When Mr. McCain Came to Washington

WSJ ^ | Ex-Treas. Secty. Henry Paulson

[MarkAccord]

Finally, raising his voice over the din, Obama said loudly, "I'd like to hear what Senator McCain has to say, since we haven't heard from him yet."

The room went silent and all eyes shifted to McCain, who sat quietly in his chair, holding a single note card. He glanced at it quickly and proceeded to make a few general points. He said that many members had legitimate concerns and that I had begun to head in the right direction on executive pay and oversight. He mentioned that Boehner was trying to move his caucus the best he could and that we ought to give him the space to do that. He added he had confidence the consensus could be reached quickly.

As he spoke, I could see Obama chuckling. McCain's comments were anticlimactic, to say the least. His return to Washington was impulsive and risky, and I don't think he had a plan in mind. If anything, his gambit only came back to hurt him, as he was pilloried in the press afterward, and in the end, I don't believe his maneuver significantly influenced the TARP legislative process. A number of people I respect on the Hill believe McCain ended up being helpful by focusing public attention on TARP and galvanizing Congress to action. And John later did find ways for House Republicans to support legislation. But Democrats absolutely did not want him to get any credit. They wanted the economic issue as their own. Accusing McCain of blowing up a nondeal was just hardball political tactics. But when it came right down to it, he had little to say in the forum he himself had called.

[MarkAccord]

The Blind leading the Clueless.

This was the day that McCain lost the Presidential Election.

[VRWC For Truth]

The fix was in. McLoser and Sow-toro were a two headed coin.

[LostInBayport]

I heard J.D. Hayworth on Brian and the Judge yesterday morning. He is very fired up, and part of his many comments included this topic. I think he said that McCain said next to nothing at the meeting, and if Paulson's account can be believed that's about right.

You're right, MarkAccord...the moment I heard McCain 'suspended his campaign' I knew in my gut that melodramatic moment would cost him the race. And just weeks before that, I knew in my gut that he had won it (when he nominated Sarah Palin as VP).

[MarkAccord]

McCain could have carried it off if he had much understanding of why the Sub-Prime crisis even occured, but McCain really is only passionate about foreign affairs and Defense issues.

He would have had to confront Treasury Secretary Paulson on the issue and have his own plan to avoid the economic crisis.

Between Henry Paulson, George W. Bush, and John McCain, I truthfully do not know who was the biggest fool.

[ReleaseTheHounds]

Mega-dittoes for your comment...

But don’t you just love Obambi “wanting to know what John has to say” and then “chuckling” at McLame’s remarks...

I wonder who is chuckling now? I wonder what Obama has to say in his “strategy sessions”. “Stupid is as stupid does.”

[Gaffer]

God willing, we will make Obama eat that 'chuckle' come November and again in 2012. Only, it won't be for McCain; it will be for the REAL Americans that Obama hates so much.

In my estimation, one would have to try, try very hard, to be a worse President than Jimmy Carter. So far, Obama is living up to the incredible odds of this being so.

[MarkAccord]

Obama is still chuckling now because he is the one who lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, not McCain.

I understand Obama has hired two live-in French Chefs as well.

No collard greens and fried chicken for him.

[Gaffer]

I guess it’s tofu, pate’ de fois gras, and Krystaal for Zer0 then.

[MarkAccord]

I will also comment that Obama used the exact same tactic to push his $800 Billion Stimulus package that GWB and Paulson used to push through TARP. The economy is in deep crisis and there is no time to debate or delay these important spending programs!! Damned if it didn’t work both times.

[10Ring]

Obama did not replace W’s chef.