The Democratic/Bush Bailout?

A senior Democratic aide says that Democrats remain concerned that McCain is going demagogue the bailout as part of an effort to distance himself from Bush and to bring himself closer to the country's populist center.  The argument from McCain could be that it bails out Wall Street without requiring any upfront costs.

But here's another possibility, from a senior Republican staffer on the Hill:  McCain likes the bill, but if he gets behind it, it becomes HIS plan, and then the Democrats would go South.

So if he can be in the mix without making a firm commitment, if a deal is reached, he can swoop in and say that he got 'er done.

The principal in all this appears to be Minority Leader John Boehner, who, after meeting with McCain today, clucked a little bit about the prospects for the bill; but Boehner was just telling the truth there has never been much support for this among House Republicans.

The Dems' theory is that with Boehner pushing back and suggesting that a deal is not yet done, McCain save the day with the...well... fabricated.... meeting at the White House.?

On the other hand, maybe Democrats are trying to fast-track a bill that most Republicans aren't inclined to support. If the bill becomes the Democratic/Bush bailout, what would McCain do then?.