, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm

Shouldn’t the Democrats follow Obama’s lead?

Posted by: cbk16 | September 23, 2008, 12:04 pm 12:04 pm

trust me… this is not on hanging on what McCain does. It’s posturing.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:05 pm 12:05 pm

Even Obama is watching and waiting until he hears McCain. He always waited to hear what Hillary’s position was in the primaries before making his position know.

Posted by: Susan | September 23, 2008, 12:05 pm 12:05 pm

Get ready for a depressioneveryone!!!!!!!!

Posted by: ynot | September 23, 2008, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm

No bailout. Let the chips fall where they will. Nobody game me a mortgage. Why should I bail out all those who over extended?

Posted by: ali paige | September 23, 2008, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm

LOL…you have to be kidding Mr. Stephanopolous. Mr.”deregulation” McInsane does not hold that kind of power, sir…get real. This is more Rethuglican propaganda and you fall for it every time.

Posted by: warISpeace | September 23, 2008, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm

This is the October surprise!
Hey folks, we’re already in a recession , let the Wall St firms go under WITHOUT our tax dollars. Let the real estate bubble burst and deflate WITHOUT our tax dollars.
All we are doing with these bailouts, and it won’t end here , car manufacturers, arilines, trains, home builders, you name it , EVERYONE , except the average hard working US citizen witll get a bail out of some sort on your dollar.
No to all bailouts and LET THE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY……
It’s going to be painful for everyone , but if we bail everyone out, our dollar with become absolutely worthless and then where are we?

Posted by: susanmaz | September 23, 2008, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm

Anna…Anna…Anna…cmon now. Google is free. Get the facts. Employee donations do not represent the Company. Right?

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm

This bailout is a joke. If people and lending institutions weren’t so irresponsible in the first place, we wouldn’t be in this mess. I am one of the many who can barely pay their mortgage. But I bought th ehome I could afford. I have a 30yr fixed rate. All these borrowers eyes were bigger than thier stomachs. Now they can afford it. “The Gov. should help me because I was irresponsible and got in over my head on a house that’s bigger than I needed.” These borrowers and the lenders need to learn a lesson. Why should my taxes to cover this? I don’t get any relief. My mortgage isn’t easy to pay, but it’s a mortgae that is do-able for a house that is livable. DON”T BAILOUT THE IRRESPONSIBLE. It will just screw us in the long run.

Posted by: jbc | September 23, 2008, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm

Paulson is a life long dem. He was head of Goldman. Of course his plan is going to be for the CEO’s at the expense of the worker that’s what dems do. sure they say they are for the worker but thier bank accounts prove otherwise. McCain is right to think this plan is not the right plan. He does not say no to a bailout he says no to this plan. Big difference. there are other ways than just Paluson’s plan.
And what about the $500 billion the dems in congress are trying to pass in the dark of night because they have not done their JOB for the last year.
As of oct 1 the gov comes to a stop unless new spending is passed. the dems did not want to work with the White House because they thought Obama would be up by 20pts by now. Now the entire gov is going to shut down unless a bill is passed and the dems are earmarking it to death with pet projects that have had no public input.
Vote the bums out all the bums. It is time for new leadership. McCain/Palin are that new leadership.

Posted by: unseen | September 23, 2008, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm

Meanwhile, Obama fiddles as Rome burns!
Posted by: dl | Sep 23, 2008 3:52:21 PM
______________________
What is McComa doing?

Posted by: rhbate | September 23, 2008, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm

Susan,
Just to let you know, Obama had a presser today and uveiled his “plan”. One of his ideas was to have an independent committee to oversee these developents….sure sounds familiar…

Posted by: Jrock | September 23, 2008, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm

There is property involved in this mess, so all is not lost. I don’t think the hit will be as big as it seems right now and we really have no choice. Just don’t let the legislators add a bunch of pork to the bill.

Posted by: Susan | September 23, 2008, 12:07 pm 12:07 pm

Hey, democrats, this is what happens when you change the regulations and try to help people that cannot manage money. Bill Clinton started this back in the 1990′s. it is call an UNCONVENTIONAL loan which means the applicant cannot qualify for a conventional loan at a regular bank or mortage company so they send them to a mortage company that will accomodate them (fog the mirror). This mortage company then sells the paper to another mortage company that in turn sells it to another. It is eventually bundled into a security pacage and ends up being traded on the financial markets. The securitied had a good rating but should not have, they were high risk. This has been going on for ten years and Bush has tried to stop it in 2006 but was shot down bu the democrats.

Posted by: billy bob | September 23, 2008, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm

America is already mortgaged to the hilt. We got into this mess because of greed, irresponsible lending, lack of leadership and this proposal is just another sample of poor leadership. Maybe we need to start working on our Chinese. America is forfeiting our future. They say that an election year is always good for the economy, what do we have to look forward to next year. America is in for some very difficult times.

Posted by: Tom Frauendienst | September 23, 2008, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm

JIMMA: When you master the basics of the English language, maybe people will be interested in your opinions. Where do you come from that there are no plurals in our language? To attack someone else’s choice of words in rich – considering you cannot even construct a simple sentence in the language. Scary.

Posted by: Lisa Again | September 23, 2008, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm

I’m willing to go along with it – McCain supports the bail-out with his limitiations … McCain doesn’t support the bailout and it crashes. You see McCain doesn’t win either way. Kind of between the rock and the hard post as they say.

Posted by: OnTheGloryRoad | September 23, 2008, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm

I think everyone needs to pitch in and heave sandbags now that the leveee has broken, rather than arguing about whose fault it is. If the stock market collapses , eveyone’s savings will be wiped out. They are being wiped out as you read this. So I think we should do what is necesarry, and do it soon, however unsavory it appears now, and then sort out the blame later.

Posted by: highwayman | September 23, 2008, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm

“McPalin is putting politics before the country again. what a shame”
Are you really that dumb or do you think the average American is that dumb? Why do the Democrats care what McCain does on the bill. They either think it is the right or wrong thing to do. The only party interjecting politics IS the DEMOCRATS. And as usual, NOBAMA gets a pass.
Only a brain dead idiot would fall for this.

Posted by: RedAl | September 23, 2008, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm

Vote the bums out all the bums. It is time for new leadership. McCain/Palin are that new leadership.
Posted by: unseen | Sep 23, 2008 4:07:20 PM
____________________
Only thing new about McComa is that larger bald spot on the top of his head.

Posted by: rhbate | September 23, 2008, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm

Once again the news media lays all the responsibility on McCain. How is Obama going to vote? Anyone think to report on that? Unlike the Iraq vote, Obama is now a voting senator. So far it seems he is voting present.

Posted by: bedy | September 23, 2008, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm

To AllergicToSpinAndLies/ Obama has spent 339 millions dollars on his career campaign to run for President. So don’t forget Obama is a politician tooand make no mistake he has money too. It’s just that everyone is taking pot shots at McCain because they view him as an easy target since he’s older. You need to ask yourself how Obama is not going to further the economic crisis with all these promises of tax cuts? Promises are great but come January let’s see the reality? I bet he’ll change his tune too, because when company’s get tired of being taxed so heavily, they may choose to go to cheaper countries to run their businesses, leaving US more unemployed and further in debt??? Just think what you are wishing for an Historical first black President with no experience in running a country on a micro thin resume. Go McCain/Palin

Posted by: OurCountryFirst | September 23, 2008, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm

This mess started with Alan Greenspan and Bill Clintons repeal of Glass Steagall.
Look it up — it was a 30 year dream of the Democrats to repeal Galass Steagall.
Well they got what they wanted now they want to blame the republicans. This just shows what idiots they are.
NO MORE BAILOUTS PERIOD

Posted by: Bing | September 23, 2008, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm

Why isn’t anyone asking why Obama is offering his yes or no on this or is Obama still just voting “present” and waiting to see the results before he makes his mind up.

Posted by: Mike | September 23, 2008, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm

VOTE MCSHAME PLEASSSSSE.OBAMA 2008

Posted by: JOSHUA DURAN | September 23, 2008, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm

Stupid is as stupid does. You’d think the old man would have learned his lesson with Keating Five. But he just keeps thinking about himself and his corporate cronies. As usual, McCain first.

Posted by: pamp205 | September 23, 2008, 12:10 pm 12:10 pm

Nobody on Wall St. cared when other people across the country were losing their jobs UNTIL they started thinking they may lose theirs! People did dumb things with their mortgages and credit cards all by themselves. I don’t think anything should be done to help out – cut the taxes and let everything land where it may. Many of us have already lost money, readjusted and are in the process of moving on. I am tired of hearing “Bush’s fault” with EVERYTHING and McCain/Palin is ANOTHER FOUR YEARS of “Bush” because they are just as different and ready for change as the Obama/Biden ticket with more experience. We don’t need a RUSHED decision on saving the market that is fueled by politics from both parties…because if it does not work it will be “Bush’s” fault AGAIN and we will lose more money no matter what! Frankly, I don’t trust Obama/Biden. From Michigan…voting McCain/Palin.

Posted by: cknville | September 23, 2008, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm

NOOKLY23 has got it right folks! We’ve ALL been screwed by our own friends and neighbors. Instead of listening to the old adage “If it sounds to good to be true, it IS”, they listened to the “snake oil” salesman. We tell each other how smart we are and the good deals we get through the hard bargins we drive. SURE! Ain’t we swells? YOU built your boat, YOU bail it out. I can’t pay for my house and yours too!!

Posted by: AlchyDave25 | September 23, 2008, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm

And finally, if someone tells you McCain is a third term Bush and that BO is “Mr. liberal” please pass on this info:
“Obama often says that McCain voted 90% of the time with Bush. What he doesn’t say is that Obama himself voted 88% of the time with Bush and even voted for the Cheney energy plan. Hillary didn’t and neither did McCain.
What they don’t tell you is that McCain voted 97% of the time with the Democrats and that he has the worst conservative voting record of any Republican. He voted liberal 20% of the time.
(A little tip when you hear Obama lying about McCain’s voting record: most votes in the Senate are unanimous consent.)” http://www.redhotandbluepolitics.com

Posted by: Democrat No More | September 23, 2008, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm

Email your Congress Person and Tell Them “NO MORE BAILOUTS” ——– http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ ———- Go here and find your senator by zipcode. ——- Send a message to your Congressmen. ——it works great ——– Tell them NO MORE BAILOUTS NO MATTER HOW LOUD BUSH AND PAULSEN SCREAM NO BAILOUTS PERIOD OR WE WILL VOTE EVERYONE THAT SIGNS ON THE BAILOUT OUT OF OFFICE IN NOVEMBER ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– send to these as well —————-Go to http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ —- or here —- http://www.house.gov/ — or here — http://speaker.house.gov/contact/ —– or email here —– comments@whitehouse.gov ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– I would like to throw a shout out to Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky as he is leading this fight against the bailout for the people. If we could send him an email with a word of Thanks I am sure he would appreciate it.

Posted by: Bing | September 23, 2008, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm

Lets get this right. This problem occurred because of the Sabine_oxley bill of 1998, and strict accounting statues, that requires banks to state their loan values to the decreasing value of an asset, instead of the loan value. This means they have to put money aside to offset a decreasing value of an automobile or home. As home values decreased they have to put money aside to offset the decreasing value even though the loan is still intact. It sounds like I repeated myself, but McCain has to offer a better solution. You are not going to get it from the democrats and the bush administration has lost it.
All we have to do is change some stupid, freaking laws and the free market will be able to recover without a bailout. It will protect the future.

Posted by: Heavenislikethis | September 23, 2008, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm

Why can’t they ask Baby Obama if it’s alright? Cause he’s not a true candidate obviously!

Posted by: Jeanne | September 23, 2008, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm

mc cain is no leader dont give him the glory of sign or no sign it just another political republica”TALKING POINT” taking your attention away fro palin and no networks; busy little beavers (or snake in the grass)

Posted by: dmsc | September 23, 2008, 12:11 pm 12:11 pm

Dear ABC,
Your online news stories are ruined by including these reader “opinions”. Whether left or right, they are usually just plain stupid. Most of us realize that America is full of morons, but why must this fact be imposed upon us at every opportunity?
Please re-think your online strategy.
Thanks,
John

Posted by: John | September 23, 2008, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm

mc cain is no leader dont give him the glory of sign or no sign it just another political republica”TALKING POINT” taking your attention away fro palin and no networks; busy little beavers (or snake in the grass)

Posted by: dmsc | September 23, 2008, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm

This is why Obama has been so quiet. Not only is Obama directly involved with the failures, he has no decision making skills, at all. This was evident in the debates with Hillary when he let Hillary field all the hard questions first so he could get his bearings. I trust McCain/Palin to govern with integrity and wish Pelosi and Reid (with Barney Frank and Chris Dodd) would be removed from office.

Posted by: Bill | September 23, 2008, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm

Well why dont they just put the 700 billion on a high card in vegas would be about the same as this risky plan with no garantie to work!

Posted by: denver morgan | September 23, 2008, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm

McCain = Conservative = deregulation =
economic crisis = WRONG!
Reagan was wrong then, McCain is wrong now!
No Bailout, No McCain!!!

Posted by: Ron | September 23, 2008, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm

unseen: “Paulson is a life long dem.”
This is a BLATANT LIE. How much more dishonorable can the McCain campaign get? Come on – Paulson was employed in the Nixon administration, is a registered Republican, and was appointed by George W Bush when John Snow resigned. This is public record.

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 12:12 pm 12:12 pm

Here’s a little news flash for the press, the Democrats are the majority in both the House and Senate.It is up to them whether this measure passes. When you gain power, you lose the chance to always blame someone else.

Posted by: bb | September 23, 2008, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm

Bill: “Not only is Obama directly involved with the failures”
Any support, or is this just more baseless slander?

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm

Doug – the BEST countries to live in have some socialist policies. I guess I don’t understand why that word scares people to death. The Scandinavian countries are the healthiest and happiest, have virtually no unemployment, have a free society, and they have socialized health care and education, free child care, maternity AND paternity leave, all paid for. Sure, the taxes are high but at least the people get something worth something in return. It’s our really stupid cowboy mentality way of thinking that capitalism is God’s gift to mankind. Not in this country.

Posted by: counting crows | September 23, 2008, 12:13 pm 12:13 pm

Good for the Dems, they’re using their brains. No, they don’t view McCain as some revered elder statesman whose leadership they yearn to follow. They don’t want their votes to help him get away with going on a populist rant, opposing the bail-out, and getting credit for being a reformer when he’s been a huge supporter of deregulation until…yesterday, basically. Everyone in Congress knows there will be a bail-out, and the Dems don’t want McCain getting a free symbolic “No” vote on the backs of everyone else who tried to work something out.

Posted by: Hilary | September 23, 2008, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm

Um…COUNTRY..that money was donated to him. It’s not his money. It’s the people’s money. CMON now. Of course, some things will need to be adjusted because of this crisis. He’s not stupid and neither are his supporters. It doesn’t mean they can’t be accomplished. He has sttaed many times that it will not be easy. I like that. Too many folks want everything easy.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm

Hold out, McCain! Do what’s right for your country! Don’t vote Yea until you see that citizens are protected, oversight is in place, and compensation for CEO’s aren’t million dollar grab fests!

Posted by: mak | September 23, 2008, 12:14 pm 12:14 pm

bb: “It is up to them whether this measure passes. ”
Cute. I suppose you missed the whole veto threat from president Bush if they change anything?

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm

Come on, ABC! Whty did you use a picture of McCain for this piece that makes him look old, confused, clueless, and stupid?

Posted by: Bill in NC | September 23, 2008, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm

McCain must be more important than Obama – why is his vote more important in the senate than Obama’s?

Posted by: jamescbuilder | September 23, 2008, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm

McCain is a nice man, but I don’t want him to be my President.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm

McCain will do anything to get elected. He stole the Change mantra from Obama and is now stealing the NO BAIL OUT mantra from Ron Paul and 95% of the tax payers (American public). It will be the right thing to do to NOT BAIL OUT at least leave the economic mess of the Bush administration like the rest of the mess to the next administration and not make such an urgent issue at this time. Mr. Paulson and Mr. Berneke are trying to scare us with a recession as though a significant number are not already living it. So Mr. Paulson and Mr. Berneke bring it on, let us see whether it is any worse than it already is but you are not getting a single penny of tax payer money to burn on irresponsible and mismanaged banks and lenders. LET THE BLUE CHIPS FALL WHERE THEY MAY. We the people are ready to pick up the pieces and help America rise like a phoenix from the ashes of these wall street excesses and plundering of the American tax payers and the US treasury.

Posted by: gjkotw01 | September 23, 2008, 12:15 pm 12:15 pm

GO McCAIN!!!!!
McCAIN/PALIN 08

Posted by: L.B. Johnson | September 23, 2008, 12:16 pm 12:16 pm

Billy boob, This started with Reagan. The people who can’t manage money are the ones walking away with 25 million dollar severance packages, like the CEO’s of oh, Lehman Brothers, AIG, Goldman Saks, not the college graduate who can’t find a job unless he/she moves to China.
Get your facts straight.

Posted by: Mary | September 23, 2008, 12:16 pm 12:16 pm

Michelle,
We will be paying for this for years to come anyway (bailout or no). I hate the idea of the taxpayer bailing out the corporations that made such bad decisions, but unfortunately, much of the global economy is now invested in the mortgage-backed securities that have lost their value. The bailout doesn’t just help the big corporations, it helps keep the global economy from failing. Both Senator Obama and Senator McCain are in favor of limitations to the bailout (such as limits on the pay for executives in companies that accept the money). It seems to me as though having a bailout (with some limits) MAY help keep the country’s (and world’s) economy from failing completely (although it may not), but not having a bailout will almost certainly cause a deep, worldwide recession/depression that will be extremely difficult to recover from.

Posted by: all_names_r_taken | September 23, 2008, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm

lol…What other kind of picture does he take? ok…that was mean. I’m going to check into rehab with the other GOP officials. That was mean too…but it was STRAIGHT TALK.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm

Looks like there is a consensus among the Congressional leaders to block the bailout.
You’ll need to go to FOX to get the real story – Not here.

Posted by: Citizen_Alerted | September 23, 2008, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm

Good article but what does Obama say? Isn’t his vote worth the same as McCain? Shouldn’t we be scutinizing his choice too or is his vote really that of a FRESHMAN Senator?

Posted by: Jerry | September 23, 2008, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm

I think the article said that if McCain says no than the Republicans will all say no and that means there will not be enough votes to pass the bill. SO, how does this make the Dems at fault again???

Posted by: beck | September 23, 2008, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm

$700 billion without sufficient oversight sounds like another Iraq war.

Posted by: Bob | September 23, 2008, 12:18 pm 12:18 pm

I just want to get a feel for what’s out there. Are folks depressed over this?

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm

Good way to corner McCain. He shouldn’t get away with his new found populist rhetoric against Govt., Washington, greedy CEOs, Congress, bail-out, etc., when the bipartisan congress is trying to clear out the mess created by the very deregulation policies he has been championing all along. If he votes for bail-out now, he can no more take a populist position against bail-out. If he votes against, he will be going against the once in a long time good move by his party. This dilemma is an acid test for his weak character and unprincipled stances all along. You can’t claim yourself to be a maverick that champions unpopular moves, and go diametrically opposite to the policies (e.g. deregulation, offshore drilling) you had been championing for many years, just before elections. The argument that he sincerely believes now that regulation is the right move only proves that his 26 years of experience (devoid of sound judgment) is futile. The experience in doing the things the wrong way is more of a liability than an asset.

Posted by: TwentyFirstCentury American | September 23, 2008, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm

“Here’s a little news flash for the press, the Democrats are the majority in both the House and Senate.It is up to them whether this measure passes. When you gain power, you lose the chance to always blame someone else.”
Uh, Civics 101 – There must be a 60 count majority in order for a bill to be passed. There are only 51 Democrats. They need some Republicans to sign the dotted line.

Posted by: mak | September 23, 2008, 12:19 pm 12:19 pm

“…Paulson went so far as to assure Democratic leaders that McCain “won’t be a problem” — in other words that McCain will vote for the proposal.”
If that’s true, its a pretty strong indicator that McCain is being controlled by the same Republicans running the current administration.
In other words, when McCain has differed with Bush, its been an artificial difference for political purposes. And when they need to pull McCain back onto the reservation, they can.

Posted by: Paul | September 23, 2008, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm

FOX?! You need a timeout!

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm

How about dividing this money up and give it the US citzens? They could put it to good use, such as paying off their own debt, buying a house or a car, etc. Then it would go back into the economy.

Posted by: Ginny | September 23, 2008, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm

JHW359:Bush never threatened to veto this bill. If that was true the Democrats could pass it and scapegoat Bush. The choice is simple at this point, fail to pass it and there will be an economic collapse.

Posted by: bb | September 23, 2008, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm

Just learned that Obama will not go back to the capitol to vote….he will continue to campaign. Is this important or not?!!! Where does Obama stand…it appears from what he says he is on both sides or whatever is decided without his vote he can say he was right. Cool Dude

Posted by: Mike | September 23, 2008, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm

Earth to Obama, earth to Obama, come in Obama, we need your decisive leadership skills before this crisis is over. Earth to Obama?

Posted by: billy bob | September 23, 2008, 12:21 pm 12:21 pm

I’ll take collapse PAT for $350.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:22 pm 12:22 pm

John McCain must not vote for this socialist style bailout bill. Let capitalism work as it should, let the corrupt companies fail and let this be a lesson for all those who think that government is the answer for everything.

Posted by: Norman | September 23, 2008, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm

1) Has anyone calculated the costs of directly helping the homeowner instead of giving a trillion or two to Wall Street? Not a single Wall Street executive has stepped forward pledging to accept a pay decrease and returning his/her Golden Parachute to help our troubled economy. Not one.
2) Help troubled home owners to bridge their mortgage payments so that they are able to remain in their homes.
3) A house that goes into for-closure is a large loss to the homeowner, the banks and now the taxpayers of America.
4) A for-closed home depresses surrounding neighborhood real estate values which adversely affects all American homeowners.
5) Do not allow real estate speculators to walk away from their speculative losses if they are financially able to maintain the mortgage. No one bails out an investor who loses money in the stock market. I believe that a good percentage of the people who are walking away from their mortgages are financially viable and more than able to maintain the mortgage. Why should the taxpayer have to pay for rich people to avoid losses?

Posted by: geneonlbk | September 23, 2008, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm

American Voter said it best: “This is a true testament to the gravitas, earned respect and stature that John McCain has in Congress. I am a lifelong Democrat who will vote for John McCain this fall- my 1st ever vote for a Republican. In these perilous times at home and abroad, we simply cannot afford an arrogant rookie as our President.”
Also, the fact that Obama can’t be bothered to return to vote on this crucial issue is a testament to his priorities: he is in this for himself and his ambition. Sorry, we don’t need him.

Posted by: traci | September 23, 2008, 12:23 pm 12:23 pm

Go McCain….let the chips fall where they may. The crooks are the Democrats. They are now in bed with Obama and no one cares. The top guys at Freddie and Fannie are advisors to Obama but ABC won’t talk about that. Check out FOX. They tell the truth.
Its time we are all on a level playing field again.

Posted by: B | September 23, 2008, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm

truth is…I can be poor all by myself. Doesn’t matter what they do. I will survive.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:24 pm 12:24 pm

“Uh, Civics 101 – There must be a 60 count majority in order for a bill to be passed. There are only 51 Democrats. They need some Republicans to sign the dotted line.”
Here is a little Civics lesson for you, you f***ing moron. They need 51 to pass it. They need 60 to override a veto in the Senate.

Posted by: RedAl | September 23, 2008, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm

The answer is no.
Who cares how many people lose their job.
If my business was going bankrupt they would not bail me out.
They took a chance and got caught. The more risk the more profit. People with bad credit that got approved and could not make their payment should not be bailed out.

Posted by: Mario | September 23, 2008, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm

Do you think Obama will vote this time? May try to get out of it so he “stays clean”. McCain/Palin 08

Posted by: cknville | September 23, 2008, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm

the AIG cat gave up his 22 million.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm

The porn industry supports Obama.

Posted by: s mebep | September 23, 2008, 12:25 pm 12:25 pm

But don’t cheer… I think he was insulted so he refused it.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm

So it all hinges on the what the next President decides? or else why doesn’t it hinge on Obama?

Posted by: geevill | September 23, 2008, 12:26 pm 12:26 pm

McCain is right!
mcCain wants judges to order banks to write new morgages ! McCain wants NOT ONLY to bakli ot Wall Street and rich CEO’s with our money but also wants to help American peoplke who are loosing their hiomes!
GO McCain/Palin 2008

Posted by: Tom, OH | September 23, 2008, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm

Here’s how the game plays out……..
Demons and Repubs wrangle for a few days over the details(to make it look like they are earnestly looking out for John/Jane Q citizen)and watch the stock market keep declining like a boulder rolling down the hill.The ball is rolling down over the company stocks and then the credit markets and then John/Jane Q citizen are out of a job because small XYZ company can’t get a loan to help their negative cash flow.
………………………………..
Finally the Demons and Repubs come to their senses and realize that Paulson and Bernake know what their talking about i.e. it doesn’t taste good, but eat it anyway or the next bite will be even more distasteful!……………
The bill is passed and the market takes off upward even before a dime is spent on purchasing any of these “toxic” mortgage securites. As Paulson and overseers buy the securities at discount prices and hold them for future appreciation, the market returns to normalcy and everyone is happy. Give it 2-4 years and the values are up again for the feds to sell and return the money to the Treasury….with minimal negative and possible minimal profit………………………..
Just remember you heard it first here!

Posted by: BewareoftheDeceit | September 23, 2008, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm

s mebep…and? You never had intercourse? lol

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm

What, so a Congress under COMPLETE (D)(D)(D) control cannot DO ANYTHING on this issue, unless John McCain signs on. It seems THEY are the ones playing Russian roulette with the country’s economy. Why can they not just put for a package, or work with the president to solve the issue – THEY ARE THE CONGRESSIONAL LEADERS. They got there by lies and fabrications, and now that some tough decisions are required, they “punt”.

Posted by: do nothing congress | September 23, 2008, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm

why is McCains vote more important in the senate than Obama’s?
Obama will simply vote ‘Present’

Posted by: s mebep | September 23, 2008, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm

bb – Even though the democrats have the majority in House and Senate, it is not completely up to them what happens. They could want what is best, and all vote for it, but it still may not pass. The majority in Senate is currently very small. If the Republicans fillibuster and won’t let the bill come to a vote, or if the president vetoes the bill, there needs to be a supermajority (2/3 vote) to overcome either. The Democrats only get their way IF 1) they all vote together on something 2) the Republicans do not fillibuster 3) the president does not veto.

Posted by: all_names_r_taken | September 23, 2008, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm

McCain only has 1 vote. What are the Demcorats scared of? Why doesn’t Obama show us how he can reach across the aisle and get it passed?

Posted by: geevill | September 23, 2008, 12:27 pm 12:27 pm

why are we bailing out Wall Street, do you know what will happen if this fails.
Newt Gingrich said worse possible thing Bush has proposed, a horrible ideal. He also said McCain should go against this trillion dollar bailout and that Obama would then be supporting President Bush.

Posted by: Sandy | September 23, 2008, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm

“I just want to get a feel for what’s out there. Are folks depressed over this?”
Yeah, Allergic, depressed and aggravated. Depressed because I can’t believe this is happening and aggravated, because I’ve been watching my financial P’s & Q’s all these years, only to find out that it didn’t matter because of the greed of some and incompetence and partisan politics of our government.

Posted by: mak | September 23, 2008, 12:28 pm 12:28 pm

The pro-Obama media machine is running on all cylinders as we get closer to the election. Since when does the passage of a bill depend on the vote of a member of the minority party? This type of propaganda may work well for some, but not for those informed on the workings of congress.

Posted by: dds | September 23, 2008, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm

This is not what the constitution says the US government should be doing. The people in charge of these instutions wanted the government out of their business when they where making profits. Now the government should stay out of their business when they fail. That is Free Enterprise. You make bad decisions you go out of business. If my representatives in Washington State vote for this, I will do every thing in my power to get them voted out of office. It is time for the American people to speak out and ask for representation. The men and women in washington are there to serve us not to serve us up on a silver platter after the slauter.

Posted by: Jim | September 23, 2008, 12:29 pm 12:29 pm

Let’s play follow the LEADER.

Posted by: cardinal | September 23, 2008, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm

s mebep…and? You never had intercourse? lol
Boy – that’s funny.

Posted by: s mebep | September 23, 2008, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm

Only 7 percent of ALL Americans approve the bailout. That should be told to every Senator and Congressmen on Capitol Hill. NO SOCIALISM for big business. Help out the taxpayers FIRST before you cave in to special interests. Regulate them, let the go bankrupt and buy up their assets, PENNIES on the dollar. Giving them more money is like giving a drug addict his next fix. They have to fail in order to learn to be RESPONSIBLE and not greedy. If you are for the bail out that means you are for our GRAND CHILDREN to pay for this mess! No way no how!

Posted by: TJ | September 23, 2008, 12:30 pm 12:30 pm

ABC who are you in the tank for??? George Stephanopoulos so called report is full of Hot Air. Where did you dig this crap up? No other news agency is reporting this garbage. Oooh I forgot ABC news is one of those liberal agents of the obama machine. Niice.

Posted by: inl82008 | September 23, 2008, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm

No !
It is NOT true!
Democrats and Obama are idiots and do not go with the plan either!
At least John McCain clearly said that if they add judges to order banks new morgages to write and keep people in their homes, plus no mnoney for bounuces, he will go along with!
I look at it and see a true good leader
McCain

Posted by: HOW ABOUT OBAMA | September 23, 2008, 12:31 pm 12:31 pm

look at you republicans
you dont get it do you, if mccain votes against it, then he can let the democrats and bush take all the blame
the democrats are wanting to help the people as obama has said many times previously the bailout shouldnt just include banks and wallstreet it shoudl be main street
obama wouldnt vote no, but john mccain would for political leverage
this isnt about hte democrats wanting to know what john mccain woudl do
its about the republicans and how they use these kinds of things as tactics, the ol bait and switch,
cheney: we really really really need to go into iraq
dems: are you sure?
cheney: oh yes if we dont we will all die
dems: fine lets go
cheney: HAHAHAHA i was lying hahahaah suckers!

Posted by: Bhrandon | September 23, 2008, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm

Egads, could you imagine forcing Obama to actually take a stand on an issue with everyone watching—-personally, I don’t think Obama could handle it. He would claim he forgot how to press buttons correctly again.

Posted by: chattyway | September 23, 2008, 12:32 pm 12:32 pm

Hi B, Is your full name is BS?
Do you know McCain took $169000 from Freddie and Fannie management while Obama got only $16000? The typical republicans including you and McCain are actually crooks. Didn’t George B.S. mislead the American people about weapons of mass destruction to start this trillion dollar war? Now McCain is in a fix. He has to vote for his party, and if he votes, he can’t go with his populist BS.

Posted by: TwentyFirstCentury American | September 23, 2008, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm

traci: “the fact that Obama can’t be bothered to return to vote on this crucial issue ”
Citation please? And if you know the future, could you let me know a few good stock picks while you’re at it?
Obama has been talking the economy since he was battling Senator Clinton. His policies are well known and defined, unlike McCain (which is why Obama gets attacked for raising taxes on people earning over $250k, while McCain simply has never said how he’d pay for his tax cuts to avoid any criticism). He’s also on the record regarding the key points he wants to see be made part of this bailout.

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm

In this day and age of high tech video conferencing and computer networks it’s absolutely ridiculous that a senator has to actually be at the capital to vote. There is absolutely no reason to not allow a senator to login in from a secured communications and data device to cast a vote.

Posted by: Mark | September 23, 2008, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm

mak…i hear ya. I grew up poor and though I have progressed nicely since then, I’m still the same old poor man. I never planned to retire (even though I saved and saved) unless it was medically necessary. Hang in there.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm

Democrats want oversight included in the bill, right? Well….WTH have they been doing for 2yrs? They’ve had oversight, and there’s STILL a problem. Or….could it be….the Democrats’ Congress didn’t do their job for 2yrs? Noooooo

Posted by: Scott Malensek | September 23, 2008, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm

You know what the simpleist and most logical solution to the subprime bubble bursting is freeze the damn rates……this way the greedy CEO’s aren’t making as much in profits and all those supposedly poor people could afford their mortgages (that they should have never made.)

Posted by: chattyway | September 23, 2008, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm

If Obama doesn’t vote doesn’t that mean that the Dem’s lose their majority? 50/50

Posted by: mak | September 23, 2008, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm

Obama’s campaign team has indicated he will be voting ‘present’ on the Bailout plan.

Posted by: s mebep | September 23, 2008, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm

AllNamesRTaken:Those are a quite a number of ifs. That is not what the ABC story states. They imply that the whole bill depends on McCain and that is ridiculous. The Democrtas can simply vote on a bill and face those ifs should they actually occur.

Posted by: bb | September 23, 2008, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm

I can’t belive any of you are naive enough to believe a single senator is going to miss this vote. Now I understand why Alexander Hamilton feared ‘majority rule’ or rule by the ignorant masses. Wow – this is an American issue – not red/blue.

Posted by: Nichole | September 23, 2008, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm

This is too funny. McCain is in a pickle now.

Posted by: Loving it. | September 23, 2008, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm

AMERICAN VOTER!!!!! You are the only one that got this right. Im too a registered Dem, and voting on the McCain ticket. He is a true Mqaverick. It a holes like this allergic to spin fool, that make Dems look so so so so BAD!!!! Get a life, La-who-ser!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Michael | September 23, 2008, 12:34 pm 12:34 pm

ok..it’s clear we need a clean and decent joke in here.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:35 pm 12:35 pm

Once again McCain is playing politics just for votes. I’m sorry John but you’ve been in office how long? Why didn’t you go after wall street then? I’m so F’ ing tired of politicians doing one thing and saying another just to get votes.
I’m sorry John but your fiscally responsble Republican party has more to blame on this issue then do the Democrats. But since your such a maverick don’t vote on it. Lets face the next great depression together. Ohh wait thats right he’s rich it won’t matter to him. F U McCain
I thought your solution last week was to fire someone.

Posted by: Tucker | September 23, 2008, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm

Friends of ALIPAC, Many of the same politicians, bankers, and corporate leaders who are to blame for America’s illegal immigration crisis are the same as those responsible for the potential economic meltdown and resulting Depression. We ask that all ALIPAC supporters who agree join us today to call with the fury that stopped Amnesty. Please take the following simple steps. 1. Please read, understand, distribute, and post our press release and article. Post them on any non racist websites, send them to your e-mail contacts, and your favorite media contacts. You should also bombard Congressional offices and campaign offices with copies of these as quickly as possible. Press Release No More Power and Money for Government Failures! ALIPAC Opposes Bailout! http://www.alipac.us/article-3565-thread-1-0.html Exclusive Article No Amnesty for Illegal Aliens or Wall Street Gangsters! http://www.alipac.us/article-3566-thread-1-0.html 2. Write out a short message of your own for your representatives in the US Congress and Senate. If you have the time, convey your message to every Federal elected official in your home state. You can use our suggested talking points if you like and ALIPAC activists are ready to assist you online instantaneously if you need help. Call DC to share your message, then follow up with an e-mail or fax. Snail mail is too slow as they plan to vote on this by Thursday! 3. Call in to any talk radio show you can, as well as C-Span, and get our messages from the talking points, release, and article out into the national debate! Encourage others to take immediate action. Talking Points “I oppose this bailout and amnesty for Wall Street. Congress should not throw another tax dollar down the rabbit hole. Please stop the bailout and launch investigations instead to determine who is to blame and who can be prosecuted for creating this financial crisis.” “One Trillion dollars is outrageous and American taxpayers should not be forced to invest in bad business deals made by big campaign contributors.” “We, The People of the United States will no longer reward government and corporate failures with more power and money.” “America is broke and heavily in debt. We cannot afford bailouts for Wall Street fat cats. Where were our regulators and laws designed to protect us from another Great Depression when this was brewing?” “My hard earned funds and taxes are not a private piggy bank for your big business friends.” “How dare Congress even consider giving the failed and deceitful Bush administration more money and power. This is unconstitutional!” “This measure reeks of both socialism and fascism and shares characteristics in common with both. This move is certainly totalitarian and I’ll be damned if you are going to turn my bank into an agent of the government.” (PLEASE PULL MORE MATERIALS FOR YOUR MESSAGES FROM OUR RELEASE AND ARTICLE) Contact Information for calls, emails, and faxes to Congress http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-63874.html Comments, questions, and feedback to assist this effort at this link… http://www.alipac.us/ftopicp-775156.html#775156

Posted by: Bing | September 23, 2008, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm

Jhw, blowing hot air from Obama is not actually talking economy atleast not in the aspect as being either helpful or informative…..Obama has a bad habit of talking and saying nothing.

Posted by: chattyway | September 23, 2008, 12:36 pm 12:36 pm

The DEMS have held power the last 2 plus years. They are responsible for this Mess. Bush can only spend what congress puts before him. Pelosi and Reid are Horrible lawmakers and even worse human beings. They play politics every day and now its gonna cost them their jobs.

Posted by: Dean O, Wash DC | September 23, 2008, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm

And BTW, a vote of “present” does not mean that a person had no opinion or didn’t want to vote. It is used to acknowledge that someone believes in much of a bill, but that the bill has something in it that the senator cannot tolerate. This is frequently a “poison pill” amendment that has been added by someone in the opposing party to get it on record that someone voted against something they say they support. For instance, if someone wanted to vote in favor of a bill that allowed funding to faith-based organizations, but someone else added an amendment that set up stricter limitations (which they opposed) for the death penalty, they might vote “present” because they can’t tolerate the amendment, but don’t want to be on the record as voting against something that they are clearly in favor of. This is not unusual, and pretty much all politicians do this.

Posted by: all_names_r_taken | September 23, 2008, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm

Damn I love liberals. if McCain does what he thinks is right, he’s power hungry! If democrats think the plan is right, but reject it because of what McCain does, its honorable.
So McCain votes his conscience, Democrats vote for political points. Nice.

Posted by: Zaggs | September 23, 2008, 12:37 pm 12:37 pm

McCain?- show up to vote for something important?
McCain? The “most absent member” of Congress who has missed almost 70% of the votes?
McCain? – Who couldn’t be bothered to even show up to vote for the GI Bill, Energy Bill or Medicare Bill?
Yea – don’t hold your breath.

Posted by: Paige | September 23, 2008, 12:38 pm 12:38 pm

Hey Michael (or is that Meekal?). You know the GOP club only allows heterosexuals. You seem to have the intolerance to other’s opinions down to a t. Now all you need is sex change.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:38 pm 12:38 pm

I agree—-the ignorant masses should not be voting—you know the same masses that Obama community organized that were either to dumb or to lazy to go register themselves to vote.

Posted by: chattyway | September 23, 2008, 12:38 pm 12:38 pm

Thanks, Allergic. You too. Sometimes I think that it would be nice to live in a bubble with no knowledge of what our world leaders are doing. That, along with a mattress full of cash, might be the happiest way to live.

Posted by: mak | September 23, 2008, 12:38 pm 12:38 pm

Hold everything! The country must wait! The geezer’s snooze hasn’t ended. When he wakes up, he’ll change his mind…again. Given his response on AIG, market regulation, and so on, his mind runs kind of like a casino, you think? Perhaps, he’ll pass it on to Sarah to decide. Wooo-hooo! That’ll start some knees shaking, you think? (Perhaps that’s not exactly a joke!)

Posted by: cmgmaggie | September 23, 2008, 12:39 pm 12:39 pm

chattyway: “blowing hot air from Obama is not actually talking economy atleast not in the aspect as being either helpful or informative”
And McCain’s assurance that the “economy is fundamentally sound,” then it’s not, then a kneejerk demand to fire Cox, then a call to convine a 9/11 style panel to study the issue, and now a fully formed perfect plan thought up in a day by his team of crack “mental recession…whiners” economic advisers – this is the helpful leadership you desire? Glad to see McCain managed to find some angle that let him score a point with you. I’m not impressed.
Obama: “We’ve got to do it in an intelligent, systematic thoughtful fashion and you know I’m much less interested at this point in scoring political points, than I am in making sure that we have a structure in place that is sound and that is actually going to work.”

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm

Obama won’t vote if he can get out of it! McCain/Palin 08

Posted by: ckville | September 23, 2008, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm

Susan wrote; “McCain was CLEARED of all charges. At least make an argument based on facts.”
The statement was that McCain was censured by the Senate for his Keating 5 involvement.
That’s a statement of fact.

Posted by: Mickey | September 23, 2008, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm

OJ was cleared too, but he did it.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:42 pm 12:42 pm

Zaggs: Where is McCain being accused of being power hungry? You make a nice strawman, but it seems to be getting a bit thin.

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 12:43 pm 12:43 pm

What about Obamas support? Me too, me too, me too!!!!

Posted by: NYer | September 23, 2008, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm

I really can’t stress this enough. Until a party has 2/3 of the house and senate, they don’t really have control of what bills get passed. The opposing party can still fillibuster or the president can veto, and the “majority” party can’t override either of these until they have a 2/3 majority. This is why bills are not getting passed in congress. It is not anything having to do with the Democratic party. I am not even a Democrat, I am an independent voter, who this year will vote for Obama-Biden, but I think people should have all the information they need about how the process works in order to make valid decisions.

Posted by: all_names_r_taken | September 23, 2008, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm

There is no choice, but to vote for the corporate welfare bailout. If you don’t then the stock market will collapse. I don’t believe in corporate welfare, however, Congress (including Democrats & Republicans) have allowed this to happen. Congress should apoloigizee to its constituents for such a pathetic job they have done. They let the greedy, corrupt CEOS of Countrywide, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac run our country’s stock market into the verge of collapse. Instead of all Congress taking money from these corrupt CEOS, they should have been cracking down on them with heavy regulation. We need severe regulation not deregulation. Due to Congress’s failure to criminally prosecute (federal indictments) and hands off policy, the American people will suffer. These CEOS should be left with nothing. They should pay for their inept poor business decisions. These CEOS were suppose to be the best and the brightest. Obviously they were all idiots. They should accept responsibility for their actions and return every dime they cheated from the American public. The Federal Governemnt is cleaning up their mess, of course at this point, there is no other choice. When all these CEOS are in federal prison, then and only then will the American public get the justice they deserve.

Posted by: Ann Marie | September 23, 2008, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm

This mess seems to point out that if you are stupid, greedy, or corrupt, you will be rewarded for it in the USA.

Posted by: whatashame | September 23, 2008, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm

I’m celebrating (quietly). This is the best wake up call for ALL Americans one way or another. It’s refreshing to see so many people involved whther I agree with them or not.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm

Democrats won’t vote until McCain votes ??
What does this imply about Obama?

Posted by: Goldenboy | September 23, 2008, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm

Forget Paulson. Overnight, the most powerful man became John McCain.
If McCain feels that the bailout is a bad deal I think he should vote against it. I like McCain’s instincts and I will go with it. If he thinks that the bailout has its merits and it can work, I will trust him as well. This is a man whose instincts are second to none.

Posted by: coolrepublica | September 23, 2008, 12:44 pm 12:44 pm

Someone stated that a vote of “present” does not mean that a person had no opinion or didn’t want to vote. It is used to acknowledge that someone believes in much of a bill, but that the bill has something in it that the senator cannot tolerate.
I think we know what a vote of “present” really means.It means that the issues that Obama believes in are not as important to him as the risk of losing votes.

Posted by: bb | September 23, 2008, 12:45 pm 12:45 pm

I wish McCain would have ben our preisdent 8 years ago!
Why should we accept Bush’s bailout plan and pay the Wall Street people!
The did not do a good job and they deserve NOT to get anything at all!
Also I agree with McCain to force banks to offer borrowers new morgages!
banks really reject almost everyone for fixed rate morgage and forc e people for forclosure!

Posted by: Jim | September 23, 2008, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm

More is at stake than what is being discussed here today..The whole world is watching because foreign governments and banks have a piece of the pie also…….and if they get screwed, bye bye low interest rates, bye bye credit and hear comes inflation fast and furious! Congress needs to pass the plan and do it quickly before the world looses confidence and things get really bad. I know it doesn’t taste good, but then it’s better to be eating humble pie than not having any pie to eat at all.

Posted by: BewareoftheDeceit | September 23, 2008, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm

Of course he will vote yes. Fannie & Freddie have lobbied at least 20 of McCains fundraisers, netting in at least $12.3 million in fees over the past 9 years. They stacked their payrolls with top Washington power broker Rick Davis, who is John McCains presidential campaign manager.

Posted by: mary | September 23, 2008, 12:46 pm 12:46 pm

Jake Tapper: Your a grinning jerk. Your reporting sounds like McCain, who admitted he knows very little about the economy, is the defining point for this legislation. What a joke.

Posted by: Hillary voters for McCain are wrong | September 23, 2008, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm

Ann Marie – That is exactly right. Good summary.

Posted by: all_names_r_taken | September 23, 2008, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm

Dear Senator McCain, please remember, “Country First” in making your decision.

Posted by: vinchens | September 23, 2008, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm

How low will the Democrats go? The lead story is an opinion piece by Stephanopoulos? They’re putting McCain, the next president, by the way, in a no-win situation. Either he votes for the bailout, which will make him look like he’s cozying up to Wall Street, or he votes against it and the Democrats can point to him as the man who caused the recession. You can smell the fear in the air as the Democrats’ chances are receding fast. I think Obama would make a fine President, but his party is using tactics that everyday Americans won’t stand for. Disgusting that some in the media are no better.

Posted by: You read it here. | September 23, 2008, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm

For all you on this post who think the Dems are waiting on McDuh so they can follow his lead — I’ll go slow so you can follow – - McDuh is gonna vote the equivalent of “present” so the Dems will be left holding the stinky bag of “elephant sh*t” all by themselves. It’s the other elephants that are waiting on McDuh’s lead so they will all be on the same circus train. Playing politics first to the detriment of the average American taxpayer, then shift the blame on the Dems for making them act at the 11th hour. Wake up people. Enough of this “elephant sh*t” already.

Posted by: 2008TooLate | September 23, 2008, 12:48 pm 12:48 pm

We have heard that we were on the edge of an “abyss”, that we were near a “depression” and that we were toying with economic “armegeddon.” But no one has stated what exactly will happen if we don’t bail out these wall street fools and let the chips fall where they may. Does NYC lose its status as a world finance leader? So what.
Would the average American lose electric power the next day? Probably not. Would there be outbreaks of civil unrest? I don’t think so. Would we not be able to buy food or would water stop flowing from our taps? Of course not. Would it be financially painful? Yes. But we need to bite the bullet on this today. Otherwise, we will enter into years (a decade maybe) of sever recession/depression because this bailout is merely a band-aide that puts off the inevitable and only makes Paulson and Bernanke (and Bush and Cox) feel better about doing something, anything, today without regard for the future of this country.

Posted by: No Bail Out | September 23, 2008, 12:49 pm 12:49 pm

Wake up people, this deal is locked, stocked and bagged. When something has been placed up for discussion up on the hill the process may be out there for the public to see and that’s really all it is, a public display. The decision has been made and the press knows it, the only ones that don’t is us.We the little people argue and rant amongst ourselves like a bunch of chickens in a coup but nobody is listening outside that coup. Just like we have argued about the Vietnam war, President Kennedy’s murder, the 9-11 disaster, Iraq, katrina and now this debacle which we have been warned just like we were warned about everything else. Everybody knew about it. Let’s stop deceiving yourselves. It looks absurd.

Posted by: Nik2U | September 23, 2008, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm

A 700 billion dollar bailout is nothing more than government sanctioned theft from tax payers – if we have to pay this bill, some corporate executives needed to do some jail time.

Posted by: Fishfoote | September 23, 2008, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm

NEWVOTER – IF YOU ARE GOING TO TRY AND SLIGHT MCCAIN AT LEAST GET IT RIGHT – IT WAS THE # OF HOUSES HE OWNED THAT HAD YOU AND YOUR DING BATS ALL UP IN ARMS – GET A LIFE!

Posted by: GM | September 23, 2008, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm

OJ was not guilty according to the law; you may have a different OPINION. Senators John Glenn and John McCain were cleared [by the Senate Ethics Committee] of having acted improperly but were criticized for having exercised “poor judgment”.” Public opinion is an interesting thing as it is quite often manipulated by emotion.

Posted by: Susan | September 23, 2008, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm

Mr. Obama votes PRESENT . . .

Posted by: brad | September 23, 2008, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm

I must admit, I admire his honest appraisal of the USA, selfishness, greed, superiority complex, lack of compassion for cultures, aggressors, immorality, and failing to administer justice is the American I’ve known my whole life. As bad as i think he is, he looks pretty good compared to bush and mccain. as a black woman in america, i can definitely say, justice has never been given to slave descendents,and other small countries that would not submit to the western culture (especially in africa) i’m glad some other countries have noticed. I ‘m also glad he pointed out that america was behind half of the civil wars destroying africa (TRUE). America has handpicked people to be in charge and destroy their own people, then they pretend to be shocked. They’ve placed sanctions against them, so they can’t trade and make a living…then seem appalled when they starve…while America seems like the big devil.

Posted by: Against corporate welfare | September 23, 2008, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm

So let me get this right. The Democrats are looking to a man they describe as senile and confused to lead them through this crisis. Doesn’t say much for the Democratic Party.

Posted by: dds | September 23, 2008, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm

The president of Iran… read up

Posted by: Against corporate welfare | September 23, 2008, 12:52 pm 12:52 pm

I think significant parts of this bill are not being covered by all major networks. This is the most diabolical move by an ever increasing facist government
Section 8
“Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency”
http://www.infowars.com/?p=4788

Posted by: Mike | September 23, 2008, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm

Obviously, this CEO perk obstacle is being driven by the companies, right? They should be issued a choice. Fail or be purchased under the following conditions that are non negotiable. CEOS get $1 for each day of work. And that is before taxes.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm

I still don’t understand why McCain is the one who holds the key to the Bill’s passage. He isn’t President yet.

Posted by: Susan | September 23, 2008, 12:53 pm 12:53 pm

Say it with me now…RON PAUL is Right, AGAIN!!

Posted by: Ray | September 23, 2008, 12:54 pm 12:54 pm

If you believe in two things equally strongly, but are in favor of one, but not the other, and they are put onto the same bill, it is appropriate to vote “present”. For instance, if there was a bill saying that you want to announce that love your mother, but someone attached an amendment saying you would like to announce that hate your father, do you vote yea or nay to that?

Posted by: all_names_r_taken | September 23, 2008, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm

From Dr. Sanity: “There are two important posts today on the relationships Barack Obama has with terrorists.
Yes, I said terrorists.
The first post briefly summarizes the thorough Stanley Kurtz article (which should be read in total) on Barack Obama’s radical ties to unrepentant terrorist, William Ayers and the Chicago Annenberg Challenge (CAC):
Three takeaways:
* Obama had a long-term working relationship with William Ayers.
* The Chicago Annenberg Challenge (“CAC”), the only executive experience on Obama’s resume, was an objective failure despite the expenditure of millions of dollars.
* Through the CAC, Ayers and Obama financed radical organizations, including one with a history of engaging in voter fraud.
Stanley’s work is a challenge to mainstream journalists. A candidate for the presidency has a demonstrated working relationship with — indeed funded — an unrepentant terrorist, yet the media have spent more time reporting about Sarah Palin’s hair styles.
The second post at The Belmont Club, continues Wretchard’s investigation of Obama’s relationship with Tony Redzko and Nadhmi Auchi, the latter “an Iraqi billionaire who has played a role in the Iraqi-European arms trade for over two decades, and who, behind the facade of legitimate business, served as Saddam Hussein’s principal international financial manipulator and bag man.” (see also the first post on the subject: Obama’s Shifting Positions in Iraq: a Rezko Connection? )
The London Times reported that Auchi gave a $3.5 million loan to Mr. Rezko in May 2005 through a Panamanian company linked to the Iraqi expatriate called Fintrade Services SA. Several weeks after the loan, Mr. Obama purchased a house on Chicago’s South Side and Mr. Rezko’s wife bought an expensive plot of land next to the house from the same seller on the same day. Mr. Rezko’s wife later sold a 10-foot section of the property to Mr. Obama, to add to the Illinois Democrat’s garden. Mr. Obama has called the land purchase a mistake”
The Inspector General’s report makes the fairly persuasive case that Auchi was bad company. The person who constituted the single degree of separation between Auchi and the man who is possibly the next President of the United States was Tony Rezko. After the Chicago businessman’s conviction on corruption charges, Obama expressed shock at his former friend’s secret life.
Rezko’s guilty verdict on 16 of 24 corruption counts could have broad repercussions for Blagojevich, who made Rezko a central player in his kitchen cabinet. It could also prove a political liability for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, who once counted Rezko as a friend and fundraiser, as the likely Democratic presidential nominee heads into the general election campaign against Republican John McCain.
“I’m saddened by today’s verdict,” Obama said Wednesday. “This isn’t the Tony Rezko I knew, but now he has been convicted by a jury on multiple charges that once again shine a spotlight on the need for reform. I encourage the General Assembly to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent these kinds of abuses in the future.”
Wretchard goes on in quite a bit more detail; then asks the extremely pertinent question: “What brought Auchi to Chicago? And what brought Rezko to Iraq? There are still lots and lots of places besides Sarah Palin’s tanning bed where the spotlight needs to shine.”
But pertinent questions are actually considered impertinent by today’s absymally uninquisitive and remarkably partisan mainstream journalists, who appear to be willing to overlook anything the Holy Obama has done, preferring to focus on the hairstyles, tanning beds and other inconsequential ‘scandals’ of Alaska’s extremely popular Republican governor and vice presidential nominee.”
http://drsanity.blogspot.com/2008/09/hairstyles-and-tanning-beds.html

Posted by: tammy | September 23, 2008, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm

Dear Allergic: Of Course, it’s the people’s money, and also from big business money etc. etc. You would think Obama might have a little common sense with honor to not false lead the HARD Working people to use their own money. That is it takes a very arrogant person to be willing to have people bet on you, when you know damn well you haven’t the skills. Your game is to point the finger at the other guy and make no excuses for why you are only voting present on public financial support? Talk is cheap but can he walk the walk?? I don’t think so smells like a politician. You think he would have turned some of that money back to help the Main Street American,but remember there is country & city and only one America!

Posted by: OurCountryFirst | September 23, 2008, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm

Dear Allergic: Of Course, it’s the people’s money, and also from big business money etc. etc. You would think Obama might have a little common sense with honor to not false lead the HARD Working people to use their own money. That is it takes a very arrogant person to be willing to have people bet on you, when you know damn well you haven’t the skills. Your game is to point the finger at the other guy and make no excuses for why you are only voting present on public financial support? Talk is cheap but can he walk the walk?? I don’t think so smells like a politician. You think he would have turned some of that money back to help the Main Street American,but remember there is country & city and only one America!

Posted by: OurCountryFirst | September 23, 2008, 12:55 pm 12:55 pm

Obama and McCain should get together on this NOW !

Posted by: philosopherkingtomas | September 23, 2008, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm

bb: “Someone stated that a vote of “present” does not mean that a person had no opinion or didn’t want to vote. It is used to acknowledge that someone believes in much of a bill, but that the bill has something in it that the senator cannot tolerate.
I think we know what a vote of “present” really means.It means that the issues that Obama believes in are not as important to him as the risk of losing votes. ”
Wow, you’re a mind reader too? And I guess it really says something that he only used that vote 130 or so times out of over 4000 votes. Of course, John McCain chooses to simply not show up to vote.

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm

Don’t believe everything you read. McCain will go along to get along AND get votes…. anything to get elected. Watch

Posted by: Lucky Lucy | September 23, 2008, 12:57 pm 12:57 pm

REMEMBER WHEN GEORGE BUSH, Sr. WAS PRESIDENT? The same damn thing happened: UNEMPLOYEMENT, HOUSING CRISIS, NATIONAL DEBT, INFLATION… Just like that saying goes, “Like father, like son!”
Now, JOHN MCCAIN has been in AGREEMENT with BUSH the whole time. Just like that saying goes, “birds with the same feathers flock together!”
Let’s hope, for the sake of this great nation’s future, that the American voters wise up (after making the same mistake TWICE!), and don’t let these bums and clowns “play dice” with our future (for the 3rd time!).

Posted by: Bryan T | September 23, 2008, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm

Amazing, by reading posts on here, that Americansa simply do not know how things work on the Hill …
Maybe if we all did, we would have avoided the GoP legacy of incompetience, greed, and corporate welfare over the past 30 years …

Posted by: USMC Mike | September 23, 2008, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm

Country… here’s the deal. Really. By most estimates this decision is down to choosing the lesser of two eveils. Obama is in favor of passage,but also wants ceratin conditions met. SO does McCain. Neither I assure is a choice any leader who like to make. I’m not going to address the “present thingy”. Enough people have explained that option in the Illinois Senate. Hey dude – don’t call me DUDE. I am a dude! lol

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm

So many here are missing the point, or as usual probably didn’t even bother to read the article. The Dems in Congress are NOT deferring to the superior wisdom of the old dolt – they are forcing his hand, while protecting themselves from the blame that the Republican administration has proven themselves so ready to dispatch. They are wisely pushing back while being railroaded into this yet unproven and historically unprecedented bailout in order to buy time to perform the due diligence necessary to get it right. That said, I actually AGREE with the notion of limits to the corporate CEOs should any version of this bailout go forward… only I’d like to take it further to NO compensation and indictment in Federal court.

Posted by: Bubba McGee | September 23, 2008, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm

So what this is saying is that if McCain uses the Democrats’ own argument that the bill needs to add oversight, salary caps & protection for the average americans to refuse to sign BUSH’S bill, then it’s the Democrat’s fault that they have to argue to sign the Republican’s bill to save the country? Odd.

Posted by: theyrippedusoff | September 23, 2008, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm

If Mc Money sold all his HOUSES and all his CARS……..and gave that money to WALL ST…..We wouldn’t need a Government “bailout” …MC LAME…hahahahahahahahahahah

Posted by: darry | September 23, 2008, 1:00 pm 1:00 pm

Nik2U……………………………..
Exactly, the decision is done…..it’s just a matter of how soon! The stakes are too high…you could see it in the eyes of the Senators as they questioned Paulson today! The downward market will finally squeeze the Congress to vote yes as soon as they can get some concessions that they feel will passify their constituents back home.

Posted by: BewareoftheDeceit | September 23, 2008, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm

It all falls on McCain???? Are you kidding????? I guess all of the Democrats will follow Obama’s lead and vote ‘present’ since they obviously can’t or WON’T make a decision. What a bunch of idiots!!!! All of you Obama fanatics need to learn the facts – BILL CLINTON SIGNED THE BILL IN 1999 that caused this mess (and yes Republicans presented it but they wouldn’t have had enough votes to overide a veto) – AND you had RANEY AND JOHNSON (also part of Obama’s team) MISMANAGE FANNIE AND FREDDIE WHILE TAKING HUGE BONUSES. THAT is where the blame lies folks! …and where is Obama during all of this??? UNABLE to make a decision, ripping off and repackaging John McCain’s ideas (appoint a bipartisan oversight commission)and STILL UNABLE AND NOT READY TO LEAD.

Posted by: max and darla | September 23, 2008, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm

It all falls on McCain???? Are you kidding????? I guess all of the Democrats will follow Obama’s lead and vote ‘present’ since they obviously can’t or WON’T make a decision. What a bunch of idiots!!!! All of you Obama fanatics need to learn the facts – BILL CLINTON SIGNED THE BILL IN 1999 that caused this mess (and yes Republicans presented it but they wouldn’t have had enough votes to overide a veto) – AND you had RANEY AND JOHNSON (also part of Obama’s team) MISMANAGE FANNIE AND FREDDIE WHILE TAKING HUGE BONUSES. THAT is where the blame lies folks! …and where is Obama during all of this??? UNABLE to make a decision, ripping off and repackaging John McCain’s ideas (appoint a bipartisan oversight commission)and STILL UNABLE AND NOT READY TO LEAD.

Posted by: max and darla | September 23, 2008, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm

Susan: “I still don’t understand why McCain is the one who holds the key to the Bill’s passage. He isn’t President yet.”
He is running the sleaziest campaign seen in the modern era, so it is not surprising that (if this unsourced rumor is correct) the Democrats have put him on notice that they won’t let him play politics with this. He is not going to be allowed to have other Senators take the heat passing the bill just to start grandstanding for soundbites as soon as the bill is safely at 51 votes.

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 1:01 pm 1:01 pm

Congress is not liking have to work under deadllines. That is funny to me!

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm

Politics did play a role in this mess, but whatever happen to PERSONAL RESPONSIBLITY. I didn’t buy a house I couldn’t afford. I don’t have debt I can’t pay. I resent this bail out!

Posted by: southern_conservative | September 23, 2008, 1:02 pm 1:02 pm

you tellem Bubba!

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm

Where did George get this information, this headline? You mean the whole congress is sitting there, waiting on Senator McCain to decide yes or no? If that’s the case, we really ARE in trouble. What a ridiculous story from the pseudo-journalist at ABC.

Posted by: Larry J | September 23, 2008, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm

barack will vote “present” for the 101st time

Posted by: John Doe | September 23, 2008, 1:03 pm 1:03 pm

Max and darla: ” I guess all of the Democrats will follow Obama’s lead and vote ‘present’ since they obviously can’t or WON’T make a decision.”
Actually, if you cared about reality you would notice the Democrats as the (slim, and only if you could McCain’s buddy Liberman as a Democrat) majority are currently working hard to improve the details of the bill. Much to the dismay of the Republican administration, who wanted that blank check signed without debate.

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm

Where does Obama stand besides “present” on the economic crisis right now? Well he says YES for the bailout but not the way it has been written, so you would think that means he is NOT for the bailout as proposed. John McCain says NO, to the bail-out then Obama will say the bail-out would have saved us….and if John McCain says YES, then he will say that the bail-out was not written up correctly as he told everyone to begin with if the bail-out doesn’t work……..completely his entire history on the fence….”present”.

Posted by: Ann | September 23, 2008, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm

jhw539….YOU GOT IT RIGHT……..DOUBLE TALKERS max and darla……..Everythings Clintons’ fault…..hahahahahahahahahahahah..LameO

Posted by: darry | September 23, 2008, 1:05 pm 1:05 pm

What is THIS all about?! As seniors, my wife and I are facing financial disaster with our declining investments, and we COULD lose our house next year.
What is McCain trying to prove? That he has enough money stashed away in a safe place that he doesn’t care if we have a major market crash?
Those who say “Let it crash” are short-sighted, because it WILL affect EVERYONE, whether or not you have personal funds in the stock market.
Is McCain simply trying to prove he has political power?

Posted by: Rhys | September 23, 2008, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm

max and darla – The “present” vote in Illinois is sometimes cast by state lawmakers with a conflict of interest who would rather not weigh in on an issue. Other times, members use the option to object to certain parts of a bill, even though they may agree with its overall purpose.
“The ‘present’ vote is used, especially by more thoughtful legislators, not as a means of avoiding taking a position on an issue, but as a means of signaling concerns about an issue,” said state Rep. John Fritchey.
Obama sponsored 820 bills in the Illinois State legislature. So much so that the Illinois Times featured him in a cover story naming him HEAD OF THE CLASS for his legislative abundance.

Posted by: Paige | September 23, 2008, 1:06 pm 1:06 pm

Obama has not said anything at this point because he really can’t do anything tell the bill is written. Unlike McCain, he keeps his mouth shut tell the facts are all together and he has a chance to examine them. Then, I am sure, he will let us know. This my friends is called good judgement.

Posted by: beck | September 23, 2008, 1:07 pm 1:07 pm

The upside of this entire mess is that yes house prices will drop, which means more people might have the American dream instead of a few that have home priced above $300,000 mark. And, the country will have to pull together and roll up their sleeves and work together again to grow. Or we can throw more billions down the rabbit hole but the crisis will continue in America because no lessons were learned, those that caused the problems go home to their expensive homes and say “thanks”.

Posted by: Ann | September 23, 2008, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm

Can’t this bill be passed in phases? So you take 50 billion at a time and once that is exhausted, come back for more. That way, the exposure would be controllable and the result can be vetted before approving the rest of the amount.

Posted by: Guy From LA | September 23, 2008, 1:08 pm 1:08 pm

Actually, Obama has made statements regarding the bail-out posted by Tapper.

Posted by: Paige | September 23, 2008, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm

Michael, you are just like the person you are voting for – a lier. In no way are you a registered democrat.

Posted by: Guy From LA | September 23, 2008, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm

I new Democrats and the Media(abc news)yes talking about you george would find a way to put the decision in Mccain hands so if it goes south the media can blame him for it…Dem. have control of congress they have the final say ..what does obama say….thats right he has no leadership he wants to see what happens first…obama votes present.. how about the news that Biden disagress with obama on the way he runs his campaign ads…now thats real news.

Posted by: Bill | September 23, 2008, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm

Everyone, just stop for a moment to think about McCain’s position. If he votes YES, he will be tied (really tied) to unpopular Bush and most probably lose the election. If he votes NO, he will be blacklisted by CEOs and Big Banks and they will dry him out of funds & backing.
That poor old man is now torn between the devil and the deep blue sea.

Posted by: Catty | September 23, 2008, 1:10 pm 1:10 pm

jhw539, if McCain makes it an issue, it will be an issue. Else it will not be. He wants to be the President at all cost, right??

Posted by: Guy From LA | September 23, 2008, 1:10 pm 1:10 pm

The Democrats caused this mess by not passing the regulations the Republicans wanted. Even Alan Greenspan agrees it is their fault — http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aSKSoiNbnQY0
I don’t see how anyone can vote for Democrat this year!

Posted by: Scotty | September 23, 2008, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm

You liberals make me laugh.Blame everything on McCain hey its going to rain tommorow I know whose fault it is

Posted by: reddog0216 | September 23, 2008, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm

cardinal, if you are the nominee and negative ads are being run against you which makes no sense at all, it’s not funny at all!!!

Posted by: Guy From LA | September 23, 2008, 1:11 pm 1:11 pm

Yes, Obama has made a statement that he will most likely not return to the capitol to actually vote on this bill…he plans to continue to campaign. Probably one of the most significant events in our country’s history and he will not return to vote on it.

Posted by: Mike | September 23, 2008, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm

jhw – I don’t see it that way. A study was just done and it showed that Obama was running 77% negative while McCain is around 50%. I’ve been following Obama since the primaries and he is, in my opinion, running a much nastier campaign all the while pretending that he isn’t. Obama has changed his position so many times, people are confused as to what he originally said. He won’t be able to do anything he wants to do without increasing taxes and I don’t think our economy can stand any more tax increases, even if they are only on the rich (ha!). I still haven’t figured out why the media loves him so, except that he is a liberal. He can’t even get a complete sentence out without a teleprompter as he is always parsing his words and he really associates with some questionable characters. Abortion rights are not the only thing that woman care about.

Posted by: susan | September 23, 2008, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm

Deregulation McCain got us into this mess.
He should admit he’s a huge part of the blame…
Keating Five, McCain tried to block regulators
1999 banking deregulation (nice job Commerce Committee Chairman McCain)
2000 Enron loophole legislation (nice job Commerce Committee Chairman McCain)
Why on earth does McCain still have Phil Gramm consulting with his campaign? Why is Gramm expected to be McCain’s Treasury Secretary?

Posted by: Dan | September 23, 2008, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm

I hope you people realize that with a “no’ vote or a “yes” vote, that we are screwed, we will never in our lifetime have a life like we did 10 years ago. We are in for a very tough times and so are our children, and right now we can honestly thank Bush, McCain and the Republicans for it.

Posted by: beck | September 23, 2008, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm

McCain with The AIG bailout did not want that one either and still eyes it with suspect.Some times we dont like the choices and we have to take the better of the two

Posted by: reddog0216 | September 23, 2008, 1:14 pm 1:14 pm

And Senator Obama votes present…..great leadership that obama has….lol

Posted by: Bill | September 23, 2008, 1:15 pm 1:15 pm

USMC Mike, It is the greed, incompetency of the Democrats that are the cause of the current financial breakdown. Obama received more campaign contributions from Fannie and Freddie than any other Senator other than Dodds. Obama’s key advisers are Franklin Raines and Jim Johnson. Both of them are up to their eyeballs in the mortgage debacle. Both Raines and Johnson have served as CEO of Fannie Mae, with Raines taking over from Johnsonhe people who are responsible for what may well be the single largest government bailout in history, and both of them made millions off the collapse that are lining Obama’s campaign coffers. Not only that, Obama has had an intimate and long-term association with the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (Acorn), the largest radical group in America. ACORN, pressed for the grant of mortgages to unqualified buyers, leading to the subprime mortgage mess and Fannie Mae collapse.
In contrast, McCain warned of the coming mortgage crisis as he pressed in 2005 for regulatory reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. McCain: “For years I have been concerned about the regulatory structure that governs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – known as government-sponsored entities or GSEs – and the sheer magnitude of these companies and the role they play in the housing market,” McCain said on the floor of the Senate in 2005, speaking in favor of the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005.McCain pointed out Fannie Mae’s regulator had stated the company’s quarterly reports of profit growth over the past few years were “illusions deliberately and systematically created” by the company’s senior management, which resulted in a $10.6 billion accounting scandal.The bill passed the House but was never brought up for a vote in the Senate, largely because of Democratic opposition to change in the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac regulatory structure that remained in place until the Treasury takeover two weeks ago.As evidenced by the failure to pass the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005.
The Democrats in Congress have repeatedly fought back Republican Party efforts to reform the two mortgage banking giants.Instead, Democrats in Congress have sought to preserve the quasi-governmental status of the mortgage giants, seeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as places to locate former top Democratic Party operatives, where they have earned millions in compensation, despite a continuing series of financial scandals. Enron-like accounting manipulation, for example, boosted earnings to a level at which massive executive bonuses could be paid.In the aftermath of the U.S. government takeover, attention has focused on three Democrats with close ties to Obama who served as Fannie Mae executives: Franklin Raines, former Clinton administration budget director; James Johnson, former aide to Democratic Vice President Walter Mondale;

Posted by: terry | September 23, 2008, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm

Depends on which news agency you look at, Fox has Chris Dodd causing a problem.

Posted by: southern_conservative | September 23, 2008, 1:16 pm 1:16 pm

They need to slow down in Washington as we are putting a burden not only ourselves with this bill but our great grandchildren. Lets make them explore this bill as long as necessary. If they take a vacation without a bill we the American people should not send any of those standing for reelection this fall back to Washington. Also we should repeat the action every fall to get people in Washington who will support us.

Posted by: William | September 23, 2008, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm

McCain has some worthy points, and I hope he succeeds in his attempts to insert some regulation and balance into the bail-out. Which is not to say that he should be our next President, but one need not assume that everything he does is done with ill intent. Meanwhile, I suggest that all Americans read the proposed law…it’s quite the give-a-way the way it is written now.

Posted by: JoeOvercoat | September 23, 2008, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm

At least McCain will be taking a position when and if he votes. Whether you agree with him or not, that is a sign of leadership. Maybe neither Obama nor McCain will vote. Obama won’t even be able to vote present if he isn’t there. If the majority of congress votes for the bill, does that mean they are all voting with Bush?

Posted by: susan | September 23, 2008, 1:18 pm 1:18 pm

I took no personal responsiblity – bail me out. I just don’t get it!!

Posted by: southern_conservative | September 23, 2008, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm

McCain: “I’ll tell you what I’m gonna do, by jingo! I’m gonna CRACK THE WHIP! TYessir,that’s what this situation calls for, somebody to stand there and crack the whip!”

Posted by: Aaron | September 23, 2008, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm

Are all Fauxbama supporters mindless idiots? If he supports the bailout it’s McBush. If he doesn’t then he’s not America First. You can’t make up your little leftist minds because you’re like your fearfull leader who can’t make up his. He has to ask his astrologer and 500 advisors first and then contradict his VP pick. Lack of leadership in stormy waters = Fauxbama.

Posted by: freemort | September 23, 2008, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm

Let wall street fall. Let the people who made these mistakes face the consequences. Why is it that America has a negative savings percentage and every other country a positive one? Let the cycles go themselves. Why is it that the government.. the government of THE PEOPLE.. has to bail out COMPANIES? This is my money.. my taxes that will be helping to bail out these companies.. Heck, bail me out of my student loan debt first!!!

Posted by: ME | September 23, 2008, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm

“he only voted with Bush 91% of the time.”
You do realize that Bush doesn’t have a vote in the Senate, right? Right?
Obama supporters sound so smart when they quote their talking points! Can you give me that Obama = Jesus line? Please?

Posted by: wtr85 | September 23, 2008, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm

I wish Congress would go out and never come back.

Posted by: john kennedy | September 23, 2008, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm

Don’t forget there is property behind these mortgages.

Posted by: Susan | September 23, 2008, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm

WRONG mickey…The Senate Ethics Committee cleared McCain and Glenn of “any wrong doing” in the Keating Five. Specifically all charges were dropped against McCain and Glenn in August of 1991….try pbs.com/newshour/indepth

Posted by: curious indept | September 23, 2008, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm

beck – you are completely right. And a thought to share–I wasn’t for Sarah Palin at first, but after examining her credential and her maverick disposition she might be the very best thing for America. We need good people that will fight for America again. What we do not need in harsh times is someone like Obama telling us that America is not great anymore. We need cheerleaders now and people that will go that extra mile no matter what is decided on this bail-out bill.

Posted by: Ann | September 23, 2008, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm

Obama was asked on NBC’s “Today Show” about why he criticized McCain for initially opposing a federal bailout of AIG when Biden was also speaking out against it.

Posted by: paul | September 23, 2008, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm

Susan: “I don’t see it that way. A study was just done and it showed that Obama was running 77% negative while McCain is around 50%.”
That study was for one single week of the campaign and is usually cited to show “Wow, Palin has really forced Obama to change his style to negative.”
And I am not basing my assessment so much on negative ads, but rather the documented repetition of proven lies: Palin was against the “Bridge to Nowhere” and doesn’t take earmarks (documented lie). Obama’s plan is to raise everyone’s taxes (documented lie). He wants to teach comprehensive sex education to kindergartners (documented lie).
Even Karl Rove has called McCain out for lying – it’s even worse than when Bush .

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm

The democrats control congress right now, and head all the committees, and Paulson is a democrat. While I don’t know who is to blame for this mess, I know that the democrats are in charge of congress right now and I don’t understand why this wasn’t public information prior to becoming a crisis that has to be resolved this week.

Posted by: Susan | September 23, 2008, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm

“Obama has not said anything at this point because he really can’t do anything tell the bill is written. Unlike McCain, he keeps his mouth shut tell the facts are all together and he has a chance to examine them. Then, I am sure, he will let us know.
This my friends is called good judgement.”
Posted by: beck | Sep 23, 2008 5:07:22 PM
———————
GOOD JUDGEMENT?! Good judgement as in continually and stubbornly remained in denial about the economy going into recession, even until last week when John McCain came out while campaigning in Florida and announed that “THE ECONOMY IS SOUND” and “THE FUNDAMENTALS OF OUR ECONOMY ARE STRONG”?
The national debt, under Bush’s administration, is now $9.66 TRILLION, and John McCain says that the Economy is sound?!?
JOHN MCCAIN is CLUELESS when it comes to the economy! He made himself looked like a clown!

Posted by: Bryan T | September 23, 2008, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm

The ABC must think the American people are stupid…That the decision is now up to Mccain?…..Give it a break guys and gals..if obama loses, it will be because the of the far left media such as yourselves contributed to it.

Posted by: Bill | September 23, 2008, 1:23 pm 1:23 pm

PALIN, DO YOU SEE MCCAIN SIGNING THIS BILL FROM YOUR BACKYARD>?
OH DOES SHE EVEN KNOW WHAT THIS BILL IS ABOUT? OR IS PALIN TO BUSY RALLYING UP SUPPORTERS FOR WW3?

Posted by: CARLY | September 23, 2008, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm

mccain the deregulation man—now wants to dchampion regulation—–sounds like he is losing his mind again—-but what would you expect from a —d— student——oh i get it he wants it both ways—but the dummy and his deregulation stance over the years has been a part of this problem—send him to run the chinese economy.that way we will be the winners.

Posted by: rodney | September 23, 2008, 1:24 pm 1:24 pm

“McCain all for McCain first. this just shows how entrenched in politics and power hungry he is”
Wow McPalin…did you read the article at all? I don’t know about you but I’m nervous about footing a 700 billion dollar tax bill…the money has to come from somewhere. Don’t get me wrong. the government should do something, but jumping headfirst into something that hasn’t really been fully thought out and without proper boundaries could spell more trouble later on. “McCain has expressed concerns about Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke’s plan, which would amount to costing the American taxpayer two Iraq wars.”
“The Republican presidential candidate has suggested the original proposal lacks sufficient oversight, and he has said whatever plan emerges should protect family savings, homes, and student loans, and should eliminate obscene CEO compensation packages.”
This all sounds to me like McCain just wants a little more thought put into all of this before signing us up for failure. I agree Congress should take a bit mroe time to review what this bill will cover, what it wont, and how much it will cost us as taxpayers. I see nothing here that shows he is power hungry. It says that some are speculating that he could try to use this as a chance to go against the bush administration and show he is skeptical of wall street, but that is a guess at best. We will have to wait and see if that actually plays out. Lets all just focus on the facts and not the conjecture.

Posted by: Amber | September 23, 2008, 1:26 pm 1:26 pm

Obama has not said anything at this point because he really can’t do anything tell the bill is written. Unlike McCain, he keeps his mouth shut tell the facts are all together and he has a chance to examine them. Then, I am sure, he will let us know.
This my friends is called good judgement.”
Posted by: beck | Sep 23, 2008 5:07:22 PM
———————
I’m sorry, I misread your statement. I thought you meant McCain.

Posted by: Bryan T | September 23, 2008, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm

It is so funny to read all the rhetoric the compaints abot the bail out yet McCain put some terms on it GOOD FOR HIM GOOD FOR US IT NEEDS TERMS NO BLANK CHECK

Posted by: reddog0216 | September 23, 2008, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm

You call it good judgment to not take charge, I call it a lack of leadership. Obama should be back in DC as the leader of the majority party in helping to resolve this crisis. I’m certain Frank, Paulson, and Dodd could all use his help.

Posted by: Susan | September 23, 2008, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm

WOW….. As you can all see how some of you are so stonewalled into thinkin that all repubs are the same and the dems are the best choice!!!!!
Mccain is not sure of the bill because of HOW MUCH IT WILL COST YOU THE TAX PAYER. 2 times more than the Iraq war!!!
So he is pondering if letting and thousands losing jobs would be worse than millions losing jobs because of the taxes WE ALL WOULD HAVE TO PAY!!!
McCain is A TRUE MAVERICK!!!!!
And at the same time MR OBAMA has been MULL and QUIET, and NOT offering ANY SOLUTIONS!!!!!
John Mccains leadership is outshowing Obama BY FAR NOW!!!

Posted by: Ronnie | September 23, 2008, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm

It appears so obvious..the Dems have great respect in McCain’s judgement so they will defer any decision to his experience…just proves how dependent they are on Repubs..

Posted by: curious indep | September 23, 2008, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm

ORGANIZED CRIME IS VERY ORGANIZED

Posted by: scvlptr | September 23, 2008, 1:27 pm 1:27 pm

IT NEVER SHOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIRST PLACE——FREAKING REPUBS.

Posted by: rodney | September 23, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm

Where did ole George abd ABC dream this one up. i guess they are going to try and pinn this mess on McCain if he votes aginst it???

Posted by: billy bob | September 23, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm

Sarah Palin is of no use here. None. She and her hubby need to work on respecting our laws and then think about representing us. I HAVE HAD IT WITH THE BUSH SECRECY AND STUMPING ON THE CONSTITUION. Her husband was subpoenaed…end of story. The AVERAGE AMERICAN would be incarcerated. Arguing that the justice process is biased would excuse a lot of people from showing up to court.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 1:28 pm 1:28 pm

I’m an Obama girl, but if McCain gets this $700 billion robbery thrown out, I just might have to vote for him!
I’ve never heard of such an incredible scam, but Chris Dodd sure looked like there was no way he was falling for it.
NO BAILOUT OF WALLSTREET!

Posted by: Moonbat | September 23, 2008, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm

“If Mc Money sold all his HOUSES and all his CARS……..and gave that money to WALL ST…..We wouldn’t need a Government “bailout” …MC LAME…hahahahahahahahahahah”
Well, it looks like a few Democrats could pitch in too. #1 & 2 on the richest members of congress are Democrats. Source: http://www.rollcall.com/features/Guide-to-Congress_2008/guide/28506-1.html?type=printer_friendly

Posted by: mak | September 23, 2008, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm

This is all manufactured. Wall Street has not even come close to Black Monday 1987(-22%)! No Bailout !

Posted by: BlackNinja | September 23, 2008, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm

curious indept: “WRONG mickey…The Senate Ethics Committee cleared McCain and Glenn of “any wrong doing” in the Keating Five. Specifically all charges were dropped against McCain and Glenn in August of 1991.”
You are correct. They also reprimanded Senator McCain for “Poor judgment” due to taking money from Keating while in a position to protect him from prosecution.
As Senator McCain put it:
“The appearance of it was wrong. It’s a wrong appearance when a group of senators appear in a meeting with a group of regulators, because it conveys the impression of undue and improper influence. And it was the wrong thing to do.”

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm

No Rodney freaking goverment is more like it you cant blame just republicans they all did this

Posted by: reddog0216 | September 23, 2008, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm

Earth to Obama, Earth to Obama, what do you say on this matter Obama???

Posted by: billy bob | September 23, 2008, 1:30 pm 1:30 pm

DID ANYONE EVER REALIZE –THAT THE BEST DEFINITION FOR MAVERICK IS TOTAL IDIOT.
THE GUY HAS NO FORSIGHT BUT DOES HAVE 20 20 HINDSIGHT—–WHAT A LOSER

Posted by: rodney | September 23, 2008, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm

Obama is the most undeserving, sleaze candidate to run for President in my lifetime. His associations with Davis, Wright, Ayers and Rezko should be enough to cause every American to utterly reject his candidacy. Instead, a majority of Democrats nominated Obama for the office of President. This is very troubling.
How can a man who openly associates with Marxists, racists, terrorists and criminals be considered by many to be an agent of hope and change? Change into what? Zimbabwe?
In my thinking, too many American voters think the USA is indestructible. That we can take a wild Friday evening drunken stroll next to the abyss without fear. We could never stumble and fall. If Obama is elected President, I believe this country will have taken a fork in the road from which it may never find it’s way back.

Posted by: mary | September 23, 2008, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm

HEy Mary?! BOO HOO

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm

REMEMBER WHEN GEORGE BUSH, Sr. WAS PRESIDENT? The same damn thing happened: UNEMPLOYEMENT, HOUSING CRISIS, NATIONAL DEBT, INFLATION… Just like that saying goes, “Like father, like son!”
Now, JOHN MCCAIN has been in AGREEMENT with BUSH the whole time. Just like that saying goes, “birds with the same feathers flock together!”
Let’s hope, for the sake of this great nation’s future, that the American voters wise up (after making the same mistake TWICE!), and don’t let these bums and clowns “play dice” with our future (for the 3rd time!).
Keep these clowns and bimbo AWAY from the White House!

Posted by: Bryan T | September 23, 2008, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm

Obama was asked on NBC’s “Today Show” about why he criticized McCain for initially opposing a federal bailout of AIG when Biden was also speaking out against it.
Now why would Obama criticize McCain when his own running mate is saying the same thing as McCain.

Posted by: Paul | September 23, 2008, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm

I don’t get it. why has it taken this long for americans to understand that it’s realy the bankers who control every. other wise, the average american would be able to vote in this process. wake up america. lets puts some people up top in jail.

Posted by: james | September 23, 2008, 1:33 pm 1:33 pm

rodney If you want the truth, read
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Reinvestment_Act

Posted by: deanbob | September 23, 2008, 1:33 pm 1:33 pm

Yesterday Obama was blaming McCain for being in Washington for 20 some years and how he never fixed anything and all the while I was thinking that Biden had been there just as long so why wasn’t he blaming Biden. Then Obama was jumping all over McCain for using the “change” word as if Obama owns it. I found what he was saying very empty of substance.

Posted by: Susan | September 23, 2008, 1:33 pm 1:33 pm

REDDOG====ON THAT I MUST AGREE—-OUR GOVERNMENT LEAVES A LITTLE TO BE DESIRED.

Posted by: rodney | September 23, 2008, 1:34 pm 1:34 pm

Paul You want someone to read the truth not told from the left wing media???

Posted by: reddog0216 | September 23, 2008, 1:34 pm 1:34 pm

SUSAN–YOU HAVE TO REALIZE BY NOW THAT MCCAIN HAS NO PLANS OF HIS OWN—-THE GUY IS A SUPER PARROT—–

Posted by: rodney | September 23, 2008, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm

Mary: At least you’re thinking (and not whining).

Posted by: deanbob | September 23, 2008, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm

Mary,
Obama wanted to surrender to Al Qaeda in Iraq. Who needs more “evidence” that he’s bad for America and the world?
The Dems have wanted Iraq to be “the next Vietnam” since the beginning, Obama’s prescription would have made it so. If Obama wins with a majority Democrat Congress, they can still pull it off, they’ll just abrogate our defense treaties with newly free but embattled Iraq, and pooooof! it’s the Next Vietnam and the Killing Fields of Cambodia.

Posted by: Jim | September 23, 2008, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm

Susan: “The democrats control congress right now, and head all the committees, and Paulson is a democrat.”
Come on – Paulson was employed in the Nixon administration, raised $100,000 for George W Bush in 2004, and was appointed by George W Bush when John Snow resigned. Unless you can show his registration as a Democrat, and why he worked so hard to get GWB a second term, YOU ARE LYING. He serves at the pleasure of the president and has the full backing of the Republican administration.
It’s shameless the dishonorable extent that that the McCain campaign has taken The Big Lie propaganda technique to. Now the Republican administration’s actions are the fault of the Democrats. Next the Republican leader, George W. Bush, will be outed as a Democrat I guess.

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm

It funny he want vote for the bill being that he and Phil Gram cause the mess. “The Deregulator” see where it got us.

Posted by: Tonya | September 23, 2008, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm

NO ONE should have this much power over our lives! All of CON Gress has to go!

Posted by: Dave | September 23, 2008, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm

Yeah, Come On Ole John, put your mouth where your, well, mouth is. You say this is bad, but not out loud, SPEAK UP, take a stand. Don’t keep hiding in the dark claiming that Obama’s doing what YOU, YOURSELF are doing.
Ole McCain, those old guys always crap about everything, don’t they?

Posted by: JR | September 23, 2008, 1:37 pm 1:37 pm

my opinion why should we bail this power hungry mongrels out. why should we!! no one came out and helped the katrina victims nor the ike victims. as far as we will see the “depression.” well guess what i have been living in a depression. with the high cost of gas and groceries i have learned to budget and live within my means. it angers me because people wake up its just common sense. hey i have an idea for a reality show instead of “trading spouses” lets have trading congressman/woman let them come live our lifestyle have them live off on what we make and raise a family of five. oh lets not forget we still have to pay our utilities, mortgage etc. no free rides for the rich the little people have had it!!!

Posted by: sylvia | September 23, 2008, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm

Don’t do it McCain. It’s not capitalism at fault, it’s the government. No to socialism!

Posted by: Andrew | September 23, 2008, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm

Wasn’t it Obama who was opposed to the Iraq war and won the democratic primary because Hillary had voted in favor of the resolution. Then Obama chooses Biden as his running mate and Biden voted for the same resolution as Hillary. The man makes no sense. Also, do you realize that Harry Reid, the leader of the democratic party in the Senate, is pro-life and yet feminists are all over Palin about her position. That makes no sense to me either. So much this year just makes no sense.

Posted by: susan | September 23, 2008, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm

Go, Maverick McCain!

Posted by: JoAnn | September 23, 2008, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm

I PERSONALY FEEL THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY GREED—AND LET THE CORRUPT BASXZXXZ–GET OUT OF IT ON THEIR OWN —AND IF SOMETHING IS WRONG PUT THOSE RESPONSIBLE IN PRISON..THESE GUYS ARE FAR BEYOND PETTY THIEVES.

Posted by: rodney | September 23, 2008, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm

Mary,
“How can a man who openly associates with Marxists, racists, terrorists and criminals be considered by many to be an agent of hope and change? Change into what? Zimbabwe? In my thinking, too many Americans think this country is indestructible. That we can take a wild Friday evening drunken stroll next to the abyss without fear.”
My own thinking exactly. Obama is a dangerous demagogue.

Posted by: tim | September 23, 2008, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm

Clinton Administration Changes of 1995
In 1995, as a result of interest from President Bill Clinton’s administration, the implementing regulations for the CRA were strengthened by focusing the financial regulators’ attention on institutions’ performance in helping to meet community credit needs. These revisions[1] with an effective starting date of January 31, 1995 were credited with substantially increasing the number and aggregate amount of loans to small businesses and to low- and moderate-income borrowers for home loans. These changes were very controversial and as a result, the regulators agreed to revisit the rule after it had been fully implemented for seven years. Thus in 2002, the regulators opened up the regulation for review and potential revision.[citation needed]
Part of the increase in home loans was due to increased efficiency and the genesis of lenders, like Countrywide, that do not mitigate loan risk with savings deposits as do traditional banks using the new subprime authorization. This is known as the secondary market for mortgage loans. The revisions allowed the securitization of CRA loans containing subprime mortgages. The first public securitization of CRA loans started in 1997 by Bear Stearns. [2] The number of CRA mortgage loans increased by 39 percent between 1993 and 1998, while other loans increased by only 17 percent. [3] [4]

Posted by: reddog0216 | September 23, 2008, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm

Doesn’t it say that McCain is the presidential voice that matters if the bill lives or dies on his opinion?
For the prior people that said the Reps got us here, its a fact that McCain proposed legislation that Dems shot down, that would regulate this, because they were taking money from Fannie/Freddie. So no one buys that BS. Dodd is to blame for shutting down the reform.
And then on Obama he has had no leadership on this bill. It was a chance to take the lead and he followed. McCain is still taking the lead and its making a positive difference.
McCain is the one looking more like the leader, more like a President, and everyone agrees, because it won’t pass without his vote.

Posted by: Brian | September 23, 2008, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm

PALIN IS THE DIPSY TWIT FROM DOGPATCH—AND HAS A MEAGER EDUCATION AT BEST—-MORE OF THE DUMB LEADING THE DUMBER.

Posted by: rodney | September 23, 2008, 1:41 pm 1:41 pm

JR, Have you seen or heard from Obama on this matter? I am beginning to wonder if he is still in the country? If you hear from him tell him the rest of the country would like to know what his position is on this crisis.

Posted by: billy bob | September 23, 2008, 1:42 pm 1:42 pm

Well if Paulson is supposedly a Republican, he is certainly acting and speaking like a liberal democrat.

Posted by: susan | September 23, 2008, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm

If he votes “no” and precipitates a depression, then it is all over for the Republicans for a long, long time.

Posted by: JAB | September 23, 2008, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm

rodney, if i was you i wouldnt say that to her face or in rifle range.

Posted by: billy bob | September 23, 2008, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm

True democrat colors. They are more worried about trying to blame a Republican than they are about being an American. What a lack of leadership on the democrats part. With the press the way it is this election, no matter what way McCain would vote, they would try to destroy him.

Posted by: LINDA | September 23, 2008, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm

Posted by: Bing | September 23, 2008, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm

the redlining process is totally a risk.

Posted by: james | September 23, 2008, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm

methinks george s. is getting way too big for his britches. granted he worked for clinton years agi but i just can’t give him any credit for setting the tone for resolving issues in washington. george, you are not george will.

Posted by: hemnebob | September 23, 2008, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm

I see how people were duped into buying into bad mortgages… you will buy into anything.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 1:44 pm 1:44 pm

Rodney – you sound like an elitist.

Posted by: Susan | September 23, 2008, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm

Susan: “Wasn’t it Obama who was opposed to the Iraq war and won the democratic primary because Hillary had voted in favor of the resolution. Then Obama chooses Biden as his running mate and Biden voted for the same resolution as Hillary.”
Hillary was also in the running for the VP position. And Obama won the primary on far more than just Senator Clinton’s vote for the Iraq war. The flaws in her technical strategy have been well hashed out, and her high negatives going in were well known.
If you are so easily confused by Obama’s ability to work with and find value in people who he has narrow issue disagreements with, then hopefully you’re not too shocked to find out that Lieberman, who caucuses with the Democrats, is a trusted member of McCain’s inner circle. And McCain’s talk of bipartisanship – how does that make sense?

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm

APPROX. 4 YEARS AGO WHEN I SEEN PEOPLE MAKING 25 THOUSAND A YEAR MOVE INTO 300 THOUSAND DOLLAR HOMES I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT—NOW WE ARE TO PAY FOR ALL THIS CRAP—NO WAY
YOU CANNOT LIVE BEYOND YOUR MEANS—UNLESS WE ALL ARE WILLING TO SUPPORT THIS WELFARE CRAP.I THINK NOT

Posted by: rodney | September 23, 2008, 1:46 pm 1:46 pm

Paulson said this morning that “McCain will not be a problem”. Johnny Mac had already told his Wall Street contributors that he was on board for this plan, but needed to get a little political posturing in for the cameras. Bear in mind who John McCain’s top twenty campaign contributors are: “top 20 contributors include this dozen: Merrill Lynch, Citigroup, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, Credit Suisse, Lehman Brothers, Bank of New York Mellon, Morgan Stanley, Wachovia Group, Bridgewater Associates, Blackstone Group and Bear Stearns.” Thank you George Will for letting us all know whose buttering John McCain’s bread!http://www.newsweek.com/id/136308/page/2

Posted by: Jackie | September 23, 2008, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm

We are already headed for a DEPRESSION. The Government has been printing money day and night since Ronald Reagan —————– Can you say inflation. It will be the inflation that drives into depression.
Everyone should have listened to Ron Paul instead labeling him a kook.
That’s more of the UNintended consequences Ron Paul spoke about.

Posted by: Bing | September 23, 2008, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm

If it is true that Senator McCain holds the key vote to show approval of the 700B bailout plan, then this in fact, could make or break Sen. McCain’s presidential campaign or come to haunt him later.
The U.S. GDP is close to a 13.84 Trillion dollar economy, if the GDP drops a 5% percentage points as a result of lack of liquidity or credit, we would lose around $700B or more out the U.S. economy (if the math is correct), not to mention losses in pension and retirement plans.
At least we have some control on how the $700B bailout monies is invested and what oversight is required to steer the economy with a payback of greater growth. If we do nothing we go with the winds of the currency, commodities and securities markets with no control for certain pain and disbelief.
But the smart money is who would want to inherit a recession economy crippled by lack of liquidity and credit as a newly elected President? Secondly, if the bailout fails to pass because of Sen. McCain and the economy tanks, does it mean the Bush administration leaves Sen. McCain holding the bag? A tough set of cards to play in the GOP.

Posted by: threeriverscrossing | September 23, 2008, 1:47 pm 1:47 pm

I do NOT support a bailout. If there was no bailout…banks will have limited credit..which means they will ONLY lend to RESPONSIBLE home owners. This is a GOOD thing. A bailout will also hold house prices artifically higher…which will prevent new RESPONSIBLE first-time homeowners from entering the market…which will still hurt the housing market.
Let the irresponsible people who overpaid for houses or got loans they could NOT afford…FAIL and be punished like they should be. (and don’t give me any garbage about predatory lending…MILLIONS of people weren’t duped!) We should NOT be rewarding banks and homeowners for being reckless.
yes…it will be a rocky road…but only the strongest will survive and tthats what we want. NO BAILOUT!

Posted by: MikeFromNJ | September 23, 2008, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm

DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT bail out the companies, they deserve to die for their unbridled greed. Let the survivors rip them apart and dish them out to the surviving companies. It is already in progress with the Lehman Brother who have sold peices to 3 outher companies already.
Change the bailout to pay the individual taxpayers and retirement funds that lost their investments. Far cheaper and far more fair.

Posted by: Russ | September 23, 2008, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm

Congress needs to take care of us on this. We can’t let the economy just sink and hurt everyone. And the people who backed the idea of making loans to people who couldn’t afford them should be booted out of Congress.

Posted by: Jennifer | September 23, 2008, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm

i can see Russia from my porch!
Boys like me a lot, polar bears not so much!
How did my daughter and i get prego?
I was a POW — prisoner of Wasilla
The road to nowhere is a dead end… lets race our snow ma shines

Posted by: philosopherkingtomas | September 23, 2008, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm

If you really believe that this all hangs on John McCain then you must be nuts. It doesn’t. It hangs on ALL those who will vote. PERIOD. If John MccCain had anywhere near such clout he would not have picked Palin and sold his soul. Get real!

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm

McCain has proved once and again that he will sacrifice the country’s interest to get a win. Even though he has been a champion for market deregulation in the past 30 years, it is amazing he is now putting up the populist rhetoric for middle class. The damage has been done folks by the Bush/McCain policy! If we don’t act quickly, the whole entire financial market will melt down. That is your and my 401K’s & college saving accounts. The housing pricing will plummet. Oil price will be even higher with a weaker dollar. I couldn’t image politicians could be so irresponsible in order to score political points. The problem is that the general public and press is too dumb wit to grasp what is coming. This is much worse than 911 or Katrina. You are squandering the an opportunity to turn things around.

Posted by: Heather | September 23, 2008, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm

SUSAN
ALL I HAVE I GOT THE HARD WAY—–I WORKED FOR IT —NO HANDOUTS HERE—THIS I WILLSAVE THE HOME FOR YOU BECAUSE YOU CANNOT AFFORD IT—IS SAME AS WELFARE.

Posted by: rodney | September 23, 2008, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm

John McCain should make a vow to eliminate the FED entirely and make Ron Paul his Secretary of the Treasury.

Posted by: Bing | September 23, 2008, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm

Let’s give $700,000,000,000.00 to the same greedy and incompetent suits who destroyed the entire economy of the USA, let’s not have any accountability attached either. Makes sense to me.

Posted by: boohoo | September 23, 2008, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm

I think it is fascinating that I have heard so many times about the “Socialist” democrats for trying to provide healthcare for those who cannot afford it. YET – if this is not the most obvious case of FINANCIAL SOCIALISM brought on by the same group that wants small government!
Hell NO I am not paying to bail out a bunch of rich guys who got greedy!

Posted by: Christina | September 23, 2008, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm

Do it John McCain. Do it John McCain. Please vote for the bill. George W. Bush begs of you.

Posted by: Joe | September 23, 2008, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm

The maverick should put his money where his mouth is and vote NO on this total waste.

Posted by: MIKE IN CALI | September 23, 2008, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm

We are already headed for a DEPRESSION. The Government has been printing money day and night since Ronald Reagan —————– Can you say inflation. It will be the inflation that drives into depression.
Everyone should have listened to Ron Paul instead labeling him a kook.
That’s more of the UNintended consequences Ron Paul spoke about.
John McCain should make a vow to eliminate the FED entirely and make Ron Paul his Secretary of the Treasury.

Posted by: Bing | September 23, 2008, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm

George “The village idiot” Bush and the 6-year Republican controlled Congress led our nation down this dead end road. It’s time to kick these REPUBS OUT and put in the DEMS!
If these DEMS can’t fix it when they have their turn this nov., then kick them out as well!

Posted by: Bryan T | September 23, 2008, 1:53 pm 1:53 pm

A partisan turd calling anyone who does not by his/her/its lies partisan.

Posted by: jr is a liar and an idiot | September 23, 2008, 1:53 pm 1:53 pm

Here is a thought…Alan Greenspan must have seen this all going down as he certainly found a good time to retire. For those who ask what Obama is doing, I believe the Democrats are planning on voting for it but they do not have enough for a majority, so for those of you who like to blame the Dems for any messes cuz they hold the majority in the house and senate, their hands are basically tied .

Posted by: 11-04-08..end of an error | September 23, 2008, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm

Why does McCain hold the key and his vote will make or break his election? Where is Obama in all of this? Present??

Posted by: Susan | September 23, 2008, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm

John Mcain has said today he will support a bill with an oversight board, a reimbursemnet to taxpayers down the road, and no CEO running off with taxpayer millions as severence. He also says we should move quickly. Obama has quickly said the same thing. So who is holding up anything? Who is fiddling while Wall Street burns? ( i know they were playing with fire, but lets be adults and put out the fire , then investigate who is responsible)

Posted by: highwayman | September 23, 2008, 1:54 pm 1:54 pm

If you knew you would be in the soup line by the end of the month if this bailout was not passed – I bet all would think less about party and who is at fault. I don’t like it – but I support it. Ideally, CEOs should get nada!

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 1:56 pm 1:56 pm

don’t think all you people see the big picture. this is the start of the big melt down. globalization-new world order is here faster than we realize. other countries are going to begain buying us out faster than anyone can figure.the north american union, the one north american coin, the illumanatti is now eating up to world economies. ron paul would be a better president. but the illuminatti would probly get rid of him, if he did. god bless all of you, jesus is coming back soon. (last words)

Posted by: james | September 23, 2008, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm

jwh539…Yes, agreed that is a correct statement as well..

Posted by: curious indep | September 23, 2008, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm

Let me get this straight, first we are to bail out all of those people who borried more than they could afford. Then Obama wants to give them all health care insurance at our expense. Then Obama wants to send all of their kids to college at our expense and at the same time he wants to give all middle income Americans a tax break. Now who is going to pay for all of this??? You and I, until we loose our job and get on the Obama welfare plan.

Posted by: billy bob | September 23, 2008, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm

Let him waffle and singlehandedly drag our economy into recession after immediately and unambiguously stating he was in favor of the bailout. Election over.

Posted by: Ted Stevens' Cellmate | September 23, 2008, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm

WHY DONT PALIN GET HER WITCH HUNTER MINISTER TO SAVE US ALL– FROM THE WICKED REPUBS—–WHAT ELSE WILL FAIL BEFORE THE REPUBS GET OUT .LETS SEE BIG OIL ROBBING US BLIND—MASSIVE TRADE IMBALANCE WITH CHINA. NOW WALL STREET FLOP—WHAT THE HELL IS NEXT—-OH I FORGOT WE ARE ALL GEORGIANS TODAY—AND WE ARE LIVING IN AN ERA OF PROSPERITY DUE TO NAFTA–(WORDS RIGHT FROM MCDUMMYS MOUTH)

Posted by: rodney | September 23, 2008, 1:58 pm 1:58 pm

McCain should oppose the bailout unless and until
1) The Department of Justice begins an investigation with the intent to prosecute.
2) The democratic party committee chairman who opposed his effort to reform Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2005 resign.
3) The top two benefiaries of campaign contributions from Fannie and Freddie, Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd and Barack Obama, return that money to the taxpayers.
4) Obama terminate the former CEO’s of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac who have been his top economic advisors.

Posted by: ragnar30066 | September 23, 2008, 1:59 pm 1:59 pm

billy bob…wrong.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm

Of course he will vote yes. Fannie & Freddie have lobbied at least 20 of McCains fundraisers, netting in at least $12.3 million in fees over the past 9 years. They stacked their payrolls with top Washington power broker Rick Davis, who is John McCains presidential campaign manager.

Posted by: mary | September 23, 2008, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm

SUSAN
WHY DO YOU THINK OBAMA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE LAST 8 YEARS (WHICH HAS NOT ENDED YET)

Posted by: rodney | September 23, 2008, 2:01 pm 2:01 pm

For years, the REPUBS have been accusing the DEMS of giving “handouts” to the poor (educational programs, healthcare)… yet now, the REPUBS themselves are about to enact on ONE OF THE LARGEST HANDOUTS IN HISTORY TO THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE!
BRAVO! I guess Welfare Programs are ok, as long as they benefit the multi-million and -billionaires?!?
Any REPUBS here supporting Bush and McCain? Are you guys like… millionaires, too? Is that why you’re supporting them?
You folks know why REPUBS always want to CUT funding for educational programs? Because EDUCATED PEOPLE are HARDER to be FOOLED and BRAINWASHED!

Posted by: Bryan T | September 23, 2008, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm

highwayman – sounds like a plan. This is an unfortunate mess, and at least McCain is putting forth some sound requirements if it has to be done. I like having a panel instead of just Paulson overseeing this. Of course, Obama followed.

Posted by: Susan | September 23, 2008, 2:03 pm 2:03 pm

raganar…forget the lack of facts in your post. Should #5 be Davis (McCain’s campaign manager) return the almost 2 million he received?

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm

I dont think SOME of the people that are posting in these blogs really are aware of how serious this is. Mr. McCain has a great deal of pressure on him – damed if you do and damed if you dont. I am not a financial wizard as some of you appear to be but I do know you can not borrow your way out. McCain is hesitant because he wants the citizens protected, protect family savings, homes, and student loans, and no CEO compensation packages.” It is an extreme risk – maybe 50/50 it will work. If it does’nt we will be worse off. Oh yeh – thanks Billy Clinton, you are the one that got the ball rolling, it did not happen overnight. Also this democrat congress has got the lowest rating – worse than Bush. We pray that McCain makes the right decision. Funny how even us Dems are looking at McCain for the leadership we need. God Be With Us All.

Posted by: irishmag2 | September 23, 2008, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm

Bryan T
So, you’re against the bailout. Why don’t you have the courage to come out and say it. Sissy!

Posted by: dl | September 23, 2008, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm

Why does Susan keep repeating hollow, discredited talking points? Where are her critical thinking skills and brain? Are they at all present?

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 2:04 pm 2:04 pm

Mary,
Thanks for your post. I too wonder how anyone who is aware of Obama’s anti-American, racist and communist connections could ever think of voting for him. The mainstream media has so far been able to cover up many of Obama’s communist and anti-American connections, but more and more are coming to light. Investors Business Daily has an excellent review of all of Obama’s communist and anti-American connections. Instead of covering Palin’s tanning beds and the number of cars McCain has, the media needs to start telling the American public the truth about Obama.
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/series8.aspx

Posted by: tom | September 23, 2008, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm

It was Obama who had the gutts to vote “Present” when bills were lopsided or full of loopholes. A practice in which the McDuh campaign threw in his campaign’s face again, and again, and again. Again, McDuh is learning why this tactic gets put to practice by Obama. “Keep taking Obama’s lead, McDuh, you and Pali-Anna may learn something. . .

Posted by: 2008TooLate | September 23, 2008, 2:05 pm 2:05 pm

2008TooLate
I didn’t really think anybody was so stupid as to believe that weenie excuse Obama gave for voting present.
I guess I was wrong. There is a sucker born every minute!

Posted by: dl | September 23, 2008, 2:07 pm 2:07 pm

A little history on what triggered this.
2004 the SEC under pressure from the Bush Administration removed the allowed the debt-earnings ratio (12-1) for the big 5. That’s 1200% folks!
(for comparison, for us to buy a house from a bank we have to have a 1-3 debt to earnings ratio, i.e. 33%)
Of the big five 3 have failed and the other 2 are hurting becuase their greed pushed their debt ration to well over 30-1 (3000%)
Let the idiots sink and force them all to pay back all their commissions, bonuses and platinum parachutes.
Oh one more thing. Not bailing them out will NOT trigger or worsen the ressession.
Currently for Obama, but if McCain pushes for letting them sink and be picked apart by surviving competators. I will change my vote in spite of Palin.

Posted by: Russ | September 23, 2008, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm

you american fools when you wake up or even you wake up!when your tv radio and media is always advocated ,MONEY is every thing do you expect the peoples in power and money printing whose only aim is to make them more powerful and wealthy will think of other, ever body lives by his principals.you ask on what principals america is being run and what its going to be -MONEY you idiots.

Posted by: javed | September 23, 2008, 2:08 pm 2:08 pm

Of course he will vote yes. Fannie & Freddie have lobbied at least 20 of McCains fundraisers, netting in at least $12.3 million in fees over the past 9 years. They stacked their payrolls with top Washington power broker Rick Davis, who is John McCains presidential campaign manager.

Posted by: mary | September 23, 2008, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm

While friends and family were taking exotic vacations, we paid our mortgage off in half the time and paid off all credit cards…now we are asked to pay for irresponsible mortgagors and mortgagees who sold and bought houses on ARM’s, taking out huge equity of line credit loans on houses they could not afford so that they could extend the good life, thinking the interest rates would always remain low…So when is it the responsible borrower or investor’s turn..Or how about the student who needs to take a honest responsible loan out for school….I say NO to a bail-out…

Posted by: curious indep | September 23, 2008, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm

McCain should vote NO!! Not as long as the Dems have added more unncessary pork to the bill! To add “golden parachutes” to this bill is a travesty! This bill should also include these fat cats paying off what they stole from their jobs! You do not pay an employee for ruining your company..you pay them when they keep your company solvent! They should only back mortgages for those in need! This Congress can’t get anything right! Barney Frank and Chris Dodd should be handcuffed and thrown in jail with the rest of the fat cats who pilfered from Fannie and Freddie! Bush, McCain and Greenspan all warned Congress and Frank and Dodd said not to worry….The one thing that bothers me the most is ..HOW DID ALL OF THESE FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FAIL IN ONE WEEK?
WHERE WERE THE PEOPLE OVERSEEING THIS?
WHY DIDN’T SOMEONE WARN THE AMERICAN PUBLIC ABOUT THIS MONTHS AND MONTHS AGO! A business NEVER fails in ONE WEEK!

Posted by: mfmros | September 23, 2008, 2:09 pm 2:09 pm

I sure hope McCain will say no! We don’t need this bail out. The government has other ways to get credit flowing instead of taking on bad debts from the banks. An auction system to price the bad debts will not work – please note the market is an auction market in itself. Not sure how one auction will replace another will be able to determine prices correctly.
Why can’t someone bring up the option of setting up a Fannie Mae type of company, but with much higher regulation and oversight, to provide insurance for commercial paper? And this company will go out of business once the market has recovered from the mortgage problem. That will get commercial loans going and let the mortgage market works itself through its correction cycles w/o government distortion? Even a small business is credit-rated by D&B and therefore small business loans can also be guaranteed during this period.

Posted by: Obama-Yah-Wright | September 23, 2008, 2:10 pm 2:10 pm

YOU HAVE TO ADMIT GANG THE WORLD ECONOMY IS WORKING—-THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES ARE LIVING BETTER—–BUT WE ARE PAYING THE PRICE AND OUR STANDARDS OF LIVING ARE HEADING TO THIRD WORLD STANDARDS—-I THINK OUR GOVERNMENT HAS GONE NUTS OR TOTALY CORRUPT.
ROSS PEROT PREDICTED THIS YEARS AGO–BUT I FORGET HE WAS THE FUNNY LITTLE GUY WHO KNEW NOTHING.

Posted by: rodney | September 23, 2008, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm

Democrats finally getting smart. John McCain… America’s economic future is in your hands right now.

Posted by: Iraq Vet | September 23, 2008, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm

WHEN A DUMMY LIKE ME SAW THIS COMING YEARS AGO,MY ONLY THOUGHT IS —-WHO THE HELL OR WHAT THE HELL IS RUNNING OUR COUNTRY
IF YOU CANNOT SEE THE OBVIOUS WHAT CAN I SAY
GOODNIGHT

Posted by: rodney | September 23, 2008, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm

Bryan T
So, you’re against the bailout. Why don’t you have the courage to come out and say it. Sissy!
Posted by: dl | Sep 23, 2008 6:04:44 PM
——————————
Can’t you read? Do I really need to spell it out for you, or should I sign language it to you so you can understand? WTF calling me sissy?
Are you a millionaire and are supporting the bailout? Why don’t you have the courage to come out and said you voted for the same Village Idiot (Bush) twice?!? SISSY!

Posted by: Bryan T | September 23, 2008, 2:15 pm 2:15 pm

One word: Gravitas.
Notice that even the Democrats won’t vote for it unless McCain does. Nobody cares about Obama’s vote, they only care about what McCain’s is going to do. They instinctively follow the leader, that’s why it’s called leadership. Obama who?

Posted by: joey | September 23, 2008, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm

IRAQ VET
PLAY SOME OF MCCAIN BROADCASTS FROM THE HANOI HILTON—THAT IS WHAT YOU CALL A LEADER-
GOODBY

Posted by: rodney | September 23, 2008, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm

Mc Cain should sign on the bailout if the democrats (congress) will immediately start a investigation of fraud and criminal acts by fanny mae and freddy mac bureaucrats. And that the bailout process is open to public at all times. Caio! WW Terry

Posted by: Ww Terry | September 23, 2008, 2:17 pm 2:17 pm

Mary: Obama was second highest paid off by Freddie and Fannie, Chris Dodd was number 1 to get payoffs….your infor about McCain is just Democratic bulldookies! Nice try but no cigar!!!

Posted by: mfmros | September 23, 2008, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm

mfmros: “Not as long as the Dems have added more unncessary pork to the bill! To add “golden parachutes” to this bill is a travesty! This bill should also include these fat cats paying off what they stole from their jobs! ”
The Democrats have been fighting to include strict limits on executive pay in the bill and have resisted the Republican Administration’s hard push to just sign over a blank check. Quit lying.

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 2:19 pm 2:19 pm

Bless his heart. After Obama demonstrated his calm, collected leadership style and verbalized the deficiencies of the Paulson plan (as proposed), McCain schedules a presser and tries to see how many of Obama’s plan points McCain can recite and claim as his own. Looks like he got up to about three (with his little index cards). Not bad given his recent mental lapses.

Posted by: Bless his heart! | September 23, 2008, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm

Bryan T
Goofy. Really goofy!

Posted by: dl | September 23, 2008, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm

This is a trap for Obama and the Democrats! McCain is going to vote NO and then use Obama’s support of the bailout against him. He’s going to say that Obama is a tax-and-spend Democrat and that McCain is himself the only true maverick who can stand up to the establishment; he’s going to blame Obama — in fact, all the Republicans are going to blame the Democrats. IT’S A TRAP! DEMOCRATS, WAKE UP!

Posted by: Anna | September 23, 2008, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm

Excuse me. The Democrats will take their cue from John McCain. This serial liar, former Keating 5 member, who was touting Republican deregulation of the finance industry before it blew up in his face, who just last week said that the fundamentals are strong, that John McCain rules their world. Incredible!

Posted by: Eric | September 23, 2008, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm

mfmros: Yes my bullcrap came straight from Politico.com

Posted by: mary | September 23, 2008, 2:24 pm 2:24 pm

The facts:
The Democratic presidential candidates are eager to please. One offers a bandage: Hillary Clinton wants to impose a moratorium on foreclosures for 90 days and to freeze mortgage interest rates for five years. The other offers a bailout: Barack Obama proposes a $10 billion home foreclosure prevention fund “to bridge lender and borrower” so that people can stay in their homes.
When asked about the issue during last week’s CNN Republican presidential debate in Los Angeles, John McCain took a somewhat saner approach. He said that lenders must “return to the principle that you don’t lend money (to people) who can’t pay it back.” McCain said there are “some greedy people on Wall Street who perhaps need to be punished” and urged that there be more transparency. Lastly, McCain implied that any bailout should be limited to “people who were eligible for better terms but were somehow convinced to accept the mortgages which were more onerous on them.“
McCain is on the right track — especially about this part: The only people who deserve assistance are those who should have qualified for a better deal than they got. And, even then, the most government should do is freeze or readjust mortgage rates. It shouldn’t pay out a dime. Those who had bad credit and had to turn to the subprime market in order to purchase a home should never have been buying in the first place.
But make no mistake. We can’t afford a wholesale bailout — not just because of the cost to government, but because of the cost to our society and the principles that hold it together.

Posted by: billy bob | September 23, 2008, 2:25 pm 2:25 pm

I listened to the Q & A, and I wasn’t convinced!
This is too risky and too fast! Trust us or else doesn’t make it! The answers were all vague and without substance. America can do better! :(
I hope McCain sticks to his guns! No one else has the guts to say give us a better plan or forget it! :)
McCain/Palin 08! :)

Posted by: aware2u | September 23, 2008, 2:25 pm 2:25 pm

Good to see McCain’s bluff get called. Talk about flip flop. Here’s a guy (Mc Cain) that’s been a very willing follower of deregulation in the financial sector suddenly talking about helping the middle class and main street. PLEASE, what does Mc Cain know about the middle class? He’s spent the last 2 plus decades ensuring the rich get richer and the middle class get crumbs. Don’t know about you but I’ve been lied to enough. I used to be a republican I’m ashamed to say. But all they do is repay the wealthy that get them elected. I’ve had enough. It’s time for CHANGE, spelled Obama!

Posted by: David | September 23, 2008, 2:25 pm 2:25 pm

Democrats finally getting smart? I wouldnt follow Obama’s plan either… oh thats right, he does not have one.
John McCain… America’s economic future is in your hands right now.

Posted by: Steve | September 23, 2008, 2:28 pm 2:28 pm

Vote no, I mean yes, or think a bit before no more yeses to consider voting no. NO MORE MONEY FROM THE CHINESE…
Ha Ha Ha….
Maybe we can borrow from the Russians so we can attack them now…

Posted by: Eric | September 23, 2008, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm

“However a Democratic congressional leadership source tells ABC News’ Jake Tapper that Paulson went so far as to assure Democratic leaders that McCain “won’t be a problem” — in other words that McCain will vote for the proposal.” —- AND THEY ACTUALLY BELIEVE PAULSON BECAUSE…..?

Posted by: Sally in Dallas | September 23, 2008, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm

steve, I have not heard what Obama’s latest plan is. I think he is going to vote present on this one.

Posted by: billy bob | September 23, 2008, 2:30 pm 2:30 pm

2008 GOP Platform: “We do not support government bailouts of private institutions. Government interference in the markets exacerbates problems in the marketplace and causes the free market to take longer to correct itself.” – From http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/Economy.htm

Posted by: USSA | September 23, 2008, 2:31 pm 2:31 pm

I can’t believe someone does not know what Kibosh/Kybosh means….

Posted by: Jimma2 | September 23, 2008, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm

Remember, Obama is a senator, too! This decision should weigh on his shoulders, as well.

Posted by: Jennifer | September 23, 2008, 2:32 pm 2:32 pm

McCain is really desperate about this election, exploring every possible way to win. The stress of the campaign is getting to him, and he is growing older by the minute.

Posted by: what667 | September 23, 2008, 2:33 pm 2:33 pm

For months ABC and rest of the media has been little more than water boys for Obama. Now that the Investors Business Daily and the Wall Street Journal are bringing out more and more about Obama’s connections to criminals, racists and Communists, ABC and the rest of the media might now finally be realizing that their sense of integrity has been challenged. As a result, they might actually start investigating Obama with the same intensity with which they have been assaulting Palin.
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=3069771415830

Posted by: terry | September 23, 2008, 2:34 pm 2:34 pm

“which would amount to costing the American taxpayer two Iraq wars. ” McCain better vote against this! Not even the president yet and squandering twice as much wealth as Bush in one week? Are you kidding me!?

Posted by: USSA | September 23, 2008, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm

“How come the Democrats are not waiting to see what Obama does before deciding what to do? I guess they have more confidence in McCain then Obama on the tough decisions. What does that tell you???” —- Because this is a TRAP, idiot! The Republicans are going to force the Democrats to rush through the largest bailout in US history and then they are going to vote NO and claim to the taxpayers that it was done because of the “tax and spend” Democrats. McCain’s plan was to vote NO and then to argue with the American taxpayer that he was the only true maverick, that he stood up to Bush, and that Obama is the one who already raised taxes. IT’S A CAMPAIGN PLOY, brilliantly devised by Karl Rove! Only this time, the Democrats wised up and said, nope, you’re not leaving us to hold the bag! Finally, the Democrats get tough!

Posted by: Jerry, Plano, TX | September 23, 2008, 2:35 pm 2:35 pm

I am sure that John MCain will vote based on whatever decision he thinks will get him elected whether he believe it to be the correct course of action or not.

Posted by: rfb8216 | September 23, 2008, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm

The Republicans in congress are doing what they can to keep the Democrats from enacting legislation sought by bthe American People, by their ‘block and blame’ strategy. The real story of the 110th congress is a record breaking campaign of obstruction waged by the Republican minority. Their strategy has resulkted in the preception of a “do nothing congress”.

Posted by: mary | September 23, 2008, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm

Eric said “Excuse me. The Democrats will take their cue from John McCain. This serial liar, former Keating 5 member, who was touting Republican deregulation of the finance industry before it blew up in his face, who just last week said that the fundamentals are strong, that John McCain rules their world. Incredible!” ****** This is a campaign ploy by McCain — he was going to wait until after it had the votes to pass in the Senate, and then he was going to vote NO so that he could say that he stood up to the Bush Administration and that he is a maverick. It has nothing to do with respect for John McCain. In fact, it’s the exact opposite. THE DEMOCRATS ARE CALLING HIS BLUFF so that he can’t use this “bipartisan” issue as a campaign issue. THEY DON’T TRUST HIM — THAT’S WHY THEY ARE CALLING HIS BLUFF. Obama has already come out and said that he will support a bipartisan bill. It’s McCain who is politicizing this bail out!

Posted by: Sally in Dallas | September 23, 2008, 2:40 pm 2:40 pm

What a hard decision the Senate has to make. It’s not the time to be concerned on how this will affect politicians in the polls. What would be helpfull would be if the media could tell us the outcome of passing this bill vs. not passing the bill. What would be the best decision we could make. For me honestly I don’t know but I sure would like to know.

Posted by: Peter | September 23, 2008, 2:41 pm 2:41 pm

How are you going to pay for this:
‘I consistently believe that when it comes to . . . reparations,” Obama recently told a gathering of minority journalists, “the most important thing for the U.S. government to do is not just offer words, but offer deeds.”
A few days later, he clarified his remarks, saying he’s not calling for direct cash payments to descendents of slaves, but rather indirect aid in the form of government programs that will “close the gap” between what he sees as white America and black America.
He says government should offer “universal” programs — such as universal health care, universal mortgage credits, college tuition, job training and even universal 401(k)s — that “disproportionately affect people of color.”
In other words, reparations by another name.
Obama knows that if he pushes too hard on reparations, he might scare off white voters. So he couches race-specific welfare as “universal” social programs that appeal to broad-based political coalitions — “even if they disproportionately help minorities,” he confides in his book, “Audacity of Hope.”
Obama has a name for his scheme: “universal strategies.”
“An emphasis on universal, as opposed to race-specific, programs isn’t just good policy,” he wrote. “It’s also good politics.”
Maybe so. But not all his plans for reparations are roundabout. His book and Web site outline a separate plan calling for essentially a government bailout of the inner cities. Among other things, he proposes:
• Doling out faith-based grants “targeting ex-offenders.”
• Subsidizing supermarket chains that relocate to the inner city to deliver “fresh produce” to blacks, helping wean them off unhealthy fast food.
• Imposing “goals and timetables for minority hiring” on large corporations whose work forces are deemed too white.
• Continuing to fund the Community Development Block Grant program, Head Start and HUD public housing subsidies.
• Funding Small Business Administration loans for minority businesses who train ex-felons, including gangbangers, for the “green jobs” of the future, such as installing extra insulation in homes.
• Doubling the funding for federal after-school programs such as midnight basketball.
• Subsidizing job training, day care, transportation for inner-city poor, as well as doubling the funding of the federal Jobs Access and Reverse Commute program.
• Expanding the eligibility of the earned income tax credit to include more poor, and indexing it to inflation.
• Adopting entire inner-city neighborhoods as wards of the federal government.
• Spending billions on new inner-city employment programs, including prison-to-work programs.
This is just a down payment on the “economic justice” Obama has promised the NAACP — financed by “tax laws that restore some balance to the distribution of the nation’s wealth,” he says in his book.
And the indirect aid he’s proposing now could quickly turn into cash transfers once Obama is safely ensconced in the White House.
Claiming “blacks were forced into ghettos,” Obama is certainly sympathetic to the idea of reparations. His church has actively petitioned for them for decades. And he’s strongly suggested there’s a legal case to be made for them.
“So many of the disparities that exist in the African-American community today can be directly traced to inequalities passed on from an earlier generation that suffered under the brutal legacy of slavery and Jim Crow,” he said. “We still haven’t fixed them.”
He assumes the economic gap is a legacy of discrimination and largely unrelated to personal responsibility. He also makes it seem things haven’t gotten better for blacks.
In this, Obama is intellectually dishonest. In his book, he cites statistics showing a 70% rise over the past two decades in the number of “Latino families considered middle class,” but never cites one stat showing the even more impressive gains of the black middle class. He complains about low black wages, but never mentions the quantum leap in black home-ownership rates.
Why? Such stats would undermine his case for roundabout reparations. Even if it were true, he says, “better isn’t good enough.”
“The problems of inner-city poverty arise from our failure to face up to an often tragic past,” Obama said.
Now it’s payback time.

Posted by: billy bob | September 23, 2008, 2:42 pm 2:42 pm

The Republicans in congress are doing what they can to keep the Democrats from enacting legislation sought by bthe American People, by their ‘block and blame’ strategy. The real story of the 110th congress is a record breaking campaign of obstruction waged by the Republican minority. Their strategy has resulkted in the preception of a “do nothing congress”.

Posted by: mary | September 23, 2008, 2:43 pm 2:43 pm

From Dr. Sanity: “There are two important posts today on the relationships Barack Obama has with terrorists.
Yes, I said terrorists.
The first post briefly summarizes the thorough Stanley Kurtz article (which should be read in total) on Barack Obama’s radical ties to unrepentant terrorist, William Ayers and the Chicago Annenberg Challenge (CAC):
Three takeaways:
* Obama had a long-term working relationship with William Ayers.
* The Chicago Annenberg Challenge (“CAC”), the only executive experience on Obama’s resume, was an objective failure despite the expenditure of millions of dollars.
* Through the CAC, Ayers and Obama financed radical organizations, including one with a history of engaging in voter fraud.
Stanley’s work is a challenge to mainstream journalists. A candidate for the presidency has a demonstrated working relationship with — indeed funded — an unrepentant terrorist, yet the media have spent more time reporting about Sarah Palin’s hair styles.
The second post at The Belmont Club, continues Wretchard’s investigation of Obama’s relationship with Tony Redzko and Nadhmi Auchi, the latter “an Iraqi billionaire who has played a role in the Iraqi-European arms trade for over two decades, and who, behind the facade of legitimate business, served as Saddam Hussein’s principal international financial manipulator and bag man.” (see also the first post on the subject: Obama’s Shifting Positions in Iraq: a Rezko Connection? )
The London Times reported that Auchi gave a $3.5 million loan to Mr. Rezko in May 2005 through a Panamanian company linked to the Iraqi expatriate called Fintrade Services SA. Several weeks after the loan, Mr. Obama purchased a house on Chicago’s South Side and Mr. Rezko’s wife bought an expensive plot of land next to the house from the same seller on the same day. Mr. Rezko’s wife later sold a 10-foot section of the property to Mr. Obama, to add to the Illinois Democrat’s garden. Mr. Obama has called the land purchase a mistake”
The Inspector General’s report makes the fairly persuasive case that Auchi was bad company. The person who constituted the single degree of separation between Auchi and the man who is possibly the next President of the United States was Tony Rezko. After the Chicago businessman’s conviction on corruption charges, Obama expressed shock at his former friend’s secret life.
Rezko’s guilty verdict on 16 of 24 corruption counts could have broad repercussions for Blagojevich, who made Rezko a central player in his kitchen cabinet. It could also prove a political liability for U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, who once counted Rezko as a friend and fundraiser, as the likely Democratic presidential nominee heads into the general election campaign against Republican John McCain.
“I’m saddened by today’s verdict,” Obama said Wednesday. “This isn’t the Tony Rezko I knew, but now he has been convicted by a jury on multiple charges that once again shine a spotlight on the need for reform. I encourage the General Assembly to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent these kinds of abuses in the future.”
Wretchard goes on in quite a bit more detail; then asks the extremely pertinent question: “What brought Auchi to Chicago? And what brought Rezko to Iraq? There are still lots and lots of places besides Sarah Palin’s tanning bed where the spotlight needs to shine.”
But pertinent questions are actually considered impertinent by today’s absymally uninquisitive and remarkably partisan mainstream journalists, who appear to be willing to overlook anything the Holy Obama has done, preferring to focus on the hairstyles, tanning beds and other inconsequential ‘scandals’ of Alaska’s extremely popular Republican governor and vice presidential nominee.”
http://drsanity.blogspot.com/2008/09/hairstyles-and-tanning-beds.html

Posted by: tammy | September 23, 2008, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm

It took BOTH Dems and Rupubs to put us in the present economic climate and it will take ALL TAX PAYERS OF EVERY PARTY TO GET US OUT….Obama and McCain supporters your, candidate is NOT GOING TO GIVE THEIR FAN BASE A DISCOUNT IF THEY ARE CHOOSEN TO BE OUR PRESIDENT…ALL WILL PAY INCLUDING THE OBAMA MID-CLASS AND REPUB RICH…SAY GOOD-BYE TO TAX CUTS AND HELLO TO TAX INCREASES REGARDLESS OF WHO IS IN OFFICE…

Posted by: curious indep | September 23, 2008, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm

It is absolutely amazing that the McCain campaign has blocked media access to Sarah Palin, whom few people. The people so enamored with Palin do not love her as a candidate, they love her as a construct, and a diversion to a weak McCain and stronger Demcratic national voice.

Posted by: Frank | September 23, 2008, 2:47 pm 2:47 pm

THE STOCK MARKET CRASHING DOWN IS THE RESULT OF BUSH AND THE REPUB’S YEAR’S OF FAILED POLICIES AND POOR AGENDA. IF YOU REPUB’S WANT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY TO COME CRASHING DOWN, AND PUT US ALL IN THE POOR HOUSE, JUST KEEP VOTING FOR YOUR DUMB CANDIDATE’S AND YOUR BACKWARD’S PARTY!!!

Posted by: James | September 23, 2008, 2:48 pm 2:48 pm

Mary,
You are exactly correct. The Republicans have stymied every attempt by Democrats to enact any change. I am sick and tired of the current obstructionism that is pervasive in Washington.

Posted by: rfb8216 | September 23, 2008, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm

Frank, It is absolutely amazing that ABC and the mainstream media have blocked access to Obama’s terrorists, criminal and Communists connections. The media is so enamored with Obama they ignore the fact Obama is a construct of what the media wants to see instead of the weak and empty suite Obama really is. It should be obvious to all that Palin has more experience is the stronger candidate and would make a better President than Obama any day.

Posted by: tim | September 23, 2008, 2:51 pm 2:51 pm

JHW: you are as full of it as Mary is! Barney Frank and Chris Dodd are the two most responsible for overseeing of Fannie and Freddie…McCain should vote no and then let the cards fall where they may…Americans are sick and tired of the Dems blaming everyone but themselves…and Pelosi should have her butt yanked out with them…The Repubs are trying to make sure that the Dems do not add more tax and spend than what is called for….you both probably are the ones looking for a handout too! try working and saving…maybe you won’t need a handout! I do not want the government to control everything in my life….and responsible people don’t want that either. If you want to live in a socialist country…move to China!
And take that idiot Obama with you!!

Posted by: mfmros | September 23, 2008, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm

rfb8216 It is the greed, incompetency of the Democrats that are the cause of the current financial breakdown. Obama received more campaign contributions from Fannie and Freddie than any other Senator other than Dodds. Obama’s key advisers are Franklin Raines and Jim Johnson. Both of them are up to their eyeballs in the mortgage debacle. Both Raines and Johnson have served as CEO of Fannie Mae, with Raines taking over from Johnson Raines and Johnson are the people who are responsible for what may well be the single largest government bailout in history, and both of them made millions off the collapse that are lining Obama’s campaign coffers. Not only that, Obama has had an intimate and long-term association with the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (Acorn), the largest radical group in America. ACORN, pressed for the grant of mortgages to unqualified buyers, leading to the subprime mortgage mess and Fannie Mae collapse.
In contrast, McCain warned of the coming mortgage crisis as he pressed in 2005 for regulatory reform of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. McCain: “For years I have been concerned about the regulatory structure that governs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – known as government-sponsored entities or GSEs – and the sheer magnitude of these companies and the role they play in the housing market,” McCain said on the floor of the Senate in 2005, speaking in favor of the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005.McCain pointed out Fannie Mae’s regulator had stated the company’s quarterly reports of profit growth over the past few years were “illusions deliberately and systematically created” by the company’s senior management, which resulted in a $10.6 billion accounting scandal.The bill passed the House but was never brought up for a vote in the Senate, largely because of Democratic opposition to change in the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac regulatory structure that remained in place until the Treasury takeover two weeks ago.As evidenced by the failure to pass the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005.
The Democrats in Congress have repeatedly fought back Republican Party efforts to reform the two mortgage banking giants.Instead, Democrats in Congress have sought to preserve the quasi-governmental status of the mortgage giants, seeing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as places to locate former top Democratic Party operatives, where they have earned millions in compensation, despite a continuing series of financial scandals. Enron-like accounting manipulation, for example, boosted earnings to a level at which massive executive bonuses could be paid.In the aftermath of the U.S. government takeover, attention has focused on three Democrats with close ties to Obama who served as Fannie Mae executives: Franklin Raines, former Clinton administration budget director; James Johnson, former aide to Democratic Vice President Walter Mondale;

Posted by: mary | September 23, 2008, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm

Democrats won’t be happy until Big Brother controls everything and there’s an intern under every desk. Let’s just give the titles of our houses to those who are “less fortunate.” That way we can eliminate the middle man (the fed. gov.).

Posted by: Bubba | September 23, 2008, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm

— Because this is a TRAP, idiot! The Republicans are going to force the Democrats to rush through the largest bailout in US history and then they are going to vote NO and claim to the taxpayers that it was done because of the “tax and spend” Democrats. McCain’s plan was to vote NO and then to argue with the American taxpayer that he was the only true maverick, that he stood up to Bush, and that Obama is the one who already raised taxes. IT’S A CAMPAIGN PLOY, brilliantly devised by Karl Rove! Only this time, the Democrats wised up and said, nope, you’re not leaving us to hold the bag! Finally, the Democrats get tough!
Posted by: Jerry, Plano, TX | Sep 23, 2008 6:35:33 PM
————————–
That’s a very good observation and insightful post, Jerry. Thank you!
I have a question: What do you think the DEMS will do next, and what will be Obama’s stance (assuming the DEMS are aware of the trap)?

Posted by: Bryan T | September 23, 2008, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm

Those of you who keep on talking about McCain not going along with this bailout. I have a question for you, if someone in your family ask you for $700,000 to go invest in the market. What would you do? Please grow up and be smart, it is foolish to hand over $7 BILLION DOLLARS to someone and have no control over it… Think people, think???

Posted by: Happy to be an American | September 23, 2008, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm

rfb8216: Yes, as far back as January, 2007, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell from Kentucky made it clear that he would assume the role of Senate Obstruction Leader by insisting on a 60-vote supermajority, rather than a simple 50-vote majority, for getting bills through the senate. His abuse of power to block the majority will on legislation is unprecidented. The bad thing is the people of Kentucky love him no matter how much he’s screwed their state and their people!

Posted by: mary | September 23, 2008, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm

One should look at what a person does, not especially what one says. Self-serving statements , lies, whatever won’t make much difference when looking at track records and so forth.
Not an economist, I am thinking of getting chickens and turning the yard into a veggie garden. And wearing my out of style, ragged clothes. I don’t remember the Depression too well, since I was young and all the people my family knew were in the same boat. But they survived, and thankfully , never had to relive those days, but it looks like their kids will.

Posted by: Elizabeth | September 23, 2008, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm

A thought: A trillion dollars will disappear in the gaping maw of Wall Street and it may or may not work. Something drastic has to be done to jumpstart the economy. Spend the same trillion dollars rebuilding roads, bridges, power grids, etc. and fast tracking energy efficient cars, solar and wind energy. Millions of people would earn money in safe jobs and they would buy stuff and pay taxes. That would also jump start the economy. We’d also have a new infrastructure and decreased dependence on foreign oil so gas prices would go down. Better for us and better for the country. If we have to spend that kind of money, let’s have something to show for it. Yes, Wall Street will sag, but it will rebound much faster if people are working and buying. Let’s build the economy from the base up instead of trying to stop the bleeding from the tip of the pyramid. A statue can’t stand on feet of clay but a granite base will support the same statue for a thousand years. This way the people win instead of the speculators. Email your senator and congressman. FAST

Posted by: karela | September 23, 2008, 2:57 pm 2:57 pm

If you are wondering how we got where we are in this crisis then read this. I will say there are Republicans that are just as guilty but the Dems share the lion share
Buying Friends In High Places
Over the span of his career, Obama ranks No. 2 in campaign donations from Fannie and Freddie, taking over $125,000. Dodd, head of the Senate Banking panel, is tops at $165,000. Clinton, ranked 12th, has collected $75,000.
Meanwhile, Freddie and Fannie opened what were euphemistically called “Partnership Offices” in the districts of key members of Congress to channel millions of dollars in funding and patronage to their supporters.
In the space of a little more than a decade, Fannie and Freddie spent close to $150 million on lobbying efforts. So pervasive were their efforts, they seemed unassailable, even during a Republican administration.
Yet, by 2004, the crony capitalism had gone too far. Even OFHEO issued a report essentially criticizing Fannie and Freddie for Enron-style accounting that let them boost profits in order to pay their politically well-connected executives hefty bonuses.
It emerged that Clinton aide Raines, who took Fannie Mae’s helm as CEO in 1999, took in nearly $100 million by the time he left in 2005. Others, including former Clinton Justice Department official Gorelick, took $75 million from the Fannie-Freddie piggy bank.
Even so, Fannie and Freddie were forced to restate their earnings by some $3.5 billion, due to the accounting shenanigans.
As we noted, those who tried to halt this frenzy of activity found themselves hit by a political buzz saw.
President Bush, reviled and criticized by Democrats, tried no fewer than 17 times, by White House count, to raise the issue of Fannie-Freddie reform. A bill cleared the Senate Banking panel in 2005, but stalled due to implacable opposition from Democrats and a critical core of GOP abettors. Rep. Barney Frank, who now runs the powerful House Financial Services Committee, helped spearhead that fight.
Now, with the taxpayer tab approaching $1 trillion or more, we’re learning the costs of crony capitalism.
In the coming days, an IBD series will look into this phenomenon in greater detail — how we got here, who’s responsible, and why nothing was done.
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Posted by: billy bob | September 23, 2008, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm

Tim,
Where are getting you this crap from? You would rather vote for McCain who doesn’t know how to tell the truth if his life depended on it. How can you believe the BS that comes out of of McCain or Palin who is just as bad. They are a pathetic duo to be considered for the highest offices in our Country.

Posted by: rfb8216 | September 23, 2008, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm

rfb8216: Yes, as far back as January, 2007, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell from Kentucky made it clear that he would assume the role of Senate Obstruction Leader by insisting on a 60-vote supermajority, rather than a simple 50-vote majority, for getting bills through the senate. His abuse of power to block the majority will on legislation is unprecidented. The bad thing is the people of Kentucky love him no matter how much he’s screwed their state and their people!

Posted by: mary | September 23, 2008, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm

McCain is in a real pickle. He is ranting with righteous indignation about the failure of Wall Street. Who is the naive candidate? ………..
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/09/23/anarchy-the-slippery-slope-of-deregulation/

Posted by: Ohg Rea Tone | September 23, 2008, 2:59 pm 2:59 pm

— Because this is a TRAP, idiot! The Republicans are going to force the Democrats to rush through the largest bailout in US history and then they are going to vote NO and claim to the taxpayers that it was done because of the “tax and spend” Democrats. McCain’s plan was to vote NO and then to argue with the American taxpayer that he was the only true maverick, that he stood up to Bush, and that Obama is the one who already raised taxes. IT’S A CAMPAIGN PLOY, brilliantly devised by Karl Rove! Only this time, the Democrats wised up and said, nope, you’re not leaving us to hold the bag! Finally, the Democrats get tough!
Posted by: Jerry, Plano, TX | Sep 23, 2008 6:35:33 PM
————————–
That’s a very good observation and insightful post, Jerry. Thank you!
I have a question: What do you think the DEMS will do next, and what will be Obama’s stance (assuming the DEMS are aware of the trap)? Bryan” ******************Well, first of all, they are demanding that McCain take a stand before the vote so that the Democrats aren’t left hanging out to dry. But I think what the Dems should do is say, Wait a minute, let’s put the brakes on. Not a good idea to pass this kind of legislation so close to an election. Let’s give you $50 billion to start with, and you come back in 2 months and tell us how it’s going and what you need and we’ll talk then.” That’s what I would do. I sure as heck wouldn’t give a lame duck PResident $700 billion just so his party’s nominee for President could hit me over the head with it and win the election on this issue alone!

Posted by: Jerry, Plano, TX | September 23, 2008, 3:02 pm 3:02 pm

mary: I read somewhere that Mitch McConnell was another gay Republican too.

Posted by: tom | September 23, 2008, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm

McCain = DISHONORABLE; Palin = SCARY!!!

Posted by: Howard Gallas | September 23, 2008, 3:03 pm 3:03 pm

Phil Gramm lobbied hard for UBS. Now this foreign investment bank will have a direct flow of U.S. tax dollars into its coffers. And if McCain were elected President, Phil Gramm would be the Secretary of the Treasury and would have sole discretion in deciding how much money to funnel to UBS. All of this after UBS was convicted this year of perpetrating a scheme to promote tax evasion. Gramm’s buddies help the rich not pay their fair share of taxes to the United States, but then gets what tax dollars us regular people have paid handed over to a foreign investment bank. Paulson – CEO of Goldman Sachs, Gramm – VP of UBS, Davis – lobbyist for Fannie and Freddie, Mccain says, “Hey buds, how do I make out this check??”

Posted by: Jackie | September 23, 2008, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm

let the cards fall where they may. No one should support this crazy bailout.

Posted by: Justsaynotomccainpalin | September 23, 2008, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm

let the cards fall where they may. No one should support this crazy bailout.

Posted by: Justsaynotomccainpalin | September 23, 2008, 3:04 pm 3:04 pm

Howard, Sarah can scare me any day of the week.

Posted by: billy bob | September 23, 2008, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm

Tom, I don’t know about that, but his actions have resulted in a deliberate effort by the Republican Party’s minority to undercut the will of the American People.

Posted by: mary | September 23, 2008, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm

mfmros: “Americans are sick and tired of the Dems blaming everyone but themselves”
So says the guy who is blaming the Democrats for everything – even though it’s been a Republican administration for almost 8 years and a rubber-stamp Republican Congress for 6 of the last 7. Well, before you followed John McCain into irrational juvenile insults and easily disproven lies that is.

Posted by: jhw539 | September 23, 2008, 3:07 pm 3:07 pm

Do you think Ross Perot might come out of retirement and have a gander at this one?

Posted by: Janie D. | September 23, 2008, 3:08 pm 3:08 pm

Joey said: “One word: Gravitas.
Notice that even the Democrats won’t vote for it unless McCain does. Nobody cares about Obama’s vote, they only care about what McCain’s is going to do. They instinctively follow the leader, that’s why it’s called leadership. Obama who?” **************************** NOT EXACTLY, EINSTEIN. The Democrats are calling John McCain’s bluff because they don’t trust him. They know that he was planning to vote NO on the bill at the last minute so that he could argue to taxpayers that he was the maverick and that he stood up to the Bush Administration. While the Democrats and Obama were working under the assumption that this was a NATIONAL issue and BIPARTISAN, they learned that the Republicans — specifically McCain and Karl Rove — were planning to use the issue to try to win over angry voters — and, if you’re like me, you know there are a lot of angry voters out there. Bush was asking for a bipartisan vote, but McCain was going to make his distinctly partisan.
THIS WAS THE OCTOBER SURPRISE! This one issue could have won the election for McCain — Obama and the Democrats voting YES (in good faith) and McCain and the Republicans voting NO and then turning around and using the Yes votes against the Democrats and pinning all of the blame on the Democrats.
We’ve wised up to Karl Rove and his tactics. I think it’s time for Karl Rove to leave Washington.
And, for the record, this is not a sign of RESPECT for McCain, IT IS CALLING HIS BLUFF BECAUSE HE’S NOT RESPECTED!

Posted by: Jerry, Plano, TX | September 23, 2008, 3:09 pm 3:09 pm

I think Paulson as a man begging for money from the taxpayer, is way over the top in arrogance in determining whi will sign on and who won’t. He is completely out of line and showing that he is a conspiratist by demanding no oversight. Outrageous and complete pre-planned. We are dumber than dumb to allow Congress to do do this. Let Wall street hang just like they should for mismanagment and corruption. No bail outs for criminals with no oversight!! No bail out for deregulation! No No No never never never!!!

Posted by: eyeonyou | September 23, 2008, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm

Usally a poor economy results in the democrats winning but this election is going to be different. The Dems have their hand in the Freddie and fannie cookie jar and this is starting to come out. Obama is tne second biggest hand in that jar and his hand is stuck. This is going to open a lot of peoples eyes.

Posted by: billy bob | September 23, 2008, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm

My 401K balance is already in the toilet, so what will the average american? My house? I was not dumb enough to get ARM, duh? Their job? Well, that’s already overseas. Health insurance? You mean my $4000 deductible policy?
Lets really let the bubble burst. Think of the boom that would come from recovery. I have HOPE for the future! More HOPE than I do for today.

Posted by: ohiogal | September 23, 2008, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm

Why would the Democrats be following McCain’s lead on this? Senator Obama, who tells us he has the ability to lead the country, is nowhere to be found. Even Democrats aren’t looking to him! What a farce this article is. It’s obviously intended to place whatever political fallout there may be with John McCain. Clearly Stephanopoulos, Bill Clinton’s former press secretary, is trying to “set up” John McCain – so McCain gets the blame for whatever happens. What a biased and wicked MSM there is in the U.S.!

Posted by: petee | September 23, 2008, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm

That’s a very good observation and insightful post, Jerry. Thank you!
I have a question: What do you think the DEMS will do next, and what will be Obama’s stance (assuming the DEMS are aware of the trap)? Bryan” ******************Well, first of all, they are demanding that McCain take a stand before the vote so that the Democrats aren’t left hanging out to dry. But I think what the Dems should do is say, Wait a minute, let’s put the brakes on. Not a good idea to pass this kind of legislation so close to an election. Let’s give you $50 billion to start with, and you come back in 2 months and tell us how it’s going and what you need and we’ll talk then.” That’s what I would do. I sure as heck wouldn’t give a lame duck PResident $700 billion just so his party’s nominee for President could hit me over the head with it and win the election on this issue alone!
Posted by: Jerry, Plano, TX | Sep 23, 2008 7:02:07 PM
——————————
BRILLIANT post, Jerry! That makes PERFECT sense! I wish most of the voters are as analytical as you are! Thanks for an insightful reply.

Posted by: Bryan T | September 23, 2008, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm

Blackmail by the Democrats, what else is new. So what is Obama’s vote? Guess his doesn’t matter since he’s just a Jr. Senator. What about Biden’s vote? He doesn’t matter either since he’s too busy making gaffs on his own ad campaign. I’m confident that John McCain will have the guts to do the right thing. Let Obama and Biden sit it out as usual. We’ll see who is ready to lead.

Posted by: Wild | September 23, 2008, 3:12 pm 3:12 pm

Awwwwwwwwwwwwww…. poor babies.

Posted by: jeff m | September 23, 2008, 3:14 pm 3:14 pm

Jerry, you cannot cover up Obama’s past with freddi and fannie. What are you going to do about that?

Posted by: billy bob | September 23, 2008, 3:15 pm 3:15 pm

Since both McCain and Obama are senators, why so they not need to return to Washington and help get this settled and be there to vote? Is their own personal agenda more important than the country they both so badly want to serve?

Posted by: Deana Watson | September 23, 2008, 3:17 pm 3:17 pm

The old man instead of
getting better with age
and doing what’s good for
the country has become an
obstructionist.

Posted by: anon | September 23, 2008, 3:22 pm 3:22 pm

McCains voteis needed either way and to you people who say Senator Obama has said nothing get a life and read a little.Dodd and Obama along with Reid have all said we need oversite and help for mainstreet.So MCCains plan is already old and was laid out before he said a word other than fire someone regulate,no deregulate,no regulate does he even know what he wants to do.IMO George S is a very fair and impartial reportermuch more than Fox etc.Seems like some of you people forget about plant closings ,job losses which led many to having to take low paying jobs just to survive,wasn’t all about people getting morgages they could not afford.Many could with plenty of spare change till plant closings and job losses.

Posted by: maryjane | September 23, 2008, 3:23 pm 3:23 pm

What a joke the Democratic party is. They have again
positioned themselves to hope America drowns. This time its Wall St. NY, instead of Haifa St. Baghdad. I’d rather kill myself then hope ill of my nation for political gain. John McCain 6 years in torture prison for his country. Barack Obama 6 years conspiring with William Ayers and his communist, black militant think tank. Obama is stupid because he actually thinks he has a chance of winning in October.

Posted by: iJUSTknow | September 23, 2008, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm

This means the great healthcare for all plan will die. $#%%^!!!!

Posted by: marilyn | September 23, 2008, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Democrats, now tell me that Senator McCain is out of touch with the avergae Joe. Your leadership wants “McCain’s” okay before approving the Bailout. WOW!!!! and now you have to live up to Obama’s biggest mistake, taking on Biden whom EVERYONE knew had a big mouth and has a history overstepping his bounds. I will laugh all of the way to the voting booth.

Posted by: Bob | September 23, 2008, 3:26 pm 3:26 pm

Thanks Obama for putting yourself before your country.
What a fraud!

Posted by: john | September 23, 2008, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm

RedAl said “Here is a little Civics lesson for you, you f***ing moron. They need 51 to pass it. They need 60 to override a veto in the Senate.”
Sorry, but this is wrong too. In the Senate it takes 2/3 to pass a bill or override a veto. There are 100 senators, 47 Dems, 47 Repubs, 2 Ind.
It takes a simple majority to pass a bill in the house. It takes 2/3 to override a veto. There are 435 members of the house.
Also, they can not override a pocket veto. Class is out.

Posted by: TommyRot | September 23, 2008, 3:30 pm 3:30 pm

(CNN) — In his first press conference in nearly six weeks, Sen. John McCain urged lawmakers Tuesday to adopt five of his proposed improvements to the government’s proposed financial rescue plan.

Posted by: the other jd | September 23, 2008, 3:31 pm 3:31 pm

The first red flag is the emergency angle (the whitehouse admitted today they’ve had this plan readied for months) throwing it at Congress just before they adjourn is exactly how we ended up w/ the Patriot act & that legislation has been the single most destructive piece of legislation to our freedom.
The authorization for Iraq was done in similar deceptive fashion. I don’t think we the people are convinced after haveing a couple days to think about it that this is appropriate. But making sure Mccain is on board with any “plan” would at least insure it can’t be used to steal the election…

Posted by: Palinator | September 23, 2008, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm

Wait, if Obama doesn’t vote then that means that there will be 48 Democrats, two independants (Lieberman & Sanders), and 49 Republicans. It looks like the one of the two independents would be the tie breaker.

Posted by: mak | September 23, 2008, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm

The Dems got us into this mess. Do your research. Bush lobbied to change the way FM and FA were managed in 2003. McCain in 2006. No one listened. Look at the political contributions they made to the DEMS…Especially Barack.

Posted by: JT | September 23, 2008, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm

Speaking of the “economic leadership” of Barack Obama, consider the following:
RE: Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005 –
“The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight’s report goes on to say that Fannie Mae employees deliberately and intentionally manipulated financial reports to hit earnings targets in order to trigger bonuses for senior executives. In the case of Franklin Raines, Fannie Mae’s former chief executive officer, OFHEO’s report shows that over half of Mr. Raines’ compensation for the 6 years through 2003 was directly tied to meeting earnings targets. The report of financial misconduct at Fannie Mae echoes the deeply troubling $5 billion profit restatement at Freddie Mac.”
“I join as a cosponsor of the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, S. 190, to underscore my support for quick passage of GSE regulatory reform legislation. If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole.”
Sen. John McCain (AZ)–May, 2006
NOTE: Congress killed this bill. Franklin Raines has provided “economic advice” to the Obama campaign. Go figure.
source:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd …-

Posted by: Inquirer | September 23, 2008, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm

McCain has already come out FOR the bail out.

Posted by: the other jd | September 23, 2008, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm

9 out of 10 economists agree the US financial system is in an irrationale state and needs immediate attention. Unfortunately, such a crisis is not the time for a maverick to rear its ugly head. For the record, maverick is defined as a refractory or recalcitrant member of a political party who bolts at will and sets an independent course. Recalcitrant is defined as obstinately defiant of authority or restraint and stubbornly disobedient. Refractory is defined as stubborn, unmanageable, perverse. Source: Webster’s 3rd Edition International Unabridged Dictionary.
Proudly but sadly, Sen. McCain and Ms. Palin have adopted such a moniker for themselves. Unfortunately, mavericks had their heyday in the wild west and there is no room for such in a civiled world. Go west old man… and take your partner with you. Your management and leadership style will quickly sink the USA, USA, USA.

Posted by: KY Voice | September 23, 2008, 3:35 pm 3:35 pm

For someone who is relatively inexperienced, Obama at times, comes across as someone who talks and acts big. Perhaps, he is trying to fit a shoe a size too big for him!

Posted by: Templar | September 23, 2008, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm

Jane says: “See McCain is a true maverick.”
****************
Damn it Jane, don’t be so obtuse; what do you think this whole game is about? Yeah, McCaine is a REAL maverick, that’s why he deregulated the nation into this mess. Somebody will cite him urging reform in Fanny Mae a few years back, but look at this guy’s record, AND look more closely at that “reform” bill before you break your teeth biting into the Maverick burger, hmmm?

Posted by: Edward | September 23, 2008, 3:36 pm 3:36 pm

I hope he votes no! A depression would be good for our country. Many of our parents went through the Great Depression and WWII and look how great most of them turned out. It builds character!

Posted by: mary | September 23, 2008, 3:37 pm 3:37 pm

The market needs and adjustment and included in that market adjustment a neck adjustment for all the CEO’s and their cronies who have miked the American people along with the help from all our politicians, Dems and Repubs, alike. Many of them deserve to be tried and hanged for treason for weakening this country for profit but no one will bring the charges because they are all accomplices and we deserve to struggle in a recession or even a depression for having stood by with our hands out and our heads turned away as they did it to us.

Posted by: beowulf39565 | September 23, 2008, 3:39 pm 3:39 pm

The market needs and adjustment and included in that market adjustment a neck adjustment for all the CEO’s and their cronies who have miked the American people along with the help from all our politicians, Dems and Repubs, alike. Many of them deserve to be tried and hanged for treason for weakening this country for profit but no one will bring the charges because they are all accomplices and we deserve to struggle in a recession or even a depression for having stood by with our hands out and our heads turned away as they did it to us.

Posted by: beowulf39565 | September 23, 2008, 3:43 pm 3:43 pm

We should proceed very carefully on this, so we don’t have another rash judgement as we did with Iraq. McCain is making sense for the first time in months…why not a bailout plan that bails out Main street taxpayers with a bottom up approach? Provide more consumer affordable loans until common folk can get back on their feet. The banks will no longer be holding bad loans, neighborhoods and families won’t suffer, and everyone wins. It’s time we started thinking more creatively in this country, not just let the big boys tell us the program!

Posted by: Intelligent voter | September 23, 2008, 3:46 pm 3:46 pm

Part of the problem is that the supply of housing finally caught up to the demand. The cycle of buying houses on spec with the intent to sell before the higher payments kick in works well, but only so long as the property value continues to increase. For years we were able to keep the demand higher than available housing supply by increasing the population. We increase the popluation by encouraging immigration, people who come to America with little income who, with little more than a pay stub, qualified for a Sub-Prime loan.
I know it sounds like a conspiracy, but it does explain why both Bush and McCain initially opposed immigration reform a couple of years ago. They knew the financial consequences of cutting the demand for housing, and the subsequent loss of housing values, would result in the situation we face today.

Posted by: whodoyoutrust? | September 23, 2008, 3:49 pm 3:49 pm

Since John McCain has 8 houses and 13 cars to live in when the entire country tanks, he won’t care what happens to the rest of us who will be left in dire straights when the Great Depression #2 hits if he doesn’t help to pass this bill! Yes, the bill is the lesser of 2 evils, but after growing up hearing about the utter hardships of the first depression, our current modern day society would be hard-pressed to survive, so let’s all keep our fingers crossed he does the right thing and then VOTE FOR OBAMA!

Posted by: fed up | September 23, 2008, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm

Correction – 49 Dems, 49 Repubs, 2 Ind.

Posted by: TommyRot | September 23, 2008, 3:50 pm 3:50 pm

I hope we do the right thing and let the free market corredt itself instead of spending 700B for nothing.

Posted by: southernconservative | September 23, 2008, 3:53 pm 3:53 pm

It appears from poll data that the people blame congress — both parties equally.

Posted by: Large Richard | September 23, 2008, 3:56 pm 3:56 pm

I HAVE to AGREE with these statements! Couldn’t have said it better myself!
I hope he votes no! A depression would be good for our country. Many of our parents went through the Great Depression and WWII and look how great most of them turned out. It builds character!
The Dems got us into this mess. Do your research. Bush lobbied to change the way FM and FA were managed in 2003. McCain in 2006. No one listened. Look at the political contributions they made to the DEMS…Especially Barack.
I will say there are Republicans that are just as guilty but the Dems share the lion share
Buying Friends In High Places
Over the span of his career, Obama ranks No. 2 in campaign donations from Fannie and Freddie, taking over $125,000. Dodd, head of the Senate Banking panel, is tops at $165,000. Clinton, ranked 12th, has collected $75,000.
Meanwhile, Freddie and Fannie opened what were euphemistically called “Partnership Offices” in the districts of key members of Congress to channel millions of dollars in funding and patronage to their supporters.
In the space of a little more than a decade, Fannie and Freddie spent close to $150 million on lobbying efforts. So pervasive were their efforts, they seemed unassailable, even during a Republican administration.
The bailout is bailing out the rich! Go McCain! Do NOT let this happen!!! I will personally campaign against ANY and EVERY politician that supports this bailout.
It will not be enough. It will fail. And we will be paying for it for years and years to come.
Yes, no bailout means some rough times. But the learning will be much greater for those who got us into this mess if we let them pay for their own mistakes.

Posted by: LiliJ | September 23, 2008, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm

The Dems should say, “Hey, don’t be BS’ing the nation that if we don’t sign then we are to blame for what you neocon thieves have done for the last eight years.” The Dems should create a completely different alternate plan that approaches the problem more the way FDR did, invest the money into Americans and not into that corrupt bastion of crooks running Wall Street– Paulson and Bernanke and all the rest of them are part of that, to hell with Wall Street, let them finish gouging their potholes in it. Dems, why aren’t you standing up and fighting, say Bipartisan yes, but OUR bipartisan plan and not yours since you are about to get your asses kicked out onto the potholed street. Americans would actually appreciate this, and you will gain strength by arguing it and pushing them back. If a few weeks or months is somehow going to make a GIANT difference, we’re screwed anyway, so spend that 700 billion on Americans, not on those greedy bastards. There are many ways to create the plan that fulfills a democratic vision for rebuilding the economy– or are you guys all bought out and in bed so that there’s no damn difference between the parties anymore?

Posted by: Edward | September 23, 2008, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm

Why? are the democrats afraid to make a decision? Does Obama not have the answer? It’s not McCain playing politics it’s the democrats..and for all you uninformed people check out the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005 to see who tried to stop this fiasco before it happened…then look at the 1992 Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act (FHEFSSA) to see what started this mess during the Clinton Administration…also see who benefited financially from fannie and freddie you’ll find Senator Dodd and Senator Obama at the top of that list…just facts…check them out

Posted by: brenda | September 23, 2008, 4:04 pm 4:04 pm

Posted by: Z, Mooresville NC | September 23, 2008, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm

wow no one cares if obama votes no or yes shows who the true leader really is mcains my pick wow i never knew he had so much clout

Posted by: david reyes | September 23, 2008, 4:06 pm 4:06 pm

McCain needs to oppose this bill in order to distance himself from Bush which Obama has thoroughly tied him to. It’s all political for McCain with his 8 homes and 13 cars. He doesn’t give a d@mn about the common people.

Posted by: the_peoples_pres | September 23, 2008, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm

As for you paid bloggers cutting and pasting fanny mae stories, I could easily list a hundred times as many examples of Repubs deregulating and thieving, Remember Ken Lay, Bush’s best buddy from ENRON, oh yeah that was the dems, etc etc etc, who are you kidding? Big business has always lobbied and been closer to the Republicans and YOU KNOW IT. What does Republican mean? How many democrats are working on wall street or are the CEOs? Is Paulson a Dem? Are any of those guys who played craps on America? Hell no, they are all Republicans, and they got their lawmaking contacts in gov. Who deregulated to the point of Absurdity, including the mass media onwership? Dems? Go blow it out your ass with such ridiculous lies, and stop cutting and pasting and write real thinking like I am doing right now. You are paid bloggers with your annoying long “factual articles” that just twist and lie and ignore inconvenient truths. Stop ruining our country, why are you doing this to the nation? Must be rich ignorance…

Posted by: Edward | September 23, 2008, 4:11 pm 4:11 pm

McCain is acting hasty again, just like when he rushed to war with Iraq and selecting Palin in a hurry without thinking and getting needed knowledge. Obama is doing the right thing. You can’t make a decision on the economy until you know what is going to happen and have all of your facts.

Posted by: Paula Lacey | September 23, 2008, 4:15 pm 4:15 pm

O George, get a life. How can this be held up by McCain?

Posted by: Lindaa | September 23, 2008, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm

We don’t have a choice! The government will be able hold the real estate they are being forced to deal with and sell it in the future and recoup some of this money. I do agree they should limit the amount of money any of these CEO’s receive. Both Obama and McCain should get together with Bush and come out and get behind this -let’s see if they actually care about the country more than their political careers. This isn’t to help the fat cats on Wall Street this is to keep the economy going for us–so there is money there to buy a house,send your kids to college, get a car etc.

Posted by: response08 | September 23, 2008, 4:20 pm 4:20 pm

When are they gonna let palin talk to a real reporter? (NOT Faux News) Can you believe that this knucklehead could end up being president?

Posted by: pt | September 23, 2008, 4:22 pm 4:22 pm

I think we have to bail them out. As you can see, Fannie and Freddie are closely tied to our government. Fortunately, there is property behind most of these mortgages, so there should be some recovery and the taxpayers won’t have to eat it all. Don’t let the democrats add anything to the bailout bill however.

Posted by: Susan | September 23, 2008, 4:26 pm 4:26 pm

This is the best our powerful country could come up with?

Posted by: Jen | September 23, 2008, 4:27 pm 4:27 pm

Dear John McCain and every CONGRESSMAN/WOMAN & SENATOR
This letter is to express my extreme displeasure as a law-abiding, hard working, tax-paying citizen of the State of Massachusetts and the United States of America that the Congress is considering – no, has nearly given their approval to – a measure which will in essence provide a bailout for the irresponsible companies on Wall Street which gambled big and lost. No individual in this proud nation is given the type of assistance that these huge banks and corporations are now set to receive. We, the Middle Class of the United States of America, your constituents, will be watching with great interest to see who among you votes for this irresponsible, immoral, and frankly despicable package which burdens our children and our children’s children with the debt created when greedy lenders bent the rules too far. I will personally vote AGAINST any member of Congress, regardless of Party Affiliation, in this election and upcoming elections, who gives their approval to this heinous and disgraceful use of our hard-earned tax dollars, and will work with absolute determination to ensure that my friends, family, and neighbors do the same. Stop lying to us about the lack of Federal funds for things such as universal health care and better education – both of which would be improved a hundred times over by such a massive infusion of funds – when such a staggering amount of taxpayer money appears to be available to give these irresponsible institutions a free ride. Most Sincerely,

Posted by: beyondwords | September 23, 2008, 4:28 pm 4:28 pm

What that Palin Women, has to say about this? Those she have an opinion?

Posted by: Lake Jordan | September 23, 2008, 4:30 pm 4:30 pm

I can’t believe there are so many ignorant people out there who will apparently vote.
We will truly get what we deserve (once again) if 4 or 5 percent of them fail to see thru the political machinations of John McCain & Co.
I am not heartened by what I read here.

Posted by: Jim | September 23, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm

I can’t believe there are so many ignorant people out there who will apparently vote.
We will truly get what we deserve (once again) if 4 or 5 percent of them fail to see thru the political machinations of John McCain & Co.
I am not heartened by what I read here.

Posted by: Jim | September 23, 2008, 4:31 pm 4:31 pm

This is just a media report. I haven’t heard anything from the leaders of the House or the Senate saying they are waiting on John McCain’s decision. Don’t believe everything you read in a press report. Remember they are trying to get as many people riled up over anything to keep readers and bloggers active. I don’t give this story much if any credibility.

Posted by: Robert Dent | September 23, 2008, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm

The Problem you will hear over the next couple of days is this problem is bigger then anyone is willing to tell the public. This, my friends, is the tip of the iceberg. This, my friends is the results of twenty years of deregulation and trickle down “voodoo” economics. This, my friends, is a unique time in history that we have the privilege of witnessing first hand. IF you are not a religious person, please find your god now and pray!!!

Posted by: ramaci | September 23, 2008, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm

I can’t believe there are so many ignorant people out there who will apparently vote.
We will truly get what we deserve (once again) if 4 or 5 percent of them fail to see thru the political machinations of John McCain & Co.
I am not heartened by what I read here.

Posted by: Jim | September 23, 2008, 4:32 pm 4:32 pm

No bail out for the rich. GO McCain! Most should be behind bars but never will. We gave these institutions low interest loans. They put the money in their bank accounts and now the feds want us to double dip and give them the money again? I say NO!! Let the chips fall where they may and this country will be stronger for it. If some people jump from the tenth floor “We the People” may be better off for it. They had no problem with bakrupting millions of Americans. We can just do what we do best; use true capitalism to spur ingenuity to get this economy rolling again. It may take a while but mixing socialism with capitalism is a one way trip to making us all slaves to Big Brother.They have proven what they can do(screw up about everything they touch). Now let the American people show what they can do when they are really peeved and hurting. These are the “guns and religious” people that make up the backbone of this nation. THE RADICAL FRINGE is hanging on to socialism for dear life and will fight this tooth and nail.God forgive our greedy nation and please bless it again.

Posted by: steve | September 23, 2008, 4:33 pm 4:33 pm

Make up your mind dems! You criticize McCain for voting with Bush, but when he speaks his mind and won’t vote you condemm him. The man is right, we all should be concerned with this bailout as we are the ones paying for it. The dems won’t vote yes unless McCain does. What kind of idiotic remark is that. Once again where is Mr. Obama. Present I guess.

Posted by: us_concerned | September 23, 2008, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm

Amedimajad endorsed Barack today. That just means Barack can ad him too his long list of financial advisors and mentors thats also endorsed him, Rev Wright, Hamas, Hizballah, Hugo Chavez, Raul Castro, Ayers, Rezko, Fannie, Freddie, Kwamme Kilpatrick. Man thats a list of who’s who on the planet…

Posted by: Tim | September 23, 2008, 4:34 pm 4:34 pm

Email your Congress Person and Tell Them “NO MORE BAILOUTS” ——– http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ ———- Go here and find your senator by zipcode. ——- Send a message to your Congressmen. ——it works great ——– Tell them NO MORE BAILOUTS NO MATTER HOW LOUD BUSH AND PAULSEN SCREAM NO BAILOUTS PERIOD OR WE WILL VOTE EVERYONE THAT SIGNS ON THE BAILOUT OUT OF OFFICE IN NOVEMBER ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– send to these as well —————-Go to http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ —- or here —- http://www.house.gov/ — or here — http://speaker.house.gov/contact/ —– or email here —– comments@whitehouse.gov ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– I would like to throw a shout out to Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky as he is leading this fight against the bailout for the people. If we could send him an email with a word of Thanks I am sure he would appreciate it.

Posted by: Ben | September 23, 2008, 4:35 pm 4:35 pm

David Reyes wrote: wow no one cares if obama votes no or yes shows who the true leader really is mcains my pick wow i never knew he had so much clout.
No, you idiot! The Democrats are calling McCain’s bluff — forcing him to show his hand.
If there can be political capital gained from a crisis, Karl Rove will be there to find it. And boy did he find it here. Here’s the plan:
McCain was going to wait until the bill had enough (Democratic) votes to pass, then he was going to swoop in and vote NO. Why? Politics. He was going to say to the American people: See, I stood up to Bush. I’m a maverick. I won’t raise your taxes. I’ll be the candidate who will stand up for you! Obama is the tax-and-spend Democrat.” You get it? McCain gets the package to bail out his friends, but he gets to vote against it, too! He gets a free ride PLUS he gets to pin the blame on the largest bailout in history on Obama!
yes, that’s what he was planning to do, but the Democrats whiffed out the stinkin’ plan and aren’t going to let him get away with this. Why do you think he’s been so quiet about the plan? Obama has taken a stand — for the good of the country, and in good faith — he’s willing to vote for a plan that is needed if it has safeguards for taxpayers. McCain has been silent. That’s because McCain never intended to vote for it — the plan was to get Obama to vote for it and then for McCain to vote AGAINST it so that he could win the political points.
In fact, all of the Republicans are lining up to vote NO so that they can have their cake and eat it too. Boy, this would have been a real coup for Karl Rove — get your lame duck president to convince Congress to pass the largest bail out in history for YOUR friends on Wall Street and, at the same time, pin the blame for the bailout and the higher taxes on the Democrats!
Oh, those Republicans….so sneaky.
This is dirty politics, folks. As dirty as it gets. Don’t you dare blame this on the Democrats, and don’t for a minute think that the Democrats are following McCain’s lead: far from it, they are calling his bluff and forcing his hand so that he CAN’T use it for campaign purposes!

Posted by: Jerry, Plano, TX | September 23, 2008, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm

NO BAILOUT PERIOD. McCain needs to do the right thing and flush this monstrosity down the toilet where it belongs.
They’ve been shoveling this easy credit down our throats like consumer geese making foi gras for their enjoyment at our expense. And suddenly we’re a welfare nation for the elite? I’m past wanting to puke.
Now it’s just hard dry heaves and a dark feeling that the “crazies” with all their conspiracy nonsense might not be so off the mark.
Do the right thing Senator McCain, and bury this thing in the shallow grave it deserves.

Posted by: Flanders | September 23, 2008, 4:36 pm 4:36 pm

McCain was part of the problem by assisting in the deregulation so please stop touting him as the second coming. It’s the REPUBLICANS Congress that allowed for the laws to be changed.

Posted by: I'm sick of stupid people so I need to leave American | September 23, 2008, 4:37 pm 4:37 pm

ROFL ! This article along with the Dem’s in Congress… omg could you try and use a paint gun to go after McCain?
Obama is not getting the job done…. Here comes the rest of the left wing to the rescue.
What’s really amusing, I’m a Democrat! lol

Posted by: JDinPA | September 23, 2008, 4:42 pm 4:42 pm

wow no one cares if obama votes no or yes shows who the true leader really is mcains my pick wow i never knew he had so much clout

Posted by: david reyes | September 23, 2008, 4:43 pm 4:43 pm

Even Obama is watching and waiting until he hears McCain. He always waited to hear what Hillary’s position was in the primaries before making his position know.==Susan
No, Susan, Obama has been out front about this since last Friday. In good faith and with the good of the country at heart, Obama said he would work with Congress for a bipartisan plan that would address the crisis as long as there were sufficient safeguards. McCain? Not a word. Why? Because he’s waiting until there’s enough Democratic votes to pass the darn thing, then he’s going to vote NO so that he can argue to Americans that he is the maverick, that he bucked the Bush Administration, and that he won’t raise your taxes while Obama will get all of the blame!
Nope, not gonna work this time, Karl Rove. No, this time, EVERYONE shares the pain — Democrat and Republican — or no bail out plan. It’s that simple. The Democrats aren’t going to commit political suicide by voting for a bailout urged by Bush just so the Republicans can hit them over the head with their votes. Either Republicans — including McCain — agree to this “bipartisan” proposal, or there is no proposal.
McCain’s hand has been forced. He has to take a stand. He cannot use this for political gain, although that’s exactly what he was planning to do. So sorry…..

Posted by: Jerry, Plano, TX | September 23, 2008, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm

I Vote No Bailout ! Bush’s legacy is not going to end with his administration stealing $700 BILLION with NO QUESTIONS ASKED ! BS BS BS !

Posted by: MyGrandmaSays | September 23, 2008, 4:45 pm 4:45 pm

How about give the $2300 to each american. That will stimulate the economy. Not the ones that got us here in the first place. Now give them more money to squander?

Posted by: Brian Murphy | September 23, 2008, 4:46 pm 4:46 pm

Senate Bill 190 of 2005;
Biden agreeing Obama is taking the low road;
Democrats looking for McCain blessing on the Economic Bill;
Errors in the Bloggers here that say that McCain voted 93% of the time with Bush – and the real number is 82%… lol
WOW!!! what a bad day for liberals. The cracks in the annoited are beginning to show.

Posted by: Bob | September 23, 2008, 4:47 pm 4:47 pm

Why is it they are all waiting for McCain’s vote? Wait Obama will know what to say if someone puts a teleprompter in front of him!!

Posted by: Colorado | September 23, 2008, 4:48 pm 4:48 pm

Bob: PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE Democrats, now tell me that Senator McCain is out of touch with the avergae Joe. Your leadership wants “McCain’s” okay before approving the Bailout. WOW!!!! and now you have to live up to Obama’s biggest mistake, taking on Biden whom EVERYONE knew had a big mouth and has a history overstepping his bounds. I will laugh all of the way to the voting booth.”
Bob, you’re an idiot. You don’t understand the dynamic here. The Democrats aren’t waiting to see how McCain will vote before they cast their votes — they are forcing McCain to take a stand so that he can’t use a NO vote against Obama in the campaign. This was urged onto Congress by Republican Bush as a BIPARTISAN proposal, but McCain’s camp (Karl Rove)figured out a way to make political capital out of it: Trap Obama and the Democrats into voting YES (in a rushed manner for the good of the country) and then have McCain and the Republicans vote NO so that they could pin the blame on the Democrats. Why not? They get the bail out for their friends on Wall Street AND they get to blame the tax hikes on the Democrats! Brilliant! Karl Rove gets an A. But….the Democrats found out about it and foiled the plan. Now, McCain is forced to announce his decision BEFORE Obama and the Democrats vote so that he doesn’t screw them over.
if this is truly bipartisan, then everyone — Democrats AND Republicans — should support it and should share the blame.

Posted by: Jerry, Plano, TX | September 23, 2008, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm

What a chuckle for you republican homers, read this poll, America knows who got us into this mess!!
Which party is more to blame for the U.S. financial crisis?
Democrats 28% 91679
Republicans 72% 236870
Total Votes: 328549

Posted by: bearsr154 | September 23, 2008, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm

Carl Rove, Carl Rove. When are you clowns going to get it in your heads that Carl Rove does not work for the Bush administration. He works for Fox News, get that Fox News.
Talk about paranoid. Get over it.
CO

Posted by: Colorado | September 23, 2008, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm

Bearsr154- those are the results of the Clinton New Network (CNN for the idiots). lol. There is no chance that the American people will not see those the liberal ruse.
Obama is not the great hope of the liberal party. Just a sham of the media.

Posted by: Bob | September 23, 2008, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm

Let the Banks fail, it is a free market society and there need to be a redistribution of wealth. I think a government bailout is the wrong move. After the Iraq debacle and a rush to war this administration cannot be trusted.

Posted by: Efeosa Idemudia | September 23, 2008, 4:58 pm 4:58 pm

Efeosa Idemudia – Let the banks fail, let Wall Street fail. Two things for sure… the economy in the toilet, and millions of Americans will lose their 401K’s, their retirements, pension funds for the Teachers will all go in the toilet. NOW EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THIS MAKES SENSE???????????????

Posted by: Bob | September 23, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm

Who is not showing leadership now?
John McCane.
He is afraid. Very Afraid to vote on the bill because of Bush.
He is not sure if it will work, so he is chicken out so that it does not have to explain himself if the things go South.
I’m glad Obama delayed his plan before presenting it to the public since there is a lot of things to work out for this bailout package. He also provide some frameworks on how to proceed with the crisis on a short term. I am sure if the Democrats and Republicans agree on his ideas he will fly to Washington to vote on the bill.

Posted by: Omidal | September 23, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm

Bush RETREAD…

Posted by: MFBUSH | September 23, 2008, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm

“Carl Rove, Carl Rove. When are you clowns going to get it in your heads that Carl Rove does not work for the Bush administration. He works for Fox News, get that Fox News.”
You are a clown if you think Carl Rove just works for Fox News.

Posted by: Edward | September 23, 2008, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm

For all you “diapered” Obama supporters: The truth is in 2005 Alan Greenspan warned of the lax loan “regulations” in place at Fannie Mae and Freddie and that it places our economy in peril….2005!!!
The same year a bill was introduced to tighten the mortgage standards which was defeated along party lines.
The Democrats stopped real reform of these institutions when it could have made a difference.
Then the Democrats forced Fannie and Freddie to loosen their standards to allow loans to poor credit and unqualified borrowere.
Where was Obama then…..
Oh I forgot Pelosi et al VOTED FOR HIM!
END RESULT: DISASTER!

Posted by: Brian | September 23, 2008, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm

McPalin is putting politics before the country again.
what a shame
Posted by: watching
HUH? You and every other left-winger – how is McCain putting politics first here??? It’s the DEMS that are hanging this around his neck – saying their vote depends on what McCain will do! The dems, with their tail between their legs, not voting their conscience, but voting ONLY whichever way McCain does! Blatant, in-your-face democratic political posturing, and yet you still blame everything on McCain.

Posted by: Eric | September 23, 2008, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm

Colorado – you are listening to Pelosi too much. That’s why her approval rating is bekow that of BUSH. They sit in their offices and now are waiting on McCain to save their collective backsides; all the while voters like you do not read the facts.

Posted by: Bob | September 23, 2008, 5:05 pm 5:05 pm

Check it out–this started under Bill Clinton’s Presidency, when he and the Dems decided the way to keep getting elected was more pork. Be sure that anyone who wanted to buy a house could and did, even if s/he/they couldn’t make the interest payments, plus in-
surance, plus taxes–what do you mean, principal???? That worked so well, it had no checks and balances, hence the mortgage crunch & bailout. How much did Chris Dodd make? Second only to him in receipts is the Dems presidential candidate, Barack Obama, and he got his second place in three years, not the nine it took Dodd to get to first place. Then came the bank failures, stock market crash, etc., and here we are–Dems still trying to buy votes by asking for something for “Mainstreet” when they take care (HA!) of Wallstreet. They still don’t get it that every dime spent by Congress came from “Mainstreet.” Just let me keep mine meager pitance!

Posted by: JOYBABZ | September 23, 2008, 5:08 pm 5:08 pm

Efeosa Idemudia – Let the banks fail, let Wall Street fail. Two things for sure… the economy in the toilet, and millions of Americans will lose their 401K’s, their retirements, pension funds for the Teachers will all go in the toilet. NOW EXPLAIN TO ME WHY THIS MAKES SENSE???????????????
“In the case of employer bankruptcy, all 401(a) (pension and defined contribution plans) and 401(k) plans are protected, because of the rule that contributions must accrue to the exclusive benefit of employees in general.”
It’s probably better in the long run for some middle-class Americans to take some losses than continue on a merrygoround of inflation and depreciation of the currency. In the long run, the rich will take the biggest hit from not bailing out banks and lending institutions, plus we could take the money and compensate middle-class Americans for their losses and save billions on bailing out the billions that the rich would lose. It makes sense not to bail out big business, they aren’t our masters, but they soon will be, and it will never be the same in America after the bailout.

Posted by: Edward | September 23, 2008, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm

EFEOSA—FYI —- A little background on the fallout form this—–Adams explained that many banks around the world own bonds from the mortgage agencies. If those bonds were suddenly worth far less, the banks would stop giving out loans of any kind. Consumers wouldn’t be able to borrow money to buy homes, cars or basic goods. Entrepreneurs wouldn’t be able to get financing for their ideas.
“If you can’t borrow, you can’t run your business,” Adams said. “You can’t go to school. You can’t expand. And, therefore, the economy stops.”
—-

Posted by: response08 | September 23, 2008, 5:10 pm 5:10 pm

McCain true maverick…..but not country first….he would rather win an election than avoid a recession…Go ahead, John….drag your feet…then you can retire to one of your 9 houses and drive one of your 13 cars around in retirement…

Posted by: indy_voter | September 23, 2008, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm

McCain is full of it…he cares about nobody, but himself. I guess 13 cars, 300 million dollars and many homes do that to you. Everyone should have known he only cares about himself when he left his first wife. YES, THE ONE THAT WAITED FOR HIM DURING HIS CAPTIVITY. GOOGLE IT UP.

Posted by: ignorance_intolerant | September 23, 2008, 5:12 pm 5:12 pm

McCains anti-bailout, is OIL TYCOONS GOLDEN PARACHUTE.
Anti-1st admendment
anti-2nd admendment
anti-bailout
anti-AMERICAN
PRO-OIL
Do NOT vote McDictator

Posted by: historyforgotten | September 23, 2008, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm

Hmmm. You’d think Senator McCain would be happy to have such bipartisan support for whatever he decides is the correct way to go here . . . but I suspect he’d rather leave it up to others and then find some negative result to blame them for. What a great idea, wish i had thought of it. He says he has an economic plan and can lead change? Have at it, guy!

Posted by: iamwomaninMI | September 23, 2008, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm

Democrats!!!!Republicans. Which has the lower opinion. Alas it is congress.The Democratically controlled congress.It is greeeeeeedy politicians that established these institutions and this same greeeeedy body had no intentions of helping “We the People”. Only trying to keep their prcious little seats in congress and using it to make megabucks. This goes on in both parties. Put them in a bag. Shake them up. Pour them out. They all look the same. They are now trying to help “We the People” again. I think not. If we go into a recession; Me thinks we are already there according to what most people are feeling in their wallets. They are afraid of a depression and that could put most incumbents out of office. This bailout is a congressional CYA and will do little to help the economy but put us at a bigger debt for out children to face. Who is going to bail out the Federal(NON)Government? Money is only paper. This will truely put us on the road to hyperinflation. Our dollar not worth using for TP. This coutry need a good dose of reality when it comes to “Paying the Piper” The day will come. We reap what we sow. Usually more than we sow but always later than we sow. Thus we curse or nation for generations that follow. Why should I care? I,me,mine will be dead and gone.
This is definately a I,me,mine congress. Thinking any other way than this does not even enter their greeeeeeeedy little thoughts.

Posted by: steve | September 23, 2008, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm

Just say NO McCain….NO MORE BAILOUTS and oh by the way we have already set aside 300 billion to HELP the little people with their mortgages….SO Democrats no more WELFARE!
Frog march the CEO’s and the Congress to jail….thieves all of them!

Posted by: Jaded | September 23, 2008, 5:16 pm 5:16 pm

Loans will still be available, but they’ll be a little harder to get, meaning not every entrepreneur with a bungleheaded idea can get a loan, but someone with a solid business plan and perhaps some collateral can get a loan. It won’t stop lending and credit if we don’t bail these morons out, and anyway, I think we have been conditioned to live too much on credit. Want to buy a home? Scrimp and save for several years to build up a downpayment, stop using credit cards and start thinking about what you need vs. what you want. We shouldn’t bail out these greedy criminals, no we should not I assure you, it is a mistake for many reasons. The average American already lives for check to check, it won’t hurt us, but it’ll teach those irresponsible bastardsd a lesson if they take the fall they deserve. The higher you rise, the harder you fall, but the average American already has his feet on the ground– or it’s a height that might sprain an ankle.

Posted by: Edward | September 23, 2008, 5:17 pm 5:17 pm

The Dow was only down 4% !! Black Monday in 1987 the Dow was down 22% !! This is the same old fear mongering that got Bush re-elected in 2004 !! NO BAILOUT !!

Posted by: MyGrandmaSays | September 23, 2008, 5:23 pm 5:23 pm

Boy you Republican fools will just not own up to your mess. The Democrats in congress didn’t have enough time to create this mess. All these corporations have been fudgiing the books under Bush’s watch for the last eight years. This didn’t happen over the last two years.
And for those of you who keep saying Obama has said or done nothing, you need to do research and stop repeating stuff that you hear, then trying to ast like you’re an authority. If you go to fox news, you will find a very detailed response from a man that takes time to assess the situation, and find viable solutions that will help most if not all of the hard working people rather than a select few, unlike McCain that shooots from the hip before he even knows what he’s shooting at. Sorry abc, but I try to get my news from as many sources as possible, and I couldn’t be quiet on this one.

Posted by: Court | September 23, 2008, 5:26 pm 5:26 pm

I just can’t vote for a president that wears Depends…..

Posted by: OMG | September 23, 2008, 5:28 pm 5:28 pm

You guys are a bunch of tools. A bunch of hacks. I am a democrat, and am frankly embarrassed by the (our) congressional leadership. Again. Pelosi, Reed, et al are once again exercising WEAK leadership. See, if McCain votes against the bailout, and other republicans follow suit, then the dems say they won’t vote for it either. WHAT??? Basically, they are afraid to vote their CONSCIENCE on the bailout. They are afraid of being out there alone, gasp!, disagreeing with the republicans.
I for one am impressed with McCain’s reservations. I mean, how many times with our (low IQ?) populace be panicked by this administration into following the Pied Piper that it GWB. Everything this administration has said (EVERYTHING) has been flat wrong or a total snow job. And yet, when they are exclaiming about some new fear, everyone is supposed to jump. Again. AGAIN. Has this country not heard of the little boy who cried wolf??
Now, it is possible, by the law os averages, that ‘W’ group MIGHT be right this time. So we should think about it. Like McCain is doing.
Last thought- this crisis has been a long time coming. So why in the hell, after 10+ years of the impending fall, have we waited so long to do ANYTHING about it that we only have a WEEK left to fix it. WTF?
Good Damn Grief.

Posted by: john | September 23, 2008, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm

I am totally against this bailout, I hope they all vote against it, both parties. And I have written my congresspeople to tell them so! Let the “free” market correct and sustain itself, or not, I don’t care either way, but can certainly think of much more honorable uses for our tax dollars. If Bush wants it, let him get support from his own party, including his good buddy Senator McCain.

Posted by: iamwomaninMI | September 23, 2008, 5:33 pm 5:33 pm

I thought McCain said he knew how to fix this mess that the republicans created. Now he`s saying he doesnt know how he`ll vote. Geez!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Joe Public | September 23, 2008, 5:34 pm 5:34 pm

I thought McCain said he knew how to fix this mess that the republicans created. Now he`s saying he doesnt know how he`ll vote. Geez!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Joe Public | September 23, 2008, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm

newvoter: Yes, blame the Dems. Don’t just repeat what Obama says. Be a responsible voter and do your homework. There is plenty on the internet (neutral sites) that explains the current situation and how certain Democrats created it. You will also find that the Bush administration wanted do something about Fannie and Freddie back in 2003 but were stopped by a few Democrats.
There are a lot of people to blame for this crisis, but Bush and McCain should not be on the list. Both proposed fixing Fannie andFreddie years ago.
For the Dems that do not understand how Fannie and Freddie are at the heart of this, just consider they are holding about $1.4 trillion in mortgages. They have been, at the direction of Dems, writing and buying billions in sub-prime loans for low income families to comply with a Democratic agenda of providing affordable housing to as many people as possible. Now we, the people, will have to pay the awful price for this foolishness.
The failed policy in this case is yet another liberal idea gone bad.
When politicians talk about give-aways, like national healthcare, think about Fannie and Freddie and remember that whatever they promise you will be paid for with YOUR money.
This is a complicated issue so don’t just fall in line with your party. If we do that, we repeat the same mistake again someday.
Reward the people who got this right even if you have to hold your nose when you do it. Punish the people who screwed this up no matter what happens to your party.
McCain and Bush got it right. Its a matter of public record. Barney Frank and Chris Dodd got it wrong and pretect Fannie and Freddie from regulation.

Posted by: Valerius | September 23, 2008, 5:39 pm 5:39 pm

You guys are a bunch of tools. A bunch of hacks. I am a democrat, and am frankly embarrassed by the (our) congressional leadership. Again. Pelosi, Reed, et al are once again exercising WEAK leadership. See, if McCain votes against the bailout, and other republicans follow suit, then the dems say they won’t vote for it either. WHAT??? Basically, they are afraid to vote their CONSCIENCE on the bailout. They are afraid of being out there alone, gasp!, disagreeing with the republicans.
I for one am impressed with McCain’s reservations. I mean, how many times will our (low IQ?) populace be panicked by this administration into following the Pied Piper that is GWB? Everything this administration has said (EVERYTHING) has been flat wrong or a total snow job. And yet, when they are exclaiming about some new fear, everyone is supposed to jump. Again. AGAIN. Has this country not heard of the little boy who cried wolf??
Now, it is possible, by the law os averages, that ‘W’ group MIGHT be right this time. So we should think about it. Like McCain is doing.
Last thought- this crisis has been a long time coming. So why in the hell, after 10+ years of the impending fall, have we waited so long to do ANYTHING about it that we only have a WEEK left to fix it. WTF?
Good Damn Grief.

Posted by: john | September 23, 2008, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm

The GOP can put Geesus and The Pope on the ticket and I would take a pass. I’m done with the divisiveness. If you want to be in denial, then you are entitled. This topic alone is a testament of the broad difference in philosophy between the two parties. One party wants to take care of a few and the other party wants to take care of the many. When they adjust their platform to include tolerance of the other half of America then they can approach me. This election boils down to political ideology not ndividual votes or positions. If you believe that you can rise to a point where you are above the Constitution, that it is ok for soldiers to die in Iraq until you come up with a “winning” definition of “win” and if you think you know what is best for everyone else then vote for the GOP.

Posted by: AllergicToSpinAndLies | September 23, 2008, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm

There are a lot of people commenting that we should let the banks fail and let the fat cats suffer their losses. I think you people do not understand the severity of this issue.
If teh banking system fails, the fat cat will be fine. There are literally millionsof Americans that work for the “fat cats” and they will pay the high prices. So with you. We have had it so good for so long that we have difficulty comprehending a situation like this and how it will change our lives. We assume we will have our homes, our cars our internet access and plenty of food on the table.
If the banking system fails, the banks will collapse first when there is a run on their deposits. If you have money in the bank, you may not get any of it back. Businesses will fail because they cannot secure funding or their custoemrs cannot secure financing. It will be a domino effect until just about every business closes most or all of its doors.
This will last for year not for weeks or days.
In the end, it will cost the US government far more than $700 billion to support the unemployed and provide some kind of kick start for the economy.
I hate the fact that the government must bail out the financials but I hate the consequences of doingnothing even more.

Posted by: Valerius | September 23, 2008, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm

McCain’s in the right again, and wasn’t it McCain in 2005 that tried to pass legislation to rein in Fannie Mae. Wasn’t it Chris Dodd (Democrat) the chairman of the Bank Finance Committee that shot it down? Wasn’t Chris Dodd like the #1, or #2, recipient of campaign money from Fannie Mae? There needs to be a major investigation, and assets need to be frozen. Hmmmmm…….McCain ya got my vote!!!

Posted by: jon | September 23, 2008, 5:50 pm 5:50 pm

“A Democratic leadership source says that White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten has been told that
Democratic votes will not be there if McCain votes no — that there is no deal if McCain doesn’t go along.”
Hey all you libs. The above is a quote from the article you probably did not even read before you started commenting with your name-calling and slurs.
Doesn’t it sound like even the Dems look to McCain for leadership on tough votes?

Posted by: bullyforhim | September 23, 2008, 5:52 pm 5:52 pm

To Monica, Present,BJ and the rest of you who are posting without reading/watching ALL the news re: this issue……….the ONLY reasonMcCain’s vote is necessary is because the Republicans (as usual) don’t want to vote yes if McCain votes no and vice versa. The reason? If they don’t vote the same way he does, they’re afraid he’ll be on the campaign trail talking against the plan. And since so many of them (Repubs)are also up for re-election they don’t want that to happen. They actually want him to vote no so that in November they can all blame Bush and Obama and run as reformers in Washington. Typical if the right wing Republicans who think only of their own survival! Voters-do your homework before you help sink this country.

Posted by: Duski | September 23, 2008, 5:53 pm 5:53 pm

99 % of politicians are reactionary. McCain may be the opposite. Obama is cut from reactionary cloth, no doubt. I don’t support McCain but I suspect he will do the right thing. I’m still going to vote for Obama for Supreme Court appointments but it won’t bother me in the least if John McCain prevails in the end. Either way, the joke is on the American public.

Posted by: WestCoastMessenger | September 23, 2008, 5:55 pm 5:55 pm

Ruh-roh. Time for the John McCain Theme Song:
“Crack that whip
Give the past the slip
Step on a crack
Break your mommas back
When a problem comes along
You must whip it
Before the cream sits out too long
You must whip it
When somethings going wrong
You must whip it
Now whip it
Into shape
Shape it up
Get straight
Go forward
Move ahead
Try to detect it
Its not too late
To whip it
Whip it good
When a good time turns around
You must whip it
You will never live it down
Unless you whip it
No one gets away
Until they whip it
I say whip it
Whip it good
I say whip it
Whip it good
Crack that whip
Give the past the slip
Step on a crack
Break your mommas back
When a problem comes along
You must whip it
Before the cream sits out too long
You must whip it
When somethings going wrong
You must whip it
Now whip it
Into shape
Shape it up
Get straight
Go forward
Move ahead
Try to detect it
Its not too late
To whip it
Into shape
Shape it up
Get straight
Go forward
Move ahead
Try to detect it
Its not too late
To whip it
Whip it good”
- G. Casale, M. Mothersbaugh

Posted by: Aaron | September 23, 2008, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm

I agree with President McCain, before I spend 700 billion, I will be dam sure the bill is right for the citizens of this great country!
John is the Man!!!

Posted by: Abe in FL | September 23, 2008, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm

Thanks Republicans! Another Bush mess that we all get to pay for to clean up.
So much for McSame and his deregulation claims. Check his voting record online. Check out this video clip of his interviews. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/23/john-mccain-the-fundament_n_128496.html

Posted by: Lori | September 23, 2008, 5:57 pm 5:57 pm

John McCain said this afternnon he would vote for a bill with oversight provisions, a way for taxpayers to get their money back later, and prohibitions against taxpayer money being used for milion dollar severence for CEOs. He also said we must move quickly. Obama then said “me too”
So whats the holdup? If the house is on fire, deal with the fire! Then find out who was smoking in bed!

Posted by: highwayman | September 23, 2008, 5:58 pm 5:58 pm

Well, I don’t believe this. Gingrich calls McCain up today to tell him to politicize this issue. Make it look like McCain’s the populist maverick who rails against the bailout. Isn’t this just nice. Here the country is facing a horrific collapse of its financial standing if a wrong move is made, and McCainites want to just make hay politically. Kind of gives you goosebumps all over, you think?

Posted by: cmgmaggie | September 23, 2008, 5:58 pm 5:58 pm

John McCain: Hi. I’m John McCain and I approved this mental recession.

Posted by: justathought | September 23, 2008, 6:00 pm 6:00 pm

This shows Senator McCain is the right leader. He tried to properly regulate Fannie and Freddie in 2005, the democrats stopped this and look what happened! Now, Senator McCain is very very wise regarding this 700 billion bailout. McCain is a wise leader.
Country First with McCain.

Posted by: Bret | September 23, 2008, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm

This sounds like a good McCain strategy. Screw your own party leaders because you think that it may help get elected. With leaders like this, who needs enemies.

Posted by: redrockraven | September 23, 2008, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm

This sounds like a good McCain strategy. Screw your own party leaders because you think that it may help get elected. With leaders like this, who needs enemies.

Posted by: redrockraven | September 23, 2008, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm

Freddie Mac was paying McCain’s campaign manager 15,000 dollars a month until about a month ago:
http://www.newsweek.com/id/160561
Read it and weep, McBushies.

Posted by: RD | September 23, 2008, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm

john, you must be forgetting the way politics and Washington works. Why should the Democrats in congress take the lead for a mess that was created by the Republican controlled congress of the last two terms, as well as a Republican president for the last eight years. If they take the lead, they may as well slit their wrists and bleed out, because when this bailout doesn’t work, they would get the blame. Let the maverick and his friends and colleagues that created this mess own it and try to fix it. They know it won’t work, and that’s why they were so quick to come up with it, just like McCain had his quick solution, then America will blame the leaders in congress and put the foolish Repubs back in control. It is political theater at it’s best. Who in their right minds would really wait for McCain’s decision, the man doesn’t even know the difference between Spain and Mexico. What an old fool!

Posted by: Court | September 23, 2008, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm

Maybe the American people should put 700 billion into buying Mexico, making it the 51st state, thus eliminate illigal immigration all together,and put the added income tax back into the
federal system.
That has a better chance of success!

Posted by: billy | September 23, 2008, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm

“If McCain doesn’t come out for this, it’s over,” a Top House Republican tells ABC News.
WHOA – !
First Clay Aiken, now McCain?!?

Posted by: Aaron | September 23, 2008, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm

//But when he was asked by ABC News’ Ron Claiborne what he would do if the fate of the bill was in his hands, he said Senate Democrats should not use his vote as the determining factor on the success of the bill.//
Hardy, harr. Put it right to him, Dems and don’t let him up for air!!! If this is such a hairy big, end of the world emergency that it has to pass in a matter of days, surely Bush II is on board. If not, someone was manufacturing a crisis for more ill-gotten gain. Don’t let McCain get away with saying the Dems did this unpopular bailout thing. Let it crash and let history point to McCain and the GOP’s worship of deregulation and privatization.

Posted by: Espresso | September 23, 2008, 6:06 pm 6:06 pm

The democrats should let senator McCain decide this bailout and the right amount of money and content in this bill, as McCain will be the next president!
The democrats have been paid off by Fannie and Freddie.
examples:
Obama – $126,000
Dodd – $166,000
The democrats caused this mortgage/banking problem.
McCain/Palin in ’08 & ’12

Posted by: BR549 | September 23, 2008, 6:08 pm 6:08 pm

Just say NO!!!
NO TO THE BAIL OUT. PERIOD.

Posted by: Patrick Allen | September 23, 2008, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm

Who is really putting campaign ahead of country, here? Exxon-Gramps McSame has been consistent with his lies, pointing the finger at Obama- all the while HE is the one who has the mood swings and has trouble controlling his temper. There’s something very wrong with this man.

Posted by: Randy Nason | September 23, 2008, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm

The democrats in power two years and look what a mess!Time to change back to the republicans. Cna’t trust the dems with money, they spend, and spend, and spend…

Posted by: Alan | September 23, 2008, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm

Is it just me? They just interviewed Iran’s president on Larry King. That man sounds like he has a clearer picture and understanding about our country and economy than the idiot sitting in the white house. Just an observation. When he talked about Bush, the American people, and the economy he was dead on 99 percent of the time. He doesnt sound like a threat and brings good points up. Maybe we are looking the wrong direction as far as a threat goes.

Posted by: CW | September 23, 2008, 6:12 pm 6:12 pm

Herbert Hoover tried to bail out the investment banks & it DID NOT WORK. FDR was then elected, the new deal was put into the works and it did work.
I hope that both parties come to their senses and vote NO. Let the fat cats loose their money. If they created another new deal based on green energy and infrastructure, we the people would be better off.

Posted by: Kristina | September 23, 2008, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm

i mert you at the rally in miami at the intercontinental hotel with charlie christ and bride to be . please do not bail out these ruthless people because i believe you are a true great white hope for america. as a business leader and friend of charlie christ the pie man of labelle let the americans reun ite and get off their ass and go back to work. i know you ran for office to help america and we do not need a bailout. we need a good kick in the ass for waistful government that goes not have a clue. thiw is worse than the bridge to knowhere and sen stevens should be punished. i have worked hard on your campaighn and hope you7 say no to the bail out god bless america. the land i love like you do.

Posted by: JEFFREY BURGER | September 23, 2008, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm

The democrats just proved who the experienced leader will be in november. When there is a problem, they go to McCain for the help that they need, Osama is history.

Posted by: Art | September 23, 2008, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm

LOL…McCain’s campaign mgr taking $$$ from Freddie Mac up until last month.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/23/freddie-mac-paid-mccain-c_n_128770.html…maverick indeed….

Posted by: mccain/palin, thanks but no thanks | September 23, 2008, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm

1. Karl Rove works for Satan, consults for the Bush’s and freelances at FOX as a hobby.
2. Geesus declined the GOP nomination, and the Pope had a scheduling conflict,.
3. George W. is following not “Reagonomics” but “TylerDurdenomics”, so get ready to lay strips of venison on your favorite, soon-to-be-abandoned, superhighway.

Posted by: Flanders | September 23, 2008, 6:16 pm 6:16 pm

You idiot gas and oil party people…the dems have been in power for 2 freaking years….YOUR GUY…the village idiot from Crawford and Keating 5 McCain as well as Phil Enron Gramm can take responsibility for this one…

Posted by: MC/P...bridge to nowhere | September 23, 2008, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm

The way everyone is looking to McCain they must have come to the realization that he is the next president.

Posted by: Bob | September 23, 2008, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm

When Senator McCain speaks, everyone listens. Nobody is waiting on Obama’s opinion regarding the democrats mortgage mess!
President McCain – get use to it !!!!!

Posted by: cindy L. | September 23, 2008, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm

http://www.newsweek.com/id/160561
Would love to see what Caribou Barbie has to say about this…if they would let the pitbull off her leash…lol…

Posted by: Charles Keating | September 23, 2008, 6:21 pm 6:21 pm

I say no bail out. Let the chips fall as they may and build a stronger, mor honest America. Why, one again, should the tax payers bail out the wrong doings of big Gov and corps. If we bail them out is may not even work. Dont let Bush scr&w us again. This whole bail out is a bad idea.

Posted by: CW | September 23, 2008, 6:22 pm 6:22 pm

Its very simple, let the credit tighten, too many people living way beyond their means. NO Bailout. HEY…here is an idea to stimulate the economy. Stop charging 15% or higher on credit cards. Make every credit card company charge only 5%. That will allow the credit card company to make a reasonable profit, and maybe then people can pay more than the minimum.

Posted by: Jim | September 23, 2008, 6:23 pm 6:23 pm

The freshman, part-time, senator Obama, is waiting on McCain’s viewpoint on the bailout, as it should be. McCain has the knowledge and wisdon in government matters. Senator McCain has proven, he is man for the job.
Our future leaders:
President McCain
Vice-President Palin

Posted by: Malcom | September 23, 2008, 6:24 pm 6:24 pm

We need to break this problem into two pieces. 1. Respond to the emergency: the “bad paper” needs to be bought up to restore confidence to the fincincial markets. The “paper” consists of mortgages being paid by people who will lose their jobs if the stock market collapses leading to a depression, making their mortgage worthless. So WE buy up the paper, the stock market rallys ,the depression is averted, and people keep their jobs and pay their mortgages, presto, the paper is now worth money again, and the taxpayer may actually make some profit on this. The bailout is not for wall street’s benifit, it is an act of self preservation- it is for us. This all worked for the RTC back in Savings and Loan debacle. 2. the FBI and the SEC need to find out which of these fat cats commited fraud and send them to prision and confiscate their ill gotten gains! That is how to punish the fat cat CEOs with thebillion dollar golden parachutes. Leting the whole finicial system collapse will not punish the fat cats, they have their money in gold now. By letting the finicial system collapse , the stock market collapseing ect…, you all must understand that it will be OUR MONEY that will be lost, not the fat cats. So there needs to be a bipartisan effort to get a bill through congress , quickly, to stabilize the markets, then send the FBI and SEC after the real culprits. That will save our retirement funds, and punish the con artists on wall street who cuased this. So put out the fire first, then look for the arsonists. Let us all pray the at reason and not partisanship will now prevail in washington.

Posted by: highwayman | September 23, 2008, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm

Funny how ABC is questioning McCain regarding his choice on the issue of “bailout” and blaming “him – one man” for the fall out. Where are the questions to the management of these firms that have made millions of dollars on “our retirement money?!” Corporate jets, many vacation homes, cars, vacations, etc, etc, etc. Please, ABC, get off the partisan bandwagon and start reporting something that is somewhere in the neighborhood of our universe as far as truth!

Posted by: Kathleen | September 23, 2008, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm

Allergictospinandlies – typical response from a liberal…… just attacks with no substance. When will you deal with the facts, and not the personal attacks? You are a sad man.

Posted by: Bob | September 23, 2008, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm

Country First!
That is unless you need to play politics and waffle and flip-flop. Anything to get elected Senator McChange. Poor, grumpy, angry, old man doesn’t know what to do. What would your savior Sarah Palin do?
Uh, did he mention he was a POW? Yeah, for five and a half years.
Go retire already old man.

Posted by: efftheright | September 23, 2008, 6:28 pm 6:28 pm

Is this right? This can’t be right.
1.) If I can’t pay for my house the bank takes it.
2.) If the bank can’t pay for the house the taxpayers give the bank the money so they can keep it.
What really sucks is that I have to pay the taxes that end up going to the bank that got to keep that house.
Did I get something wrong or is this what is about to happen?

Posted by: Danger Mouse | September 23, 2008, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm

Another idea would be to bring our troops home and quit dumping billions in to Iraq. Oh yea, thats an old idea and it must not be the right thing to do because Bush said so. Does anyone else feel like ,we the public have been lied to over and over by Bush? I just listened to the President of Iran on Larry King. He doesnt sound like a bad guy and to be honest, if we took his advise and quit policing the world and throwing our money at other countries we wouldnt be in this situation. I say dont give Bush one more red cent nor listen to one more of his lies.

Posted by: CW | September 23, 2008, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm

highwayman – finally someone with intelligence! THANK YOU>

Posted by: Bob | September 23, 2008, 6:32 pm 6:32 pm

When you have a big problem, you send in your best man, soon-to-be President McCain.
I would sooner trust Gov. Palin than the tax-and-spend democrats. She has real experience in finance matters, as the governor of Alaska. Unlike the comminity organizer, he will spend your money and your childrens money and grandchildrens money..

Posted by: Newt | September 23, 2008, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm

Funny how ABC is questioning McCain regarding his choice on the issue of “bailout” and blaming “him – one man” for the fall out. Where are the questions to the management of these firms that have made millions of dollars on “our retirement money?!” Corporate jets, many vacation homes, cars, vacations, etc, etc, etc. Please, ABC, get off the partisan bandwagon and start reporting something that is somewhere in the neighborhood of our universe as far as truth!

Posted by: Kathleen | September 23, 2008, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm

McSenile/Palyin what a ticket!
You fools ponder this. McCain graduated 894th in his class of 899 at the Naval Academy. He was only smarter than 5 other people in the entire class…hmm. Talk about barely squeaking by. Then Palin, flunked out of college after changing schools five times, then went to community college to try to pass the courses she couldn’t at the 4 year college, and what was her area of study! Journalism! Now I am not knocking the Naval academy or people in Jounalism, but this pair, was less than average in either discipline, and we think they have the brilliance to lead us. What does that say about you who want them to lead? I would be wondering about your exploits in school myself. This is so ridiculous that they even made it this far. I sure wouldn’t want my kids looking to those two for inspiration or as role models, would you?

Posted by: Court | September 23, 2008, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm

Large Debt + War + Large Government + Repeal of Constitution + Corruption + Financial Disaster = REPUBLICANS

Posted by: kojipham | September 23, 2008, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm

$700 billion?… Mmmmm sure… This from the same people who said Iraq would cost us $50 billion.

Posted by: Skeptic | September 23, 2008, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm

Newt. Dude. Bush. $700 billion dollars. “tax-and-spend Democrats”.
I fell out of my chair I laughed so hard.
You are a brilliant satirist my friend. Send us another one, this is pure comic genius.

Posted by: Danger Mouse | September 23, 2008, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm

The way everyone is looking to McCain they must have come to the realization that he is the next president.
Posted by: Bob | Sep 23, 2008 10:18:12 PM
———————————
I have to agree. Senator McCain is looking more presidential everyday.
Obama who?

Posted by: GO Jags | September 23, 2008, 6:38 pm 6:38 pm

This administration has been behind the eight ball on every major occurance for the last eight years. Either this was by design or Bush can’t see further than the nose on his face. We need someone with enough foresight to anticipate problems and meet them head on. Oh, it would help with a little honesty mixed in the equation. I have not seen either candidate eminating these qualities. All I here is the same old politics as usual from all except Palin who doesn’t say much at all. Where is someone that has a honest real passion for “Truth, justice and the American way”? We need a REAL Superman or Wonder Woman.

Posted by: AverageJoe | September 23, 2008, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm

This is not the time for a affirmative action educated person like Obama. He failed to pass his entrance test for college and the only way to get into college was “affirmative action”. Yes, the tax payer footed the bill for Obama, feel better?

Posted by: Norman | September 23, 2008, 6:42 pm 6:42 pm

The way everyone is looking to McCain they must have come to the realization that he is the next president.
Posted by: Bob | Sep 23, 2008 10:18:12 PM
———————————
I have to agree. Senator McCain is looking more presidential everyday.
Obama who?
Posted by: GO Jags ———————–Acually he is looking more confused and lost everyday. He is looking more like the looser everyday. But dream on.

Posted by: CW | September 23, 2008, 6:43 pm 6:43 pm

S.190 A bill to address the regulation of secondary mortgage market enterprises. The bill that could have helped divert the Fannie/Freddie mess was opposed by Democrats in 2005…Follow the money from the likes of Freddie and Fannie and it leads to Obama, Clinton, and Dodd…Co-sponser of the bill John McCain.

Posted by: jason | September 23, 2008, 6:45 pm 6:45 pm

As someone who will not vote Republican or Democrat I find it quite humorous with all the Democrats piling on Palin..The only time we hear of Biden is when he opens his mouth and something stupid comes out. Even Obama is telling him to shut up.

Posted by: Jason | September 23, 2008, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm

I am certain that the 3 AM call will be answered by President McCain.

Posted by: Hillary | September 23, 2008, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm

Hi,
I wanted to draw your attention to this important petition that I recently signed:
“Impeach Senator Barack Obama”
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/obamaimpeachment?e ………
I really think this is an important cause, and I’d like to encourage you to add your signature, too. It’s free and takes less than a minute of your time.
Thanks!
————————-
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/obamaimpeachment?e

Posted by: WillNotBeFooledByObamaNATION | September 23, 2008, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm

The democrats are refusing to vote for the bill if McCain won’t because then they can blame McCain if things don’t go well. Also, if McCain votes yes and the democrats vote yes, then the democrats also have someone to blame for the problems that arise from a politicized bill. Now who do you think is playing the political game? McCain or Obama? Do you really want politics involved when it comes to our future?

Posted by: Don't you see? | September 23, 2008, 6:56 pm 6:56 pm

Warren Buffett invested $5B into Goldman Sachs today.
He receives perpetuity preferred shares w/10% dividend, plus $5B more in options priced at 8% below the close.
Can anyone here explain why if a bank like Goldman is stable enough for the world’s pickiest investor to put money in today, why we need to give $700 billion of taxpayer money for free, no strings, no dividends, no equity, no options? And right now?
If Warren would up his investment to $7B, we’d only need to find 99 more private investors like him and we’d be at $700 billion. Or we can give half of 2007′s personal income tax from every taxpayer in america to the banks for free.
Outrageous. This crisis is a sham.

Posted by: dieselm | September 23, 2008, 6:57 pm 6:57 pm

Email your Congress Person and Tell Them “NO MORE BAILOUTS” ——– http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ ———- Go here and find your senator by zipcode. ——- Send a message to your Congressmen. ——it works great ——– Tell them NO MORE BAILOUTS NO MATTER HOW LOUD BUSH AND PAULSEN SCREAM NO BAILOUTS PERIOD OR WE WILL VOTE EVERYONE THAT SIGNS ON THE BAILOUT OUT OF OFFICE IN NOVEMBER ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– send to these as well —————-Go to http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ —- or here —- http://www.house.gov/ — or here — http://speaker.house.gov/contact/ —– or email here —– comments@whitehouse.gov ——————————————————————– I would like to throw a shout out to Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky as he is leading this fight against the bailout for the people. If we could send him an email with a word of Thanks I am sure he would appreciate it.

Posted by: Ben | September 23, 2008, 6:59 pm 6:59 pm

I can’t stand listening to you dem morons. Does anybody realize this has been coming for a long time? That slick willie Bill Clinton was the guy that allowed banks and investment firms to do this? That the topic of regulating Fannie Mae and Fredie Mac and these other institutions was squashed by the democrats? And that guys like Barney Frank and Jack Reed both dems on the banking committee even now fighting reglations.

Posted by: neeb | September 23, 2008, 7:05 pm 7:05 pm

I thought McCain was a “leader” and a “maverick?” Wouldn’t a leader WANT everything to hinge on his vote? He claims he knows what is best, so go for it Johnny.
Must be hard to know what to do, though, when you and your entire campaign staff are the ones who helped push the bus over the cliff in the first place, though.

Posted by: Jim | September 23, 2008, 7:05 pm 7:05 pm

I was wondering why Obama hasn’t given us anything on the bailout..Then I read he’s in debate camp for three days. Wow. Three days to rehearse his answers.

Posted by: Jason | September 23, 2008, 7:06 pm 7:06 pm

Senator Biden stated during the debates: McCain is qualified to be president and I would run on his ticket.
Also stated by Biden: Obama lacks the experience to be president.
There is hope for Biden, as he was correct on these two statemants!

Posted by: 90210 | September 23, 2008, 7:09 pm 7:09 pm

>>That slick willie Bill Clinton was the guy that allowed banks and investment firms to do this?
Yes! Just like he caused 9/11 and Katrina! In fact, everything bad that has happened on Bush’s watch was Clinton’s fault.
You people are so blind it is honestly frightening.

Posted by: Jim | September 23, 2008, 7:10 pm 7:10 pm

Tell the Democrats to take their strong arm tactics and shove it…. Let the Country go to hell in a hat basket…. Once we hit bottom ther’s only way to go…. I guess Obama hasn’t hit BOTTOM yet… So let him sink his ship…. This is BULL$HIT!…. They want him to back it so they can say oh McCain voted for it…. McCain warned everyone this was going to happen they refused to acknowledge him them and this is the time to ignore themk…. OBAMA has recieved the feedbak many times that he is lacking in voting and hides behind the “PRESENT”… Well buck up OBAMA why don’t you decide, you realyy should show alittle courage if your trying to glean votes…. I appears like your trying to hide behind someone eles and are affraid of making the wrong choice….
I think McCain should vopte “PRESENT” Obama get’s a free pass with that one…

Posted by: Jackie Allen | September 23, 2008, 7:11 pm 7:11 pm

I was wondering why Obama hasn’t given us anything on the bailout..Then I read he’s in debate camp for three days. Wow. Three days to rehearse his answers.
Posted by: Jason | Sep 23, 2008 11:06:01 PM
——————————–
“The One” has been studying with his tele-prompter…

Posted by: Bret | September 23, 2008, 7:15 pm 7:15 pm

Sounds like someone is trying to build up McCain’s credibility; something like Palin going to the UN to build up her foreign policy credential. McCain or no deal, give it a break!

Posted by: ME | September 23, 2008, 7:17 pm 7:17 pm

It seeeems like its the dems putting politics first. they are saying it is up to McCain. why aren’t they saying it is up to Obama?

Posted by: Registered Republican | September 23, 2008, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm

Will Obama vote “present”?

Posted by: martha J. | September 23, 2008, 7:23 pm 7:23 pm

It’s time for Obama to go back to Kenya where he was born. He has citizenship in Kenya and Indonesia. Obama can save the world with his teleprompter speeches. He also could run for president of Europe, just a thought…
http://www.obamacrimes.com

Posted by: Norman | September 23, 2008, 7:27 pm 7:27 pm

McCain’s campaign manager, Rick Davis, has been on Freddie Mac’s payroll until LAST MONTH!! McCain lied through his yellow teeth on 60 minutes when he claimed Davis had not had any involvement since 2005. Davis was getting $180,000.00 per year to do nothing except provide “access” to McCain. And this went on until Paulson and Bernanke took over Freddie last month. Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Jackie | September 23, 2008, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm

If McCain and the Republicans vote NO on the bailout the DEMS should:
1. Pass it with lots of restrictions.
2. Include earmarks for the construction of prisons for all the Republicans, Bush and his officials, AND Alan Greenspan.

Posted by: Jay Severin Has A Small Pen1s | September 23, 2008, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm

The DNC should pay for the bailout! The losercrats killed the bill to reform Fannie and Freddie. Obama has the money in his campaign coffers, give it to the people!

Posted by: "The Truth" | September 23, 2008, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm

The Federal reserve is a private bank. They’re telling me take these bad loans or you’re screwed? I say, screw me Ben! Both party’s and the Fed have had enough sex with the country! Don’t threaten us Bernake! We the people need to see you screw us personally so we can say…we’ve had enough! You’re all gone! Central bank, be gone!

Posted by: kennedy | September 23, 2008, 7:31 pm 7:31 pm

REgistered Republican: First, Obama can not vote “present”. That doesn’t exist as a possibility in the US Senate.However, a Senator can deliberately not vote.
Including being absent regularly from the Senate. Such as Senator McCain, who has been there since April 4.
So, you’re out to lunch here on both counts. Sorry.

Posted by: Don | September 23, 2008, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm

Wow, so many McCain trolls. Did you all win golf hats for your propaganda posts tonight?

Posted by: Jim | September 23, 2008, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm

If the democrats had listened to McCain in 2005, the mortgage and banking companies wouldn’t be in this mess.
McCain/Palin – for sure !!!!!

Posted by: Sara | September 23, 2008, 7:33 pm 7:33 pm

Jay – What Bill was that? In what year?

Posted by: Don | September 23, 2008, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm

Of course, McCain ‘won’t be a problem.’ He’s been whoring for these clowns his entire career. McCain is on their ‘bought and paid for’ list and will do what he is told by Paulson and his Wall Street cronies. His populist huffing and puffing is for show.
Welcome to the Bush/McCain corporate fascist state…

Posted by: glennpdx | September 23, 2008, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm

McCain Campaign Manager, Rick Davis firm got $15,000/month from Freddie Mac up until Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae where taken over by the government last month. Read the entire story at the New York Times at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/24/us/politics/w24davis.html?_r=3&hp&oref=slogin&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Posted by: kojipham | September 23, 2008, 7:37 pm 7:37 pm

McCain is creating his own myth. He wasn’t a leader in speaking out. The revelations were the result of a 27 month study by a congressional auditing agency. There was a general outcry when it was published. Furthermore, McCain’s name doesn’t appear on the Bill that came about because of the report. More mythmaking from McCain.

Posted by: Don | September 23, 2008, 7:39 pm 7:39 pm

It may not be profiles in political courage, but given the dirty politics of the Republicans, the Dems hesitation is understandable. With McCain aboard, it
neutralizes it as an election issue. Because without him, the Repubicans will holler “socialism” and use it against the Dems.

Posted by: Don | September 23, 2008, 7:40 pm 7:40 pm

Norman: read your post again, then you might realize how ridiculous that sounds. If affirmative action got him in, what helped him pass, and be tops in the class. Think before you repeat stuff that makes no sense.
Obama graduated Magna Cum Laude in his class at Harvard Law. When you figure out what that means, then come back and tell me how dumb you think Obama is. I guess I’ll see you next year some time, if that soon.

Posted by: Court | September 23, 2008, 7:41 pm 7:41 pm

I love you die hard Republicans going back to Clinton looking for someone to blame, because you’re so ashamed of what your party caused. Do your homework and you’ll find where the real nightmare started… McCain’s hero Ronald Reagan.
Pres. Reagan was man that planted this seed (philosophy), if the government takes care of business, business will take care of little people. Trickle down economics. This is gift that keeps giving.
Reagan was also the man that said why worry about oil, when the Middle East has enough to meet our US need. Have you forgotten his relationship with Iraq and who he empowered there?
He crippled the EPA (because the US automobile makers had him in their pockets), so we did not improve MPG as Carter said was necessary to support the future US car usage demand. US auto companies had Reagan convinced that forcing them to get the MPG up would destroy the auto industry.
So thanks to Reagan we are in our current environmental state and dependent on foreign oil.
Reagan was also the man that said FEMA was a useless office and pulled it’s funding and lowered it’s office stature. Reagan believed that there would never be a real disaster that would happen on US soil that would require FEMA.
Bush was a yahoo for eight years. Reagan was really the master planner of our current state.
This is why McCain’s not talking up Reagan anymore. He knows how easy it is to connect the dots on the problems of today back to Reagan policy.
Or maybe we should talk about Nixon?
Clinton, was not perfect, but the American people we were better off when he left office. This can not be said of Bush.
By the way, what McCain is doing to our country’s fabric using sexism and racism to win, will have a lasting impact for years to come. Country First, yeah right… wanna buy a bridge to …
Folks get smart, Vote Democrat.

Posted by: whymelord | September 23, 2008, 7:41 pm 7:41 pm

Maybe old man McSame can commission a study to find out how he should vote? LOL Out of touch, do-nothing old fool!

Posted by: patty patts | September 23, 2008, 7:42 pm 7:42 pm

I love you die hard Republicans going back to Clinton looking for someone to blame, because you’re so ashamed of what your party caused. Do your homework and you’ll find where the real nightmare started… McCain’s hero Ronald Reagan.
Pres. Reagan was man that planted this seed (philosophy), if the government takes care of business, business will take care of little people. Trickle down economics. This is gift that keeps giving.
Reagan was also the man that said why worry about oil, when the Middle East has enough to meet our US need. Have you forgotten his relationship with Iraq and who he empowered there?
He crippled the EPA (because the US automobile makers had him in their pockets), so we did not improve MPG as Carter said was necessary to support the future US car usage demand. US auto companies had Reagan convinced that forcing them to get the MPG up would destroy the auto industry.
So thanks to Reagan we are in our current environmental state and dependent on foreign oil.
Reagan was also the man that said FEMA was a useless office and pulled it’s funding and lowered it’s office stature. Reagan believed that there would never be a real disaster that would happen on US soil that would require FEMA.
Bush was a yahoo for eight years. Reagan was really the master planner of our current state.
This is why McCain’s not talking up Reagan anymore. He knows how easy it is to connect the dots on the problems of today back to Reagan policy.
Or maybe we should talk about Nixon?
Clinton, was not perfect, but the American people we were better off when he left office. This can not be said of Bush.
By the way, what McCain is doing to our country’s fabric using sexism and racism to win, will have a lasting impact for years to come. Country First, yeah right… wanna buy a bridge to …
Folks get smart, Vote Democrat.

Posted by: whymelord | September 23, 2008, 7:43 pm 7:43 pm

McCain’s role in being the “leader of the pack” warning against Freddie and Fannie is not exactly what he’d like you to think (shades of “I was first to oppose Rumsfeld”):

Posted by: Don | September 23, 2008, 7:44 pm 7:44 pm

Norman – I wonder what better-qualified cadet lost his slot at Annapolis because McCain’s father was an Admiral? LOL Nepotism = affirmative action for stupid whiteboys.

Posted by: klinks | September 23, 2008, 7:45 pm 7:45 pm

Posted by: Don | September 23, 2008, 7:45 pm 7:45 pm

Why does McCain lie so obviously and blatantly? Does he really think that we’re so stupid that we can’t check the public record? He NEVER spoke up against deregulation and Phil Gramm was his principal economic advisor until he put his foot in his mouth and had to step away from the campaign. How stupid does McCain think we are? It’s just insulting after a while…

Posted by: independent thought | September 23, 2008, 7:47 pm 7:47 pm

McCain is dishonest.

Posted by: tired of the lies | September 23, 2008, 7:48 pm 7:48 pm

Why does McCain lie so much?

Posted by: sacred chao | September 23, 2008, 7:50 pm 7:50 pm

In an interview Tuesday with conservative talk-radio host Neal Boortz, Mr. McCain said, “I remember warning at that time that Fannie and Freddie were out of control and that they needed to be reined in. And, frankly, I warned that this kind of thing could lead to serious problems. Now, in full disclosure, I didn’t foresee something this huge, but certainly I saw the fundamentals there for serious problems when you have a quasi government agency acting the way they did.”
When Mr. Boortz noted approvingly that Mr. McCain had co-sponsored a Senate bill to mandate new regulations, Mr. McCain said, “I remember it very well.”
But a Freddie Mac official said Mr. McCain “never took on the role that some other Republicans did” to try to limit the companies. He named instead Senators Chuck Hagel of Nebraska, John Sununu of New Hampshire and Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina, all of whom were on the banking committee during recent years. “I remember working against a number of amendments and they were always introduced by Hagel and Sununu. John McCain was never anywhere to be found.”
A check of the records for the legislation that Mr. Boortz mentioned shows that Senator Hagel was the original sponsor on Jan. 26, 2005, and Senators Sununu and Dole were co-sponsors then. Mr. McCain did not sign on as a

Posted by: Don | September 23, 2008, 7:52 pm 7:52 pm

Wow, so many McCain trolls. Did you all win golf hats for your propaganda posts tonight?
Posted by: Jim | Sep 23, 2008 11:33:21 PM
————————————
Gov. Palin can field dress a donkey.
Be afraid, be very afraid…

Posted by: Sarah in Florida | September 23, 2008, 7:52 pm 7:52 pm

This sub-prime mess has little to do with the CRA or Bill Clinton. It only goes back, legislatively, to Phil Gramm’s role in repealing the 1933 legislation that prohibited banks from also be in the financial services sector. In short, most of the regulatory procedures that had kept the industry solid (and avoided what had happened to the S&L), were removed. Second, the calamity deals mainly with the use of Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARM), which balooned – not coincidentally – following Gramm’s Bill being signed, yes, by Clinton. The proof? In 1998 only 2% of mortgages were ARM. By 2004, it had swelled to 27%, and then the collapse. Another catastrophe you can chalk up to Reaganomics….

Posted by: Don | September 23, 2008, 7:56 pm 7:56 pm

Obama polls go down, he calls for Bill and Hillary. Experience counts, sorry, Obama, you can go back to Chicago to the house that Resko helped you buy.
Country First, Experience counts: McCain – Palin !!!!!

Posted by: Alan | September 23, 2008, 7:58 pm 7:58 pm

“Country First”….the biggest sham slogan I’ve ever heard. From the day McCain’s struggling campaign took on Steve Schmidt and his crew of Karl Rove disciples, it became “Campaign First”….The only experience McCain has is in inventing his own political mythology and doing the bidding of telecommications lobbyists. And, of course, kissing Bush’s butt.

Posted by: Don | September 23, 2008, 8:01 pm 8:01 pm

Gov. and soon-to-be Vice-President Palin had over 60,000 at her appearance in Florida, last Sunday.
Read my lipstick!

Posted by: Abe in FL | September 23, 2008, 8:02 pm 8:02 pm

Wow, the Democrats really have a lot of leadership don’t they? That’s why they are all waiting to see what John McCain does.
Send those cards and letters folks, McCain is our only hope to stop this boondoggle.

Posted by: katablog.com | September 23, 2008, 8:05 pm 8:05 pm

I think it is time we just divide the whole continent by how we vote for president and then Red States United and Blue States United would each not be full of all of this conflict. Before clouding the issue with slavery, the South had it right, the interests of the agricultural south had nothing in commen with the industrial north. Rise up Blue staters and free us from the rule of the loony Red State folks. I don’t want to share with anyone stupid enough to vote for McCain (barely smart enough to get out of the navy academy).

Posted by: outwest | September 23, 2008, 8:06 pm 8:06 pm

Abe in FL – another lie – 30,00 was more like it as attested to by police force.
McCain’s vote is already decided – that is why his a$$ is squirming all over the place -
“We do not support government bailouts of private institutions. Government interference in the markets exacerbates problems in the marketplace and causes the free market to take longer to correct itself.”
- Republican Party Platform, 2008
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/09/23/extra_bonu…

Posted by: sandy | September 23, 2008, 8:14 pm 8:14 pm

Hey gang, forget all of this chattering. Methane has begun to bubble up from previously frozen sea-floor sediments off of the northern coast of Siberia. The chain reaction which will wipe out all living organisms on Earth is beginning. Prepare yourselves to be cooked.

Posted by: John Crandell | September 23, 2008, 8:16 pm 8:16 pm

McCain:
“Me First”

Posted by: dan b | September 23, 2008, 8:21 pm 8:21 pm

OK, sooooo, is Boy George actually admitting that McCain has some kind of power and leadership that could maybe qualify him to be, oh, I don’t know, say President?
Or…is he putting McCain in a position of having to take the blame for a possible lose-lose situation?
Is McCain now the only Senator? Did they change the Constitution last week or something?
What happened to the votes of Senators Biden, Clinton, Obama, and Dodd?

Posted by: Grand Old Party | September 23, 2008, 8:25 pm 8:25 pm

If McCain wants to remain relevant he will have to vote against the bail out. If does go along his chances will be closer to zero of getting elected the next president. This is the mother of all issues.

Posted by: gjkotw01 | September 23, 2008, 8:27 pm 8:27 pm

I will be flabbergasted if McCain actually votes on this issue. He has not seen fit to vote this year. He has missed many of the most important votes, i.e. the new GI bill, which he continues to accept credit for.

Posted by: rekster | September 23, 2008, 8:39 pm 8:39 pm

Once again, John McCain is displaying the attributes of what it takes to be a great leader by not falling in behind those that would sign-off on poor legislation. It seems he believes supporting the bailout is wrong, therefore he should follow his instincts and listen to his economic advisors on this one and he should not support the bailout. I for one do not want to pay for other peoples stupidity or corporate corruption, depending upon which end of the spectrum that they fall upon. If AGI cannot stand upon its own merits then it should fall. If people purchased houses they knew they could not aford then they should either sale or be foreclosed upon and not expect my tax dollars to pay their mortgage.
Used2bdemocrat

Posted by: Used2bdemocrat | September 23, 2008, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm

We all need to set aside our political differences and look to what is best for the country. Our country is now facing a crisis. The biggest economic crisis since the stock market crash of 1929 thatled to the great depression. As far as I can tell, McCain is on the right track with his economic ideas. I may disagree with him on some issued, but on this one he is correct.

Posted by: 4supermom4 | September 23, 2008, 8:47 pm 8:47 pm

We all need to set aside our political differences and look to what is best for the country. Our country is now facing a crisis. The biggest economic crisis since the stock market crash of 1929 thatled to the great depression. As far as I can tell, McCain is on the right track with his economic ideas. I may disagree with him on some issued, but on this one he is correct.

Posted by: 4supermom4 | September 23, 2008, 8:47 pm 8:47 pm

Many of you are not understanding what is going on here.
The Dems are not insisting on McCain’s vote because his vote is any more important than any other. They are demanding it so this will be a non-partisan deal that BOTH presidential candidates sign on to.
The reason? Because the Dems know that McCain could very well use the bailout as a primary campaign issue by turning around and criticizing the Dems and Senator Obama for whatever plan is approved.
Congress does not want this to be a partisan issue during this crucial period of the election. That’s why they want BOTH candidates to sign on before it is approved.

Posted by: nandssmith | September 23, 2008, 8:49 pm 8:49 pm

Anna
Take a look at the NY Times for 23 Sept online. There you will find the hard figures. Over 4 yrs 2004-08employees of Freddie/Fannie gave $120K to Obama as personal contributions. Note that over the last 2 yrs Obama has raised over $400M for his campaign.
Now, over the last three yrs McCain’s campaign chairman Rick Davis’s PR firm has had $15K per month retainer from Freddie, in exchange for which Davis gave 1 speech. Furthermore, Timmons, just announced chair of McCain’s transition team, has earned $3M since 2000 as the REGISTERED LOBBYIST for Fannie.
So let ‘s see. Employees—perhaps as many as 50-60 if they all gave the max of $2300 in one yr, maybe 10-15 if the same ones gave over 4 yrs– contribute from their income—as is the right of all of us. Total about $120K, and that is “corruption”
Meanwhile, Freddie the institution pays $3.5M of corporate money—not private salaries– to highly placed McCain advisers for lobbying, and that means nothing, just taking care of bidness.
As in everything else that is coming out about McCain’s sleaze—you can’t put lipstick on this pig.
But there is hope. New ABC poll shows obama ahead 52-43. May be an outlier, may be the beginning of the end for McSame and Caribou Barbie.
Woot.

Posted by: jhh | September 23, 2008, 8:50 pm 8:50 pm

The Fannie and Freddie failure started this mess, and in case you Obama fans don’t know your history, in 2006 the Republicans in the Senate tried to pass legislation requiring much more regulation and oversight for Freddie and Fannie. John McCain was a huge advocate for this legislation, and in his speech to the Senate he warned of just the financial crisis that has now occurred. Every Republican voted for it, every Democrat voted against it, and it was defeated because the Dems had the majority.
Add to the mix the fact that the 3 largest recipients of Fannie and Freddie money were Chris Dodd, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Barack Obama, and Hillary Clinton, in that order, and it’s hard to see how the Democrats can be pointing the finger at anyone right now.
Where is the media regarding this little bit of history? Oh, yeah, I forgot, they’re too busy trying to get Obama elected to report the facts.

Posted by: Grammy Barb | September 23, 2008, 8:53 pm 8:53 pm

INTERESTING……………
DID JOHN MCCAIN KNOW OR DID HE LIE AGAIN.
.Two reports tonight, one from the New York Times, and the other from Newsweek, contradict John McCain’s statement this week that his campaign manager Rick Davis had no involvement with mortgage giant Freddie Mac for the last several years. The Times reports:
One of the giant mortgage companies at the heart of the credit crisis paid $15,000 a month to a firm owned by Senator John McCain’s campaign manager from the end of 2005 through last month, according to two people with direct knowledge of the arrangement.

Posted by: joe valles | September 23, 2008, 9:03 pm 9:03 pm

9 out of 10 of Obama’s top “bundlers” are from Wall Street. He has received more donations from just Lehman Brothers alone than the total of all of John McCain’s donations from Wall Street. Barack Obama is in the pocket of Wall street, who are foaming at the mouth for this bailout. Of course Obama will favor it, hopefully John McCain will consider “country first” before he makes a decision. But Obama’s decision has been made for him by all those Wall Street bucks in his pocket.

Posted by: Grammy Barb | September 23, 2008, 9:05 pm 9:05 pm

billy bob wrote basically: how come the dems are looking to McCain. Let me see if I can explain this to you. It’s a mess largely created by Republicans such as the arch-deregulator Phill Gramm. Why should the Dems take the heat if McCain won’t even vote for a bailout proposed by his party?

Posted by: rick | September 23, 2008, 9:12 pm 9:12 pm

Hmmmmm……so the other dems and republicans can’t think for themselves????!!! Or do they want to just follow someone else so if things don’t work out – they can blame him?
Like “oh my gosh we just did what so and so said! What crap, grow up politicians – you’re no longer in kindergarten.
Supposedly you’re supposed to be intelligent enough to represent WE THE PEOPLE – although that seems like a lot to expect these days.

Posted by: mistie1 | September 23, 2008, 9:24 pm 9:24 pm

Freddie Mac Paid McCain Campaign Manager’s Firm Through last Month:
$15,000/Month!!!!
Folks, please re-post this at will. Lets rip this one to the top!
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/24/us/politics/24davis.html?ref=politics
http://www.newsweek.com/id/160561/output/print
http://www.newsweek.com/id/160561/output/print

Kevin B
I’m saying it now: President Barack H. Obama, Jr., 2009 – 2017
http://www.VoteForChange.com

Posted by: Kb | September 23, 2008, 9:25 pm 9:25 pm

I guess I am at a loss as to why the democrats would not vote for this if McCain doesnt. That is confusing for me.
And why all the secrecy to begin with?
Bush doesnt want the right hand to know what the left hand is doing? That really isn’t much of a surprise considering that is how he has run this country for 8 years now and alot of his choices have led upto this finacial meltdown. Bush is just as much responsible as everyone else that is invloved from Wall Street to Capitol Hill. Why do you think the FEDS have been ivestigaing this for almost a year now and are just now starting to get a handle on what has been going on?
Alot of Wall Street Big Rollers are going to pay a price in prison

Posted by: Kelly | September 23, 2008, 9:25 pm 9:25 pm

McCain has a wide knowledge of the banking industy it’s Called KEATING 5

Posted by: bill Anderson | September 23, 2008, 9:30 pm 9:30 pm

The economic problems aren’t “partisan”,
they are “bipartisan”.
Both parties had a hand in it.Neither of them are “innocent”.

Posted by: mistie1 | September 23, 2008, 9:31 pm 9:31 pm

@Grammy Barb: too bad for your theory — Obama’s already come out AGAINST the bailout.
BTW, I had to keep checking that this article came from ABC, a ‘legitimate’ new source, since it’s so strangely written.

Posted by: nate | September 23, 2008, 9:32 pm 9:32 pm

Where do they get morons like CaptD. I wonder what the “D” stands for. If all else fails lets blame Clinton for this mess.
Lets not talk about mccain and his association with the Keating 7 or Phil Gramm and his poision pill that killed regulation of mortgage derivatives and who personally has his hands all over this latest deregulation debacle. Phil Gramm who would most likely become mccains treasury secretary. Wasn’t it Phil Gramm that called all of us naysayers of the economy a bunch of “whiners?”
If the country is burning it must be a democrats fault right? After all we know how conservative the “borrow and spend” conservatives are. republicans have a pathological way of deflecting blame. These aren’t patriots simply criminals and cowards.

Posted by: HopingForABetterWorld | September 23, 2008, 10:01 pm 10:01 pm

They are ALL crooks. We are suppose to give a trillion dollars to those people who got us into this mess in the first place to manage?? with no questions asked?? and no accountability?? and hurry up and do it NOW. How STUPID do they think the American public is? let’s take it into our own hands and EVERYBODY go on strike. EVERYONE stop paying taxes for a year in protest. Let’s take our power back.

Posted by: carolyn | September 23, 2008, 10:32 pm 10:32 pm

Now if we the government is using my tax money out well that’s fine you can cancell my student loans as well, since in the long run you’ll be benefiting from them anyways…. The more I make the morew you get….That’s the way this whole fiasco should dealt with if homowners are being helped than keep your home and continue paying for it of course since the real estate busineess and the banks alloweed these loans they should should not recieve more than .50 on the dollar. They knew damn well these loans were a big risk so now they should weatrher the brunt of this storm…

Posted by: Jackie Allen | September 23, 2008, 10:37 pm 10:37 pm

I find it ironic that OBAMA is waiting for McCains lead to make his own decision…. One more reason to vote for McCain…. If the opponent refuses or votes present, is that what OBAMA is going to do as well??? I woun’t vote for someone who is lacking volume in his resume and can not votehis own concious…

Posted by: Jackie Allen | September 23, 2008, 10:42 pm 10:42 pm

Republicrats: two sides of the same coin. It doesn’t really matter which side lands face up, in the White House OR in control of Congress. Both sides accept credit for everything good, and point the finger of blame at the other side for everything bad.
The U.S. is a republican democracy; We the people elected these representatives that we credit and blame for everything. Yet they represent US. They are US. The current financial crisis in the U.S. was caused by US. We the people have been spending money we don’t have on things we don’t need, and the banks and mortgage lenders have been oh-so-happy to lure us into their ARMs with those low-soon-to-be-high interest rates, so we can live high on the hog in our little McMansions, right up until we can’t afford the payments. Then, we the people jump and run, the banks and mortgage lenders are left holding the debt, and then the government, yeah, we the people, bail them out with money we don’t have. And then they know they can continue the same game because the payoff comes one way or the other. The system is broken. Republicrats won’t fix it. They’ll all just use it to further their political agendas. McPalin or Obiden? Heads or tails, who cares? We all lose.

Posted by: Indy | September 23, 2008, 11:43 pm 11:43 pm

Mccain is a great leader is aa idea that exist in your mind,what has he done to prove it,he got one of the best treatment in vietnam cos of his background,his deregualtion stand is what got us into this.lets call a spade a spade.the shuold take off their pride n ownup to their shame.anyway thats not the issue now,how do we solve this crisis.see what happens when you go off message.i dont feel sorry for the republ.infact they dont get it.

Posted by: 4real | September 24, 2008, 12:12 am 12:12 am

“I find it ironic that OBAMA is waiting for McCains lead to make his own decision….”
________________________________________
Oh sure, kind of like McCain switching the tone of his campaign to “change”. Gee, I wonder where he heard that one?
Just like Bush setting timelines for troop withdrawal. What a novel idea. I wonder where that came from.
Like the U.S. taking military action inside Pakistan. Must have been something thought up by who? Oh yeah I know…..
I’m wondering who it is that can’t think for themselves…….. beside the person who made the stupid statement i quoted!!!!

Posted by: dk | September 24, 2008, 12:43 am 12:43 am

“Attention Congress”, This $700 billion bailout should be voted down! Let the next Admin. handle it.Something sounds fishy to me.

Posted by: Demo Rules | September 24, 2008, 12:49 am 12:49 am

To late in the game for this Admin to push any Bill thru, Vote no for the $700 billion bailout!

Posted by: Demo Rules | September 24, 2008, 12:54 am 12:54 am

Both candidates should be required to vote on this package. The American taxpayer is owed at least this. A simple yes or no answer shows us the path that the potential candidate is willing to take to lead this country.
If one of them doesn’t vote, he always gets to fall back on, “Hey, don’t look at me for these problems. I DIDN’T vote for it.” Baloney. Let’s see where they stand.

Posted by: mak | September 24, 2008, 1:09 am 1:09 am

They’re afraid it’s a trap. And with fair reason too.

Posted by: Lauren | September 24, 2008, 1:20 am 1:20 am

Where is McCain’s leadership here? He says he will “wait” ? .. Huh? .. Where is this deregulator “leader”? He is TOAST .. he will “review” .. how about some LEADERSHIp here? Well, maybe because his chief economic advisor has been Phil Gramm !!! … Vote NO and let ‘er crash & burn on “principle” and we will be a Third World Country while nations with CASH will buy us up. This is a big problem. Let’s have NATION BUILDING in the USA!

Posted by: Hank | September 24, 2008, 1:24 am 1:24 am

Hank, McCain isn’t the only one who should be providing us a sneak peak into his leadership abilities. Obama should be too. Not for nothing, but boning up for his debate on Friday, is not showing leadership.
I truly am interested in hearing what Obama has to say on this bail out package and how he will vote. If he doesn’t give the voter this then how are we supposed to know where he stands? Sound bites and press releases don’t cut it. Let him put his money where his mouth is.

Posted by: mak | September 24, 2008, 1:50 am 1:50 am

The bailout is an election year trap. The Democrats are playing this exactly right. If Angry John thinks a quick bailout is essential, he should vote for it, and only then should the Democrats join him.

Posted by: nerdoff | September 24, 2008, 2:00 am 2:00 am

Great. The Democrats are so gutless that they won’t vote for the plan unless McCain does, so McCain can’t use their support of the bill against them. On the other hand, if McCain votes against the plan it’s because he believes it’s not a good plan. So once again the Democrats are putting politics before what’s right for this country.

Posted by: EyeDoc | September 24, 2008, 2:40 am 2:40 am

Two points:
1) While it can be techmically said that the Dems control Congress, we all know that if in the Senate the Dems can not get enough Repubs to vote for cloture then there is no final vote for any bill. Simply said, i the Repubs don;t agree, then no bill becomes a law.
Paulosn says that McCain “won’t be a problem”. Now lets see, insn’t this the guys who is trying to position himself as the maverick (after voting with the administration 95% of the time) and who now also does not want to be seen in any way as being tied to the Bush Administration? What do you think he will try to do for strictly political reasons? I don’t trust the Bush Administration or McCain to do what is right for Main Street.

Posted by: Michael | September 24, 2008, 2:44 am 2:44 am

A headline from a competitive new agency: NYT: McCain Aide’s Firm Was Paid by Freddie Mac
One of the giant mortgage companies at the heart of the credit crisis paid $15,000 a month from the end of 2005 through last month to a firm owned by Senator John McCain’s campaign manager, according to two people with direct knowledge of the arrangement.
________________________________________
I guess that shoots the poop out the argument regarding Obama and taking from Freddie etc………….

Posted by: dk | September 24, 2008, 3:20 am 3:20 am

Just so we’re clear: Paulson presents his plan, Obama comes out with a position outlining four points he believes the plan needs to win his approval, and McCain is critical all the while that Obama is not showing leadership. McCain, on the other hand, is holding back his opinion and that is being called by his campaign reps as responsible?
In other news, McCain defends Carly Fiorina ($42million for driving HP into the ground) and denies that a close campaign advisor was a lobbyist to Fannie Mae (or was it Freddie Mac?) – which is true, technically, since the checks stopped coming last month after the fed bailout. And McCain’s position is what? It’s corporate greed and lobbyists that are to blame?
Well, he should know.

Posted by: sabella | September 24, 2008, 3:30 am 3:30 am

Email your Congress Person and Tell Them “NO MORE BAILOUTS” ——– http://www.visi.com/juan/congress/ ———- Go here and find your senator by zipcode. ——- Send a message to your Congressmen. ——it works great ——– Tell them NO MORE BAILOUTS NO MATTER HOW LOUD BUSH AND PAULSEN SCREAM NO BAILOUTS PERIOD OR WE WILL VOTE EVERYONE THAT SIGNS ON THE BAILOUT OUT OF OFFICE IN NOVEMBER ————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————– send to these as well —————-Go to http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ —- or here —- http://www.house.gov/ — or here — http://speaker.house.gov/contact/ —– or email here —– comments@whitehouse.gov ——————————————————–I would like to throw a shout out to Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky as he is leading this fight against the bailout for the people. If we could send him an email with a word of Thanks I am sure he would appreciate it.

Posted by: Ben | September 24, 2008, 3:39 am 3:39 am

So much for resolve and leadership! Mccain is playing games and does not have the guts to take a stand. He has placed the ball in the Dems court so that he can play the blame game if the public disagrees. We look to these people for sound leadership and this week it is so apparent that Mccain is a manipulator and a weak leader. He makes bad decision, has poor judgement and gambles with peoples lives. Actions speak louder than words!!

Posted by: heidi | September 24, 2008, 4:01 am 4:01 am

Uh oh. McCain will actually have to take a stand and his handlers haven’t yet told him in which direction to flip or flop.
Maybe McCain needs to ask the real question:
What Would Charles Keating Do?

Posted by: jvill | September 24, 2008, 4:25 am 4:25 am

heidi-What actions is Obama speaking I think they call it rope a dope Ali was the master of it maybe obama can get him on his politcal staff

Posted by: reddog0216 | September 24, 2008, 4:26 am 4:26 am

This article is total BS!! What about how Obama votes on this? This congress wants to hold the American people hostage over how McCain is going to vote, OUTRAGIOUS!! Get rid of Pelosi and Ried, PLEASE!!

Posted by: Independent minded | September 24, 2008, 4:28 am 4:28 am

And has anyone let Sara Palin in on this financial crisis? I know she isn’t much of a reader.

Posted by: NCpolitics | September 24, 2008, 4:36 am 4:36 am

Obama will vote Present, as usual.
He has no experience, he does not know what is going on.
Junior Senator Barrack Obama is not qualified for the job of POTUS.

Posted by: Angelo | September 24, 2008, 4:37 am 4:37 am

if mccain & obama both don’t sign off on it, pelosi and reid should say it’s not going to happen. one or the other will be president soon and have to live with it, and for mccain to (obviously) try to remove himself from this process to play politics with the result is both disgusting and typical.

Posted by: sp | September 24, 2008, 4:40 am 4:40 am

sp – I dont beleive he is playing politics with it He was against the bailout of aig as well he only went along with it because the other choice would of done to much damage.

Posted by: reddog0216 | September 24, 2008, 4:46 am 4:46 am

Obama received more political contribution money from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac than any other senators…except Chris Dodd (D, Connecticut)
http://www.americanthinker.com/2008/09/obama_dollars.html
1. $120,349. Other People’s Money.
Senator Obama received more political contribution money from now-collapsed mortgage banks Fannie Mae [Federal National Mortgage Association] and Freddie Mac [Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp] than all but one of the 353 other senators and congressmen who received political contributions from these two entities which were recently taken over by the federal government.
Even more dramatic is the fact that 19 years (from 1989 – 2008) of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac political contribution statistics show Senator Obama received his $120,349 despite having been in the U.S. Senate for just three years. Only Senator Chris Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut — who has been in Congress for 33 years (1975-81, House of Representatives; 1981-Present, Senate) — received more.[1]

Posted by: HERO | September 24, 2008, 4:55 am 4:55 am

The claim in this article that the bailout will cost “two Iraq wars” is patently false, and ABC should issue a retraction. Firstly, the taxpayer will recover at least 50% of the money used to buy up the bad debt once it is sold off–perhaps even more. None of the money spent in Iraq is going to come back to us. Secondly, as Joseph Stiglitz, the Nobel laureate economist, point out, the total bill for the Iraq war is more like $3 trillion, considering all of the residual costs of the war, like its effect on our economy and the price tag of rebuilding our military. These effects will linger for years.
Perhaps it is naive to expect intellectual rigor from ABC, but I don’t think a lay person should be able to dispute your reporting quite so easily.

Posted by: Brett | September 24, 2008, 5:17 am 5:17 am

I just read through ALL these comments (time on my hands) and have been struck by how many times people on the LEFT repeat that: a) the article doesn’t say Dems are looking to McCain for leadership, only to see if he holds to his own anti-regulation stand and votes against it or makes the political calculation to go along with Bush; b) Paulson isn’t and has never been a Democrat, being a Nixon/Bush man from way back; c) McCain has opposed and fought against regulation at every turn–until he suddenly became FOR it this week; d) McCain has missed 70% of recent votes, while Obama’s vote of “present” was a designation in the Illinois senate for legislators who feel they are in some way compromised and feel it is more honorable to hold back. People on the RIGHT have responded with: a) LOL people look to mccain because they don’t trust little nobama; b) Paulson is a lifelong Democrat and the Democrats got us into this mess i know because well i just know lol nobama hides under barney franks skirts; c) mccain is a maverick american hero and stands for change unlike nobama “present” lol; and d) yeah, obama will just show up and vote present. great leadership you pansy liberals lol mccain/palin ’08. So anyway: From an objective standpoint, it’s not hard to see where the problem in this country is right now.

Posted by: Steve Din | September 24, 2008, 5:22 am 5:22 am

Has McCain been criticizing Obama for being indecisive? Hmmm…
I’d say, Democrats, don’t vote for it unless McCain publicly announces his support for the bailout.

Posted by: chris | September 24, 2008, 5:29 am 5:29 am

Any working person who votes for McCain is not voting for what is best for the country. McCsin has surrounded himself with Bush folks.
If you liked Bush, you’ll love McCain.
And the Dems are right in saying no McCain vote, no deal. The Repubs would use the vote/passage against Obama.
We need change, we do not need the old geezer and his not ready for prime time vp pick, Palin.
hy do they hide Palin? As a woman I am embarrassed and disgusted by how they are treating her. She should be held to the same standards as Biden.
Wake up folks! McCain/Palin are an embarrassment to our once great country!

Posted by: DownriverDem | September 24, 2008, 5:36 am 5:36 am

It is so nice to see that the Dems have such convictions in their positions. COmments like this make you wonder what their true intentions are when it comes to the economy.

Posted by: ubu1991 | September 24, 2008, 5:46 am 5:46 am

McCain will do what FreddieMcDavis tells him to. What is left of his mind has been taken over by the greedy, power hungry to win, by the way these same people do NOT want all the skeletens in the closet to be let out.

Posted by: CC | September 24, 2008, 5:54 am 5:54 am

McCain hasn’t voted for anything in months and months. Why should be bother starting now?

Posted by: Fran Taylor | September 24, 2008, 6:34 am 6:34 am

McCain wants to vote against the plan because he wants to be able to say, “I didn’t vote to bail out Washington with your money!”
He would love to be able to say that, but he wants it to pass because he knows it is the hard choice America needs to make to save our country.
What kind of leader is he if he can’t LEAD?? Take a stand McCain!! Save our country and lose an election or try to save your ass while forfeiting the country? Sounds like you already made up your mind to save your own ass. Hopefully people see through this sorry candidate.

Posted by: Dave | September 24, 2008, 6:38 am 6:38 am

Do we really want to trust our nations economic future to a guy who told the Wall Street Journal editorial board that he understands little about our ecomony? Sheesh, get a clue people. McCain is clueless.

Posted by: PhilBgood | September 24, 2008, 6:45 am 6:45 am

There seems to be some confusion about why the Dems would take this position. It’s easy. If they take up the fight for the bailout and McCain opposes it, he and the pugs can claim to be the reformers going after Bush and the Congress in his pocket. There are enough unthinking voters that would fall for it, and it’s frankly very strategically sound, and thoroughly cynical and revealing about his character.
It’s an election ploy, and they should not fall for it. If he says no, they go along. If he says yes, the bailout happens, but he cannot position himself as the faux maverick.

Posted by: FrustratedDemInNH | September 24, 2008, 6:51 am 6:51 am

They shouldn’t vote for this anyway. Who cares what McCain does.

Posted by: Tony | September 24, 2008, 6:52 am 6:52 am

Human nature being what it is, in order for deregulation to have any chance of working legitimately, you’d have to prevent unscrupulous/greedy private businesses and individuals from exploiting the lack of defined regulations. There has to be an unmistakable line drawn between what is and isn’t acceptable. When there is no clear-cut, enforced regulation AND no enforced consequences for abuse and or failure, ambition, competition and greed will without a doubt create exploitation and failure, which is precisely what has happened in our financial industries. Those Republican ideologues who advocate deregulation without oversight are advocating chaos and disaster. It’s like allowing professional football players to play the game without having any rules and making their job security and financial rewards dependent solely on winning or losing. Not only would they end up seriously injuring and or killing one another, they’d completely destroy the integrity of the game. Trusting human beings to do the right thing with no rules and no consequences is like trusting a pack of starving hyenas to peacefully and equally divide their prey. It’s contrary to their nature and their survival.

Posted by: osage | September 24, 2008, 6:57 am 6:57 am

Sec. Paulson is trying to to use the bailout issue as a national fiscal policy with little or no details on how other industries like the airlines, auto industry, and the like will ask for the same type of government intervention. Congress needs to wake upin dealing with this meltdown. They need too take their time in studying other methods that will have a positive impact on the national economy. At this point in time, McCain should to vote in favor of the bailout. He needs too seperate himself from the current administration who have a track record of leading America into questionable policies. Congress needs to take time to study all of the fall out this bailout will cause the American taxpayers.

Posted by: Dave | September 24, 2008, 7:09 am 7:09 am

the willful stupidity of people is a wonder that renews itself every day (in re some of the above comments about the evil clintons and mortgages to low income people being the source of the current problem).
mccain is indeed trapped. if he doesn’t vote for whatever bill is ultimately cobbled together, after having done nothing to have any influence on its shape, will be proof positive that he is merely an obstructionist AND that he is NOT the head of his party.

Posted by: karen marie | September 24, 2008, 7:17 am 7:17 am

McCain doesn’t give a hoot either way. He’s a corrupted crook with tons of money, he doesn’t care if the American people suffer. But damn, what a decision to make LOL! You’re screwed either way.

Posted by: TuffCookie | September 24, 2008, 7:37 am 7:37 am

The moment this crisis came to light McCain was doomed. This shows the emptiness of his economic strategy pushed for the last generation by him and his Republican team. It unifies the Democrats, splits the Republicans, and pushes the Independent voters away from the Republicans. This will likely result in even more Democratic pickups in Congress.

Posted by: Edward | September 24, 2008, 7:38 am 7:38 am

Dear American Voter: By “arrogant”, Do you mean “uppity”? Oops! Your ignorance is showing! And by “ignorance” , I mean “racism”.

Posted by: winnie47 | September 24, 2008, 9:04 am 9:04 am

Obama has led a soup kitchen, great qualifications. Community organizer. Givng blankets to bums does not qualify you to be President. He will drag everyone down with the taxing of the Americans during a times of trouble financially. Please, dont put this guy in the white house. He is a farce.

Posted by: GOMAC | September 24, 2008, 9:05 am 9:05 am

Yes, we are furious and the bail out is on cable the more furious we are. Don’t forget that the funding father give us the right to have guns in case our country was hijack.

Posted by: carpenter | September 24, 2008, 9:07 am 9:07 am

So McCain is standing to the side, and not participating in solving this “greatest crisis since WWII.” So McCain is using the crisis to make political hay for himself. So McCain is not only hotheaded, (“Fire Chris Cox!”), McCain also uses Americans’ pain for his own benefit.

Posted by: Sallie | September 24, 2008, 9:09 am 9:09 am

Re: “It’s funny that the Dems will only follow the Republican nominee.” (really, Sep 23, 3:39:40 pm)
Not funny at all, really. Actually it makes a lot of sense. When you know someone is about to try to put a shiv in your back, you tend to want them walking in front of you. McCain (and other Republicans) are positioning themselves to use this bailout as a cudgel against Obama and the Democrats. The Republicans (McCain in particular)are taking their hypocrisy to new highs — create an uber-Conservative free market free-for-all (i.e., massive deregulation compounded by greed and corruption) that destroys the economy and then complain about whatever measures the Democrats puts in place to fix the mess and save the economy.

Posted by: Linus | September 24, 2008, 9:09 am 9:09 am

Oh please brother, bush as already put us done.
Weak dollar = high price on gaz
two wars not won
two castatrophic hurrican not recover yet.
no child left behind in the toilet.
fiscal calamity
recession
and so on
so please brother don’t be naive tax will go up anyway and as already since we are ready to give $700 billion from our tax payer dollar.

Posted by: casus | September 24, 2008, 9:12 am 9:12 am

Hey republicans, why are you against the 700 billion it will take to fix your screw up, when you have been running 400 billion deficits each year for the last 8 years. Since you are the spend & spend party, one would think that you all would be in favor of giving more to the rich.

Posted by: Independent realist | September 24, 2008, 9:41 am 9:41 am

By the way, when McShame was involved in the S&L failure, that one cost us 500 billion. So far this means that McShame and his cronies have cost the american people 1.2 trillion dollars!
4 more years, 4 more years….

Posted by: Independent realist | September 24, 2008, 9:53 am 9:53 am

A good way to help pay for this financial mess is to STOP ALL earmarks here at home and in foreign countries for 2 years. (Think of the money saved) If we have done without it up to now….a little longer won’t hurt. Let other countries struggle like we are and take care of themselves. I don’t see any of them helping us out! Set priorities…..home (our country)comes first! Most Americans are having to set their priorities and discontinuing unnecessary spending. How about our government trying it?

Posted by: Brenda | September 24, 2008, 10:13 am 10:13 am

Maybe before McCain makes his decision he should consult Sarah Palin and see if her hairdresser has any thoughts on this.

Posted by: John B | September 24, 2008, 10:13 am 10:13 am

Nothing says leadership like “I don’t know how I will respond”, but the democrats better not get political!!
Funny how McWorse always has something to say about the opposition, but is afraid to illuminate his ever shifting positions.
You know what takes more bravery than surviving 5 years as a POW 40 years ago?
Being black and running for president now.
VOTE LEADERSHIP VOTE OBAMA.

Posted by: feckless | September 24, 2008, 10:25 am 10:25 am

Read here people.
How the Democrats created the financial crisis.
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aSKSoiNbnQY0

Posted by: Michael | September 24, 2008, 10:52 am 10:52 am

Ok, I’m not the best when it comes to my own finances, however, this whole Wall Street thing seems very easy to me to solve. All those CEO’s and Wall Street “Giants” liquidate their assets (the many homes, cars, jewelry, and extra’s you know they have) to cover the debt.
Have a random pick of 50 Americans (one from each State) join the “Americans from Main Street Program” help with the liquidation and over sight of paying the “HUGE” debt owned back to “US” and Wall Street. I’m sure with the average American helping with this “Americans from Main Street Program” this would pull America into the “BLACK” and out of the “RED”.
Oh, and all those CEO’s and Wall Street Giants, NO JAIL TIME, put them to work with us. They can own only “ONE” home, one vehicle per family member living in that home. Performing 10,000 community work hours “hands-on help with the average Americans teaching effective work skills, help rebuild Americas neighborhoods, tutoring young American children and teens, working with the elderly. Helping with reading programs in own local Libraries. Work in a local hospital, ER, Urgent Care. Of course have some in the billing department where the clients have lost their health care and need to pay.
Well you get the idea. Bring those CEO’s and Wall Street Giants back to
American Main Street. Help some of them remember where they came from. And the other ones that didn’t come from “Main Street”, learn what it really means to be a “TEAM PLAYER” and a “TRUE AMERICAN”!!!!
But then again I could be wrong………….

Posted by: NIA-New Mexico | September 24, 2008, 10:55 am 10:55 am

If democrats are sooo prepared and Obama is ready to be trusted with the economy. Why are they waiting on John McCain? Could it be that Obama NEEDS to see what move McCain makes first. Doesn’t that put all the power in McCain’s hands? I can’t think of a better more secure place for it to be!!! Obama’s judgement has proven wrong way more times than he has ever been right. I am not even sure he has ever been right on anything!!!

Posted by: Karen | September 24, 2008, 11:42 am 11:42 am

If democrats are sooo prepared and Obama is ready to be trusted with the economy. Why are they waiting on John McCain? Could it be that Obama NEEDS to see what move McCain makes first. Doesn’t that put all the power in McCain’s hands? I can’t think of a better more secure place for it to be!!! Obama’s judgement has proven wrong way more times than he has ever been right. I am not even sure he has ever been right on anything!!!

Posted by: Karen | September 24, 2008, 11:42 am 11:42 am

Sallie: Quit please. McCain is not against the bail out. He’s against this bailout. You should be thankful someone is showing some backbone and wanting to make sure this is the correct way to go about it. He wants some oversight. Not regulation, oversight. I’m glad he’s standing firm. I suppose you would want him to just sign off on this idea?

Posted by: Doug | September 24, 2008, 11:50 am 11:50 am

Is McCain for deregulation today or against it? There are many resent clips of him being for deregulation but he seems to move silently in and out of the shadows now. Now he doesn’t want to debate because he can only think of one thing at a time? Why don’t we give McCain a statue and give America a president, Obama 08.

Posted by: Loopy | September 24, 2008, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm

This “crisis” is not the fault of President Bush or John McCain. Congress forced lenders to “get low income households” into homes so they can “participate” in the American dream. No money down, interest only, 125% equity loans, and ARM’s. Aig, Fanny and Freddie were all to eager to loan money, bad money, to the millions who could not purchase homes the “old fashioned” way, 20% down, escrow for taxes and insurance! Now the time has come to pay the piper. There is no simple solution! one thing for sure, without an equitable “plan” your retirement funds, 401k’s etc will lose 50-75% of their value, because those fund holders are heavily invested in those lenders.Exhorbitant salaries, and bonuses, should be a thing of the past governing firms doing business with the government. Keep congress in session until a resolve has been hammered out and both sides quit blaming the other and for once work together as a team! The way congressional leaders behave and act is unsane and a shame! Vote them out! Have two term limits on all elected offices! No lobbying after leaving for one full term!

Posted by: georger | September 24, 2008, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm

Hats off to McCain’s top strategist Charlie Black – he’s a multi-millionaire Lobbyist with clients like Blackwater, Lockheed, Philip Morris, AT & T. Black has also been a hired gun for repressive regimes in Angola, Somalia, and Zaire. Great guy – a man who we can all trust to put “Country First”. Charlie Black was also the DC buddy for Ahmed Chalabi, the Iraqi con-man who worked with Cheney and Rummy to drum up false intel that led to the war in Iraq.

Posted by: Center One | September 24, 2008, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm

The democrats are for this bailout because Clinton made it easier for low income Americans to get loans they could not afford. Wallstreet and banks executives got greedy offering bad loans to make money and giving sweatheart deals to Dodd and the senator from North Dakota. President Bush lacked oversite therefore he is just at fault as the democrats. Therefore if you morons continue to elect a two party system we will continue to see these issues arise decade after decade. Maybe we need an independent in office (which Mccain is the closest thing to an independent). I hope he does not go along and bailout wallstreet. Maybe Warren Buffet will lose his 5-billion in G.S. and those how did insider trading the day before he anounced his buy-in at G.S. will lose there shirts. Wallstreet is curpt and for the rich. Maybe if they did away with short selling the average American would have a chance and banks would not be in as much trouble today. If anyone should pay for this bailout it should be those who got rich in the short interest market and the goldman sachs of the world. Not the American tax payer. Just an independent’s point of view from New Hampshire.

Posted by: louis | September 24, 2008, 8:52 pm 8:52 pm

Socialized medicine – Boo!
Socialized banking – Yea!
Increased taxation – Boo!
Huge deficits and reckless spending – Yea!
Slave labor – Boo!
Migrant workers – Yea!
Declining real estate values – Boo!
“Support our Troops” bumper stickers – Yea! Yea!

Posted by: Faustus | September 25, 2008, 5:51 am 5:51 am

No one is looking to McCain for political LEADERSHIP, they’re looking to McCain for political manipulation. I figured McCain would vote against any bailout whatsoever so that he could pose as the maverick. He’s not. He’s a conservative deregulator free-market trumps all, and that’s what got us into this mess. While I agree that Congress and the Democrats are being stampeded into a bailout with the threat of global economic-mushroom cloud ala the Bush/Rice technique, McCain is simply trying to checkmate Obama on the political plane in a cynical manipulation. This has characterized his campaign and characterizes his character.

Posted by: andrea | September 25, 2008, 4:17 pm 4:17 pm

Three wise men in control of this kind of a bail out. Or should we say three mice? No way. The well ran and honest companies will not fail and will do well under any circumstances. And by the way we are at the pearly gates of the depression. So buckle up and hang on. Like the Costa Ricans say when things get tight “Work more and work harder”. And they do and they pay for the high cost of food and eat less. They suffer but they take action themselves for their families. We lost the will to stand up for our rights and demand the truth on many issues lately so the citizens are at fault to. Remember Government for the people BY th people. Seem lost??????????

Posted by: Debora Edholm | September 25, 2008, 7:38 pm 7:38 pm

I wish Obama would go ahead and just get this passed for us. He can go over McCains head any day, any time, and I wish he would! I don’t want a depression to happen! The 700 billion is not just for rich people, its to keep the banks from going down. We don’t need any Republicans to help, they will just try to take the credit. There is enough Democrats to pass this. Theres only a few Democrats that would stand in the way like Lieberman and everybody knows he is a Republican under the skin! JUST PASS THE BILL!

Posted by: JayMac | September 26, 2008, 1:31 pm 1:31 pm

This bailout is sure going to impact the senior citizens of this country who live on a fixed income and rely on their tax refund checks to help them barely make ends meet. What will happen to them? Do they go without food, heat and things essential to live? Do the politians care?????

Posted by: Helen | September 29, 2008, 8:57 am 8:57 am

This bailout is sure going to impact the senior citizens of this country who live on a fixed income and rely on their tax refund checks to help them barely make ends meet. What will happen to them? Do they go without food, heat and things essential to live? Do the politians care?????

Posted by: Helen | September 29, 2008, 8:57 am 8:57 am

What is so typical of this article is that there is nothing about Obama voting today. Is he going to show up to vote? Nobody cares is he does or not but the world comes to an end if McCain does not vote!

Posted by: Kim | September 29, 2008, 9:46 am 9:46 am

how about a stimulus check of 100,000 dollars to all us tax payers ,then we can pay off our mortgages ,instead of bailing out the people that caused the
the problem making bad buisness decissions,and making the fat cat on walstreet fatter give it back to the tax payer thats the american thing to do
problem making bad business decisions

Posted by: FRANK | October 2, 2008, 4:53 pm 4:53 pm

how about a stimulus check of 100,000 dollars to all us tax payers ,then we can pay off our mortgages ,instead of bailing out the people that caused the
the problem making bad buisness decissions,and making the fat cat on walstreet fatter give it back to the tax payer thats the american thing to do
problem making bad business decisions

Posted by: FRANK | October 2, 2008, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm

I’m against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.
Instead, I’m in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in a “We Deserve It Dividend.”
To make the math simple, let’s assume there are 200,000,000 bona fide U.S. Citizens 18 and older. Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman, and child. So 200, 000,000 might be a fair stab at the number of adults 18 and up.
Divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00/person.
My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a “We Deserve It Dividend.” Of course it would NOT be tax free. So let’s assume a tax rate of 30%.
Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.
That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.
But it also means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket. A husband and wife has $595,000.00.
What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage? Housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans? What a great boost to new grads!
Put away money for college? It’ll be there.
Save it in a bank? Create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car? It would create jobs.
Invest in the market? The capital drives growth.
Pay for your parent’s medical insurance? Health care improves.
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean – or else!
Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18 + including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And, of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces. If we’re going to re-distribute wealth let’s REALLY do it instead of trickling out a puny $1000.00 (“vote buy”) economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President.
If we’re going to do an $85 billion bailout, let’s bail out every adult U.S. citizen 18 and over!
As for AIG – liquidate it. Sell off its parts. Let American General go back to being American General. Sell off the real estate. Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.
Here’s the rationale. WE deserve it and AIG doesn’t.
Sure it sounds like a crazy idea that can “never work. But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party! Can you say “Economic Boom?”
I trust adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion “We Deserve It Dividend” more than the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC. And remember, the plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because $25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.
Time to call your congressmen before they do something stupid like give Wall Street and the bureaucrats $85 Billion of our dollars.

Posted by: Uncle | October 3, 2008, 6:03 am 6:03 am

Barack John
Left and rights of passage
Black and whites of youth
Who can face the knowledge
that the truth is not the truth?
Obsolete Absolute
Ron Ralph
Cruising under your radar
Watching from the satellites
Take a page from the red book
and keep them in your sights
Red alert Red alert

Posted by: paul nader vets united | October 4, 2008, 12:50 pm 12:50 pm

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