In a September 29 blog post aimed at "Placing Blame" for failure of the bailout package in the House of Representatives today, Time's Joe Klein began by tossing, "I don't blame John McCain for not rounding up enough Republican votes to get this bailout bill through the House of Representatives."
Klein added a few other reasons he doesn't blame the Arizona senator:
...he's never held a leadership position and therefore doesn't know how to whip votes and finally--well, uh--there is one tried and true method for getting members of Congress to vote aye and McCain opposes it: a sweetener, like say, funding for a bridge in their districts. That is one reason why we have earmarks. McCain is opposed to giving away baubles for the greater good.
Yet he left out one key fact. It was Democratic, not Republican votes that doomed the bailout agreement.
After all, Democrats control the chamber with 235 representatives to Republicans' 199 (there is one vacancy). Forty percent (95) of House Democrats did not vote with their party leadership, resulting in 228 votes cast in opposition to the bailout's package. If Speaker Pelosi had flipped a dozen nay votes from her caucus, the plan would have passed.
No matter to Joe "Anonymous" Klein, who spent the rest of his Swampland blog entry preaching against John McCain as a false prophet while praising the Obamessiah for rebuking the financial storm:
As for Barack Obama, his visceral aversion to showboating did him a service. He laid out four requirements for his support of the bill--requests he had, clearly, coordinated with the Democratic Leadership (and which McCain supported). He made the necessary calls to keep up with the negotiations (as McCain did). He made it clear, without ostentation or fuss, that he supported the compromise. Even today, after the bill failed, Obama warned against panic and advised the Congress to get back to work and, "Get it done."
This was, I believe, eminently rational behavior in a moment of crisis. Obama didn't pretend that he could, or should, do something that he couldn't do. He didn't lead, but then, he wasn't in a position to lead. (McCain's games were the opposite of leadership--they were an unnecessary distraction.) There may be times in the future--in the next few weeks, in fact--when events will call for Obama to be a far more forceful presence. We'll see whether he has it in him. But this wasn't the time for that. It was the time for a cool head, something McCain has yet to demonstrate.
—Ken Shepherd is Managing Editor of NewsBusters
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Aw, come on Ken...
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 17:10 ET by ontheright...let's not get tripped up by the facts. :-)
If my failing memory serves me correctly, the Dems own the majority in both houses, right?
Wonder what this means? The Republicans hog tied a majority of Dems and put them in the Capitol bldg. broom closets... that's it!
Well...
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 17:13 ET by ontheright...with a little fact checking of my own, I found that the GOP, albeit small, holds the marjority in the Senate. Ooops.
Still no reason why Reps. should be blamed for the house failure to pass the bill, nonetheless.
"...with a little fact
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 17:48 ET by ckc1227"...with a little fact checking of my own, I found that the GOP, albeit small, holds the marjority in the Senate. Ooops."
You might want to do a little more fact checking. Isn't it 49 Dems and 49 Repubs, with 2 liberal independants(Sanders and Leiberman), giving Democrats the majority?
Not sure...I think it's
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 17:52 ET by Blonde49 Dems
49 Reps
1 Independent
1 (or maybe two, deduct one from the dem side) Brain Dead.
And I'm not trying to be intentionally cruel.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
This is definitely
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 18:30 ET by motherbeltThis is definitely rich.
Her Speakerness can't keep her own majority party in line; they could have passed this without a single Republican vote.
Looks like the Democrats have their own "mavericks." LOL
Dems cannot count
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 21:00 ET by wdhorningNot only can they not count, Democrat leaders cannot tell the difference between a punch bowl and a toilet bowl.
The vast left-wing conspiracy to destroy the economy!
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 21:15 ET by wdhorningYou gotta hear this:
http://election.newsmax.com/bailout_fanniefreddy.html
Stay tuned, more coming!!!!
WARNING VOTERS: All but a few Democrats, like Joe Lieberman and a few others are criminals. Impeach them all with your votes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
»→ Just lovely
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 17:15 ET by Cool ArrowEverybody gets a bridge if you'll vote for this bailout.
Joe Klein wants the kitchen to whip up some cordon bleu while the Titanic is taking on water.
We need antibiotics, not morphine. Keep your "sweeteners" Klein.
"I've got a bracelet too" - Barack Obama
Hey Cool...
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 17:22 ET by ontheright...off topic, but I thought it ironic you mentioned cordon bleu - the lovely bride is whip'n that up for dinner tonight - oh yeah!
»→ Must be nice OTR
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 17:28 ET by Cool ArrowI think we're ordering pizza.
"I've got a bracelet too" - Barack Obama
Pizza is a staple in our house
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 17:37 ET by ontherightThat's one of the reasons the boys and I are salivating all over ourselves...sorry - maybe TMI.
These rare treats are savored and truly appreciated. :-)
»→ Cheapo Pizza Hut
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 17:42 ET by Cool ArrowTalk about redneck! My personal favorites are Pizza Hut, Weenie World (aka Der Weinerschnitzel), or an RC Cola and a Moon Pie.
Of course Dining out on Mexican food is a night on the town.
"I've got a bracelet too" - Barack Obama
an inconvenient politico
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 17:17 ET by Dagny TaggartAs the Obamessiah keeps pretending he'spresident, perhaps he would consider pretending to lead as well, and whip Pelosi and the gang into shape. Or, explain to the American electorate just exactly what is so distateful to him that he doesn't think the bail-out should pass.
Shit or get off the pot, Barry. It's 3:00 a.m., and this is just a taste of what's to come if people are actually foolish enough to elect you to the highest office in the land.
Eww Joe Klein you make my leg tingle
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 17:23 ET by Lame CherryJoe Klein is the equivalent of the manic depressive who wins a million dollars and whines about how he will have to spend the money.
I do see though that messiah Obama has found his royal executioner as Mr. Klein has lofted himself to the rank of judging John McCain in Klein thinking his blame actually means something.
It is akin to an Obamaniac actually tracking me down and posting a blog for the factual statement that John McCain devestated Obama in the debate.
These Obama people must have 100% absolute in line agreement or they are terrified they will loose control..........hey they are already out of control as that is why they are clinging to Barry O.
Klein can not change the fact his manic depression is not going to end so he looks to spread it around.
I know it is worth mentioning this again. Joe Klein is a mult millionaire. He has had more debauchery than ten thousand Christians. He has lied for Bill Clinton and profitted. He actually gets paid for writing less than what most Newsbusters do for free.
PopTech is like a walking link encyclopedia and should be earning Klein's wages but doesn't.
So there sits Joe Klein, all that power, all that money and the guy still is begging people to listen to him. He has not had an original idea in ten years. He knows he is bankrupt, so all he has left is Obamania as the Clinton's flushed him.
I would tell Joe to read the Bible, but he would only see his failings in it. I would tell Joe to go fishing, but he would only worry about skin cancer. I would tell Joe to go shoot some trap, but he would be worried about peeing his pants as firearms scare him.
Joe Klein is like all Obamanaics. He is scared of himself. He is scared of life. He is scared of today and terrorized about tomorrow.
Klein is manifest of the robber barons who keep stealing in this nation and wanting Congress to bail them out in trying to fill a void in them they can not fill.
No one cares what you have to say Joe Klein, because you do not say anything of value. The only reason you get comments on here is because Ken Shepherd hauls you out so we can bat you around awhile as filler until something really worth commentary comes along.
I guess that makes Joe Klein the lint in Barack Obama's navel.
God bless
*HIC IACET ARTORIVS REX QVONDAM REXQVE FVTVRVS
Leadership
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 19:40 ET by JDWObama is purportedly running the phones
Pelosi: Excerpts from her 'running the House'
JDW
DAILY WAVE
'Hey Chuck, Stand Up!'
This was, I believe,
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 17:49 ET by MidAmericaThis was, I believe, eminently rational behavior in a moment of crisis. Obama didn't pretend that he could, or should, do something that he couldn't do. He didn't lead, but then, he wasn't in a position to lead.
Huh? Obama is the Presidential nominee of the majority party in Congress of which he is a member and he isn't in a position to lead? He's either afraid of taking a position or he doesn't have the respect of his fellow Senators. He better learn that if he becomes President that the days of voting 'Present' are over. He won't be able to let others make the hard decisions.
Hey MidAmerica...
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 18:14 ET by MrDebaterWhere are all the conservatives? We are letting the Dems blame the Republicans for something that the Dems got us into in the first place...I hope the gov't never passes this bailout or any other....as a true conservative we should all know that the free market works and that the only reason we keep having these "bubbles" is because the gov't keeps trying to run the "free market". The gov't now has a budget and a deficit that we will never be able to correct. So, as a true conservative, I am all for a great depression...starve the gov't and hopefully kill it...so we can start over and maybe have a constitutional budget that doesn't rape the population and only spends money on what the constitution says it should.
With ya, Mr. D
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 18:33 ET by retroconOne problem, though. The Dems are still in control of both houses... and might get the Presidency because, for some bizarre and incomprehensible reason, McCain and Bush do NOT want to identify the root of the problem to the broader public (we know because we don't get all our news from the alphabet MSM).
So, we don't have a bail out, but we will still have the Dems demanding we give loans to unqualified people, and because no one is telling the public (outside of neutral/conservative outlets), the libs might even get more power.
This is really starting to make my head spin. Have Alinsky and Marx won? Will the socialist press control our lives for the foreseeable future?
Hey Retro...
Tue, 09/30/2008 - 07:09 ET by MrDebaterIf Obama wins and screws everything up, he blames Bush...If McCain wins and screws everything up, he blames Bush...why vote? As a true conservative, I am very disappointed with McCain's populist rhetoric so far. He WILL pass an amnesty bill if he gets elected, for he will probably have a majority dem congress. I can't pull the lever for nobama, yet, if I pull it for McCain I may be helping to liberalize the Republican party to the point that we won't be able to tell our party from their's...the only fly in the ointment is Palin, though it's McCain's policies that she will work for...I am probably going to sit this one out. If I vote I may be helping to destroy what little conservatism is still left in the Republican party. But, then there's the Judges...hmmmm(my head hurts).
Another posible benefit
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 18:37 ET by MidAmericaAnother posible benefit of this economic mess is that if obama gets elected the moneys all gone and we won't have to fight the dems to stop all the new socialist programs they'd want to start. If the economy was strong, obama was President and the dems controlled Congress all this money and more would be gone anyhow.
Obama actually laid out his
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 18:35 ET by motherbeltObama actually laid out his requirements during his statement that he wasn't going back to Washington to help, if I remember correctly.
He sent instructions; isn't that enough?
The Truth
Mon, 09/29/2008 - 18:57 ET by oilcanA very enlightening audio clip courtesy of J$'s site of John Gibson's radio talk with Karl Rove about the make up of today's Democratic Nay voters against the economic recovery bill.
Tiny URL to audio clip: http://tinyurl.com/4andz5