« The Pre-Debate Bric-A-Brac | Main | McCain's High-Stakes Debate » Blunt, Blunter, Bluntest: McCain "Stopped" The Deal?26 Sep 2008 04:18 pm The McCain campaign does not dispute Rep. Blunt here, but aide points to the phrase "that no House Republican..would have been for..."... and interprets Blunt to mean that McCain helped to bring these points of view to the foreground. In other words, it was McCain who helped clarify the status of the deal -- that there was no deal -- by recognizing the concerns of House Republicans, without whose support a deal is impossible. Obama mouth Bill Burton had this to say: "Congressman Blunt just confirmed what's been clear since John McCain rode into Washington at the eleventh hour - Senator McCain's political theatrics succeeded only in stopping a bipartisan deal. During the most serious economic crisis of our time, we don't need erratic posturing, we need steady leadership to protect American taxpayers and put our economy back on track." You be the judge... NB: Folks on Capitol Hill seem confident that a deal IS in the offing and that it will probably include the basic Paulson bailout + oversight + an "option" that contains the GOP insurance proposals. Comments (15)
Was it necessary for McCain to go to DC to "clarify" the House GOP's position? No. Did his grandstanding give the House GOP the ability to delay participating in the deal until after everybody else signed on? Yes. Was that constructive? No. 
Is there a transcript? Please post if possible.
Where the hell is the equity stake for taxpayers? By my tax dollars, I am improving the health of these companies, i.e. I want an equity stake!!
Why do the House Republicans matter anyway? Didn't the Dems win a majority, and presumably a mandate, in 2006? The House is not the Senate - the minority really can't to anything to stop the passage of bills into law. What's the matter, the Dems afraid to govern? What the hell, their approval rating can't get any lower. Either they believe in this plan or they don't - the Republican members of the House should be a non-factor, except that Nancy Pelosi could not gangbang in a Turkish cathouse.
John McCain did exactly the right thing. Senator Shelby said there was never Republican agreement to the Paulson package as it was presented. It was easy for Obama. Of course all the Dems were singing in harmony. After all they have Dodd and Frank leading the choir. I just find it hard to swallow that Dodd knew all this was coming down the pike BUT he still ran for President! I EXPECT Obama and McCain to be there staring down the theives that have lead us to ruin. I EXPECT them to negotiate THEMSELVES, not by proxy. Maybe Obama can vote 'Present' on this one too.
Given that neither McCain nor Obama were on the Senate Banking Committee, neither of them had any legitimate place in the negotiations. Notice also that McCain didn't come in and lead the GOP Senators (most of whom were supporting the deal Dodd and Paulson worked out), he went straight to the House, where he knew he could work up some theatrical angst. What? House Republicans afraid to speak for themselves? Can't find a microphone? Or did they need Big John to explain the details of a three-page memo that he hadn't read? McCain was there for McCain. Pure. Simple.
I EXPECT McCain to grandstand on every issue conceivable under the sun. It's not too late for a steroids issue to pop up in the NFL!
If McCain did come in to town to meet with the House Republicans and "bring these points of view to the foreground" why did it have to be accomplished with such fanfare and drama? Did he really need to call Bush and insist on a meeting with all the high-powered players? Was there really a need to suspend his campaign? Did he really have to claim no deal no debate? Fanfare and drama during intense negotiations during a crisis is not leadership and is not presidential. Looks like a ploy to draw attention to himself as his VP pick garbles through a disastrous nationally televised interview, his poll numbers drop, and news that his campaign advisor is taking consulting fees from Freddie.
Another McBlunder achievement; stopping a bipartisan agreement and placing the Administration in a terrible position. It has not taken McBlunder so long to get out of Washington. The fallen off tires of the Straight Talk Express have gone flat and now the axles have detached from the drive train. What is the next stunt McBlunder will attempt to salvage his candidacy? Maybe will Palin decide she is over her head and return to Alaska?
The more I get to know John McCain the more fearful of his tactics I am. He is so deceitful and unpredictable.
This is, at least in the short run, a turning point for McCain. His campaign is in a mess, largely through is assertive actions. "I'm going to Washington." "No deal, no debate." Sarah Palin is an embarassment to the country. McCain actually "suspended" a pending financial bailout deal on Thursday. Leadership? Credibility? Similarity to Bush, Jr.? Yes. Older man, old ideas. The debate will result in a major poll shift against McCainn.
McCain wanted to help himself to free air time and advance his campaign. Notice that no ads stopped, all volunteers were out in full force with prepared talking point, and he made a number of high rating appearances(Global Initive & Katie Curic) LIED TO DAVID LETTERMAN but what the heck he is member of the religious right so that is okay. Probably desperately wanted to debate stopped this week and moved to take over the Vice Presidential debate. You know BIDEN HAS ACTUALLY BEEN TO MOST OF THE FOREIGN COUNTRIES,TALKED WITH THEIR LEADERS. ALSO FACTUAL SARAH PALIN IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL POISED BEYOND WORKS PERSON THAT IS ABLE TO b--l s--t her way thru most conversations!But Me Thinks McCain would prefer to keep off debate unless he can hand her a Bush speach fulled detailed with McCain talking points and then they get Gwen to not ask any questions just read what she has been given...
That Blunt comment has been clipped and left standing OUT OF CONTEXT. Imagine that, here is the full transcript of what Blunt said. REP. ROY BLUNT: "I do think that John McCain was very helpful in what he did. I saw him this morning, we've been talking with his staff. Clearly, yesterday, his position on that discussion yesterday was one that stopped a deal from finalizing that no House Republican, in my view, would have been for, which means it wouldn't have probably passed the House. Now, Democrats are in the majority. They can pass anything they want to without a singe Republican vote, but they don't seem to be willing to do that. I'm pleased we can have negotiations now that get us back towards things that we think can protect the taxpayers better, create more options, and frankly be better understood in the country than the plan—the path we were on a couple of days ago."
Doesn't the quote of the full statement by Michael Dugas just about say all that needs to be said about the integrity of the Obama campaign? Let's cut this stuff out.
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Am I to believe that Republican members of the House are unable to bring their point of view to the foreground unless McCain parachutes in to hold their hands and lead them forth?
*boggles*
Am I to believe that no one could have clarified the status of the deal if McCain hadn't been there to notice the House Republicans? (Is this a delicate shrinking violet deal? The House Republicans are now all Palin?) Look, my opinion of Bush is as low as anyone's, but....
It's worth remembering that a few days ago no one in Washington was moaning about how much better things would be if either candidate were to suspend his campaign and ride into town. And after McCain announced that was what he would do, no Republican in House or Senate leaped up to shout "Thank Heavens John is coming to get this thing done!"
Posted by Deborah | September 26, 2008 4:38 PM