Bush calls Barry O to D.C.; Update: McCain/Obama release joint statement (yawn)
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ABC News reports that President Bush has hooked up with Barry O for bailout talks.
Do you have a sick feeling in your stomach?
ABC News has learned that President Bush called Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., this evening and invited him to participate in a meeting about the Wall Street bailout bill tomorrow afternoon in Washington, DC, with other congressional leaders, including Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
Obama accepted the president’s invitation, a source tells ABC News.
Hey, is Jim Johnson coming with him?
Former Fannie Mae chairman Jim Johnson was dumped from Obama’s vice presidential search team, but he’s still playing a behind-the-scenes role on the campaign.
Former Senator Tom Daschle, a top Obama backer, emailed a select list this afternoon that he and Johnson would be leading a briefing intended largely for Clinton’s campaign brain trust next month.
“Jim Johnson and I have scheduled another informal breakfast discussion and update on the campaign early next month,” he wrote to a list including Senator John Kerry, James Carville, and Richard Holbrooke, as well as Clinton’s former top campaign aides, including Howard Wolfson, Geoff Garin, and Harold Ickes.
Johnson’s involvement comes at a moment when political association with the failed mortgage giants is particularly toxic. He was already the subject of a McCain ad attacking Obama.
***
Update 9:08pm Eastern. Bush is speaking. Meanwhile, McCain/Obama have e-mailed the “joint statement” they’ve taken all day to write.
Yawn…
For Immediate Release
Contact: Press Office
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
703-650-5550
ARLINGTON, VA — Today, U.S. Senators John McCain and Barack Obama issued the following statement:
“The American people are facing a moment of economic crisis. No matter how this began, we all have a responsibility to work through it and restore confidence in our economy. The jobs, savings, and prosperity of the American people are at stake.
“Now is a time to come together — Democrats and Republicans — in a spirit of cooperation for the sake of the American people. The plan that has been submitted to Congress by the Bush Administration is flawed, but the effort to protect the American economy must not fail.
“This is a time to rise above politics for the good of the country. We cannot risk an economic catastrophe. Now is our chance to come together to prove that Washington is once again capable of leading this country.”
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Sure do. It’s been there since Obummer excepted the nomination.
This is like a bad dream. Oh why oh why can’t I dream of puppies and rainbows?
Why did Bush call Obamination for?!
This whole thing is turning into a freakin’ circus.
Cue the clown car.
accepted….duh
I am glad Bush did this. It is about time Obama earned his paycheck for being a senator.
Maybe now the American people will see the clear difference between the two candidates when Obama just sits there in the meeting not saying a word because he can’t.
This is a chance for McCain to come out strong and he better. He should insist that the debate be about the economy and not about foreign policy.
I have been seeing more McCain/Palin bumper stickers around town here in Phoenix, AZ lately. That’s a good sign.
Looks like Bush will be sporting an Obama lapel pin tomorrow.
The next administration can get some of the blame this way.
Bush has his own way of screwing himself up..and then wonders why he can’t win by a landslide.
Personally, I think they are going to try to ram through this package in a “Bipartisan” way..and try to “Obama” it on the airwaves..however if they believe the Dems are going admit guilt and NOT pile on REpublicans they are mistaken.
Maybe I should have stayed home in 2000.
Stupid is as stupid does.
Thanks President Bush. You just let Obambi off the hook. McCain made the right choice by going to Washington and you had to call Obambi to participate. Give Obambi a tour and show him his future crib why don’t you.
The President has taken up McCain’s suggestion of a leadership meeting in DC. He personally called Obama to let him know that the train is leaving the station, and if he wants on it he better be there tomorrow. This says that McCain is taking the lead, and Obama is being dragged along by events.
That looks bad for Obama to me, people.
Maybe this was the answer to Reid’s telling McCain not to bother coming. It could have been pretty embarrassing for McCain if Reid wouldn’t even let him participate in the committee meetings.
Obama might have to reverse himself on what he said today, which can’t help him at all.
Look who is moving the needle, and look who is following it.
New tone.
You can dream of puppies and rainbows, but where Nobama is concerned the puppies are rabid man killers and the rainbows are of the fires from hell.
It is hard to imagine the change in my estimation concerning George W. Bush between 2000 and now.
His last 3 to 4 years have been as dismal as Jimmy Carter. Frankly, I consider him and his administration pathetic jokes at this point. Except for the fact that they are laughing at me. All the way to the bank.
He has wrecked the GOP, turned conservatism upside down, instituted sweeping socialist programs and been absent on any domestic policy until this bailout fiasco. I doubt the US will ever recover from George W. Bush.
Up until the last week or so, I had toyed with the idea of pulling the lever for McCain-Palin in spite of my long held contempt for the man. But, the last few weeks, except for the brief euphoria of the Palin nomination, I find myself realizing all over again that McCain will finish the job of destroying the country that Bush has started.
I won’t vote for the man. I am sick of him and his maverick ignorance. I am done with the GOP. I can’t take this any longer. The person I voted for twice has turned this nation into a bankrupt socialist country. The rest is just a d’enouement.
Let’s see if Obama is good enough at multi-tasking to also make Clinton’s Global Initiative – that is if he was even invited…
He said it would go if it was “helpful”. I didn’t know Bush had his cell number.
Is McCain going to deliver the Prez and Repub’s at the last minute?
No. Well I have a bad feeling in general about this entire issue…but not about this specifically since this is due to McCain’s proposal:
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=MjMyYzE3NWViMmQ5MTEyYjY3YjgzOTM5Y2ExNjYzODA=
Anyone who thinks Bush or McCain is conservative is blind. We’re being sold out again by these damn collectivists.
I think it makes Barry look bad.McCain made the first move now Barry looks bad.
On September 24th, 2008 at 8:45 pm,
The Democrats have 98% of the blame for where we are now. If they retain any power after the election we will indeed be a bankrupt social state.
Perfect opportunity for McCain to completely throw Bush under the bus. Bush is a team player, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this is a set up for that. Or…I could be giving them all way too much credit.
BHO had already said to call him if he was needed. He wasn’t needed, so why ‘o why did Bush call him? Way to go GW, you probably have just blown a great opportuniy for McCain to steal the show and take over the issue of the economy. Very lame.
I was at the gym working out when the two candidates came on. I could not believe it when Obama said he was, literally, going to “phone it in”. He stated he spoke on the phone with the Sec of the Treasury, and that was good enough. WTF??? A national crisis/emergency, and he’s going to “phone it in”? At the very least, has he forgotten he is a sitting Senator, and his constituents deserve representation?
I also can not believe the hypocrisy of Reid. Yesterday, Reid/Pelosi threatened that without McCain there would be “no deal”. So, now, it appears they want his vote, but not his input, guidance and leadership. Since the outcome of this bailout (including a complete rejection) will constrain the domestic agenda of the incoming Administration, it is entirely reasonable that the next President-elect help hammer out the details and work towards consensus.
Obama, however, feels nothing, not even, an alleged “economic Pearl Harbor” should take the wheels of the traveling Obama Love-In. Is his ego that addicted to adoration of disciples that he can’t pull himself away to attend to matters of State? Unbelievable.
News timeline :
1. Senator McCain suspends campaign, heads back to D.C. to work. Asks President Bush to organize a leadership meeting that would include Senate / House leadership as well as Senator Obama and himself. Also, asks that the debate be postponed.
2. Senator Obama says the debate is on.
3. Senator Reid tells Senator McCain not to come back to D.C.
4. President Bush personally calls Senator Obama and asks him to return to D.C. for the above mentioned leadership meeting.
I don’t see this as a “President Bush is a fan of Obama”..I think it’s more of a ‘who’s your daddy?’ kind of move.
Personally, I think it’s rather embarassing to be called by your boss back to the office to do your job.
The president asked McCain to be part of the meeting as well. Obama could not refuse Bush on this meeting, it would have looked very un-presidential on his part. In fact in shows how weak Reid is by not wanting McCain to be in Washington. McCain could get lucky and balk at any compromise that Bush and Obama and Reid agree to and then tie Barack to Bush!
This whole mess is McCain’s to profit from. He needs to come out swinging and place the blame where it lies. Right at the feet of both the Dems and the GOP. Of course, we as taxpayers and citizens, have the most to lose. Again. Forget the lipstick. How about some vaseline?
That’s like getting called to the Principal’s office! Ooooo, burn!
Wareagle, the Dems have had control of the Congress since 2006 which is why we are in the state we are in.
I know that on 9-11, I said a silent prayer of thanks that our President was GW and not Gore. I feel in my heart, that in spite of my numerous differences with him, of the two very poor choices before us, Sen McCain will do a better job of keeping our nation safe and using our military forces appropriately. Under an Obama administration, I see a return to the Clintonesque policies of slashing funding while increasing opTempo, and not necessarily for things that are important to our national interests, but rather, to “right” perceived humanitarian injustices.
Please rethink your position. I understand your anger and frustration, but every vote in every precinct will count.
This is the decisive leadership we will get if BO is elected, “call me if you think it would be helpful”. What a guy!! Presidential?
Mom24Ks-
I agree with you. Plus, it prevents Obama from weaseling out on the tough choices and going out on the campaign trail nit-picking the outcome. It is easy to throw stones when you don’t have to be part of the decision matrix.
It’s easy to criticize, but harder to come up with solutions. This way, he has no out.
Just watch. The One will get ALL of the credit. Can I say, I hate the MF?
Feel much better.
Marshall #24. I agree that the Democrats are largely to blame. But, I can’t go as high as 98%. Bush has been an empty and ineffective suit domestically since he passed Medicare Part D. He has sat in the Oval Office and done nothing. He has not led. He has not tried to impose any restraint on the GOP or Democrat congress. He has failed. And now his only solution is to sign a $1 Trillion blank check for his buddy at Treasury to dole out as he sees fit in the last 4 months of his administration?
No, we cannot lay this fiasco solely at the Dems. Don’t get me wrong. Reid, Pelosi, Obama, Schummer, Frank, Dodd are despicable. And even more so than Bush. But, Bush has been a disasterous president. McCain will be as bad as Bush or worse if he wins. Does it really care whether it is Obama or McCain who finally destroy the nation? Either way, the nation is destroyed. I am not casting a vote for either one of them. I’m done.
Has anyone heard about Bill Clinton going out and getting the “cracker vote” in Fla.? I have not seen anything on Foxnews.com Drudge or this site.
Bush
Understands
So
Horribly
Such
Ugly
Conclusions
Kill
Success
Don’t underestimate the power of the constant drumbeat of Democrats and the propoganda machine of the liberal press hammering on the President during a time of war. Running a country during wartime is a hellava lot harder than running one in peacetime to begin with.
I admire President Bush for being able to hang in there this long. The country is divided and has been since he was elected.
I know I could not have handled the pressure that the propogandists have put on him and the funding by George Soros they received to help them in their fait accompli. How much money has that guy spent to crush President Bush? It has a tremendous effect and should not be discounted.
Clinton had a tremendous amount of pressure on him but was protected by the press and did not have full scale wars going on.
President Bush came at a difficult time for our country. Remember 9-11. Try doing that with half the country on your back and all the media against you.
If everyone was perfect, we wouldn’t even have a financial “crisis” would we? Everything would come out perfect just as Obama has promised. I can guarantee that won’t happen. Perfection is unobtainable as we are imperfect beings. All we can do is try hard to do the right things. In light of that, I think he has done a terrific job, not a perfect one, and I don’t agree with 100% of his methods but he had a big donkey on his back. That to me is admirable and I wish him well in the future.
The next President will suffer some of the same burdens and I bet they have similar problems. The difference is McCain will be saddled with the Donkey and Obama will benefit from it. Both will have a hard time. It is a difficult time in history right Osama?
Yeah, let’s reach across the “aisle” some more and “compromise.” Right? No harm, no foul. What’s another trillion of our tax dollars that you politicians won’t miss because you know how to manipulate the tax system for yourselves while the rest of us get left with the tab.
As John McEnroe used to say: You cannot be serious.
Dick Morris said that this is the “White Horse” for McCain. Ace.mu.nu has a link to Harry Reids comments that they needed John McCain for his leadership. The Mav’ called his bluff. hahahahhhhhahhhhwahhhhwhhwahhh
So why did Bush invite the Obamessiah? Obama wasn’t going to come. He’s into multi-tasking and campaigning. All Bush is doing is taking away from McCain. It’s time for Bush to be gone.
Even Harry Ried can not figure this out and he does it for a living. Barney Frank in charge of the Bankng Committee and Paulson as Treasury Secretary? Boy, what a terrific job they have done. And now they are giving me instructions for what to do now. Right!
Obama has no idea. McCain has no idea. I’ve got an idea. Bet it all on red and let it ride!
(Rev 6:1-8 NIV)“I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.”
Good post T-Bone
This will be the biggest indirect tax increase in the history of mankind. Obama must be a part of that. How could he refuse. That is BO’s MO.
I admire Bush and what he has done too. I think he is an honorable man and he will be vindicated by history for much of what he is attacked for today. However, his thinking this past year and his views on illegal immigration make me wish his term at ended at 6 years, not 8.
Vote libertarian if you truly want small government and fiscal conservatism. Holding your nose to vote for McCain is not the answer.
I think Bush smokes crack.
I appreciate the President bringing this to the nations attention. However, the conclusion he gave was, “I want to roll the dice.”
If the economy suffers a downturn or recession /depression, don’t you know that the entry level jobs will suffer the most. Mabe that will be the fix for our illegal immigration problem.
The magnet will not be functioning reducing the current amount of illegal immigration and possible sending millions back to their own country. Maybe we have our own buffer for this economic “crisis” that will at least mitigate it to some extent.
I forgot an apostrophe. I’m so ashamed.
“The money will be paid back.”
Um, yeah, if anyone thought that, it wouldn’t be bad debt.
Rep. Cliff Sterns is on Rachel Maddow’s show calling out Paulson’s egomania. Good stuff.
Thank you T-Bone!!
Both parties are essentially the same. It’s our fault for continuing to vote for them. I am voting third party this year, because the GOP doesn’t deserve my vote, but I’ll be darned if I’ll stay home.
sooooo.. obamitler wants to be president, cause you know, Bush has been such a bad leader and bad president. but, obamitler is such a great leader that it takes prompting from the ‘bad’ leader to get him to do what should be natural, that is if he really is wanting the job of..uh..um..duh.. president and that is to show some leadership. i guess obamitler doesn’t want the job as president and he isn’t concerned about even doing his senate job, either. you see, obamitler has never done his job, all he has done is campaign for the next higher position. he really doesn’t know what it takes to be a leader. and to think there are over 45% of the country that actually thinks this guy can lead. we are sooooooo screwed.
Then don’t be complaining if BO screws up the country.
Is that why Odhimmi was mocking McCain and saying the things he said only a couple of hours ago?
My vote had “Tom Tancredo” written on it. Now that America has rejected Tom, I am not going to vote. However, if someone still wants to go through the motions of doing one’s civic duty, vote ROn Paul. That way, you can look yourself in the mirror.
Just my 2 cents.
Then don’t be complaining
ifWHEN BO screws up the country.Fixed it myself.
Ummm..it DOES matter how it began. If that is not identified, then history will repeat.
Someone make a list of all the people voting 3rd party or not voting and if BO wins, and they start complaining, we can call them on it. You may be able to look yourself in the mirror but you can’t come here and start b_ _tching about how bad BO is screwing up the country.
Can anyone think of another President who has had to deal with so much crap in recent history?
….. GET BACK TO WORK!!!
Don’t go Barack. It’s a trap! McCain is just going to try to debate you there. I know it’s a debate you want to have, you just don’t want to have it without your media cronies helping you.
Why wouldn’t we have right to complain? We wouldn’t be the ones who voted for him. Voting for someone other than Obama is not a vote for Obama. Free your mind from the tyranny of the
twoone party system.This election is giving me an ulcer. But I do like that Bush called little Bammie back like his Daddy.
Does Odhimmi even know where the Senate Chambers are?
#26 NotaSlickFan wrote:
The same reason we also give money to the Palestinians.
I note three things from Bush’s talk on TV tonight. While he made no mention of breaking up Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, his saying there’d be time for a review later seemed to suggest that should happen. He outlined the problem yet in his short address, the only clear message was we’d (the government with our money) purchase the bad debt. Leading to my third observation that on its face, the U.S. has the means to take large amounts of assets (properties) and hold them until such time the market improves and we’d recoup a large amount of the loss seems a fair assertion. Yet no one can now predict how much of that $700 billion (if that is all it costs) we will recoup.
President Bush made no mention of stimulating the economy by 1) demanding Congress make the current tax cuts permanent now or lowering the capital gains rate, 2) demanding a clean bill, or 3) an energy plan. On the last point, we need to keep a leery eye out for the Democrats attempting to slip a renewal of the ban on off-shore drilling into this bill (you know they’d love to do that).
Apparently, Obama realized that he could not refuse the invitation to the White House tomorrow without paying a price in the polls.
BTW, I fully expect the netroots (and Alcee Hastings) to accuse Bush of treating Obama like a field hand, i.e. calling him up to the big house.
This in powerline today.
They were warned. McCain to his credit tried to put through in 2004 legislation and was voted down along PARTY lines. Barney and his friends need to resign!
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives2/2008/09/021598.php
link doesn’t work marshall
Miss that line, Michelle? I know you dislike McCain intensely, but that implies that Bush asked McCain first.
Frankly, after listening to Bush’s speech, I’d like McCain to tell Bush to go suck eggs and return to campaigning.
This “crisis” can’t be solved by Congress and Jorge Boosh throwing valueless money at it. It can only be solved by letting the greeheads go down the tubes.
Or one that has acted so horribly and poorly? Maybe Juan McAmnesty, but he has acted horribly and foolishly and the old fool isn’t even commander in screw-up yet.
Pray for President Bush and our Great Country.
b. Hussein is, shockingly, a Senator, which makes Bush his boss.
So are all the student loans, credit card debt, etc. still attached to this bill?
Oh, I see school’s out.
Obie… that’s as close to the White House as you’re gonna get… don’t forget to pick up some postcards home to your b*tch.
Here is Marshall’s link (I hope).
Sorry, try this.
http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives2/2008/09/021598.php
This may be the most tumultuous Presidency since WWII.
You got it SergeantTim.
Marshall – The first worked when copied and pasted.
THIS article should be blared from megaphones throughout the country!!!
worked..thanks
Praying… Been Praying… Now, praying that the praying is going to work!
I’m praying that your paying works
Totally agree, Zorro…always glad to see your posts.
This President certainly has had his problems. The Democrats and their cheerleaders in the MSM started on him in Florida with the hanging chads and haven’t stopped.
But then President Bush never hit back and looked weak for it. Perhaps his parents taught him to be overly polite, but we elected him to be President and that trumps manners 101. Starting with letting that Kennedy B!tch, Kerry Kennedy Cuomo, bad mouth him at the RFK Building dedication to not responding to Robert F. Kennedy Jr calling him a fascist to calling Islam a Religion of Peace he has not been strong.
I wish him, and us, well on this economic meeting but I think Dingy Harry, Obambi and such will clothes line him. He never learned the manley art of the sucker punch or how to dodge one.
My point is,is that if those that had the public trust need to be held responsible or it will happen again.
Yes, praying is good. Praying that Michelle Obama gives the Senator AIDS is probably not what I should be praying for I guess.
“Pray for President Bush and our Great Country” Is better, yes.
… and when will this “militia” finally start taking out the losers that are increasing and ruining America…
“One if by land, and 20 freaking million sneaking across the border…..”
That’s sickening.
What’s really gut-wrenching is that I keep hearing of a billion here and a billion there being added on for ed loans, car loans, aid to Africa, etc. And the incredible fact that we’re bailing out ILLEGALS on home loans they shouldn’t have received (although no one but MM will say it)!
I lay this at the feet of Bush, McCain, Odumbo and all the rest in Congress who are panting over the Hispanic vote.
What’s really galling is that this is a prime opportunity for Bush or McCain to pretend to be conservative and tell Dingy Harry and Bela Pelosi that unless we drill everything in sight (and they call off their “environmental hippies”), repeal Sarbanes-Oxley and put a freeze on the capital gains tax, we’re not playing ball.
These were Newt’s suggestions, and he said we’d make back all that dough in A YEAR if we did the above. This is just common sense. But I’m sure you’ve noticed — there isn’t any of that left in DC anymore.
BTW — What’s with Elizabeth Dole? I didn’t even know she was still in DC? She looks SO different.
Good one.
Keep the handcuffs nearby, they might be of great use.
on a side note-
anyone, please anyone tell me…
Am I in the middle of some horrifying NIGHTMARE?
I think she has had a little work done. /s
Now THAT is what I am praying for. That stupid law costs me soooo much extra work.
Just went to Intrade. McSame is at 42.9 percent. I don’t think any of them know what the hell they’re doing, but why in God’s name should this make Odumbo’s numbers rise? Why is it that econ problems shout “We need a democrat”? Clinton had a good economy built on a sound GOP Congress — but it was the beginning of the end of this house of cards.
Well said, T-Bone. While I have my problems with Pres. Bush, he’s kept us safe. That does mean something, especially to me because of the friends I lost to 9-11 and the current wars we face.
Yes, he could’ve managed the war better, was completely wrong about that pathetic pander of a drug bill he shoved through Congress as well as the Shamnesty. Then there were the things that he didn’t push hard enough like social security, education (NCLB- which is another meaningless mandate that will be but a bad memory to the teacher’s unions), and, of course, the FM reform.
Pres. Bush let several opportunities slip through his fingers. I’m quite aware that the angry, sulking children otherwise known as Dems and media bedeviled him throughout his presidency and made life miserable for him out of spite. That treatment will never be forgotten.
In the end, Pres. Bush didn’t exploit the opportunities that he had and let the Dems and the media characterize and control his administration. I’m disappointed and angry because he betrayed a lot of conservatives.
One more thing: while he is an honorable man in many respects, he is over his head about this “economic crisis.” His statement tonight was pathetic, general, and really a superficial profile of what caused the crisis in the first place. There are a lot of things he didn’t mention… there’s a reason he doesn’t mention things like illegal aliens, greedy lenders, and unqualified homeowners.
There’s a whole lot we don’t know about this bailout plan. It’s not a done deal and unless I’m given more reasons why my hard-earned tax money should go toward this plan, I have doubts. Brief statements made by the President will not clear up anything.