So much for a "stunt."
John McCain got involved in the bailout negotiations after Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson told Sen. Lindsey Graham yesterday that the bailout plan would fail unless McCain came in and brought balky Republicans aboard. That's what Bob Schieffer reported on this morning's Early Show. Schieffer's account stands in stark contrast with the allegation by Dems like Barney Frank and their MSM cohorts that McCain's moves of yesterday were nothing more than a political "stunt."
Here was Schieffer speaking with the Early Show's Maggie Rodriguez at 7:05 AM EDT today:
BOB SCHIEFFER: I am told, Maggie, that the way McCain got involved in this in the first place, the Treasury Secretary was briefing Republicans in the House yesterday, the Republican conference, asked how many were ready to support the bailout plan. Only four of them held up their hands. Paulson then called, according to my sources, Senator Lindsey Graham, who is very close to John McCain, and told him: you've got to get the people in the McCain campaign, you've got to convince John McCain to give these Republicans some political cover. If you don't do that, this whole bailout plan is going to fail. So that's how, McCain, apparently, became involved.
Continued Schieffer . . .
SCHIEFFER: He has gotten what he wants, he's going to have this meeting, kind of a summit today with the president and Barack Obama. I'm told that the leaders of both parties are getting close to having some kind of a bill. The question, though, is whether rank-and-file Republicans, especially, are going to vote for this.And that's where McCain comes in.
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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»→ Schieffer
September 25, 2008 - 08:19 ET by Cool ArrowLooks to me like Schieffer is doing some unbiased reporting.
Just the facts. No commentary as to ulterior motives. Leaves the partisan to his own devices for parsing.
"Don't taze me bro" - Joe Biden
Who will
September 25, 2008 - 08:21 ET by 10ksnookerSave free enterprise, freedom and liberty?
Sounds like a secret scoop by Shieiffer
September 25, 2008 - 08:45 ET by Dee Bunkthe secret that everyone knew but was afraid to let out. Now that the secret is out will the other media report it?
Is anyone asking for
September 25, 2008 - 09:12 ET by general companyIs anyone asking for Obama's help with this crisis. Wonder why?
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Well Bush had to ask Obama because he was sulking in the corner
September 25, 2008 - 09:43 ET by Dee BunkObama was sulking and stewing and focused on the debate
Obama the whiner
September 25, 2008 - 10:17 ET by Mica the MagnificentObama whined like a 5 year-old:
(sniffle, sniffle) but I want to debate NOWWWW! (stomps foot)
Grrrr.
priorities: debate prep or my day job
September 25, 2008 - 10:30 ET by mom_roxI know you asked this as a rhetorical question, but as I mentioned on another post, the answer is because he is not relevant. Obama will vote how Pelosi/Reid tell him to.
What's the difference between Barack Obama and Sarah Palin?
One is eye candy while the other kills her own food.
I think the clerk at the
September 25, 2008 - 10:30 ET by celatorI think the clerk at the local 7-11 asked Obama to help. That's about it.
The major media report only half the news. Why are they surprised they have only half the potential audience?
When the Treasury Secretary
September 25, 2008 - 10:37 ET by dscottWhen the Treasury Secretary has to call someone to rally the troops, who does he call? Not the Minority Whip, but John McCain. That's telling. But this demonstrates John McCain is a KNOWN leader otherwise why bother calling him if he doesn't have anything to offer? Even Harry Reid called John McCain to help out, my, my, my, doesn't that say something about who is recognized as someone who can bring various factions together for a SOLUTION. Harry Reid didn't call Barack Obama now did he????
John McCain set aside his campaign to deal with a seriously urgent problem, Barack Obama has to be SUMMONED to Washington to participate in the solution because he didn't think he had anything to offer (he admitted as much by insisting on Friday's debate). John McCain's idea of leadership is being a part of the solution, while Barack Obama's idea of leadership is being an order taker waiting to have it drop in his lap. You can't fly to and from the debates and BE a part of the solution Mr. Obama.
What's worse, the so called multitasking Obama advocated basically says he doesn't know how to prioritize tasks according to their importance, which is an essential leadership skill. Even worse, Obama's failure to recognize the seriousness of the situation to reshuffle his priorites shows his lack of flexibility and inability to think under fire.
If Barack Obama wants to debate on Friday, let Sarah Palin stand in for John McCain. Didn't the MSM claim she needs to be as experienced as the one running for POTUS? Well here you go, she can demonstrate it. I would love to see our pitbull with lipstick mop the floor with Obama.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
Could Boost McCain
September 25, 2008 - 11:07 ET by rammingspeedThe point was made by Dick Morris that McCain went to Washington to get republicans on board so that a bill can be passed. He'll tell them their jobs are on the line, that if the economy goes as bad as predicted, they (republicans) will be blamed. If they get the bill passed, and McCain's effort is viewed as the turning point, he'll once again jump ahead of Obama.
Unfortunately the bailout doesn't need Obama,
September 25, 2008 - 12:24 ET by IamTinmanThe democrats are already on board with it, they've NEVER seen a taxpayers dollar they didn't like. The GOP isn't quite so profligate, they want something to show their constituency besides another IOU. The only guy who can swing the republican vote is John McCain.
The good news is most voters don't know that so McCain looks more involved and presidential.
Political stunt or not...
September 25, 2008 - 13:16 ET by ThalpyPolitical stunt or not, if the Democrats had not pushed their Leftist agenda and kept the housing loan criteria, and secured the borders, this would not be an issue now. Not everyone is equal, not everyone can afford a house irrespective of what the Democrats say. Democrat and Republican Leftists are responsible for this. All of this lame finger pointing will achieve nothing. This last congress accomplished nothing. They keep saying that they are stunned. What have they done? There is no substance in what they do.
Term Limits and Flat Tax.
You can bet that the bambi
September 25, 2008 - 16:16 ET by jdhawkYou can bet that the bambi campaign (aka: problem: foreign oil; solution: tune up and tire check; next problem!) is up in the face of Schieffer's producers whining that it was all bambi that "saved" the bail out.
Meanwhile, over on CNBC (we keep it on at work all day) Shumer was being interviewed by Ratigan about the bail out. Shumer attempted to get in a few licks against McCain saying that he did nothing but grandstand and Ratigan cut him off with a request for more details about the plan. Shumer just smerked and went back to rattling on about the plan.