Matthews Blames Bailout Crash On McCain's Failed Leadership

Chris Matthews points to John McCain's failure to provide the leadership that he promised -- and took credit for:

McCain said he was going to lead the Republican charge, he was going to make sure that this was a bipartisan success...he called charge, and the Republican retreated. That's what happened here.

Here's video:

Here's what McCain staff and surrogates were saying before the vote:

"This bill would not have been agreed to had it not been for John McCain... This is a bipartisan accomplishment, a bipartisan success. And if people want to get something done in Washington, they just watch John McCain. He's been the guy whose name is at the top of major pieces of legislation for a long time."
-- Mitt Romney, NBC's Today show, 9/29/08

"What Senator McCain was able to do was to help bring all of the parties to the table, including the House Republicans, whose votes were needed to pass this"
-- Steve Schmidt, NBC's Meet the Press, 9/28/08

"We're optimistic that Senator McCain will bring House Republicans on board without driving other parties away, resulting in a successful deal for the American taxpayer."
-- McCain spokeswoman Kimmie Lipscomb, 9/26/08

Comments

[Pegi]

...we have the best leader, not had. sorry for the typo

[BluePride]

he's right on-target.

my, how the worm begins to turn...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZsLva3C4pU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59mOukUZNUo

[Pegi]

THE RETHUG PARTY HAS NO LEADER!!! come and join us, we had the BEST LEADER IN OBAMA!!!

Chris Matthews - its about time you told the truth. You have been up McMoose's butt long enough!!!

obama/biden 08

[hopefulinpa]

What really ticks me off is hearing the rep. come out and say they killed the bill because it was more for Wall Street and not the the us taxpayer. Such hypocrits. Where were they the past 8 years or even 3 weeks ago. They were not concerned about the taxpayers then. They were gunho on there trickle down economics so don't try and feed me this line that they are worried about you or me. I sincerely hope that this will be the last year for the rep. I hope the party is so damaged they all find a rock and crawl under it. It may be the only place we all have for shelter once this whole fiasco is over.

[Rose52]

What it tells me is that some of these House Repubs don't care about Bu$h or McC.
Most of them are up for re-election. And they voted the way their constituents want.
So far.

[RobtBrock]

Stick a fork in John McCain. I'm not sure that he is done but it would be fun to stick a fork in him anyway.

[Okieborn]

Chris Matthews is in a quandry, he is for Mccain one day and the next he is jumping him !!! LOL !!!

[musselmanm]

The glands in the left of his face!

[faithfully]

lol-but he is not tender at all

[Lisette]

McCain is left with egg on his face......­....all because
he is NOT the hotshot
he pretends to be

[VetKor51]

McCain: hothead, gambler, drama queen. [Oh...and UNFIT to be president.­]

[DinSea]

And 72-year old 4-time cancer survivor .... say whaaaaaa ???

[123dee]

McCain was so cocky sure of himself. He should have taken O's lead
and keep the politics out of this. Matthews your right about this McCain
caused the insurance plan (bailout) to collapse. Thanks for speaking up,
people need to realize McCain judgment has led to one mistake after
another. The last two weeks is just a taste of what his presidency would
be.

[wpiv926]

The rethugs aren't even worthy of a warm bucket of spit in my opinion.

[brother728]

I think the MCain supporters have to ask themselves whether McCain can effect ANY changes in Congress if he is elected. A President McCain would face opposition from House Democrats AND his own House Repubs, whereas Obama would at least have all or most of the Democrats.

So, the choice seems to be this:
A President McCain with weak support in Congress and a failed administration, OR
A President Obama who will be able to get things through Congress.

I know what I would prefer, do the McCain voters know? Do they even read anything?

[mojojanglesjoe]

I don't think McCain voters actually care about such things. It's now become a "we're right" and "you're wrong" battle between Both sides. But if everyone was to use their heads, we know who really is wrong on a lot of issues.

[StillIRise]

I agree. There are also some Republicans who support Senator Obama, as opposed to McCain who has not enjoyed any support from Democrats, and several Republicans have expressly stated their support for Obama, so it's likely that even with a majority of Democrats in congress, Obama will receive more bipartisan support than McCain will,

[PoliJunkie]

I guess we all feel so honored to have witnessed John McCain's "experience" and "maverickn­ess." I guess he showed us who "understands" and who doesn't. Wow! Just the kind of President this country needs. He certainly reached across the aisles and made this thing happen. What a man! LOL!!!

[justobserve]

So due to McCain's leadership, the bill got into troubles twice! Thank you McCain! Stay away please, the Committee don't want you.
DON'T GAMBLE YOUR COUNTRY WITH McCAIN-PALIN'S RECKLESS JUDGMENT, LIES, BIGOTRY, SECRECY.

[jpaultel]

John, I know how to win, McCain
Sounded the cymbals, announced his desires
Matched up the hill and picked up the banner.
Because he wanted to "demonstrate leadership"

Heed a counsel he will not; but order a charge, he did.
Suffer a rebuff by his men he did experience
Members supposedly under his charge and command,
Whom, in the past, he had irritated and understood very little.

There is a thing to be said about habitual gamblers
This tale I tell as it was told to me of such a man
Brashness and erratic exhibition is their nature
Precipitous uncontrolled acts and impulses

To pledge their fortune, home, life, wife, or patrimony
Heed this call and shun the gambler's solicitations
For, to momentous ruin he will lead you.
Heed this tale which I tell of an untethered gambler.

[BigJake]

McCain gambled and came up snake eyes. Some things never change!

[suziq]

The fog must have cleared, and Chris finally sees what's been in front of his freakin' face for MANY YEARS!!

[jaslyn]

Wow, all mccain's supporters were so quick to give him credit, knowing full well, he wasn't even needed there, and that they didn't need this problem to be politicized, but he saw an opportunity to take credit where none was due, so now, he must also accept defeat; but, oh wait, this is the blame guy; he'll find someone else to take the hit, big man that he is.