The reason why the deal is SOLELY in McCain's hands now....

[scheming daemons]

Democrats won't pass this bill with ONLY Democrats supporting it. They just won't. They need Republican "cover" so they

A. won't be tied to "Bush's plan" solely
B. won't be subject to Republican attacks on the plan on the trail

Unless it's bipartisan supported, it won't happen


There is only ONE way that there will be enough congressional Republicans who support this:

McCain must support it.

Congressional Republicans will NOT go against the party nominee. They will not vote for this and have the titular head of their party (McCain) pull the rug out from under them.


So......


This bailout package only passes if it has substantial Republican support.

It only has substantial Republican support, if McCain supports it.



McCain's decision on the bailout package will decide its fate. That's the situation we're in.


If he truly puts "Country First".... he'll back the bailout. We'll avoid falling into the economic abyss as a nation. But McCain right-wing base might abandon him, and he'll lose the election.

If he puts his "Campaign First".... he'll reject the bailout. The country falls into a quick, steep, sharp recession. McCain's right-wing base stays with him... but he loses in a landslide.


McCain has lost the election. It's now a matter of whether he takes the nation down with him. He can be a "patriot" and lose the election by a smaller amount - and have right-wingers hating him forever.

Or he can hold the wingnuts... and win 10 states to Obama's 40.... while the nation plummets into a Depression.


That's where we're at. What kind of nation President Obama inherits. One that's in a massive depression... or one in which we come out of a minor recession in 6 months.

[Mojambo]

1. Normally you want to be the one to make the decision...

In this circumstance, not so much.

[nc4bo]

4. You're right, if we were talking about a normal human being. Mccain is out of his mind. nt

[MichiganVote]

2. It will pass.

[scheming daemons]

3. I hope you're right.

[MichiganVote]

8. Me too baby. Me too. Hold tight to hope. It may be the only thing left.

[thewiseguy]

5. This shit has nothing to do with McCain. He has no real power here.

[nebenaube]

6. yeah...

but I deleted it...

[patrice]

10. Right On!!! Hemp is also high quality, i.e. complete, low fat, CHEAP Protein.

[patrice]

7. I heard this thing is a centipede and only 3-4 shoes have dropped. More to come after 1/20/09

The total number of derivative transactions we're talking about are estimated to be 1000 Trillion and we're only talking about 700 Billion here, something like .7% of the actual bolus.

[spanone]

9. so if the economy fails, the democrats, who are in charge of congress, get the blame

and if they pass the bailout plan they still get the blame