Administration Official: Bailout Likely, McCain Lost PR Battle

Concerned that the public relations battle had turned against their favor, John McCain and the group of conservatives who opposed the outlines of the compromise financial bailout package will likely back away from their recalcitrance, an official close to the Administration tells the Huffington Post.

The Republican source, with direct knowledge of the negotiations, said that GOPers and McCain were "scared about the press perception" that they were at fault for "blowing the thing up." The takeover of Washington Mutual on Thursday combined with the continued downturn in the futures and credit markets "also scared them," to the point that a bailout deal seemed within the realm of possibility "over the weekend."

The official's tone - more optimistic than that of key figures just last night - signals an end may be in sight on a bailout negotiations. McCain has generally avoided taking a stance on the set of compromise principles agreed to by the administration, Democrats and many Republicans in Congress. But talks stalled during a White House meeting last night, in large part, sources say, because of a power struggle within the House Republican caucus.

McCain had left the campaign trail mid-week with a promise to force a consensus. But it seems, at this point, that he will have done relatively little during the negotiations - save for possibly killing the earlier arrangement and providing an opening for the opposition.

"I do think that John McCain was very helpful in what he did. I saw him this morning, we've been talking with his staff," House Republican Whip Roy Blunt told Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC. "Clearly, yesterday, his position in that discussion yesterday [at the White House] was one that stopped a deal from finalizing that no House Republican, in my view, would've been for."

According to one Democratic aide familiar with the negotiations, House GOP leadership was hoping to save face with more conservative members on Friday by forcing consideration (at the very least) of some of the alternative proposals - primarily, having the government sell insurance to companies that buy mortgage-backed securities. The leadership would then turn around and praise McCain for greasing the wheels on this front. But the course is problematic. McCain has left town. And during the White House meeting on Thursday night, Barack Obama reportedly brought up discussion of the conservative counterproposal only to have Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson declare it wouldn't work.

Comments

[lainey]

It would probably have helped McCain if he actually read the report and then provided his own insight. I guess that is asking too much, considering the "foreign policy expert" never even read the NIE before sending people to die in Iraq. Senator Obama has been far too generous with this man in saying that he cares about us because the truth is, he does not care at all about America or her people. If he did, he would have read the NIE and the Treasury Report. Is that really too much to ask of a man running to be our president? It has been a long eight years. Thank God they are nearly over...

[NicoleAnon]

Sometimes I honestly think these people almost aren't human - it's like they're missing some part of their conscience or soul because they have lost the ability to have empathy for people. They're bailing out banks where some of the CEOs made $60 million last year and yet they won't help people who don't have enough money to pay bills or feed their children. It's kind of scary actually.

"PERINO: There’s some elements of the package that have been put forward by Democrats that we do not think would be stimulative to the economy, such as unemployment insurance. The food stamps, we believe we have met the need."

[Shadow08]

I understand what you're saying. I feel the same way, and it puzzels me. Th only thing I can say about it, is the old saying..."­sell one's soul to the devil,"

The devil being unfettered greed, and an all cunsuming lust for power, because some of the wealthy certainly aren't in it for more money. Seeking more and more, whether its power or wealth is what they trade their souls for.


John McCain is the perfect example. He doesn't need any more money or homes or cars.
What he needs is the crowning moment of his life...the power of the US Presidency.

The drive of the wealthy to only consider other wealthy people as deserving of everything, I think is the final sign that their soul is gone. They hate the poor and want us to feel sorry for the "poor rich" if they have to pay more taxes than poor or middle class people.

[NicoleAnon]

It's really scary that these people exist. Most people without a soul at least try to hide it. They would say "we really want to help people who have lost their jobs and we hope to do that is a way that accomodates our budget" but this person doesn't even pretend to care about these people and that is what is surprising. Of course there are bad people everywhere but most people

The callousness and how they don't hide it is what is so shocking to me.

[Shadow08]

How can McCains camp keep up with his behavior? How do they even approach Palin with any subject that needs more than cheerleader? I've never seen any campaign that is more disjointed than his.

Campaigns usualy have a pre-structured theme. A platform. A series of and co-ordinated events. Mac's have none of these essential attributes.

I'm speculating, but I think Mac must have thought that when he demanded 10 town hall meetings, and traveling with Barack, he must have thought the democrat would have jumped at the chance, and since Barack didn't, Mac just derailed. He must have thought the young man would love to travel with the old maverick.

That, is how badly I think Mac is scre..wed up.

It's in plain sight tonight. Mac thought when he said he was going to cancel the debate, he must have thought Barack would just stay home and wait for him. But again, Barack didn't comply and now Mac has to debate, or forfeit the night to a Barck Obama 90 minute campaign slot.

The young man does not bend. His resolve is another presidentail quality.

[sassystar007]

Shadow08..­I would like to add sonmething to your comment, if you do not mind...McC­ain would love to get Barak into a town meeting...­Just think; he could plant people with all kinds of questions, that would fall apart or embarass Barak, and then McCain would stand there and shake his head and say, that Barak was not ready to lead! All would be set-ups...­McCain knows no other way to deal with anyone but to be cruel, and self-centered to have his way all of the time..I am waiting for the debate to come on..And I hope Barak, lets him have it, because someone has to cut McCains you know what off!!!!

[Shadow08]

Sassy, I din't mind at all, and in fact, I agee with you. McCain wanted to stack the deck at town halls exactly like you said. John obvioulsy can't operate under any terms that he can't control. Thanks for adding a very important point,

[SugarMan]

Where I'm From, It's called "Showboating"

[peter777]

This whole episode is sufficient proof that McCain is not fit to be President of the United States. What is going to happen if he acts on multiple issues as President with petulance, ill-conceived strategy, and downright dishonesty.

[EasyWriter07]

I don't know why people are stunned by McCain's latest media-grabbing stunts. Everytime he starts slipping in the polls, he pulls a crazy rabbit out of the hat--his "Hail Sarah" pass was the best trick, but his scramble to get back to Washington and grab credit for a financial bailout was pretty good too. The pattern is the same: try to shake up the race, put the spotlight back on him, force Obama to respond, try to look presidential. Instead he comes off looking like a desperate old man grabbing at straws...O­ne more chapter in the Campaign to Nowhere

[PT6]

McGimmick or McFlipFlopper

Pat Buchanan calls him "HOT HEADED"
He calls himself a "GAMBLER"
We see he is a "FLIPFLOPPER"
He likes to "GAME the AMERICAN PEOPLE"
Prefers "LOOKS over SUBSTANCE" Palin
Indecisive about most EVERYTHING
We know he loves "WAR"

Do we want a GAMBLING, HOTHEADED trigger finger, WAR LOVING, FLIPFLOPPER, who likes GAMING the system and the AMERICAN PEOPLE to be in control of the President's BUTTONS?

McFlipFlop (Just a FEW!)

Economy is Sound - Must Support Bailout Economy is BAD
For Bailout - Stop Bailout
Against AIG - For AIG
For Debate - Against Debate - For Debate
For Funding Banks - For EVEN LARGER TAX BREAKS FOR BANKS
For Control of Executive Compensation - Not For Control of Executive Compensation
For Helping Home Owners - Against Helping Home Owners
For Equity in Banks - Against Equity in Banks
Against AIG - NOW FOR INSURANCE

He is harder to watch than a PRO TENNIS GAME!

[blueline2]

At least in pro tennis, they have talent, personality, and know how to hit a curve ball!!!!

[SMP]

McCain lost more than the PR battle...h­e has lost this election..­.........u­sing a crisis to boost his numbers in the polls is beyond disrespectful to this great country.



Go away McCain

[Shadow08]

I think so. I think Palin and his manic antics have done him in.

If there was ever a question as to wheter McCain was to old and unstabe to run this country, he answered it with a resounding "NO". And Palin isn't even a viable option.

[imsosure]

Obama has so overwhelmed McCain that there is no doubt in my mind that McCain has no intention of being the President. Their campaign is clearly tactical and lacks the strategy of a winner. Last minute candidate/running mates decisions, self-claiming victories and numerous other non-realistic tactics. McCain like Bush is being used by others as a puppet and unfortunately he's worse at it than GW is. Fortunately too, we don't have to vote for McCain, there's a choice and the clear, obvious best choice is Obama.

[NicoleAnon]

You must be joking - they're virtually tied right now.

[wesinohio]

Obama's ahead.

[LouisvilleLiberal]

Obama is clearly ahead in the electoral college. McCain needs to turn the tide in PA or two other states that are leaning toward Obama. That's a tall order for someone who is having trouble firming up states that are traditionally red.

http://www.electoral-vote.com/

[serena1313]

No not really.

Obama is virtually tied or within the MOE in a few red states: Florida, Missouri, Virginia, North Carolina, and Ohio. Indiana, too, which is probably not going to turn blue, but it is close.

Obama is winning New Mexico, Iowa, Oregon and Colorado.

One state that may be problematic is New Hampshire -- McCain is well-liked in NH -- and Ohio -- but he does not need Ohio to win which McCain does need to get to 270. Obama can get to 270 without Ohio and Florida.

Nationally Obama is 4.4 percentage points ahead of McCain -- that is the "average" of four major polling firms. Yesterday his average was only 2.4 and the day before it was 3.1 and the day before that it was 3.2.

Remember polls are only a snapshot in time. Notwithstanding the trends overall are moving in Obama's direction.

Taken together trends, averages, daily polls and national polls are a more comprehensive way to understand what the numbers mean.

Elections are won state by state -- we are at the point where the electoral college vote is also important. The national polls indicate the popular vote and some pollsters such as Rasmussen, Gallup and others use graphs to show trend-lines. Right now Obama's numbers are steadily moving up.

FYI: check-out: fivethirtyeight.com -- Nate is one of the best in the business. He has state polls, trend lines, EV and a lot of other pertinent information.

[bodo]

It was a good Presidential move of Bush to quickly invite Obama as well, thereby neutralizing McCain's unwelcome meddling in Washington. As a President, Bush acted correctly by appearing even-handed and neutral in the bipartisan discussions. He also set an example for the two would-be Presidents. When some Republicans rebelled, he sent out Cheney to talk to them rather than doing it himself.

Can anyone imagine in their wildest dreams a President named McCain sending out Sarah Palin to convince a rebellious group of House Republicans? It boggles the mind that this could actually happen next year if enough people vote for Palin and her running mate.

[sclucie]

I cannot believe I'm agreeing with you - but I am. I don't like the bailout - but Bill Clinton signed off on the two Phil Gramm bills that led to this mess too. It can't just be blamed on the Republicans.

[blueline2]

Can we for once stop blaming one another and resolve the problem instead. There's plenty of time later to find out who signed what that led to this mess. I suspect we'll find lots of blame for both libs and cons.

[ozrox]

Since every Republican has thrown Bush under the bus, The President should do one good thing for his country- tell the truth about McCain's showboating! Oh, to dream

OBAMA- BIDEN 08

[itschuck2c]

Sam you need to cite your sources, didnt you learn that in college?? Without a verifiable source your article is at best pure conjecture.

[OtayPanky]

itschuck2c: Sam you need to cite your sources

===

He's a blogger, so he doesn't have to cite anything.

Better yet, he can make up his own facts as he goes along.

===

itschuck2c: Didnt you learn that in college?

===

We're not in Kansas anymore, Toto.

[jsarets]

If McCain ever wanted to win the PR battle against the bailout, then perhaps he shouldn't have endorsed it last Sunday before suddenly changing course a few days later. I'm just sayin...

[Shadow08]

McCain is simply too un-sta.ble to run this country and Plain is just too stoopid.

[CaptainStormfield]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbwK7cfCF3U
The Circular Express

[sandpiper1]

Ah Pepe Escobar..o­nly Pepe could articulate McCain so well..It was interesting and entertaining all at once. McCain's little drama backfired on him and his campaign. To use the crisis to make political points, is disgusting and shows he's about McCain first, country last. I hope and pray Obama deliver a KO tonight. People are suffering and scared, and he's so out of touch, he doesn't eve realise his antics are making things worse. I am glad even Republicans are criticizing him for his stupid behaviour.

[VOTER]

Republicans hated McCain before the primaries and during the primaries.

Then they had to snap to attention and pretend he was a worthy leader.

Financial Crisis rears its ugly head.

McCain arrives in DC at no one's request.

Republicans are forced to welcome him.

McCain twiddles his thumbs. Doesn't add a single worthwhile thing to the event. He had
no business being there.

A staffer comes up with an idea for McCain to appear needed.

The next thing we know, McCain has set back all discussions and brought an end
to debate.

Through all of this Senator Obama has presented a calm, intelligent, careful demeanor
and spoken wisely. He appears Presidential.

HEADLINES SCREAM AT MCCAIN THE LIAR - MUDDLER- FINANCIAL FREAK-
NUMBSKULL, OLD MAN, CONFUSED, AND IS ONCE AGAIN TOTALLY

HATED BY ALL BUT A FEW REPUBLICANS.

[35Echo]

Through all of this Senator Obama has presented a calm, intelligent, careful demeanor
and spoken wisely. He appears Presidential.

What a hoot!
When Bush went to the Democrats and asked them to start speaking in negotiation, they all deferred to Obama. He didn't know what to say. He had been given notes by friends of Henry Paulson in an e-mail on the way to the meeting. The first thing on the notes was: criticize the Republican proposal. John Boehner was sitting there. He asked Paulson about it. This caused a brouhaha. The meeting fell apart. Obama walked out of there and the Democrats, Harry Reid and Pelosi... they walked out of there knowing full well what had happened, that their guy and his competence had been on full display, that that meeting broke down because of him and his inability to run it and lead it, as they tried to engineer the 'Great Chariman Barry' myth.

[wesinohio]

What you say is either untrue or mischaracterized. Rubbish.

[VOTER]

TRY GETTING THE FACTS ..........­.....

before posting. Ask the person who turned on your computer to help you
learn how to do research.