John McCain On The Politics Of Finance

CBS Evening News Exclusive: Couric Asks McCain About The Moves He's Making To Mend The Fiscal Crisis

(CBS)  After Sen. John McCain announced he would suspend his campaign in order to focus on his congressional work ironing out the $700 billion bailout package - and proposed delaying the first presidential debate - he came to the CBS News broadcast center to explain the politics of the situation to CBS News Anchor Katie Couric. What follows is a complete transcript of their interview.

---

Katie Couric: Sen. McCain, why is it necessary for you to take this extraordinary step of suspending your campaign?

John McCain: 'Cause these are extraordinary times. The financial crisis is on the verge of a very, very serious, most serious crisis since the end of World War II. That's according to Mr. Bernanke, Secretary Paulson and others. Any expert. This is a most serious situation. And it could … not only be United States markets, but world markets as well.

Couric: In fact, you met with economists this morning, and a number of financial experts, and it seems to me they really shook you up.

McCain: All they did, really, was confirm what we're already hearing from people we most admire and respect in America. The most respected people. I don't, in fact, I don't know anyone that doesn't believe that … this crisis is of such enormous proportions that it has the possibility, I don't think it's gonna, 'cause I think we're gonna act, but could have the possibility of wrecking the economy in ways that we've never contemplated.

Couric: Do you and Sen. Obama agree to the changes that need to be made in this bailout package?

McCain: We certainly agree the some. We said - we have - we have some, not all. But, certainly some. We have some common ground, yes.

Couric: And what are your primary objections to the way it stands right now?

McCain: There are numerous ones. One is that there's not the transparency that I think is necessary. I think we need to have, clearly, oversight. People that we respect and admire from both parties. Like Mayor Bloomberg of New York … and Mitt Romney and others … to oversight this.

And I also think we need to seriously consider something along the lines of what we had during the Depression. To guarantee home loans. I think that's necessary. There are a number of other measures that I think need to be taken in order to convince the American people that a trillion dollars or $700 billion, depending on who you talk to, of their money, that's $10,000 per family in America.

Couric: I know that Sen. Obama initially called you this morning at 8:30 to talk about issuing a joint statement about this bailout. You decided to go a step further by suspending your campaign and asking that Friday debate be delayed. Political observers say whoever gets out front on this issue will benefit the most in November. Was this an effort to do that? And was this at all, Senator, politically motivated?

McCain: Well, I don't think, at this time, that we can worry much about politics, Katie. I think the American people expect more of us. And I would hope that we would respond that way. Senator Obama called this morning. We - I called him back. We discussed that we do agree, and I'd be glad … to join in a common press release or statement, but now is not the time for statements. Time is now to act. And … most experts …

Couric: Did you suggest suspending both of your campaigns?

McCain: Yes. Sure. Yeah. I said …

Couric: And what was his response?

McCain: Well, I'd - I, frankly, I think he … has to consider it. I don't know if he had considered it or not. But I did tell him that I thought we both ought to do that. On the subject of delaying the debates, we've got 41 days left in this campaign. We could move it up a few days. Because we know we have to act. Everybody that I, well, look, it's clear to me we have to act before the weekend. We have to show the markets, the world markets, that we're gonna address this issue seriously.

Couric: Sen. Obama said, when he spoke to the press earlier today, he said, "With regard to debates it's my belief is that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who, in approximately 40 days, will be responsible for dealing with this mess."

McCain: Well, you know, it's funny because I asked Sen. Obama months ago to go to town - hold town hall meetings around the country. I said, "I'll fly," well, "I'll …co-provide the airplane." I asked him to go to town hall meetings every other day to … the cities around America, and he refused.

He refused to do that. Although I've repeated, and still request that he would do that. So it's interesting that, somehow, that he wouldn't engage in town hall meetings and discussions with … me with the American people. But, look … I hope that we can get this thing resolved tomorrow. We could … it resolved tomorrow. And I hope that we would do that in a bipartisan fashion. We have to for the American people.

Couric: How optimistic, though, are you, senator, that something will get hammered out?

McCain: I believe the options are so dire, and the consequences of failure to act, are that I believe we'll come to an agreement. And I believe we can do it quickly. And we must do it. This is not just gonna affect Wall Street. This will affect every family in America. This will have a ripple effect throughout our economy, particularly as far as jobs are concerned … that would be so harmful.

Couric: Since this is such a huge issue, Sen. McCain, what about changing the subject of Friday's debate, which was to have been focused on foreign policy, and switch it to the economy?

McCain: Well, I think they are connected. But … let's worry about that, if we decide to do the debates or not. Certainly energy independence is something that is there are a lot of commonality of the issues … that will be addressed … in the debates that … are ahead of us. And, look, I look forward to them. I've always enjoyed them.

Couric: Let me ask you about a new Washington Post poll. It shows Sen. Obama recapturing the lead in the race. And that more people trust him on handling the economy. What's your reaction to that? And why do you think that's the case?

McCain: Well, I'm the underdog. I've always been the - I've always been the underdog. And I enjoy being the underdog. And we're gonna campaign hard, and I think we're gonna be up late on election night. So, obviously, one of my response is we've seen other polls that have the have the race virtually tied. But, look, whenever I see a poll that isn't favorable to me [laughter] I say, "That's a terrible poll. And there's no reason to pay any attention to it." And then [unintelligible] "Oh, these pollsters are really smart people."

Couric: They are brilliant.

McCain: Yeah. [laughter]

Couric: In our new poll, speaking of polls, President Bush has a 16 percent approval rating when it comes to the economy. Does that make it more difficult for you because you are Republican, even though you're keeping that on the down low sometimes?

McCain: Oh yeah. Yes. Yeah.

Couric: Does it make it more difficult for you to really distinguish yourself on this issue?

McCain: Yes. Well, I think the purposes of campaigns are to present myself. I understand that the tactic of the opposition, I understand it is, is to try to tie me closely to President Bush. I understand that. And my job, as a campaigner, is to show my record where we've had differences on everything from the conduct of the Iraq War to climate change to spending. And really, the most important thing is give them a positive vision for the future of this country. And they're paying attention. And I'm glad of that.

McCain: Earlier today, senator, I spoke with your running mate, Sarah Palin, and she told me that if action is not taken a Great Depression is, quote, "The road that America may find itself on." Do you agree with that assessment?

McCain: I don't know … if it's exactly the Depression. But I know of no expert, including Mr. Bernanke, the head of the Federal Reserve, and our secretary of treasury, and the outside observers ... every respected economist … in this country is saying, "You better address this problem, and you better do it now, or the consequences, obviously, of inaction are of the utmost seriousness." So I agree … with Gov. Palin. There's so much at stake here. That's why I am confident that we'll sit down and work together on this thing.

Couric: But isn't so much of this, Sen. McCain, about consumer confidence?

McCain: Sure.

Couric: And using rhetoric like the "Great Depression," is that the kind of language Americans need to hear right now?

McCain: Well, listen, I've heard language from respected people: "oh, we're staring at the abyss." I've heard all kinds of things from people. I don't think we need to scare people. But I certainly think we need to tell them the truth. And tell them what's at stake here.

Couric: And everyone says, and I say, this is the greatest crisis since the end of World War II. You cannot … I mean, to tell it, American citizens that everything's fine, I think just would be, that would be outright deception. I think it's of the utmost … seriousness. And this is a crisis of enormous proportions. But we can fix it. And America's best days are still ahead of us.

Couric: Last week you claimed the fundamentals of the economy were strong … as you know. [Laughter] Now you're sending your campaign, your running mate and you, are using words like depression. Why the change in attitude?

McCain: Well, first of all, I said we're in a serious crisis. I was talking, obviously, about the workers of America. They're the most productive and the most innovative. They're the best. And they are the heart and soul of our economy.

And I believe that we can and we must have our better days ahead of us. But we've got to take decisions. And one of them is government spending, by the way. One of the major reasons why we're having difficulties is because we let spending get completely out of control. Earmark and pork-barrel projects. Sen. Obama asked for over $900 million in earmark … pork barrel projects. That's not part of the answer. That's part of the problem.

Couric: Well, you're running mate has asked for her fair share of pork barrel projects too.

McCain: And she's cut them out. And she has vetoed a half a billion dollars worth of earmark projects. And I'm very proud of her record of cutting spending and giving taxpayers' dollars back to them in the state of Alaska.

Couric: Finally, Sen. McCain, I'm curious, as far as talking to people out on the campaign trail, are they mad as hell about this bailout plan?

McCain: I think that people want to know where $700 billion, or a trillion dollars, is gonna go. And I think Americans are ready to act. But they have to be convinced that it's gonna be effective. And that we're not gonna turn around [in a] month or two or six months or a year and ask them … for another resolution to this problem.

I think the American people have every right to demand to know exactly what's going on. That's why I think transparency and accountability and a number of other steps have to be taken in order to make sure the American people know that their tax dollars are being used wisely.

[pizzanick]

Katie should go back to the Today show and talk about less serious matters. If she can''t maintain journalistic integrity then she belongs to the hollywood news shows. Governor Palin did not say that the country would be in a depression, it was Couric who asked and used those words. Governor Palin said it would only be serious, but she never used the words "Great Depression." Couric did a hit job on Hillary and now she''s doing the same for the McCain team. Why doesn''t she resign and go back to NBC where they love Obama.

[notopennshut]

The man who himself said that he does not know too much about about the economy now thinks that he single-handedly can turn the crisis around? What a joke! Is he still in full control of his faculties that he can threaten to hold us hostage to what is an already precarious situation? The president, together with his top advisors, congress and many other experts are trying to hammer out a reasonable and acceptable deal. But McSame thinks that he should rush back to Washington and do WHAT????? There is no point to suspend debates. If he can''t think of two things at one time, how would he be able to lead this country when there are dozens of issues to be thought of simultaneously? He is too old, too tired, too muddled and demented to lead his own life, let alone lead this country forward. His true colors are being displayed brilliantly for all to see. He is surrounded by all those men like Davis and Gramm who profited tremendously through deregulation and caused this crisis. Now what else can McSame do, other than to help out his old buddies? And you know it won''t be you and me, the everyday citizen. No to McSame Now!

[jimlayton]

Does McCain know that his surrogates were denying that Obama called this morning to propose a joint statement?

[barrylies]

MCCAIN WANTS A "TIME OUT"

Obama: The Debate Is Still On... This Is Exactly The Time When The American People Need To Hear From Their Leaders... Presidents Are Going To Have To Deal With More Than One Thing At A Time... McCain Camp: Postpone Next Week''''s VP Debate...



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Posted by nomav at 07:39 PM : Sep 24, 2008
_____________________________________________________
Obama has done nothing but say "I''m willing to have that debate anytime",..then he ran from Hillary and he ran from the Town Halls!! Now he wants to get it over with because he has been cramming for 2 days and is afraid he will forget all that he has learned,..without his little buddy, the Teleprompter!! UMMMM OHHHHH UMMMMM that''s above my paygrade UMMMM DUHHHHH OHHHHH UMMMMM,...nice try though.

McCain 08
Hillary 12

Soetoro,Dunham, Obama,..whoever he is,..Never!

[barrylies]

Help a brother out:

http://www.helpobamasbrother.org/

MEchelle won''t let Obama send $12.00 to his brother who lives on $1.00 per month so he can DOUBLE his standard of living for the next year.

Donate today.

[cbsblogger]

This must be the interview that McCain provided Couric today instead of appearing with David Letterman tonight as promised.

Letterman is pixxed and it will be a lively session on his show tonight as he will skewer McCain on his pattern of irresonsibility. Appparently McCain feels that commitments (Debate, Letterman, etc) are made to be broken if it is politically to his advantage

[steeepe]

Why is McBush''s photo featured prominently on the CBS Web site every time I look?

[rogerw2008]

mccain said this was the "most serious crisis since the end of World War II. " um if i remember back in 2001 on september 11 there was a pretty big crisis going on . he must of forgot about it. and palin " i will get back to you on that PLEASE

[benighse]

A week ago, McCain says the ECONOMY was on a solid foundation and great for America....Today he says the ECONOMY is a new 9-11 and HE must go to Washingtonto personally fix it....Yesterday, not broken; today he needs to fix it??????? He simply can''t remember which comment to give from day to day....we know what that is a sign of in a 72 year old.....

[incog-nito]

THIS JUST IN! Senator McCain has just announced a proposal to delay the 2008 election indefinitely in order to deal with the financial crisis. In addition, Senator McCain has offered to assume the duty of President during this period, which may be extended if deemed necessary. "As a former Vietnam POW, I made this proposal in the spirit of sacrifice and service to this great country, of course," McCain was quoted as saying.

[benighse]

So McCain says he has to "suspend" his campaign.....so he can have dinner with the Indian Prime Minister SINGH.....Really a serious financial crisis you went to Washington for John.....What posturing.....What a joke.....Sarah has been to It''s a Small World at Disneyland so I''m sure she can sing the Indian national anthem to SINGH without you holding her hand.....REMEMBER, you said you were going to Washington for ECONOMICS, not curry.....YOU ARE SILLIY, SILLY, SILLY.....and now you insult the AMERICAN PEOPLE.....They will return the favor to you in November when they VOTE OBAMA and BIDEN to solve the world''s problems instead of having you treat them like a JOKE!!!!

[aaabee-2009]

Economic stress = John McCain

Technically, I don''t know." --asked if the U.S. is in a recession, "60 Minutes" interview, Sept. 21, 2008

"Our economy, I think, is still -- the fundamentals of our economy are strong." --Jacksonville, Fla., Sept. 15, 2008

"I understand the economy. I was chairman of the Commerce Committee that oversights every part of our economy." --ignoring the fact that it is actually the Senate Banking Committee which is responsible for credit, financial services, and housing -- the very areas currently in crisis, CNBC interview, Sept. 16, 2008


If we can see the bottom from here, what will we be looking at after 4 years of Palin/McCain?

[aaabee-2009]

Econonic stress = John McCain

"It''s easy for me to go to Washington and, frankly, be somewhat divorced from the day-to-day challenges people have." --speaking at the ServiceNation forum in New York, Sept. 11, 2008

"Could I just mention to you, Jay, that in a moment of seriousness I spent five and a half years in a prison cell." --once again playing the POW card to deflect a question from Jay Leno about how many houses he owns, "Tonight Show" interview, Aug. 25, 2008

"I am prepared. I am prepared. I need no on-the-job training." --explaining at an Oct. 2007 debate why Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney are not qualified to be president

[aaabee-2009]

"The issue of economics is not something I''ve understood as well as I should. I''ve got Greenspan''s book." --as quoted in the Boston Globe, Dec. 17, 2007

[aaabee-2009]

"Sarah Palin and McCain are a good pair. She''s pro-life and he''s clinging to life." %u2013Jay Leno

[nearl4511]

Ben Bernanke is scared of what may happen? CALL THE POLICE!!!! OMG!!!!!

Bernanke is one big scaredy cat. Imagine Alan Greenspan reacting in such a shameless manner. He would calmly explain the risks.

It may be an important crisis. The long term problem is serious as well.....but slow down a little please!! Consider rationally before spending a trillion dollars of the public trust.

[susanhelit]

Ah, enough time for interviews - but not for debates. I see....

[whitemale08]

Why would McCain go back to Washington to help out with the economy when he admits that he knows absolutely nothing about the economy?

[benighse]

I''LL TALK TO KATIE COURIC, BUT I DON''T HAVE TIME FOR THE AMERICAN PUBLIC ON FRIDAY AT THE DEBATE....Well I do Senator, AND I''LL BE VOTING FOR BARACK OBAMA!!!

[truthtoday]

In 2005, Senator McCain sponsored the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005,

It proposed establishing an independent Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Agency with authority over Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The bill would have restricted some of the cavalier behaviors that have hurt Freddie and Fannie by applying risk-based capital tests, imposing new enforcement actions and penalties, limiting golden parachutes and requiring more transparent reporting.

[amazedd]

$700B, quotha? Chicken feed, let''s go to Vegas and talk about making looove, O''baby.
On the scene, see?

[nearl4511]

The only thing that would have ben more suspicious is if McCain cancelled the VP debate because he was too busy addressing the crisis.

[truthtoday]

In 2005 Senator McCain wrote to the President and Congress.

%u201CFor years I have been concerned about the regulatory structure that governs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac%u2014known as Government-sponsored entities or GSEs%u2014and the sheer magnitude of these companies and the role they play in the housing market. The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight''s or OFHEO%u2019s report this week does nothing to ease these concerns. In fact, the report does quite the contrary. OFHEO%u2019s report solidifies my view that the GSEs need to be reformed without delay.%u201D

%u201CI join as a cosponsor of the Federal Housing Enterprise Regulatory Reform Act of 2005, S. 190, to underscore my support for quick passage of GSE regulatory reform legislation. If Congress does not act, American taxpayers will continue to be exposed to the enormous risk that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pose to the housing market, the overall financial system, and the economy as a whole.%u201D

%u201CI urge my colleagues to support swift action on this GSE reform legislation.%u201D

[stn_sage]

Why would McCain go back to Washington to help out with the economy when he admits that he knows absolutely nothing about the economy?

Posted by whitemale08 at 08:27 PM : Sep 24, 2008
--------------------
Perhaps, to pose for a picture at the scene of this future HUGE mistake?! Much the same reason Rudy Guiliani hung around NYC the first day on 911!?
And for the SAME REASON---political grandstanding!

C''mon, you big sissy! Go and do the debate! Don''t chicken out on us, now!

[ioweign]

This must be a VERY important crisis if it requires the full, undivided attention of a Senator who has missed 230 out of 286 votes since Q4-2007.

That''s 80% of those votes McCain has missed.

McCain was last in Washington DC in April ''08, will he be able to find his office and chair on the Senate floor...

[truthtoday]

James Johnson was CEO of Fannie Mae from 1991-98. He is a major fundraiser for Obama and was head of Obama%u2019s committee to select a VP.

Franklin Raines was CEO of Fannie Mae from 1999-2004. He is a major fundraiser for Obama and is Obama%u2019s housing and mortgage advisor.

Both of them took salary and bonuses of millions of dollars. In one year alone Johnson got $21 million and Raines over six years got $90 million.

These men were at the heart of the sub-prime mortgage mess. During their leadership Fannie Mae purchased billions of dollars of uncollectible and defaulted on mortgages. Now the taxpayers will have to pay billions to bale out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

These men cooked the books to enrich themselves. They inflated Fannie Mae%u2019s earning by $6-$9 billion in order to collect salary and bonuses of $50-$90 million.

Austan Goolsbee is senior economic advisor to Obama. On March 29, 2007 he wrote an article in the New York Times %u201CIrresponsible Mortgages Have Opened Doors To Many Of The Excluded%u201D Goolsbee said, %u201CCracking down on sup-prime mortgages could hurt exactly the wrong people%u2026.those who previously would have been denied loans. %u201CIt has allowed them access to mortgages whereas lenders would have once just turned them away.

Giving loans to people unable to repay is going to cost taxpayers close to $1 trillon dollars. These are the men Obama has chosen as advisors.

[mcv57]

The Bail-Scam is a SHELL GAME TO BUY TIME for the present legistrative branch and executive branch - to retire and shore-up legal manuvers. The Bank Committee has made this into a soap opera.

WE THE PEOPLE, MUST CALL THE RETURN OF OUR MILITARY TO SIEZE THIS CORRUPT GOVERNMENT REGIME!

[stevex47]

mcsame: "People that we respect and admire from both parties. Like Mayor Bloomberg of New York %u2026 and Mitt Romney and others %u2026 to oversight this."

You didn''t consult palin, but you did consult Romney? And you choose palin why?

[truthtoday]

Obama is connected to the John and Richard Daley political machine in Chicago. Google this and you can read 50 years of payoffs, bribes, campaign slush funds, corruption in giving out city and state contracts, hiring and firing of city employees. The list goes on and on.

Read about the millions wasted through the Annenberg Challenge. Google it.

From 1995-1999 Obama was Chairman of the Annenberg Challenge. He resigned as Chairman in 1999 but remained on the board until it dissolved in 2002.
According to the Consortium of Chicago School Research (CCSR), the Challenge was viewed a failure because %u201Cit did not achieve its goal of improvement in student academic achievement and nonacademic outcomes.%u201D Plus, it wasted millions of dollars and public service employees time. This is Obama%u2019s only leadership experience.

[truthtoday]

Obama is friends with William Ayers (Weathermen bomber) , Tony Rezko (slum lord & convicted felon), Rev. Wright (anti-America racist and hate filled sermons), Mike Kolinsky (Students for a Democratic Society, hard-line maoist) and James Cone (author of Black Theology and Black Power) he blames white people for everything.

[truthtoday]

Obama is nothing but talk. He never fought the Daley political machine in Chicago. He took their money for his campaigns and returned the favor by getting city construction contracts worth millions for the machine'' Tony Rezko.

[truthtoday]

It''s been 21 months and we still don''t know the truth about Obama''s past associations.
21 months without telling the truth. It''s a new record for a politician.
Obama is never asked difficult questions. They always throw him softball questions.
They allow him 5 minutes to stutter and stammer. He looks up and down to search for an answer from above.
After all his pontificating nobody realizes he never answered the question.
The network news reporters, AP reporters, newspaper/magazine writers, are all supporting Obama.
He''s got them in his pocket and they are doing everything they can to get him elected.

[cdfoxtrot3]

Unfortunately, McBush won''t have the luxury of handling one issue at a time if he becomes President. He needs to do the debate on Friday AND do what he feels he must on the finance "crisis" at the same time. Or perhaps he''s too old and tired to do more than one thing at a time???

[truthtoday]

During the primaries, Obama promised to withdraw all soldiers from Iraq within 16 months. Now, he says it depends on the what the generals say.

In Ohio, he says NAFTA is bad and he would repeal it.
In Texas, he says NAFTA is good and he would keep it.

He said he is for the Washington D.C hand gun ban.
Now, he is against the hand gun ban.

He signed a pledge to use only public money for his campaign.
Now, he wants all the money he can get.

Obama has not told the truth about William Ayers, Tony Rezko, James Cone, Rev. Wright, Franklin Raines, and James Johnson.

[stevex47]

"Giving loans to people unable to repay is going to cost taxpayers"

Ya know why they can''t pay mortgages?

They lost jobs in masses, coupled with quadruple gas and energy prices along with the deflated value of the dollar.

All failures by the nutjobs in office NOW.

[nearl4511]

Posted by trolltoday at 08:42 PM

Nice......and deregulation had NOTHING to do with this crisis, did it? Laws allowing conflict of interests between investing banking and insurance had littel to do with hiding bad investments and debt.

Who CHANGED the rules around loan practises to allow subprime loans?!?!?!

[truthtoday]

Obama%u2019s to do list.
1. Attack Palin''s children more. I can destroy five kids. I got 30 Lawyers in Alaska digging for dirt! Don%u2019t wanna see their bill!
2. Pay more bloggers to post lies on Politico and Real Clear Politics. I want MORE, MORE!
3. Send more cash to liberal reporters and writers so they will distort, spin, misdirect and lie. All for me BABY!
4. Get more money from MoveOn.org, DailyKos, MotherJones, and George Soros. Show me some LOVE, George!
5. Give bonuses to AP reporters for more partisan hit stories. Their in my pocket, MAN!
6. Send a thank you note to Politico''s founders for another hit piece on Sarah Palin. Liars Unite With Me!
7. Play the race card again. I%u2019ve spent all this money and I%u2019m just even! F***!
8. Consider dumping Biden for Hillary. Please, Please let me!
9. Claim I have executive experience. Hey I%u2019m running my campaign. Really, Really, I AM.!
10. Gotta distance myself from Fannie Mae CEO 1991-98, James Johnson, this guy%u2019s a crook! Yo Jim, give me some of those millions you stole
11. Gotta distance myself from Fannie Mae CEO 1999-2004, Franklin Raines, this guy%u2019s a bigger bigger crook! Wow, $94 million in 6 years. Write a book. Tell me how you did it!

[Hybdiesel]

Oh how I love political players, ever since I was a kid I loved clowns.

[upto1947]

No Crook, NO OBAMA. No Crook.

[truthtoday]

13. Keep my mouth shut about William Ayers, Tony Rezko, Rev. Wright, Mike Klonsky, and James Cone (Hey, I never read his book Black Theology and Black Power ). No, Nope, Not Me!
14. Give another speech in Europe. They sooooo love me over there. Kiss , Kiss ,Hug Hug!
15. Play the race card again. I%u2019m not winning because I%u2019m black. Racist White People!
16. If I lose this after two years running, I%u2019m moving to Germany and running for Chancellor. That the same as President, ain%u2019t it?

[nearl4511]

YAwwwn.

Truth my a$$, Rowdy.

[ttkkdd]

McSame admitted he knows nothing about the subprime mortgage issue just a few months ago. Now he pretends he knows all about it.
Wow, what an actor.

[nearl4511]

This election is already over.....by a landslide. Those in power the last 6 of 8 years are out!.

[aaabee-2009]

Idiotic.

McCain/Palin are being set up for a fall.

They''re being set up by the handlers of the Bush Administration.

They aren''t going to win this election. The Bush Administration knows it.

That is why these crooks are taking almost a trillion dollars of US Treasury funds and running. Anyone want to take bets that folks from the Bush Administration will end up in Halliburton''s Dubai, where there are no extradition laws? And We, the People put them in office. Or, You the People did, anyway. LOL.

America has been shot in the back, folks, by GOP leadership. And the criminals will laugh at us as they leave the country with the money.

In Fond "Memory" of Ken Lay, wherever you are.

[truthtoday]

September 11, 2003, New York Times
New Agency Proposed to Oversee Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae
By STEPHEN LABATON

''''There is a general recognition that the supervisory system for housing-related government-sponsored enterprises neither has the tools, nor the stature, to deal effectively with the current size, complexity and importance of these enterprises,'''' Treasury Secretary John W. Snow told the House Financial Services Committee in an appearance with Housing Secretary Mel Martinez, who also backed the plan.

Among the groups denouncing the proposal today were the National Association of Home Builders and Congressional Democrats who fear that tighter regulation of the companies could sharply reduce their commitment to financing low-income and affordable housing.

%u201DThese two entities %u2014 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac %u2014 are not facing any kind of financial crisis,%u201D said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee.

[joker1944-2009]

Results of SurveyUSA News Poll #14454

America''s 1st Reaction -- Friday''s McCain-Obama Debate Should Still Be Held On Friday, But Perhaps with New Focus: Immediately after John McCain''s announcement at 3 pm ET today, Wednesday 09/24/08, that he was suspending his campaign and seeking to postpone Friday''s scheduled presidential debate, SurveyUSA interviewed 1,000 adults nationwide. Key findings:

A majority of Americans say the debate should be held on Friday. Just 10% say the debate should be postponed. A sizable percentage of Americans, 36%, think the focus of the debate should be modified to focus more on the economy. 3 of 4 Americans say the presidential campaigns should continue. Just 14% say the presidential campaigns should be suspended. If Friday''s debate does not take place, 46% of Americans say that would be bad for America.

[joker1944-2009]

Obama%u2019s to do list.

Posted by truthtoday at 08:55 PM : Sep 24, 2008

I would add:

12. Laugh at the clueless rightwingers who''s smears, talking points and outright lies are falling on deaf ears. Repeat.

[rhind]

Sen. McCain missed 64% of all Senate votes in the 110th Congress, more than any other Senator including Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) who suffered a brain hemorrhage. Now McCain suddenly wants to start doing his job at the expense of explaining his opposition to regulating Wall St. in a debate? Wall St. got us into this mess with financial gimmicks. The last thing we need is political gimmicks. We need a President who saw Wall St.''s excesses before last week and proposes serious solutions, not political gimmicks.

[timothyone-2009]

If John McCain really wants to concentrate his efforts on fixing the economy in a non-partisan way, he should drop out of the race altogether. He could then prove beyond doubt that his only interest is the welfare of the country.
But we all know he hasn''t made a single vote in Congress since last MARCH, missing over 100 votes! That''s right!!, in the six month period leading up to this horrible crisis, John mcCain has been completely absent in Congress, and now he wants us to believe that Congress cannot now make good policy without him! What a sick joker.

[misha128-2009]

Mccain lies again about leaving New York for Washington; it appears he may get around to addressing this country first crisis and actually return to Washington sometime tomorrow -- maybe. Political hijinks with no substance -- McCain in a nutshell.