McCain, Obama may skip bailout vote

Politico ^ | 9-28-2008 | CARRIE BUDOFF BROWN & AMIE PARNES

[Kleebo151]

DETROIT, Mich.— The financial crisis is the only thing Barack Obama and John McCain talk about these days.

But neither nominee would commit Sunday to actually returning to the Senate this week to vote on the $700 billion bill aimed at preventing widespread economic collapse.

The dichotomy between their campaign trail rhetoric and their absence in the Senate is nothing new in this presidential race. Both nominees have spoken extensively in their travels over the last 20 months about bills on which they do not vote because they could not make it back to the Senate.

Yet no other piece of legislation has dominated the debate in this election cycle nearly as much as the financial bailout.

[6SJ7]

McCain needs to go back on the Straight Talk express and call out Franks, Dodds and especially Obama for causing this economic debacle.

[FFranco]

It is a no win situation, whether they vote yea or nay. Skipping the vote isn’t much better, but it is a little better option politically. However, it will be evidence of a lack of moral courage.

[informavoracious]

McCain should show up. And vote ‘Present.’ I am deadly serious.

[walden]

They’re not scared of anything— both of them know how the vote will go (it won’t be close) so their votes don’t matter. So, they’re getting back to campaigning. Very sensible.

You know, both of these guys are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. McCain got all sorts of flack for going back to Washington to help with the negotiations— not at all a done deal when he went— and now he’s getting all kinds of flack for not sticking around when his presence has no purpose.

This whole thread is pointless nit-picking. I hate it when politics gets like that.

[Ciexyz]

I want my bank to remain solvent and I want the stock market to return to normal. I dont care how it gets there. Do what needs to be done and do it now.

[Harry Wurzbach]

Accountability ... the real crisis.

Exactly. Everything McCain espouses is based on showing up and making clear where he stands. Not voting is the weasel way out. It's the Obama way. McCain made this matter of grave importance. He has to show up to vote. My guess is that if he goes to vote then Obama will do the same. Obama could show up and vote no, attempting to trick people into thinking he's somehow going to be for less spending than McCain if he is elected. McCain might as well have opposed this monstrosity. Now he's going to claim as a great achievement a bastard of a bill that a majority of the country hates and one that is firmly tied to an unpopular Congress that he's a member of and an unpopular administration that his opponent is claiming he will be a continuation of. McCain riding into Washington on his white horse and killing this bill would make a lot more sense than what has unfolded. Of course, that would mean that he would be staking his campaign on the ensuing market reaction. I bet Obama will find a way to vote against the bailout. Ugh.

[JLS]

Yep, McCain has to show up and vote or change much of what he says about Obama.

[CharlesWayneCT]

There’s really no point in showing up. They are both on record, and the vote won’t be close. Actually voting would be symbolic.

[CharlesWayneCT]

Making sure the House Republicans were heard was the important task McCain fulfilled. Actually voting on a bill that will pass easily is meaningless.

[cw35]

Is his campaign schizo frantic or something? Once the Republican pundits ask him WTF, he will show up to vote. Problem is he will probably vote yes.

[Irish Eyes]

If McCain is going to claim “success” in his efforts in getting that deal........

I guess that you have missed it, the Messiah has already claimed success and that he alone has fixed everything.

[trumandogz]

Being that they are both Socialists, they will both vote Yes.

[teletech]

Not voting is the same as voting for it. Isn't this what is claimed about not voting for McCain, that it is a vote for Obama?

Skipping the vote makes you look like you are hiding and don't want to take a stand. Hell, McCain SHOULD be out front leading the charge to defeat this bill! If McCain doesn't vote, it is going to look like he wants this to pass and his base will certainly let him know it at the polls. They will take a pass on him! Come on Sen McCain, JUST SAY NO!!!

[goldstategop]

They know the American people reject it. Profiles in courage? Hardly! More like profiles in cowardice! That goes for BOTH of them!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[Califreak]

They both looked like they were dodging the issue on debate night.

Both of them looked like empty suits for a while.

MSM is hinting at this.

Wouldn’t surprise me if they talk up Bob “Perot” Barr to split the vote.

I do wish McCain would say no though.

[teletech]

I do wish McCain would say no though.

So do I, SO DO I!

[jerry639]

If Senator McCain doesn't show up for the vote on this bill there won't be any need for him to campaign, I am sad to say.

I will still vote for him over Obama, as will most of those here, but I am beginning to think he is in deep trouble because of this week's events.

[jerry639]

If Senator McCain doesn't show up for the vote on this bill there won't be any need for him to campaign, I am sad to say.

I will still vote for him over Obama, as will most of those here, but I am beginning to think he is in deep trouble because of this week's events.

[stockstrader]

This fiasco has sealed McCain's fate. His pathetic 'crap sandwich' support has destroyed his reputation as a maverick--and the Republican Party has lost whatever dignity it has left.

Thanks to the spineless Republican Party,,,I now accept President Hussein Obama as a given.

[VideoDoctor]

SHOULD VOTE NO! If he votes for this bill he is done

I would think the strategy would be for Repubs to vote NO.

That would simply put them on the side of 70% of the American voters who are saying NO to the BAILOUT.

The Republicans need to take a stand. NO GUTS, NO GLORY.