If the markets go blooey over the lack of a deal, the fact that the bailout had been unpopular will not save the lack of a bailout from being even more unpopular. And Republicans will get the blame – because the media’s already blaming the House GOP, because our guy is in the White House and will get tagged as the new Hoover, because all the political contributions to Democrats in the world, and all the explanations of how bad public policy was at fault, can’t break the Republicans=rich people=free market=Wall Street link in the public mind. And with just five weeks until the elections, that will mean that economic disaster is followed by electoral disaster and quite possibly the end of the free market as we know it at the hands of the winners of that election.
Republicans can grouse about this but we know in our hearts it is true. Failure to act will be political suicide for the GOP. So in the end, it’s not only about putting the nation first, but saving the party’s political hide as well. It’s time for the minority to lead.
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what he said!
Buckaroo on September 26, 2008 at 1:53 PM
The House GOP won’t have a leg to stand on if Obama wins. They’re gonna lose seats this election and there will be no Bush to veto anything.
lodge on September 26, 2008 at 1:57 PM
Abandon our principles for the sake of an election.
So, instead, let’s do it now.
Awesome strategy.
lorien1973 on September 26, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Sure, why not. The GOP has already adapted McCain’s liberal socialist platform. This will just firm it up.
Fletch54 on September 26, 2008 at 1:58 PM
Who cares about politics. Just get something done, already. Both parties are absolute useless and sickening. All they care about is how they appear to the public and not what is right. Congress deserves every bit of their low approval ratings. They all reek.
terryannonline on September 26, 2008 at 1:59 PM
With this sort of logic, the Republicans need to go along with every Marxist or criminal proposal that the Democrats come up with because if they don’t go along with it and the markets go down, it will hurt the Republicans.
Buddahpundit on September 26, 2008 at 2:02 PM
Sorry, someone is going to have to explain to me how in the world the House Republicans are going to get blamed for non-passage of this bill when Dems have a rather large majority. Scratching my head on this one. Bring it up for a vote Nancy, if every last Republican votes against it it still passes.
Cindy Munford on September 26, 2008 at 2:03 PM
an orwellian media.
lorien1973 on September 26, 2008 at 2:05 PM
It’s lines of reasoning like this that I simply don’t understand. None of the reasons he sited for Republican support had anything to do with whether or not this is the right solution; whether or not what Paulson proposed will actually work; and more to the point, whether or not what is finally passed resembles anything like what he thinks the “plan” currently is. His whole premise is the, “this is what can get passed, so let’s do it.” He also claims that the markets will be too late. This, I don’t understand either. The markets have far better timing in terms of real and proper actions than any other mechanism, especially when compared to Federal legislation. Until I know what is actually going to be the verbiage of the bill, and until those who know more than me, whom I trust more than Reid, have a chance to determine if this solution really is a solution, then I’m not going to say, “well, life’s not fair, let’s give ‘em 7 bil.
Weight of Glory on September 26, 2008 at 2:05 PM
I don’t really understand, but it’s not for lack of trying. What it appears to come down to is that we’re in deep doodoo, but there’s no solid evidence that the Paulson’s Folly is going to fix anything.
So why should House Republicans vote for this, again?
ElectricPhase on September 26, 2008 at 2:07 PM
The bill isn’t even written, how can anyone know what to “support”
lorien1973 on September 26, 2008 at 2:08 PM
lorien1973 on September 26, 2008 at 2:05 PM
No, it Democratic media and I am sick of being consider so stupid that I buy into it.
Cindy Munford on September 26, 2008 at 2:08 PM
Rush just said that a Senate bill will be out my midnight.
Weight of Glory on September 26, 2008 at 2:08 PM
We keep thinking we’re gonna win, and they keep reminding us they’re here to loot and here to stay. There’s only one solution. Pay or fight. We’re still in the pay stage.
JiangxiDad on September 26, 2008 at 2:09 PM
Cindy,
They are already blaming Republicans and the media is going to let them blame Republicans. The American people is not going to take the time to see who is telling the truth.
terryannonline on September 26, 2008 at 2:09 PM
What ever happened to doing the right thing!?
I’m sure it was political (and possibly personal) suicide for our founding fathers to sign a Declaration of Independence and not at all politically expedient.
But of course, in this day and age, doing the right thing doesn’t matter anymore… it’s all about who gets blamed.
If the Republicans do the Right Thing, the public will know.
But if they want to live by the sword, they’ll die by the sword.
Skywise on September 26, 2008 at 2:11 PM
No it won’t Crank. If they don’t vote for a bail out because it’s not a free market solution, well then the free market will take care of it as it chooses, which means the weak will wash out and the strong will survive..
You need to get back on your meds.
Mcguyver on September 26, 2008 at 2:12 PM
Yeah, that’s what I was thinking.
People don’t know this?? And they call Palin stupid.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 2:13 PM
LET THE DEMOCRATS PASS THIS/THESE BILL(S)!
They dont need a single Repulican to get this done! Let the Dems get saddled with this MESS!
OSUBuciz1 on September 26, 2008 at 2:13 PM
With the majority of America against it, why can’t they all vote against?
Republicans can’t stop it, so why vote for it?
cntrlfrk on September 26, 2008 at 2:15 PM
How do you know this bailout isn’t the right thing? It seems like their are plenty of people who seem to think this is the appropiate step except the American people and House Republicans.
Really, they will know? So if the markets tank the American people are going to say “Republicans did the right thing?”
terryannonline on September 26, 2008 at 2:15 PM
The GOP doesn’t need to suck up anything.
The Dems have the votes already to pass it if they want to without any Republicans. Think it’s great? Fine, pass it!
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 2:17 PM
Let me get this straight:
- the Dems control both houses and can pass anything they want
- the public is overwhelmingly against the bailout as it was presented yesterday
- and yet the REPUBLICANS will lose unless they pass this bill??!!
If the public is against it then all they need to do is sit on their hands.
Of course, they ALSO have to saturate the MSM with the truth – that it’s the DEMS that are screwing everything up.
Religious_Zealot on September 26, 2008 at 2:17 PM
This must be a focal point for McCain tonite.
Then again, if something is passed before 9 pm, good or bad, McCain wins.
drjohn on September 26, 2008 at 2:18 PM
And now for a different point of view.
Weight of Glory on September 26, 2008 at 2:18 PM
Well, see, there’s the problem. And the public is too stupid to figure out what’s going on for themselves. It’s almost comical, if it weren’t so sad and pathetic.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Oh, HELL NO.
The Dems got BUSH on their side now. All they have to do is vote and pass it.
All they gotta do is vote TO SAVE THE COUNTRY FROM CERTAIN COLLAPSE! ALONE! WITHOUT SHARING CREDIT!
SAVE THE
CHEERL, oops, SAVE THE WALL STREET FATCAT! SAVE THE WORLD!!!ExTex on September 26, 2008 at 2:19 PM
If the bailout were the right thing why didn’t the Democrats just pass it on the first night?
If the bailout were the right thing why don’t the Democrats pass it now with their majority?
Skywise on September 26, 2008 at 2:21 PM
Ok guys we know that the Democrats don’t have chutzpah to passing it without Republicans. So what? It doesn’t matter. It is still doesn’t change the fact that right now REPUBLICANS are holding it up, not Dems.
terryannonline on September 26, 2008 at 2:22 PM
Why don’t the Democrats just vote on the Republican counter bill. The Dems are obviously holding up that vote…
Skywise on September 26, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Bull Shite. The Dems can pass it w/o any GOP vote. I double dare them.
stenwin77 on September 26, 2008 at 2:26 PM
Because they want it to be bi-partisan in an election year, obviously. I can’t blame them. If the Republicans were in their position, they would probably want it to be bi-partisan bill, do you not think that?
terryannonline on September 26, 2008 at 2:28 PM
ExTex on September 26, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Too many people are living in a utopia where the average voter takes the time to find out the whole truth and hear all sides rather than just listen to the nightly news. Like it or not, Americans tend to hear what the media wants them to. They hear the Republicans are responsible for the crisis, no matter the facts otherwise, the Republicans are seen as responsible.
Need evidence? Obama’s up 3 in Gallup and 5 in Rasmussen. If the public actually took the time to look past the media and research his connections, do you think the terrorist and anti-American pastor-associating would be winning?
amerpundit on September 26, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Holding what up? Nothing exists yet to hold up.
Weight of Glory on September 26, 2008 at 2:29 PM
By DEFINITION, the minority CAN NOT hold up the majority.
The FACT is that right now the DEMS are holding it up because they want
cover, someone to blame since most of America is against the plan.THAT is the fact, not some BS about the Republicans holding it up.
Religious_Zealot on September 26, 2008 at 2:31 PM
THEY…DON’T…WANT…THEIR…NAMES…SOLELY…ON…A…$700…BILLION…SPENDING…BILL…NO…MATTER…HOW…IMPORTANT…
amerpundit on September 26, 2008 at 2:31 PM
No they don’t. As soon as the Dems started sneaking their usual BS into the bill, it was game over.
It doesn’t matter. It is still doesn’t change the fact that right now REPUBLICANS are holding it up, not Dems.
Good. The market isn’t going to collapse this weekend, or next week, or next month. The Dems know that they can push through any plan they want, because of the hysteria created by that idiot Paulson.
If it passes, let it pass on party lines. The Dems and the MSM are going to blame Republicans either way and the ingorant masses will believe it, why sacrifice what limited principles they have left?
I don’t know what Bush’s game is. He’s not running, and McCain is running as far away from him as he can. I guess he wants to secure the record for the worst 2nd term of a Republican president in history, for all time.
reaganaut on September 26, 2008 at 2:31 PM
This is a joke, right? Unreal.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 2:32 PM
In a year when my guy is in the lead? In a year where my team is expected to sweep the legislative houses? In a year where I’ve said we need control of the White House as well as the legislative houses to bring the US back to a position of safety?
No… I’d pass the bill and say screw ‘em they’re not doing their job. IF… I thought the bill was the right plan of action.
Skywise on September 26, 2008 at 2:32 PM
I swear I’m going to pop a blood vessel. How could anyone fail to understand that?? Oy!
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 2:34 PM
In a year where your guy is only 3 points ahead (on a good day) of a guy you’ve spent tens of millions+ portraying as the second coming of Bush along with your media allies. In a year where a few weeks before election you’ve been losing ground in generic Congressional ballots.
amerpundit on September 26, 2008 at 2:35 PM
If the country is really going to crash, and the bill that doesn’t exist yet is the only solution, than it’s their stubborn headed marriage to “bi-partisanship” (if you really believe that that is what Pelosi wants) that is holding up the “Solution” and not the Republicans. This time, bipartisanship is not the answer; put the country first Pelosi, be partisan and give the people their “solution.”
Weight of Glory on September 26, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Okay. And the reason this should matter to REPUBLICANS, is??
If you want something, and you have the ability to get it on your own.., then I am not STOPPING YOU if I refuse to help you.
ExTex on September 26, 2008 at 2:36 PM
It’s not possible for the Republicans to hold it up. It’s mathematically impossible.
Most likely the bill sucks and they want Republicans on the hook for it. It does matter. To buy support from the Republicans they need to be honest. And right now the dems are just playing politics with this, trying to make Mac look bad. The R’s don’t owe anything to this bill.
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 2:37 PM
This is why the Republicans NEED to get out to the media and get the truth out to people.
This is why fighting with the media is a very, very bad idea. Sure, the media is in the tank for Obama. But when you fight them they just double down.
Instead of fighting the media – USE the media. Go on every TV show you can. Produce a ton of TV ads. Call in every print journalist you can.
Sure, they’ll try to twist your words or explain why you’re wrong…
…BUT THE MESSAGE WILL STILL GET OUT.
Religious_Zealot on September 26, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Have you not been paying attention to the polls? The Dems don’t have this thing locked up by any means.
And doesn’t anything exist. Please don’t tell it’s the Dems fault nothing exists yet.
terryannonline on September 26, 2008 at 2:37 PM
If this bill was going to fix the problems, the Dems should run out, pass it without Republican votes and take FULL CREDIT. The fact that they don’t should make clear what is going on.
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 2:38 PM
Come’on Dems, man up.
Be the Masters of your own destiny.
After all, this time, George W. Bush stands ready to help YOU.
ExTex on September 26, 2008 at 2:40 PM
The Dems have a majority in both houses AND the approval of the sitting president.
All day long the Dems have been telling anyone with a microphone that they had a deal…until big, bad John McCain rode into town.
If they HAD a deal, then John McCain wouldn’t have mattered.
Heck, they don’t even need to INCLUDE the Republicans.
Put the Paulson bill through.
So, please stop trying to snow us by telling us it’s the Republicans fault.
That might work with some less informed people, but it won’t work here were everybody understands how the system REALLY works.
Religious_Zealot on September 26, 2008 at 2:40 PM
Because if it doesn’t pass, any following collapses and downswings — natural or not — will be blamed on Republican obstructionism. They won’t allow it to be passed without Republican votes.
Republicans don’t vote for it, the Democrats won’t allow it to pass, the economy keeps going down, the downward movement is blamed on Republicans.
amerpundit on September 26, 2008 at 2:41 PM
The Dems are giving Republicans an opportunity to take equal credit to get something done in this credit crisis. No will be blamed.
terryannonline on September 26, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Yeah, the public supported the war in Iraq, too. Now they’re busy punishing those who agreed with them.
amerpundit on September 26, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Don’t be obtuse. I was referring to your comment that …
NOT the Bailout itself. Next time- read the post, BEFORE you respond.
By the way, Just because you’re buyin’ into the “Sky is Falling’ memme doesn’t mean it’s true. I believe that average americans will accept a little WALL STREET housecleaning if it don’t cost’em $700 billion. Just curious- do you believe in global warming too?
ExTex on September 26, 2008 at 2:48 PM
It is. They walked away. Pelosi and Reid and Franks deferred to Obama and he blew up the meeting yesterday. Boehner, basically said he was sandbagged, and the Dems., when an opportunity for real bi-partisanship presented itself, nuked it, and Obama pressed the button. Then they have the audacity to say that it is their love of bi-partisanship that wont allow them to pass a bill, that they say is the “answer for the world today”? The bill doesn’t exist, not because of a lack of House Republican participation, but because the Dems. handed it off to Obama, and he fumbled. Am I now supposed to believe that after all that, the Repubs have to be forced to do something, that no one has yet determined is the solution, just so we don’t look partisan? No.
Weight of Glory on September 26, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Oh. My. God.
capitalist piglet on September 26, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Well then that kinda falls back on my Do the right thing rant… IF the Democrats think they’re doing the right thing, they should pass the bill with their majority and not look for a bi-partisan effort… screw politics, save the country.
Skywise on September 26, 2008 at 2:53 PM
The entire last two days the dems have been positioning for the purpose of laying blame. Starting with Harry Reid – we can’t do it without Mac and then Get Mac out of town, he’s f’n it up! Echoed by Frank, Dodd, even McCaskill. It’s the party line.
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 2:58 PM
amerpundit on September 26, 2008 at 2:41 PM
amerpundit on September 26, 2008 at 2:44 PM
Republicans have done a terrible job of infiltrating the liberal propaganda fields of the “news” media and academia. The resulting anti-Republican “conventional wisdom” is a result.
Loxodonta on September 26, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Yes, Reid blamed McCain. I know that. And Republicans have been blaming Democrats. What I mean by equal credit is passing the bill with bi-partisanship. The actual legislating. If it passes with both parties supporting, there is no way there could be finger pointing, “It’s your fault.”
terryannonline on September 26, 2008 at 3:10 PM
Yeah, it is a disgrace what they are doing to this country.
phronesis on September 26, 2008 at 3:14 PM
And when this bill (as written, i.e. completely ignorant of the fundamental economic principles required to fix the problem) is passed, there would be equal distribution of blame.
Republicans should stand on principle because the markets are going to tank bailout or no bailout … all this bill achieves is to make any recession longer and deeper, just ask FDR.
The economic/historical stupidity in much of our populace is staggering.
IrishSamurai on September 26, 2008 at 3:16 PM
It is an unpopular, but neccessary bill. It will only become popular if nothing is done and the economy tanks. But by then it will be too late. That’s why no one wants the responsibility for passing it. I’m not usually a fan of bipartisanship but in this case it is unavoidable. The House GOP has to demand pork-stripping concessions and then get on board with this bill.
phronesis on September 26, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Lack of credit turns downturns into depressions. This bill helps arrest the meltdown of the credit market. Why is that so hard to understand?
phronesis on September 26, 2008 at 3:27 PM
That’s like blaming the 2nd puncher for the 1st punch.
If you say so. I honestly can’t think of a single event that isn’t politicized somewhere or another after the fact.
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Can we just stop with these asinine baseless assertions? How is the bill “necessary”?
WaMu fell in the woods today, and we were all around to hear it. The largest bank failure ever … and …
The sun still rose. WaMu branches are still open, and the free market worked as it has for 100+ years (JPM went to the FED took out a loan and bought out WaMu).
Creating artificial price floors and/or markets where the private market has no interest is not the answer folks …
IrishSamurai on September 26, 2008 at 3:31 PM
There isn’t a lack of credit on the markets … there is a lack of trust. No one wants to loan money to another party that they aren’t sure can repay it.
I run a small business … I have no trouble getting a loan cause we have a credit rating of 790+…
IrishSamurai on September 26, 2008 at 3:35 PM
If this such a bad idea why are there some conservatives that support it. Allah posted two conservatives in the headlines that supported it. Are you saying they are a bunch of socialists?
terryannonline on September 26, 2008 at 3:37 PM
They are politicians first.
IrishSamurai on September 26, 2008 at 3:39 PM
And the House Republicans are not politicians?
terryannonline on September 26, 2008 at 3:42 PM
Politicians who are just politicians always act in their OWN best interests. That was my point. Republican or Democrat, doesn’t matter. They operate in game theory to maximize their own gain, re-election, though being for or against this bill won’t matter.
Folks, we’re getting a recession … the government can’t fix it. They can only make it worse.
IrishSamurai on September 26, 2008 at 3:51 PM
Last weekend and early this week I would have agreed with you. Now I’m not so sure. I think there might be alternatives. I don’t think we’ll get those alternatives, I think we’ll end up swallowing a sh|tty porkladen D bill, but still.
Spirit of 1776 on September 26, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Who caused this mess? Send this link out to your democrat friends…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5tZc8oH–o
bnichols10 on September 26, 2008 at 4:07 PM
The bill is going to pass. The Democrats aren’t going to risk being left holding the grenade if the stock market blows up on Monday. The Republicans would be smart to play along.
RightOFLeft on September 26, 2008 at 4:08 PM
Ummm- no.
ExTex on September 26, 2008 at 4:33 PM
Stand by for The NEWER New Deal.
This is nothing more than the same “bail out” that FDR pulled by way of the NEW DEAL when the whole Smoot-Hawley (yes–I know, written by Republicans and signed by Hoover) social engineerering project tanked.
The only difference is now, we aren’t on the gold standard to give us legitimacy.
And thankfully JIM DeMINT is trying desperately to work a PRIVATE SETTLEMENT so Treas. Sect. Paulson
can’t single handedly OWN our ECONOMY. But no one is listening.
Clearly,THINKING is too hard when the house is on fire.
seejanemom on September 26, 2008 at 4:54 PM
got gold?
seejanemom on September 26, 2008 at 4:55 PM
I’d rather die on my feet than live on my knees.
Republicans need to stand here. If they won’t stand here, there’s no point in standing at all.
lorien1973 on September 26, 2008 at 5:22 PM
yup.
ExTex on September 26, 2008 at 5:32 PM