True, there was no "deal" -- House Republicans were always balking and Speaker Pelosi really wanted House Republicans to pair with House Democrats.
But McCain's presence in Washington gave voice to House Republicans, deliberately, if Minority Leader Boehner was somehow in cahoots with McCain. That's not likely -- the House caucus never trusted McCain and White House credibility among the GOP is ZERO. Indeed, maybe McCain feels privately duped by Boehner.
House Republicans did their best last night to bring McCain to their side, even though McCain did not intend to endorse any set of principles. Senate Republicans feel slightly emboldened now, in what became sort of a domino effect.
McCain needs to find a way to get House Republicans to buy into a deal.
If not -- and if there's a market sell-off -- McCain's going to have a tough, tough weekend. Never have the downside risks been so clear.
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