Hill Democrats: Step Up, House Republicans; Go Away, John McCain

McCain made the wrong move once again.

Is it just me, or is Chris Dodd looking more and more capable and presidential?

Harry Reid makes you long for Tom Dacshle.

Strangely despite reporting that House republicans never were on board with the plan Jake doesn’t feel the need to mention that.
No the house Republicans are not being contradictory. if the democrats don’t want their input and will not discuss anything with them then the democrats should just go ahead and pass it without them (which they can). The whole “bipartisan plan” was just what the democrats cooked up. Then Reid knew house republicans weren’t on board and he said McCain was their only hope, yet said a deal had been made and everything was fine. So yes Reid was lying. This is all about how democrats can use this against republicans, nothing more, nothing less.
The only person who is acting like a negotiator is McCain. He’s the one making sure all views are heard, talking to all parties, not going on a long winded monologue ala Barry at the meeting and then just bitching about everything. If the democrats want republican cover so damn badly, why are they not negotiating?

“Is it just me, or is Chris Dodd looking more and more capable and presidential?”
If by presidential you mean successfully obstructing S.190 in 2005 that would have prevented all of this and then looking in the camera and blaming everyone but himself, then yes he’s looking very presidential.
And taking over $100K from Fannie.
And over $200K from Goldman, you know, Democrat Paulson’s former company. If that’s presidential then yes, he’s looking very, very presidential.

During the meeting with Bush, it is reported the Democrats had Obama take the lead and do most of the talking. Now Reid is accusing McCain of grandstanding?
The majority of the Republicans have been apposed to this bailout of the rich from the beginning, long before McCain went back to Washington. Reid, a liar and a cheat, knows that. But Reid prefers to score cheap political shots against McCain whom he has never liked or ever attempted to work with in Congress. Reid is the absolute definition of what is wrong in Washington and should be given a hard and swift kick to his tired rear-end out of Washington. This bailout should be failed and Reid, Peloksi and Obama’s political grandstanding is why.
But no, the Democrats have already stated this bailout won’t go ahead unless 80-100 of the Republicans sign on? Why? So if it fails they can attempt to excuse themselves and blame it on the Republican congressional base who have apposed bailing out the rich with this package and which does virtually nothing for main street America. Typical gutless blame the other guy democratic caca. But then, the Democrats have no idea where main street America is.

I think Harry Reid has summarized McCain’s “helpfulness” pretty nicely.

The House GOP had all week to raise their objections? Where have they been? Could they not speak up before the meeting yesterday?

McCain was clearly out of his league at yesterday’s roundtable. Even Bush made more of a contribution than McCain.

now maybe McCain can stop his elementary school political antics to keep the focus off governor Falin, and continue…oh WHEN DID HE ANNOUNCE HIS CAMPAIGN WAS OFF IN SCHOOL SUSPENSION?

As Nero fiddles…
We are on the verge of market capitulation and possible bankruptcy. I am sure The President was speaking to foreign investors this am, not the public. His message was simple; don’t pull your money out.
I expect political capitulation is also very near. I would be very surprised if a viable 3rd party doesn’t emerge from this. Fully half of congress should be ousted. Start with any who have increased their net worth more than their salary. If they bring assets to their office they should be in a Government run blind trust.
Both parties are corrupt and ineffective, we suffer.

McCain will be at the debate tonite.
I guess Bob Barr offering to speak in his stead did not go over well.

Woody,
Fannie and Freddie have NOTHING to do with this bailout. This is a CREDIT bailout. The Feds already bailed out Freddie and Fannie.

This thing is destroying the democrats credibility.
Obama and Reid just look really really bad

Just make sure this bail out has some pork for housing advocates, please.

Anyone who takes John McCain seriously has rocks in their head. The only demographic he is strong on is old southern white men. C’mon America, wake up to this doddering old fool once and for all. He has no idea what he’s doing and Palin doesn’t know her ass from her elbow.

Is it me or does it look like this crisis is a farce?
The ecomany has been moving along for 10day or more. With WA MU crashing the FDIC bailed/took them over soooooo, I’m a bit lost now. WA Mu was going under anyway it been like that for months.
Was this just another smoke screen, headline grabber by McCanin and the Republican party to distract from the election?
American people is this really what we want? a lot of game playing again, panic and crisis?
Have you noticed everything with the Republicans is a stage 1 fire alarm. When they step on the sceen here come the trucks. I can’t live like this another 4 years.

Obama’s “If you need me, just call me” is very very worrisome.
He just doesn’t appear to take his job or this crisis seriously.
What a shame. Now he’ll lose.

Reid has to go,
Read the news releases on the meeting. Pelosi and Reid both deffered their speaking to Obama — as the lead of their party.
When McCain was asked to speak, guess what he did? He deffered his comments to his aide.
Finally, toward the end of the meeting (that McCain WANTED), Obama finally asked for some comments from McCain. He spoke in generalities for 2 minutes.
That says it all.

McBush coming to a Debate WOW ….
Well I hope No Reporters ask him a
Question before the Debate and Spook
him like a Deer and he Runs Back
to DC……ON WITH THE DEBATE
LET THE FUR FLY……………LOL

SLOW DOWN!!!!!!! What’s the big rush!? I hope the Republicans STAND THEIR GROUND! and save the taxpayers from this freaking dilemma that Barney Frank has thrust upon us!

Call your congressman and say no to the bailout. I don’t want my hard earned money going to ACORN or to the people caused this mess.

McCain fails again.

Something does not compute. The dems have a majority in the House, but it’s the House reps that are holding up the deal? Can’t that nitwit Pelosi control her own people? I love how the “mainstream” press is spinning this thing. We may as well have Obama’s cornation and get on with the disaster that will follow.

“exactly what was suspended because it wasn’t his campaign.”

Once again Obama was right, the two candidates needed to stay away from this bailout process. Harry Reid actually does a pretty good job in washington, he is very tough and highly intelligent but it all gets lost because he cant refrain from injecting an insult now and then. That really has to stop. I am a republican from Nevada and I have seen how the republican party has gone karl rove on harry reid just like they did with the last dem leader Daschle. That kind of politics has to stop and I am a bit embarrassed my senator plays those childish games. As for this election, It seems to me Obama has been one step ahead of mccain. I’m really starting to think that Obama has the intelligence, the temperment and the ability to inspire this country to solve some really difficult issues

The Donks have had the votes to pass whatever they want.
The problem is that they want Republicans to vote with them for cover. Which, since the House Republicans had no input on the bill, they will not do until they are heard.
Keep in mind, the House Republicans would not be climbing out on the limb if they didn’t have the polls on their side.

I have been on the other sites and I am finding several Republicans today against McCain and his stunt. Here is a sample of several I have read this morning:
I am a life long registered Republiican who believes McCain’s actions are the worst form of political trickery. McCain is not the head of his party–I think Bush will hold that job for another month or so. Further, McCain is not a member of the Senate Committe working on this issue nor is he a member of the Joint Economic group that is or has been assisting in finding a solution. Yesterday, before McCain’s dramatics, it was announced that an agreement was close. This morning, before McCain arrived in D.C., it was announced that a tentative agreement in principle had been reached. Amazingly, the agreement was reached without John Boy’s interference. Why the rush on McCain’s part? This is a very serious issue and the Congress should take the time needed to get it right and not be bullied into a quick but wrong decision for pure political reasons. McCain is behind in the polls and the GOP will stop at nothing to retain the White House ergo cheap political tricks. It scares me to think how McCain/Palin will handle equally tough or tougher problems if, God help us, they are elected in November. Will they rush to decisions without proper deliberation and thought? Rather that the label of “mavericks” I think McCain/Palin should more appropriately be labeled “loose cannons”. I am one of many Republicans that intend to vote for Obama. Bob Dempsey, Lincoln Nebraska

let the crooked banks fail just because they gave 43 million to the democrats dosent mean we have to bail them out regular people will be protected by the fdic only the rich have anything to lose and the insurance companies are controled by the states and they have to have funds or the states shut them down this is just a way for the dems to steal more money

Since every memmber of the House of Reps is up for re-election, let’s not re-elect any of them.
Barney Franks is an idiot.
All Republican’s wanted more oversight on Fannie and Freddie and Franks’s said “no need … they are fine.” (just 3 years ago. All Repub’s voted for the oversight every single Democrat voted against it.
Franks wants this over with and hopes it all goes away so they don’t investgate him.

The issue is that Obama tacked on an earmark for ACORN of 20% of the returns to the treasury from the bailout. That’s an awful lot of many for an community organization that does more political work for democrats and voter fraud than anything else. 20% of the returns, that’s quite an earmark. No Republican was going to vote for that.

“Reid and Pelosi lied about them being on board to try to make McCain look bad.”

By the way, where are the reports of Reid, Frank, Dodd, Pelosi or Obama going to Paulson, Boehner, McConnel, Bush, etc? Why is McCain the only one helping negotiations along?

Republicans against bailout details.
Democrats are pushing a bailout deal that puts 20% of the money into the troubled Acorn housing organization. This is pure pork by democrats.
The deal that’s on the table now is not a very good deal. Twenty percent of the money that should go to retire debt that will be created to solve this problem winds up in a housing organization called ACORN that is an absolute ill-run enterprise, and I can’t believe we would take money away from debt retirement to put it in a housing program that doesn’t work.

McFirst, and Falinpailin are bad for America. This last political stunt is window into his thinking. It isn’t very pretty. He is petty and small minded, has nothing to offer but look at me, his whole life has been ment to draw attention to himself. He says he is a Maverick, but in truth he unable to get along, shoots from the hip, and misses the target.
How many more Country first stunts are we going to see in the next 40 days or so?

I would loved to have been a fly on the wall in that meeting. We’ll never know exactly what happened.

Media has a false impression that they must try to make both sides look the same. Sometimes one side is just crazy. If McCain acts this erratic with the pressure of being behind by a few votes, wait until he has the pressure of the presidency on his shoulders.
Look out world because it’s going to be a bumpy ride!

Haha, Obama voted for ‘present’ again.

Belle Star-You have no idea what you are talking about. The bailout is for EVERYBODY! The bailout helps the rich, the least. The wealthy do not need loans, their retirement accounts are not affected, they do not have to worry about losing their kids college funds. It’s the lower and middle class who will feel the affects. No loans will be available for cars, homes, home improvement loans, college. Small businesses will fail or stay stagnant with no room for growth or increase in employee hires because they are dependent on govt small business loans which will not be there.
We risk slipping into a deep recession or depression if something is not done now and all the Dems are worried about is how much they can give to Democratic organizations and lobbyist with their hands out. Obama is showing his ignorance by worrying more about a debate on foreign policy instead of an economic downfall that will not only affect the U.S. but all World Markets.

I am amazed that I actually agree with the Republicans in regard to this issue. I don’t want Congress following the leader over a cliff similar to the Iraq war vote. Slow down and get it right. Yes, we need to do something, but we need economists, not politicians, reviewing the options and providing an explanation to the taxpayers. I don’t trust the Democrats or the Republicans these days, but a rush to judgment with doomsday threats just doesn’t encourage me to a quick response these days. It seems to me many of the Dems in Congress just want to leave for recess instead of doing their job. For too many years, the Republican Congress left the Democrats out of negotiations, now it seems the Democrats are doing the same. And guess what, the middle class seems to be the one always stuck with the bill.

McCain added nothing to the bailout meeting yesterday. It was a stunt and it backfired.

If I was a pure partison democrat, I’d let the republicans hang themselves with this crisis. Let them come out against it while the entire economy tanks and then use that to screw them in the GE. Unfortunately, they probably will not do that because democrats actually have principals they adhere to rather than posture to.

Sorry Belle Starr, my post was directed at david.

“Let [the Republicans] come out against it while the entire economy tanks … “

This time McCain skipped the FLIP and went straight to the FLOP.
MCCAIN’S STUNT FLOPPED.
STRIKE TWO, JOHN.

Steve – If the democrats are so principled, then why don’t they just pass the legislation they’ve all agreed to? Because they can pass the legislation if they put it to the floor — where they are in majority …
Letting the bill slide, and the economic crisis deepen, shows how the democrats are acting in a purely partisan manner.
They’re standing there with a lifesaver saying “I’m not going in until these other guys jump in with me.”

It was two years with a republican president. Your comment is only a rationalization to vote for more republicans. Besides, they may have not fixed the problem BUT THE PROBLEM WAS PRINCIPLELY caused by republicans.
Posted by: The Unshrub | Sep 26, 2008 12:40:38 PM
**************************************************
Unshrub–The problem actually started in 1999, Clinton Adm. with the dismantling of The Glass-Steagall Act of 1933. Banks were happy about this because the had no more restrictions to adhere to. In short, this has led to the “Bankers Panic of 2008″

mhh – I would be too if they weren’t just doing it for polictical gain. Bush brings it to the table some republicans agree with it (along with some democratcs)then McCain comes in and once again waits to see how the public feels so he can look like a hero and also stalling his debate with Obama, messes things up. Then the republicans won’t make a stand the want it passed but want the democrats to pass it so they can say to the American Public we didn’t do it the democrats did. I have no respect for government people that cannot take responsibility for messes they caused and have no guts to take a stand.

mcbush looks like the kid in school who never does his homework, but always pushes himself up to the front of the picture and has a silly grin on his face and tries to take credit for all the work. He’s becoming more and more child like every day.

“are rallying behind an idea to instead offer insurance to troubled financial firms for the toxic assets. But Paulson and many on Wall Street find the proposal unworkable since it would take far too long to enact and wouldn’t provide immediate relief.” What was Paulson was doing all these months? Same question to SEC chairman Cox? Is it possible Paulson & other old wall streeters want to help their old buddies. This tells us one thing: “not to hire wall street hands in the next administration.

Democrats warned they would play politics if McCain returned to work. What they did not want was scrutiny over the biggest welfare handout in history to cover past left-wing errors in judgment. The original bill could never be passed with the so-called bipartisan architects of Paulson-Reid-Pelosi-Frank. Democrats threw everything into the bill including the kitchen sink and then demanded Republicans get on board for their political cover. The band-aid bill would get us past the elections, where Democrats could claim they fixed the world, but even if the pork was stripped off, the bill would not work as written. To Democrats it’s their way or the highway (and yes even highway funds were tacked on) The Democrats have all the votes they need to pass the welfare bill in both houses so if it’s such a good idea, pass it and live with the results. Only there won’t be a political life for those who pass it after it fails in December. We need real action, not a money grab.

I can’t beleive a brilliant economic mind like McCain’s could not fix this problem. He came riding into town only to not say anything. He should have stayed home and done some gardening or what ever old men do. Why is it that rep talk radio and all of their pundents were saying this is not a time to think, it is a time to act. I guess because they back McCain. Also, why do the republicans insist on everything being a life or death crisis and we need a decission yesterday. We need to get away from the alarmist mentality of the last eight years and start thinking before we act. If it were up to bush we would have passed a two page bill written in two days with no oversight. McCain talks about being a gambler and having to make spur of the moment decissions. Help us all if McCain has to do anything spur of the moment. We need a thinker and a negotiator, not another “decider.” Help save America from McCain. And when was the last time the Gov of Alaska met with foreign officials. Who asked her to represent America, We did not vote for her and there is nothing anyone can say to convence me she is qualified to do anything. Alaska voted her Gov. Baltimore has more people and I don’t want them representing America. We have larger school districts in the U.S. than Alaska has people.

beck–the Dems have a majority in the House and Senate. They could push this threw if they wanted. Obviously there are Democrat hold outs because Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, are adding $ for stupid organizations that have no bearing on the financial bailout. They added a part of the $700 billion to go to ACORN–Obama’s org that has been investigated for Voter fraud. The Dems are pandering to the lobbyists instead if staying focused on getting us out of the mess we are in. And yes, I know what is at stake here.

McCain got this one right … Gallup Poll today: Obama down 2 … McCain up 1
…. the House DEMS are as ridiculous as their presidential nominee … give away, give away, give away!!!!!!!!

The democrats will not let McCain have anything to do with their little bill, they fear Obama will lose if he is able to get one grain of credit. Where is Obama’s input on the bill? I’m sure the media followed him to the gym this morning… what? no teleprompters at the gym?

Maybe there’s a different reason why the Democrats want the Republicans to “STEP UP” and McCAIN to “GO AWAY”
The economy is going sour, because Wall St. AND Main St. with the support of Washington have been living a life of speculation and greed, based on economic fraud and illusion. The Democrats have the votes to pass their cosmetically modified version of the Bush Administration’s bailout proposal. The Republicans (including McCain) should vote against it, because it’s simply a bad deal for the American people. Both sides will be praised and vilified, depending on whose side you’re on. SO WHAT!.. like that isn’t happening already.
As for bipartisanship, until we see a frank (no pun intended, Barney) and honest admission of responsibility on all sides of the political spectrum, all bipartisanship means is that the politicians in Washington have agreed to pull the wool over the eyes of the American people.
This mess has Democratic Party DNA and fingerprints all over it… and the Bush Administration failed to take charge, in spite of the fact that they predicted this was going to happen (as the NYT 9/11/2003 article attests). The Democrats have the majority, so they should act like a majority… but of course they recognize that this bailout is widely unpopular, and need to have the Republicans in Congress on board to avoid political liability. Bipartisanship in this case is about using you to cover my butt. Republicans in Congress should JUST SAY NO!

Another distinction between Dems and Repubs. Dems will swallow a bitter pill, after making it as palatable as they can, to try to solve a problem not of their own making to save the country. Repubs., who caused the mess, will scuttle such a deal, purely for political gain. I know not a single Republican from coast-to-coast who deserves reelection. The GOP has not only bankrupted the nation, it is bankrupt. Voters would do the GOP a favor by turning them all out and forcing them to rebuild.

“The audacity of the Dems to stick Dodd out there as the point man on a bailout is laughable!!!!”

This bill is a stinker. Due to the mess created by greedy fatcats and BushGOPer hands-off business policies, the GOP president and his team developed a plan that while still horrible, has been revised by Congress, and is necessary. If Bush’s own Party will not buy into it, the Dems should walk away. Let the economy collapse — it’s the fault of Bush and the GOP. This package is also a bailout for Bush and the GOP, in that it hopefully staves off the economic collapse they’ve brought down on the nation. If they’re not interested, then f ‘em.

“If Bush’s own Party will not buy into it, the Dems should walk away.”

mccain blew his opportunity to arrive in Ms by parachuting out of a plane wearing his superman shirt. – Now he just looks silly – but maybe he always did.

Both parties are scare. Dems don’t want to pass it on their own for fear of it turning to garbage and then the republicans using it against them. Republicants don’t want to do anything because NOW the way to be fiscally conservative and all of a sudden they are back to BIG government = bad. Where were these republican clowns for the past 7 years when this government was growing wildly out of control in both size and power? I mean they were all for borrowing x billions from China to fund this bogus war, now they don’t want to do it to save the country…priorities people…where are they? There’s plenty of blame to toss around on this one, lets just get the thing done.

Congressional Democrats are ignoring their constituencies to pass a flawed bill that will cost us billions if not trillions of dollars. They are ignoring other options and siding with the Bush white house. You can try to crap on McCain on this one but honestly it is the Democrats once again failing their country.
Ask yourself…why no other economics and financial gurus are being interviewed in front of Congress? There are plenty of alternatives and the people in overwhelming numbers are voicing their “NO!” to the Bush/Paulson plan. Sorry I am a Democrat and I believe Pelosi, Reid, Barney etc should all be recalled if they won’t listen to the will of the people.

Bernie Franks plan, which is on his website seems to be the most forward thinking plan. 10% surplus tax on those making over a million a year. This would raise 300 billion over 5 years.
The 700 billion dollar was just an estimate. There are no facts supporting that amount. This is a very important moment in our country.
Politically it looks like the Repubs have an agenda. Make it look like they are going against Bush while the Dems support him. Brilliant move. Lets just hope the American people realize the Dems are actually throwing around ideas and the Repubs are just sitting around saying no. I agree the bail out plan sucks, but come up with a plan.

Chris–Barney Franks is as clueless as the rest of the libs in Congress, maybe more so.
The same Barney Frank you are talking about had a romantic relationship with a top exec at Fannie mae, Herb Moses and franks also was a top reciepient of Fannie Mae campaign donations.
Barney Frank on Sept 10, 2008, “Fannie Mae an Frethie Mac are noth fathing any kindth of thinathal crithis”
Yeah he’s a REAL reliable source about this financial crisis mess.

Democrats are insane. The bailout falls apart, thank god, and they’re up there insisting we give 700B to Paulson and his cronies. Yeah, like the guys that broke it can fix it. If there was a viable third party, I’d be gone because the other two are frick and frack.

I applaud the House Republicans for opposing this most unprecedented transfer of wealth and power in US history. The Paulson/Bernake plan is Tyranny in disguise. I also applaud Sen. Shelby for his work as well.
While most lawmakers battle over the minutia, the core provisions of the proposal are still intact.
You can put lip stick on Tyranny but it is still Tyranny.
I have been calling my Congressional representatives all week telling them that if they support the bailout proposal, they will pay come November.
I have urged many to do the same.
Before Congressional leaders, police officers, military personnel, and even presidents take their position, they must swear to uphold the Constitution against enemies both foreign and domestic. The execution of this proposal would create the greatest domestic enemy to the Constitution ever.
And don’t forget about the price tag which, like always, will far exceed expectations.

I have these questions for McCain this evening?
Did he have any clue about the crises we are facing and can he explain to the American Public not in generalities but specifically of what he believes is a problem and the reason why we all are subjected to this pain

Like millions of Americans, I am really skeptical about this whole 750 Billion bail out. And, I’m especially skeptical about the RUSH to spend the 750 Billion dollars of tax payers money … which does not allow independent economists the time to properly investigate and evaluate this plan. In addition, Bush and the Democrats seem to be united on this bail out. My guess is that Bush wants to pay back big money Wall Street people, who helped him over the years … and, since the Democrats expect to rule both houses and, possibly the White House … they are salivating at the chance to control spending the 750 Billion. In spite of all the rhetoric about careful spending and oversight, the Democrats have already allocated 20% of this huge sum to fund crooked liberal programs, like Acorn. If we simply print Billions for bail outs, even if the market returns, inflation will make our currency virtually worthless.
P.S. Did anyone ask Alan Greenspan what he thinks???