Sept. 26, 2008
Debate Still In Limbo
Democrats Blame McCain For Interrupting Process Of Reaching Bailout Plan Compromise
-
Photo
John McCain and Barack Obama (AP Photo)
-
Timeline
Financial Meltdown
Track major events that lead to one of the most tumultuous times in Wall Street's history.
-
Interactive
Campaign 2008
Profiles of the candidates, polls, fund-raising, blogs, video and more.
The first debate between John McCain and Barack Obama, scheduled for tonight, remained in limbo last night after the presidential candidates left a White House meeting without a deal on a $700 billion economic rescue plan.
Democrats immediately blamed McCain for disrupting the effort at compromise, saying his decision to suspend his campaign and return to Washington shifted the klieg lights of the White House contest to the tense and delicate congressional negotiations.
Those discussions, which had appeared promising early in the day, culminated in the late-afternoon meeting held by President Bush. But instead of producing a joint statement of success, McCain and Obama slipped out of a gathering that those present described as contentious and unproductive.
"What this looked like to me was a rescue plan for John McCain for two hours," said an angry Sen. Christopher J. Dodd (D-Conn.), who had all but declared the deal done earlier in the day. "To be distracted for two to three hours for political theater doesn't help."
In interviews after the meeting, Obama pointed a finger at his rival for the faltering talks, saying on CNN that "when you start injecting presidential politics into delicate negotiations, you can actually inject more problems, rather than less."
His spokesman Bill Burton was more blunt, accusing McCain of turning "a national crisis into an occasion to promote his campaign. It's become just another political stunt, aimed more at shoring up the senator's political fortunes than the nation's economy."
In response, senior McCain adviser Steve Schmidt accused Obama of playing politics, saying the negotiations had been far from resolved and challenging the Democratic nominee to "publish the list of members of Congress who were going to vote for this. Because in reality, there is not a list of a majority of Democrats and Republicans who are willing to vote for it."
McCain said he is "hopeful" that a deal can be reached soon, despite opposition from many House Republicans who have consistently balked at the bailout cost and produced a far different proposal in the 11th hour yesterday.
"There are a variety of concerns, I think a lot of them have been satisfied," McCain said on ABC's "World News Tonight" after the meeting. "And I believe and I'm hopeful that we can satisfy all of them and move forward very quickly. They are aware of the urgency."
Obama and McCain both held out hope that they could still meet in Oxford, Miss., tonight for their long-scheduled first debate as they settled in to overnight in Washington. "I think he knows that I'm going to be there," Obama said in his own appearance on ABC. But McCain's campaign said that no travel decisions had been made as of last night.
"I understand how important this debate is and I am hopeful," McCain said on ABC News.
The independent Commission on Presidential Debates said yesterday that it is "moving forward" with its plans for the face-off.
By Michael D. Shear and Jonathan Weisman
© 2008 The Washington Post Company





- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
...
- 13
- next
See all 613 CommentsThis is McCain''s initiative, he''s the only one with the guts to lead . . . Obama just babbles on with meaningless rhetoric.
NO BAILOUT!!!!!!!
JOHN MCCAIN DO NOT SIGN THIS BAILOUT OR YOU WILL LOSE THIS ELECTION!!!!!!
TELL WALL STREET THAT WE ARE NOT DOGS!!!!! WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS!!!!!!
LET WALL STREET GO THROUGH BANKRUPT PROCEEDINGS!!!!!!
TELL WALL STREET TO FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY!!!!!
Wed Sep 24 2008 17:41:58 ET
David Letterman tells audience that McCain called him today to tell him he had to rush back to DC to deal with the economy.
Then in the middle of the taping Dave got word that McCain was, in fact just down the street being interviewed by Katie Couric. Dave even cut over to the live video of the interview, and said, "Hey Senator, can I give you a ride home?"
Earlier in the show, Dave kept saying, "You don''t suspend your campaign. This doesn''t smell right. This isn''t the way a tested hero behaves." And he joked: "I think someone''s putting something in his metamucil."
"He can''t run the campaign because the economy is cratering? Fine, put in your second string quarterback, Sara Palin. Where is she?"
"What are you going to do if you''re elected and things get tough? Suspend being president? We''ve got a guy like that now!"
The have to hurry on this most important issue or we are are doomed by Friday ! ! !
If it was so dam important then maybe they could also work on it next week too ? Can''t do that ?
Better hurry up and give GWB 700 billion for his latest crazy idea ! ! !
Senator Harry Reid, on Tuesday, said in public and on video, that unless John McCain showed "leadership" by returning and convincing his fellow Republicans to support this legislation, it wouldn''t pass.
Senator Harry Reid stood in front of TV cameras and microphones and taunted Senator McCain, for his own political drama games, implying Senator McCain was "hiding" from his leadership responsibilities in the Senate.
As soon as John McCain announced his willingness to return and help encourage Republicans to support a compromise bill, Harry Reid began whining that John McCain wasn''t needed, and in fact, was only playing politics.
My fellow Democrats.....the fool who needs to be replaced on Capitol Hill is Harry Reid.
Imagine Hillary Clinton as a strong, efficient, competent Senate Majority Leader, folks.
There would BE no more wimpy screw-ups by idiots like Harry Reid.
John McCain returned to Washington because Harry Reid couldn''t keep his mouth shut in front of TV cameras, and couldn''t resist childishly taunting McCain.
McCain called his bluff, and Reid''s taunt now makes McCain look like a true leader who put country first.
Smooth move, Reid.
COUNTRY FIRST!
nobama thinks that means Kenya.
Give me another blank check before I leave office so my Republican cronies on Wall Street and get millions and will will say its lots and unacconted for just like we have done in the Iraq War.
Posted by paris1969
----------
But HE Won''''t
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted by shado269 at 11:03 AM : Sep 25, 2008
He just did.
---------------------------------------------
President Bush should have known better than to schedule such a photo-op. Neither candidate did beans on this compromise and to pretend, or claim, any credit at all is shameful and stupid. You can bet that one or the other already has an ad in the pipeline claiming credit.
I say don''t give GWB another dime ! ! ! All he does is waste the taxpayers money ! ! !
He is crazy spend happy and congress goes right along with him ! ! !
Now he thinks he can spend his way out of another mess ! ! !
To give GWB 700 billion dollars to bail out the Wall street fatcats is just plain stupid ! ! !
Why is Obama going along with it ? ? ?
Because he is just like GWB ! ! !
Obama has been paid off by the Wall street fatcats too ! ! !
Americans need to do some research and quit letting the media and Obama control your minds.
Get some facts instead of sound bytes played over and over in the media. I realize people are so busy they do not research. You better wake up and see what the change will be.
I hear the Obama people over and over misquote even things he has said. He is out to make us think this country is so bad that it needs to become something entirely different. You better think about some things you like about your life and your country.
John McCain speaks honestly and with integrity and love for this Nation. He takes action and works toward the goal of making our lives better without taking away the good we have.
Americans need a history lesson! Realize what it has taken to get and keep the freedom we have! Young people need to learn what it has taken!
McCain is a true LEADER!!!
You are a moron!
You know what they say:
REPBULICANS are sweet as honey as long as they dont want any MONEY !
REPBULICANS are sweet as honey as long as they dont want NO Money. !!!!!!!
Hahahahahahahaha no blank check for Bushie.
You know what they say:
REPBULICANS are sweet as honey as long as they dont want any MONEY !
REPBULICANS are sweet as honey as long as they dont want NO Money. !!!!!!!
Hahahahahahahaha no blank check for Bushie.
NObama, NoBiden, Nogood.
We are all against it ! ! !
Obama and McCain have sold out the working people of this country ! ! !
Obama and McCain are both rich fatcats bought out by Wall street ! ! !
Pay for your parent''s medical insurance - health care improves
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else
Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks
who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company
that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.
If we''re going to re-distribute wealth let''s really do it...instead of trickling out
a puny $1000.00 ( "vote buy" ) economic incentive that is being proposed by one of our candidates for President.
If we''re going to do an $85 billion bailout, let''s bail out every adult U S Citizen 18 !
As for AIG - liquidate it.
Sell off its parts.
Let American General go back to being American General.
Sell off the real estate.
Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.
Here''s my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn''t.
Sure it''s a crazy idea that can "never work."
But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!
How do you spell Economic Boom?
I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion
We Deserve It Dividend more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington DC.
And remember, The Family plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because
$25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.
( Author Unknown)
Instead, I''m in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in
a We Deserve It Dividend.
To make the math simple, let''s assume there are 200,000,000
bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.
Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman
and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..
So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billon that equals $425,000.00.
My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a
We Deserve It Dividend.
Of course, it would NOT be tax-free.
So let''s assume a tax rate of 30%.
Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.
That sends $25,500,000, 000 right back to Uncle Sam.
But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.
A husband and wife has $595,000 .00.
What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads
Put away money for college - it''ll be there
Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car - create jobs
Invest in the market - capital drives growth
(cont)
Instead, I''m in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in
a We Deserve It Dividend.
To make the math simple, let''s assume there are 200,000,000
bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.
Our population is about 301,000,000 /- counting every man, woman
and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..
So divide 200 million adults 18 into $85 billon that equals $425,000.00.
My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18 as a
We Deserve It Dividend.
Of course, it would NOT be tax-free.
So let''s assume a tax rate of 30%.
Every individual 18 has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.
That sends $25,500,000, 000 right back to Uncle Sam.
But it means that every adult 18 has $297,500.00 in their pocket.
A husband and wife has $595,000 .00.
What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads
Put away money for college - it''ll be there
Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car - create jobs
Invest in the market - capital drives growth
(cont)
In the middle of this crisis, the Democrats had essentially agreed with the President, that this bailout was necessary.
The Republicans, fearing backlash from their conservative districts were beginning to balk, being fearful that their precious jobs were in a deeper sling than even before.
Dems, not wanting to take complete ownership of the mess, would not commit until the GOP committed too.
McGrandpa, who wanted to have it both ways, is now stuck and has been forced to jump off the fence.
Real leadership!
WE ARE NOT DOGS!!!!!!
LET THEM FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE!!!!!
The more he incorporates these tactics into his campaign, the more we recognize that he is just an empty bag.
LET WALL STREET FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY!!!!!!
IT''S THE LAW!!!!!!!!1
NO F***** BAILOUTS FOR THESE IDIOTS!!!!!!!!!!
DON''T DO IT!!!!1
DON''T SIGN THE BAILOUTS!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Oscarez at 11:21 AM : Sep 25, 2008
$700 billion is most certainly an underestimate. The government ALWAYS lowballs the cost to sell it to the American public. The true cost will be in the trillions.
Posted by perceptions5
Now there''s an idea!!
DON''T DO IT OR AMERICA WILL BE FINISHED!!!!!!!!
WE WILL LIVE LIKE SERFS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME!!!!!
DON''T DO IT DON''T DO IT DON''T DO IT!!!!!
DON''T CAVE IN TO THESE BULLIES!!!!!!!
THEY DON''T SCARE ME!!!!!!!!
BE BRAVE AMERICA AND SHUT DOWN THE COMITTEE HEARINGS AND LET WALL STREET FILE FOR CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY!!!
IT''S THE LAW!!!!!!
The have to hurry on this most important issue or we are are doomed by Friday ! ! !
If it was so dam important then maybe they could also work on it next week too ? Can''''t do that ?
Better hurry up and give GWB 700 billion for his latest crazy idea ! ! !
Posted by old300d at 11:03 AM : Sep 25, 2008
-------------------------
It is VERY damned important. My question is, why did they sit on the bailout proposal for four months, then roll it out giving only one week to decide on it?
DEMOCRATS... PLEASE TELL BARRAK OBAMA TO STOP THE BAILOUTS!!!!
DON''T TURN AMERICA INTO A BUNCH OF ''DEBT SERFS''!!!!
SAY NO SAY NO SAY NO TO THE BAILOUTS!!!!
DOING NOTHING IS BETTER THEN THE BAILOUTS!!!!!!!!
SAY NO TO BAILING OUT WALL STREET!!!!!
LET THEM FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY!!!!!!!
Posted by nvorr at 11:24 AM : Sep 25, 2008
Because they don''t want the American people and the press to scrutinize the plan and look at the fine print.
THAT''S HOW THEY DO 3RD WORLD COUNTRIES ALL OF THE TIME!!!!!!
WE CAN NOT LET WALL STREET DO THE SAME TO US!!!!!!!
SAY NO TO DEBT SERFDOM WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS!!!!!
Then I believe that the mortgage mess and the rest of the economy would fix itself, and the fat cats on Wall Street that caused this mess could be flushed right down the toilet where they belong....
Think about this: We are each writing a 2+ million dollar check on which we will pay interest for generations, to help Wall Street. I''d rather write that check to myself!
Letterman catches MyCane in a big lie.
Concludes that MyCane is not yellow, he''s chicken!
When he hears this Mighty sound,
Here I come to save the day!
That means that John McCain is on the way!
Yes sir, when there is a wrong to right,
John McCain will join the fight!
On the sea or on the land,
He''s got the situation well in hand!
LET WALL STREET FILE FOR BANKRUPTCY!!!!!
THAT''S CAPATILISM!!!!!
WE DON''T NEED THEIR CREDIT ANYMORE, WE THE TAX PAYER ARE THE TRUE CREDITOR!!!!!
SAY NO TO THE BAILOUTS!!!!!
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
...
- 13
- next
See all 613 Comments