The Role of John McCain in the Bailout Bill
EmailSen. John McCain’s role in the current dealings on Capitol Hill should not be overstated positively or negatively, Capitol Hill sources from both parties say.
Democrats are blaming McCain, R-Ariz., for the disastrous meeting yesterday.
They claim there was a deal until McCain showed up.
Not so.
House Republicans were always in large part opposed to the bill.
Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Ala., had no authority (or command) to negotiate for his House GOP colleagues.
The House Republicans’ issues with the bill would have come to the fore either way. House GOP Leader John Boehner didn’t have the votes, and in his view, he wasn’t about to be rolled by the Democrats and the Bush administration.
Likewise, House Republicans are now praising McCain for his leadership role, for bringing their issues to the forefront.
Actually, as ABC News’ Jonathan Karl reports, it was Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., who asked Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson for his views of the House GOP bill.
McCain has never been particularly popular with House Republicans — Mitt Romney enjoyed more support in that chamber during the primaries — though they have been warming to him lately, especially regarding the energy fight over offshore drilling. There’s been a symbiotic effort by McCain and the House Republicans to merge and present McCain as their leader these last 24 hours, but it’s not really a good fit.
In short, the dynamic would likely be as it is right now, whether or not McCain had been in Washington, D.C.
(Though it is worth pointing out that some Senate Republicans give McCain and Obama credit for bringing greater public attention to this issue by coming to Washington, D.C, and that was in large part because of McCain’s gambit of suspending his campaign and coming to the Capitol.)
- jpt
Mitt Romney's Full Speech at CPAC 2012 
Romney Makes His Case to Conservatives at CPAC
The campaign that never suspended…..
John McCain did a few hours of high-level debate prep in his Arlington, Va., condo last night with podiums and mock questions, a top aide said today.
After taping interviews for the evening newscasts, McCain returned home and practiced for his first faceoff with Barack Obama, a session that included aides tossing out potential questions and coaching his performance, Mark Salter said to the campaign pool reporter en route from Washington to Memphis. Apparently, the practice took place between phone calls, as McCain aides said last night he had been working the phones with congressional leaders and administration officials.
Posted by: Ryan C | September 26, 2008, 4:54 pm 4:54 pm
As a Naval commander was depicted saying about an action in the South Pacific in WWII, “So it was a draw. Just when we needed one.”
Posted by: len | September 26, 2008, 4:56 pm 4:56 pm
yes, today’s outcome might very well have been the same with an absent McCain.
But nobody could possibly have possibly known this early yesterday, and McCain committed to come back to the office and try to work things out. . . .And, make inroads with his estranged House GOP kin.
So. What.
Posted by: vinman | September 26, 2008, 4:57 pm 4:57 pm
Now Report that on TV!
Posted by: Dude | September 26, 2008, 5:01 pm 5:01 pm
A political stunt with no substance creating distraction from the process, He assume that will work like the Palin effect!
Posted by: foreclosure | September 26, 2008, 5:02 pm 5:02 pm
But did McCain and his caravan to Washington help snuff out partisanship and expedite a deal? Heck, no. And that was what he promised as he threatened to pull out of the debate.
Posted by: matt | September 26, 2008, 5:06 pm 5:06 pm
“… it is worth pointing out that some Senate Republicans give McCain and Obama credit for bringing greater public attention to this issue by coming to Washington, DC”
Oh yes, because a bill involving SEVEN HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS was never going to get enough attention otherwise.
Posted by: Aengil | September 26, 2008, 5:09 pm 5:09 pm
Jake,
Thanks for honest and fair reporting!
Posted by: SRK | September 26, 2008, 5:11 pm 5:11 pm
Riiiiiiight. The newest spin is that this ridiculous debacle is somehow Obama’s fault for asking questions about the bill. He was too active! He’s too indecisive! He’s too partisan! He’s too bipartisan (in asking about GOP alternatives! He should be in Washington! He shouldn’t have been in Washington! The McCain campaign and his cronies are schizophrenic.
Posted by: TRBoston | September 26, 2008, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm
It seems the Democrats have the authority to pass the legislation without any Republican support, so in fact there was no reason for McCain to get involved. I wonder why the Democrats didn’t just go ahead and take care of the matter. It’s beginning to look like they are going to approve the bailout. This is good for the large banks and brokerage houses. The people who defaulted on loans aren’t going to pay any taxes, so the burden falls to those who are still paying off loans and mortgages. It’s seems like a double penalty for being honest.
Posted by: independent | September 26, 2008, 5:13 pm 5:13 pm
the entire congress needs to be thrownout… we need term limits on them, so they are forced to take a break from washington and live in the real world, and not the bubble that is washington d.c.,
and on a side note : i’m utterly disgusted by both parties… i watched this morning nancy pelosi on GMA and she could not even admit that yes both parties are responsible for this mess.. she actually looked confused at the end of the interview with chris cuomo.. what i want as a citizen and voter is for both parties to admit that it is their fault for this entire mess, with the varous legislation that have been passed ever since 1999
and another side note:
the idea that dodd, tacted on that 20% of the profits (if any) go to a trust that gives money to ACORN (that has been charged with illegal activity) and other orginizations is for me down right disgusting.. he should be worrying more about a deal and not how to fund a pet democratic goodie… the money if any should go to pay down the debt! and nothing else!! otherwise let the entire economy go down.. and let the markets work themselves out whatever the consequence even though i know that those consequences will not be very hard for the country
Posted by: renka21 | September 26, 2008, 5:14 pm 5:14 pm
i meant will be hard for the country.. my apology
Posted by: renka21 | September 26, 2008, 5:15 pm 5:15 pm
McCain suspended his campiagn for no apparent reason. He did nothing once he landed in Washington.
During thw WH meeting it was Obama doing all the work while McCain sat back and watched.
This badly backfired on McCain.
Posted by: Vanessa | September 26, 2008, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm
John McCain did a few hours of high-level debate prep in his Arlington, Va., condo last night with podiums and mock questions, a top aide said today.
POSTED BY Ryan C.
I’m not surprised to hear that Ryan.
Mccain’s suspended campaign also managed to get a web Ad out on the Wall sTreet Journal website, touting John MCCAIN AS THE DEBATE WINNER!
Posted by: Truth Matters | September 26, 2008, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm
interesting that “Acorn” was one of the top companies named to benefit from the proposed bail-out package.
Obama was closely and profitiably… involved with that kind of unsavory associatiion….
Posted by: just thinking: | September 26, 2008, 5:30 pm 5:30 pm
Way to go Jake Tapper. You told the truth about some of the media spin. Good for you. Mc Cain is not in favor of the equity buyout. He is in favor of a deal being reached however.
Posted by: infoseeking | September 26, 2008, 5:34 pm 5:34 pm
In 2005 McCain put forth a bill to the senate to look into the lending practices which were spinning out of control. Democrats killed the bill. McCain warned then of an impending disaster. He has been trying for a long time to get something done while Barny Frank and Fannie Mae were putting millions of people in houses they could not afford.Why wouldn’t he go back to Washington and get unfinished business done? Obama would not get down off of his podium to come also until Bush called him and I understand he is the one who blew up the meeting by injecting partisan politics while McCain listened at the White House. This man has never, ever in his history worked in a bipartisan way. Do we want him in the White House? I think not. There never was a time when we needed to work together more than right now.
Posted by: Katie10 | September 26, 2008, 5:35 pm 5:35 pm
if the democrats just pass the bill, then the republicans can gain a political upperhand because they can say, we opposed this we said dont bail out wall street, look tax payers these dems went along with the bush administration we are hear to help you!!!
and they could say, we dont think there was really any danger in a crash anyway, this was just political theater to bail out rich people
and who could argue… the tax payers hate it
if the bill passes and nothing happens with the markets other then stability they could say it would have happened with or without the bail out
so for the dems to pass it outright would give hte republicans free reign to say whatever they want to whomever they want for whatever political gain they could
i would assume the same would be said for the republicans if htey passed it the dems could come out and say HAHAHA take that!!!
this is a disaster because of a lot of greedy people, therefore both parties have to take the political hit to therefor nullify the effect
Posted by: Bhrandon | September 26, 2008, 5:38 pm 5:38 pm
I have a question. If the taxpayers buy those bad home loans, then who gets the houses? The taxpayers should own them, not the bank!
Posted by: McHooverville | September 26, 2008, 5:39 pm 5:39 pm
McCain has no ideas about any of the things discussed in Washington. He himself said the economy is not something he’s good at. None of the Republicans like or respect him. They didn’t want to see him and no one else did. He nor Barack had to sign off on anything so his purpse was:
Stop the slow drip toward Obama and change the subject quickly. His campaign manager last month took a payment from Fannis Mae or Freddie. John stated Davis had not received any money since 2006. Please take the attention from the gun toating, moose killing Sarah Palin with Couric. It was a stunt.America will not him get away with disrespecting us and think that we are so dumb not to know it was a political stunt and it wasn’t even smart but he got what he needed. Dangle something the media will follow, and not let many pay attention to the unprepared Sarah Palin. I’m more informed than Sarah Palin as millions of Americans are. Give me a break!!
The media followed him there because they two can’t do two things at once. WEhere the day after day coverage of Palin’s minister’s problems. You never had a picture of Barack in church when Rev. Wright went left. But we have video and audio of Sarah and this guy talking about witchcraft. Will the real media start doing their job bfore the American make a huge mistake and vote for this old fart. He even brought up his naval or POW yesterday. He carries that around to change the subject and everyone stand there and smile. Enough aalready. Was he 5 from the bottom of his class? Did he destroy 20 airplanes worth millions? Did he leave his wife for a young rich woman? Did thy live together before the final divorce? Is he the biggest hypocrite you’ve ever seen? He has lies so much, the armed services should disown him. Did you see that interview? McCain chose this nut, judgment- hardly.
Posted by: Honay Rogers | September 26, 2008, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
Ask yourselves this basic question? Are we better off than we were 2 years ago when the democrats took over congress?
Isnt Iraq better off than when the democratic congress wanted an immediate pull out and the surge wouldnt work?
The democrat led congress has a WORSE approval rating than President Bush even.
And in spite of the fact they have the democratic votes to push this bill thru both houses, they are too afraid to grow a backbone and do it unless the republicans share the blame also.
This democratic congress is probably the most pathetic congress in united states history.
Posted by: infoseeking | September 26, 2008, 5:40 pm 5:40 pm
Re: “then the republicans can gain a political upperhand because they can say, we opposed this we said dont bail out wall street,”
Oh please. The Republicans have been supporting Wall St. for decades, and are responsible for this economic meltdown. Now right before the election, they’re trying to say that they don’t like Bush or Wall St.
Nobody is falling for this!
Posted by: McHooverville | September 26, 2008, 5:41 pm 5:41 pm
What happened to the politics of change? McCain returns to Washington to do his job and Obama undercuts him at every step.
Posted by: Bob C | September 26, 2008, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm
Jake, you have been biased here, McCain was running away from the poll numbers, he has tried to change the discours about the troubles in his campaign. He was not needed in Washington, all in all what has been achieved so far: ZERO. That is McSame a disater,
Posted by: BKMC | September 26, 2008, 5:42 pm 5:42 pm
Harry Reed and his cronies said McCain should be in Wash. where he “is suppose to be”, then when he went Harry Reed said he ruined the whole thing by being there. The Dems. did not even have anything yet-except to add ACORN in the bill-which is an Obama money maker. Where Obama worked-another company under investigation for fraud. John McCain does care about his country.
Posted by: Pa Patrot | September 26, 2008, 5:43 pm 5:43 pm
Let me get this straight. Obama gets credit because he asks the Treasury Secretary, who was ready to give away the house, one question. Wow, JT, I knew the mainstream media was in love with Obama over his rhetoric, but this takes it to a new level.
Posted by: Bob C | September 26, 2008, 5:44 pm 5:44 pm
Everytime John McCain opens his mouth he’s lying. Sarah is to stupid to know when to use the talking points she’s been programmed to say.I thought the embarrassment would end with this election when Obama was elected but if you Republicans go out there and vote for a senile, angry, unintelligent old man and a gourgeous moose hunter run the most powerful country in the world, then you are just as sick as he is. He is incompetent and he doesn’t have the temperment to be president.
Posted by: Honay Rogers | September 26, 2008, 5:45 pm 5:45 pm
and that was in large part because of McCain’s gambit of suspending his campaign and coming to the Capitol
Posted by: Rob | September 26, 2008, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
Pa Patriot
reid or no dem asked mccain to come back
they said mccain has to be for the bailout bill and take the political hit or we wont
they asked waht his position on the bill was
since on monday he was for it, and then in the next few days he wasnt saying
they never asked him to come back and inject politics into this
republicans are just going nuts
guess what we have about a zillion news sources which is the equivalent of the instant replay
if you want to see a timeline… it would be most easy
Posted by: Bhrandon | September 26, 2008, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
What part of his campaign did he suspend?
Ads were shown in every state.. fund raising continued and McCain continued to practice for the debate.
McCain has zero honor left.
Posted by: Gus | September 26, 2008, 5:46 pm 5:46 pm
You want to be invited to the next Arizona BBQ, don’t you?
Posted by: oh, jake! | September 26, 2008, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm
I wouldn’t have known that ACORN, the far left liberal group that Obama was a lawyer for, best known for their voter fraud and requiring people to be dead to vote, will be getting 20% of the $700 billion.
Radical left wing group getting billions of taxpayer money.
Nothing to stop people with bad credit from again getting mortgages they can’t afford.
They should have stayed in DC
Posted by: Karen | September 26, 2008, 5:47 pm 5:47 pm
at least john mccain has declared he has won teh debate
how arrogant and moronic can a candidate be
nice vp pick mccain
lol
Posted by: Bhrandon | September 26, 2008, 5:48 pm 5:48 pm
umm Jake – greater public attention is the last thing that was needed. That’s the whole point of how McCain derailed the negotiations. There was too much glare and cameras etc which just created political theater instead of the relevant parties getting together below the radar and resolving their issues. Go talk to Karen Tumulty. She’ll educate you on how this works.
Posted by: Rebecca | September 26, 2008, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm
Elementary Exam: Two men hold the same job of Senator. Along hits the biggest economic crisis in our lifetime. Who’s the true leader, A or B?
Senator A (we’ll call him MC) returns to Washington to bring a resolution not yet reached.
B. Senator B (we’ll call him BO) stays in his hotel memorizing answers for a debate until the President of the US summons him to Washington.
I wish all the answers were this easy!
Posted by: Bob C | September 26, 2008, 5:49 pm 5:49 pm
What an ostrich and the Republicans have in common? Let me guess!
An ostrich bury its head in the sand and pretend everything is fine.
Republicans do the same and follow McCain!
America and the world is suffering with the blunders of Bush Administration
The economy have crumple and the prosperity of many people are under risk not only in America but also worldwide.
Because America doesn’t stand alone world have turn into a very small place and everything is linked
John McCain and Sarah Palin promise of change: Is a change to Nowhere
Posted by: foreclosure | September 26, 2008, 5:56 pm 5:56 pm
Re: “The democracts have the majority – they can pass this bill at any time.”
Why should they? They didn’t make this mess. The House Republicans need to step up and take responsibility for their mess.
Posted by: McHooverville | September 26, 2008, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm
the points McCain brought to the table were LESS regulation and more corporate tax cuts. He and his GOP bretheren set the table for this mess. Dems, it is time to take the bull by the horns, get the bill voted on and dare Bush to veto. With apologies to all the people out there that want to weigh in on this….not one in 50 of you have the education and understanding as to what is needed in the very complex economic situation or have a true grasp of how extensive and dramatic the fallout will be. That goes for much of congress including Senator McCain. If there are GOP members that are against oversight, against CEO bonus limits and against working to keep people in thier homes, then those are votes you do not need.
Posted by: Danny | September 26, 2008, 6:01 pm 6:01 pm
McCain and Palin can go back to doing what they your doing before the compaign end in November.
McCain, can return to his Senate Seat.
Palin, can return to being a “Hockey Mom”.
Obama will win in November!
Posted by: Lookup | September 26, 2008, 6:04 pm 6:04 pm
We’ll see how the debate goes. I certainly hope Obama doesn’t lecture us some more. For example, you remember his wife Michelle saying “Barack Obama will require you to work. . . Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual, uninvolved, uninformed.”
Gosh, I’m really tired of him talking down to people in his
Posted by: Bob C | September 26, 2008, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
typo correction
McCain and Palin can go back to doing what they your doing after the compaign end in November.
McCain, can return to his Senate Seat.
Palin, can return to being a “Hockey Mom”.
Obama will win in November!
Posted by: Lookup | September 26, 2008, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
If the Dems don’t have the guts to make the deal, tell them to adjourn and let the Republicans solve this problem with the free market. Lead, follow, or get out of the way. The free market and capitalism have always been the solution, until socialism and fascism became in vogue. Name one thing the government has succesfully run. . . I’ll wait for the answer.
Posted by: Bob C | September 26, 2008, 6:10 pm 6:10 pm
John McCain has had to return over $7,500,000 in donations.
Why does McCain get so many shady donations?
Posted by: Ryan C | September 26, 2008, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm
When a building is falling down, you would want to bring in the best structural engineers and architects to fix, if fixable. Being a high ranking official doesn’t really help the situation; rather he may worsen the problem by injecting his ill-thought-out ego. That’s exactly McCain. He led his 72 years of life by not caring too much of the topic he now says he is championing.
Posted by: jsp9999 | September 26, 2008, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm
Re: Republican voters are very ignorant about the economy. That’s why they keep voting for crooks who distract everybody with family values and all of that nonsense.
Yeah, family values sure are nonsense. All that teaching about right from wrong really gets in the way of things.
Posted by: Bob C | September 26, 2008, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm
The McCain’s campaign was not suspended as he claimed…..
I saw at lest 3 McCain’s campaign ads during the breaks of the “Grey’s anatomy” show last night.
Posted by: Cincinnati, OH | September 26, 2008, 6:15 pm 6:15 pm
re: When a building is falling down, you would want to bring in the best structural engineers
In your analogy McCain is the principal of the general contracting firm that hired the structural engineer on their biggest project. I’d sure like my general to be on the job, not memorizing answers for a debate.
Posted by: Bob C | September 26, 2008, 6:18 pm 6:18 pm
McCain is playing with your mind and others too Jake. This man is just trying to change the subject. He needs another diversion and he would like to get rid of the debate. He has had to come out from under Sarah’s skirt, and he would like to be able to put her back under it. But she has to come out now, she has been there too long already. So, he is looking for a way to take attention away from Palin, who, mark my words will sink like a stone now that she is out of cover. And, McCain can’t understand economics, because he has never had to worry about a penny his whole life. He is so out of touch, he is alien. The debate will show it, so he rather skip. And every day longer for Palin, in theory at least, gives her more time to prepare. I think though that the problem is not what is or is not in her head, its how her head works (or does not). Her lagic is flawed (does she have any logic?).
Anyone who has an ounce of common sense and knowledge of the world, knows that McCain cannot influence the debate. They know this is all a big game and gamble by the Republicans to try to make McCain the economic hero on this economic 911. The problem is, they are playing with fire. They will all get burned if they take too long and if they try to make McCain look like he is the leader when plainly, he has no capacity nor any right to be. He is just a candidate for the Presidency. He is not the acting President.
Now, if his legacy is that he got the Republicans to do something they otherwise would not, that says nothing about him. It says nothing about bi-partisan skills. It would at best say the Republicans at time of crisis can’t get their act together. But we know that is not true. We know if Bush wants something, they are going to deliver it to him, McCain or no McCain. So what Bush asked for, was a gift to McCain, and the economic package.
The whole thing, like the rest of bush’ doings, has been orchestrated by the man, his underlings, his managers and the Republican Party. They are still, in the heat of the biggest economic crisis since the depression, this one caused by themselves no less, playing politics, with the Nation. And, in the kitty is your vote as the prize… Regardless of the economic consequences for you, the voter and for America.
This is just about Red States and Blue States, your states and my states. It is a fools game.
Posted by: PaulStewart9 | September 26, 2008, 6:20 pm 6:20 pm
Clearly market corrections are better than overbearing government regulation.
About the critics who said deregulation was the cause of this economic mess, remember I asked you to name me one enterprise the government ran well?
Just wanted to remind you. I’m still waiting for an answer. . . .
Posted by: Bob C | September 26, 2008, 6:22 pm 6:22 pm
“Name one thing the government has succesfully run”
The military.
Why do you hate our brave fighting men and women Bob C?
Posted by: Ryan C | September 26, 2008, 6:24 pm 6:24 pm
For those of you who think it’s “OK” to mock the wisdom that comes with age, let me remind you that Winston Churchill was 70 years old when he led the United Kingdom through WWII. And that was when life spans were much shorter.
Besides it speaks poorly of your character to make such low brow comments.
Posted by: Bob C | September 26, 2008, 6:27 pm 6:27 pm
Re: “Clearly market corrections are better than overbearing government regulation.”
At this point, they’re not. A “correction” will mean unemployment at 25-30%, a devalued dollar, massive bank closures, and China buying up our assets at reduced costs.
I would rather Americabs taxpayers buy up those assets than China.
Posted by: McHooverville | September 26, 2008, 6:29 pm 6:29 pm
McCain is worser than a GECKO…
Posted by: SP | September 26, 2008, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm
So, Bertha, the FEC spokeswoman says it’s not unusual, but a RNC spokeswoman says it’s suspicious.
Hrm, whose word am I going to take on that? It’s a tricky one. It’s not like the RNC would have any motive or track record in casting suspicions about Obama, is it?
Yeah, I think I’m going with the FEC spokeswoman on this one.
Posted by: Aengil | September 26, 2008, 6:30 pm 6:30 pm
John McCain favorite food. Chicken nugget
John McCain hobby. Political stunts
John McCain dream ,To be a president doesn’t matter what.
John McCain political ideology .Opportunist
John McCain cheerleader Sarah Palin.
John McCain favorite place .Florida , many elderly residents and you can manipulate the voting results.
John McCain favorite Cable news .FOX Idiots
John McCain favorite movie .Pinocchio
John McCain favorite word.My friends.
John McCain friends reach people like him.
John McCain ability constant flip flop.
Posted by: foreclosure | September 26, 2008, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm
“For those of you who think it’s “OK” to mock the wisdom that comes with age”
If abandoning all sense of integrity and honor to win an election as McCain has done is wisdom with age.
May we all die young.
Posted by: Ryan C | September 26, 2008, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm
In case you – like most of us – have difficulty keeping up with Democrat Presidential candidate Barack Obama’s ties to corrupt, terrorist and anti-American groups and individuals a new one has emerged. The mainstream press – as with Obama’s other associations – is working overtime to cover this latest one up. Obama is directly tied to a group that has been both accused of and its members convicted of National Voter Fraud, embezzlement and misuse of tax payer funds – ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now).
What are Obama’s direct ties to the voter-fraud group? Let’s take a look. Obama was not only ACORN’s attorney but, actually trained the group in “community activism!” And, while Obama was Chairman of the Chicago Annenberg Challenge, he arranged funding for the voter-fraud group through the CAC. McCauley’s World reports: “In Philadelphia alone ACORN has raised over $800,000 Dollars for Barack Obama’s Campaign.” In politics, scratching each other’s back is always the order of the day.
The voter-fraud group is working almost non-stop—except when its members are arrested and taken into custody—to get Obama elected POTUS.
Posted by: Bailout Bertha | September 26, 2008, 6:31 pm 6:31 pm
The last president who came in promising sweeping regulation, had us lining up for gas down the street, interests rates soaring, and our diplomatic officials being held captive in Iran. Reagan came in, cleared the red tape and got the economy clicking. That is until Clinton got elected and passed the CRA requiring banks to provide skeptical loans.
Posted by: Bob C | September 26, 2008, 6:33 pm 6:33 pm
Re: “Name one thing the government has succesfully run”
The military.
Why do you hate our brave fighting men and women Bob C?
Yes Ryan C, my brother, you are correct. I thought nobody would get it. And why is it that the government runs this well? Because its members are predominantly Republicans, like McCain.
Posted by: Bob C | September 26, 2008, 6:34 pm 6:34 pm
You nailed it, John McCain didn’t harm the process, he had not affect on it at all.
I am convinced now, McCain wasn’t evil, but WAS entirely USELESS during this crisis.
Boy, that surely makes him my choice for President.
Posted by: big time patriot | September 26, 2008, 6:35 pm 6:35 pm
Re: “Reagan came in, cleared the red tape and got the economy clicking.”
LOL
He ran up the defict and left us with a massive debt. Clinton cleaned up Reagan’s mess.
Posted by: McHooverville | September 26, 2008, 6:36 pm 6:36 pm
ALL I GOT TO SAY:
BROWNIE AND PAULSON
BUSH AND McCAIN
PALIN AND BOZO
UNQUALIFIED PEOPLE THAT RUN THEIR OFFICE FROM A PLATFORM OF “FEAR”.
YOU SO AFFAID YOU CAN’T SEE THE TRUTH.
OBAMA 08
Posted by: Underdog | September 26, 2008, 6:41 pm 6:41 pm
The donations from current soldiers and veterans to McCain far exceed those to Obama.
Posted by: Bob C | September 26, 2008, 6:48 pm 6:48 pm
just thinking: “snipped
From the Wall Street Joournal, Sept.26″
Erm… what you quote is part of a McCain campaign statement. While it may have been printed in the WSJ, I really think you should point out the actual source.
Posted by: Aengil | September 26, 2008, 6:54 pm 6:54 pm
Obamabot position: Your source is from a writer that has not had any Kool Aid therefore it is false.
Posted by: Bailout Bertha | September 26, 2008, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm
“The donations from current soldiers and veterans to McCain far exceed those to Obama.”
Well veterans don’t mark such on their donations.
But we can check current soldiers
WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. soldiers have donated more presidential campaign money to Democrat Barack Obama than to Republican John McCain, a reversal of previous campaigns in which military donations tended to favor GOP White House hopefuls, a nonpartisan group reported Thursday.
Troops serving abroad have given nearly six times as much money to Obama’s presidential campaign as they have to McCain’s, the Center for Responsive Politics said.
The report tracked donations of $200 or more. It found that 859 members of the military donated a total of $335,536 to Obama. McCain received $280,513 from 558 military donors.
Posted by: Ryan C | September 26, 2008, 7:08 pm 7:08 pm
SCHUMER: We need the president to respectfully tell Senator McCain to get out of town. He’s not helping.
Didn’t Harry Reid say earlier this week, “We need the Republican nominee for president to let us know where he stands.” Now they’re saying to McCain to get out of town.
REID: We need the Republican nominee for president to let us know where he stands.
So that was earlier this week. Today, “Get outta town. Bush, tell McCain to get out of town.”
Posted by: Bailout Bertha | September 26, 2008, 7:20 pm 7:20 pm
Bailout Bertha: “REID: We need the Republican nominee for president to let us know where he stands.”
Exactly how does ‘let us know where he stands’ equals ‘suspend his campaign and come to Washington to force himself into the negotiations’?
McCain could have just, y’know, phoned. Or issued a statement.
Reid’s statements aren’t contradictory in the slightest.
Posted by: Aengil | September 26, 2008, 7:22 pm 7:22 pm
McCain could have just, y’know, phoned. Or issued a statement.
_______________________________________
Or sent a text message huh?
Posted by: Bailout Bertha | September 26, 2008, 7:25 pm 7:25 pm
“ACORN” is one Limbaugh’s new favorite sound bites. Look through the comments for ACORN and you will find the Limbaugh ditto heads aka Repub trolls.
Posted by: brian | September 26, 2008, 7:31 pm 7:31 pm
According to an Obama campaign source, the meeting ended up with Obama essentially chairing the meeting, with the meeting falling apart. Bush was “beleaguered,” trying to regain control of the meeting.
So this whole meeting yesterday essentially was established bu the DNC to show off the chosen one’s leadership skills and negotiating skills. Obama was a fiasco and bombed. People who disagree with him, he has no clue how to negotiate with. So Obama ended up last night on TV:
OBAMA: Well, h–h- here’s my, uh… –
I think that the way that I’ve been working over the last week, constantly in contact with the secretary and the congressional leaders, um, uh, eh, you know, may end up creating an environment in which you can actually get somethin’ done.
Essentially Obama admitted that nothing got done in there.
Obama can’t handle things like this. It’s better for him to be away, somewhere on the sidelines in constant contact with everybody on the phone.
Obama:”You know what? It’s just better if everybody else gets in the room and then I arbitrate on the phone.”
This was Obama’s statement when he got on his campaign plane today and heading down to Oxford, Mississippi, for the debate:
OBAMA:”Well, anymore constant contact.Uh-uh-uhI have been talking with,” Uh Uh, um “I’ve been talking to them all morning today. I’ll continue to talk to them and I’ll continue to be available if necessary.”
END TRANSCRIPT
Posted by: Bailout Bertha | September 26, 2008, 7:36 pm 7:36 pm
Bailout Bertha – Obama has provided his answer on these tough issues. As he said, this crisis was simply “above his paygrade”
Posted by: Richard L | September 26, 2008, 7:45 pm 7:45 pm
Bertha: “So this whole meeting yesterday essentially was established bu the DNC”
Bush requested Obama attend. So he’s a Democrat now, is he?
Posted by: Aengil | September 26, 2008, 7:46 pm 7:46 pm
Re: Bush requested Obama attend. So he’s a Democrat now, is he?
Apparently so, it’s the Democrats who want to snuggle up with Bush on this one and want the complicit agreement of the Republicans, even though they have the majority to pass the bailout with Bush. The House Republicans are fighting against it. Obama didn’t want to get involved until Bush summoned him to DC.
Posted by: Richard L | September 26, 2008, 7:49 pm 7:49 pm
As they say about Obama: If you don’t like his answer to a question, wait a day because it will change.
Posted by: Richard L | September 26, 2008, 7:50 pm 7:50 pm
Bush asked the majority leaders and Chris Dodd to speak who deferred to their supreme leader Obama . Obama trashed the House Republicans bill and asked Paulson regarding the bill. Then all hell broke loose with the house republicans walking out, Bush trying to regain control of the meeting and Paulson asking everyone to keep the matter to themselves. But the democrats and obama went to the press and spinned the meeting details.
The Fact is Dems moved to make Obama chair the meeting and look presidential but Obama screwed up by his utterance as he did not have a teleprompter in front of him.
Posted by: Indus | September 26, 2008, 8:00 pm 8:00 pm
Indus: That contradicts the accounts I’ve read of the meeting. Have you got a source for that, or are you just making it up?
Posted by: Aengil | September 26, 2008, 8:08 pm 8:08 pm
Ricardo L writes: “As they say about Obama…”
Um, who is this “they” that you speak about? Could you please provide some specific examples, or are you just making it up?
Posted by: mhigh | September 26, 2008, 8:37 pm 8:37 pm
Since my family will now be paying over $10,000 over time to support this bailout, I have questions.
Did Barney Franks force Fannie and Freddie to offer mortgage loans to Americans that did not have adequate credit?
Who in Congress may have influenced Fannie and Freddie policies?
Did anyone in Congress attempt to influence Fannie and Freddie credit approval standards? If so, who?
Why didn’t the Banking Committees in Congress know that Fannie and Freddie were going under well before they failed?
Why did the Banking Committee fail to inform Americans of both financial institutions impending failure months before it happened.
Why was Dodd unaware of impending failure?
If he knew, why did he fail to take action.
What was Obama’s professional and personal relationships with Freddie and Fannie? What was Dodds?
Is Dodd’s receipt of more Fannie and Freddie lobbying dollars than any other Congressional member a conflict of interest in lieu of his committee position?
I won’t hold my breath.
Posted by: dbc | September 26, 2008, 8:46 pm 8:46 pm
This bailout is chump change compared to the problems we’re going to face when social security goes belly up, it’s in the same position as these banking companies, vastly under funded and lacking honest and knowledgeable leaders who can fix the problem. Worse yet todays greedy/incompetent politicians (both parties) are directly in charge of the social (in)security fund.
Posted by: fool me once | September 26, 2008, 9:16 pm 9:16 pm
McCain’s former economic adviser is ex-Texas Senator Phil Gramm. On Dec. 15, 2000, as Congress was to leave for Christmas recess, Gramm had a 262-page amendment added to the appropriations bill. It forbade federal agencies to regulate the financial derivatives that allowed the sale of risky mortgage-backed securities to investors. McCain espoused Gramm’s economic policies to Republican ideologues whose opposition to regulations has now brought chaos to our financial markets.
The FBI is investigating potential fraud by four financial institutions, American International Group, mortgage finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. The inquiries will focus on the financial institutions and the 26 individuals who ran them. Over the past year, the FBI has opened a wide-ranging probe of 24 companies across the financial-services industry, from mortgage lenders to investment banks that bundle home loans into securities sold to investors. The search for culprits in the subprime mortgage crisis is focused on accounting fraud, insider trading, and failure to disclose the value of mortgage-related securities and other assets. When the government assumed control of the American International Group insurance company, it was because of massive losses in its derivatives-trading unit.
Last February, Fortune Magazine called Phil Gramm “McCain’s Economic Brain.” Gramm lost the official title of economic adviser for saying that American are “A nation of whiners.” Gramm and McCain’s belief in allowing speculators to do as they please was not at issue, only Gramm’s outrageous remark. Another Gramm program to prevent federal regulations was the “Enron loophole,” which prevented federal oversight of Enron’s electronic energy trading. The favors were expensive to consumers but profitable to the Gramms. Enron CEO Ken Lay chaired Gramm’s 1992 re-election campaign, and wife Wendy Gramm spent years on the Enron board, earning as much as $1.8 million.
The Bush economy was built on keeping interest rates low so that people could borrow money to spend on real estate. The resulting housing bubble left middle-class people feeling prosperous, even as their earnings stagnated or fell. Democrats tried to contain the house bubble by preventing lending practices to subprime borrowers, which is the root of the current crisis. McCain’s economic philosophy is a simple-minded belief in Phil Gramm’s warped theories.
Posted by: RN | September 26, 2008, 10:53 pm 10:53 pm
MAGICIAN MCCAIN
Step right up, step right up. Magician McCain illusions performed regularly throughout this campaign:
Illusion of Production: Magician McCain produces something from nothing–Puff…Silly Sarah from Alaska.
Illusion of Transformation: Magician McCain transforms something from one state into another–Puff…Deregulator McCain becomes Savior McCain on the economy.
Illusion of Vanishing: Magician McCain makes something disappear–Puff…himself from the campaign…well, supposedly.
Illusion of Prediction: Magician McCain predicts the outcome of an event–Puff…himself as tonight’s debate winner…not.
Endless tricks, gimmicks, and stunts performed for our entertainment and Magician McCain’s poll numbers.
Newsflash! It’s not working! September 26, 2008, Gallup Daily: Obama 48%, McCain 45%
Posted by: ziadora | September 27, 2008, 12:40 am 12:40 am
re Posted by: RN | Sep 26, 2008 10:53:28 PM
“The Bush economy was built on keeping interest rates low so that people could borrow money to spend on real estate.”
—————————-
One small problem. The President does not set interest rates.
The Federal Reserve was set up to be independent of political pressure.
Note the Federal Reserve raised interest rates during the last year of Bush 1 which many believed cost him the election.
Posted by: Dave in lv | September 27, 2008, 1:58 am 1:58 am
Who was it who said in the beginning of this whole “bailout” debacle that they didn’t believe politics should be injected into the arena of congress on this issue? Oh yeah, it was Barack Obama. But then Mr. McCain echoed the statement as if he had come up with it himself (oh surprise, surprise!). And yet he keeps getting up in the morning with a prepared speech, however erroneous, to deliver to his ignorant admirers every single day since this started. It’s nearly become the basis of his campaign. Oh well, I guess he really needed a basis.
How dare he say that the process needs to be bi-partisan out of one side of his mouth while he spews blame and derision out of the other?
Who is this man?
This year for Halloween I think I’ll go as one of the scariest monsters that’s ever graced the face of this planet.
And that “scary monster” would be the one, the only (thank God), Senator John McCain!
Posted by: POOTUN77 | October 1, 2008, 11:17 am 11:17 am
Politico reports that advisers to the main 2012 presidential contenders and other veteran Republican operatives reveal they have one mission in common: Stop Sarah Palin. Pickup this message at 214PM via Smirf etc. decoded 227PM
Obtained from reliable sources and yes it’s true Aliens have decided to cast their vote for the Tea party.The greys have reviewed the political issues of all the party’s and have agreed that those who have the tea party’s viewpoints are less likely to present issues that conflict with their globle view obstructions. Sometime soon after the midterm elections they will make themselves knowed but in the intermin they have left their sexuality concerns and viewpoints in sacred trust with the earthling Sara. All other concerns about the future have been stored in the secret and private volts of the A1 Limo service. Since my retirement my personal advisor in matters of this importance have been rendered to me from Horhay who is also a friend and my special ranch weed grower. Sincerely, your friend George
Posted by: The Greys are Here | November 2, 2010, 9:02 am 9:02 am