Graham Pushing McCain's Role In Bailout Deal

John McCain wasn't up there in Nancy Pelosi's office burning the midnight oil on the bailout deal that came through, but his top Senate surrogate has already hit the Sunday shows touting McCain's role in the historic breakthrough.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), appearing on Fox News Sunday, was careful not to give McCain credit for any details, but says he brought House Republicans to the table.

“I think it [McCain's role] was decisive in regards to the House getting involved," Graham said on Fox. "He said [to House Republicans] guys I’ve listened to you, let’s make this deal better for the taxpayers, but don’t go too far, you can’t sit this one out."

House Republicans were indeed in the final negotiations, but at this point it's not clear if the rank and file House GOP will like the deal that came out early Sunday morning.

And Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), tried to pitch Barack Obama's role in the bailout.

"Barack Obama was in constant touch with Secretary Paulson every day, sometimes several times a day," Kerry said. "Barack Obama was the first person to lay out the plan in the White House meeting. … John McCain took a pass and then was the last person to speak. … Most people believe what he did was interrupt the negotiations to save his campaign.”

While this who-gets-credit-now argument plays out on the air, congressional staff are actually finalizing the details of the bill that will likely clear the House and Senate tomorrow.