McCain Aide Claims Credit For Deal, Says "We're Going Into A Debate"

Shortly before 2pm ET, McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds said on MSNBC that his boss deserves credit for the bipartisan bailout deal.

Bounds then apparently went way off message, indicating that McCain would attend tomorrow's debate. "We're going into a debate," Bounds said, adding "I think we're going there strong."

Here's a transcript of his conversation with Andrea Mitchell:

Before John McCain suspended his campaign yesterday, the situation that we're looking at today looked very different then. After he showed leadership and called for bipartisanship, for us to partisanship aside and tackle this solution head on, here we are. And we're going into a debate, I think we're going there strong.

Here's video:

This is unlikely to represent an official change in position for the campaign. Earlier in the interview Bounds was more on message, saying that the McCain campaign was "hoping to go into" the debate.

Comments

[Just Joe]

Tucker has got to be one of the biggest idiots. Even he doesn't believe what he is saying...
On another note regarding suspending the debate...
FLASHBACK TO FEBRUARY 2000 -
McCaiin withdraws from Debate with Republican Primary candidate George Bush in California. McCain campaign officials tried desperately yesterday to put the best face on their withdrawal, even as a new Field Poll showed Bush far ahead among likely Republican voters in the winner-take-all race for the state's 162 GOP delegates.
Can't teach an old dog new tricks....

[billyfitz]

I think they should check their campaign headquarters for lead pipes. It's like the whole McCain crew is steadily growing more and retarded.

[jupitor]

Mccain has no dignity left, and poor tucker needs a pacifier to calm himself! All mccain did was put Politics into a situation that was makeing headway, that is now dead in the water/THANKS MCCAIN!

[DCtrain]

Pure Arrogance

[loax]

OH TUCKER YOU POOR **CKER!

[lokipuck]

What happened about forty years ago that so many republican crackpots decided to name their abominations Tucker? Was it for the rhyme scheme?

[shepbob]

You remember the "Name Game", don't you...

Tucker, Tucker, Bo-Bucker
Banana Fanna Fo-...

That's what they were thinking - LOL

[studioh!]

Tuck th *uck fits right in with Todd and Track and Trig and Trapper John.
Wonder what the witchdoctor's name was...

[taceva]

McCain's surrogates ,= McCain JUDGMENT

[Pendragon2008]

Agreed. Look at the bunch of bold-faced liars McCain surrounds himself with.

And he claims to value honor, honesty and integrity? Give me a break.

[keepemhonest]

Dear Tucker Bounds,

Did you hear? As of 10:00 Pm EST the house republicans said NO DEAL ... unless THEY GET a reduction in Capital Gains Taxes ... wouldn't a reduction in Cap. Gains Taxes be an effing EARMARK@!!!!???

McCain sure knows how to mess up a deal!

[keepemhonest]

Dear Tucker Bounds,

Did you hear? As of 10:00 Pm EST the house republicans said NO DEAL ... unless THEY GET a reduction in Capital Gains Taxes ... wouldn't a reduction in Cap. Gains Taxes be an effing EARMARK@!!!!???

McCain sure knows how to queer a deal!

[navy62802]

You know what Obama should do? If McCain is a no-show tomorrow night, he should have a town hall meeting with the people in Mississippi and explain the details of what is going on in Washington. I think he would win wide support if he did that. Cover both sides of the debate and where the hold ups are...because at this point, no one really knows the details. We need to know.

[AMERIKA]

That is the agenda. Just the facts jack.

[navy62802]

That's what I was trying to say...not sure if I did. I know Obama is the Dem in the race, but wouldn't it be nice if SOMEONE, ANYONE, filled the American people in about what the f*&k is going on with our leaders on Capitol Hill? I mean I'm not deeply invested in the stock market, but it behooves all of us to be informed as to what our representatives are discussing on our behalf. I think that too often, Americans lose sight of the fact that their representatives act in their stead. Most people vote every couple of years for senators, representatives, etc, etc. However, once they vote, they just forget about what these people are voting for. How about bringing the government back to the people?!?! If there is no second candidate for a debate tomorrow night, how about having a frank face to face with the American people. Not as a Democrat, but as a member of the Senate. Let us all know what is going on in Washington. I don't know about you, but to me, it seems that our representatives up there are failing us in the most reprehensible ways imaginable.

[hmmmmmer]

Infuriating, it is absolute crap what McCain has done and for the number of people that say they would vote for him, it is totally appalling.

[AndrewInToronto]

re. McCain's motive: the truth is spoken there

[markandsu]

What a clown! How can anybody take this guy (McSame) seriously? The guy is a joke, a disgrace. Why isn't Obama up 50 points? What is wrong with this country? How can a single, sensible person case a vote for him and his nutty running mate? And this is from someone down in Texas who has never voted for a Democrat in his life. I have learned my lesson. I will never vote for another Republican, thats for sure.

Mark

[rzan1]

People think he is just great, and they blame Obama for not acting the way McCain did. Read Arianna's blog. So much for support of the better candidate (Barack Obama).

[foomonkey]

ACTUALLY, he should be on 24-7. the Tucker channel. The more he is on, the better for this country. really.

[leaningIndy]

They already have a Tucker-type network - Comedy Central

[marchamlin]

Word.

[leaningIndy]

If there is anyone more bozo than McCain it is this clown Tucker Bounds. It gives me cold sweats to think of what his position would be in a McCain administration. So he's already given credit to McCain for saving the bailout package. Nice Try !! Does he get to make this claim everyday? The best thing that the McCain campaign could do to help this bailout package along is STAY THE HECK OUT !! He's got Sen Boehner and his other minions playing games for his benefit, but the Dems are too bright to fall for it and will not fall for it. McCain go home. Committee members for both side agree to agree in EQUAL votes and let's move on.