Machiavellian, Again

Most informed people, whether part of the media or just concerned citizens, were surprised when the bailout package failed to pass the U.S. House of Representatives.

While a number of Democrats voted against the proposal, the House Democrats still supplied the number of votes they anticipated needing in order to pass the package. It was a small group of House Republicans who unexpectedly voted against the proposal and left the measure short of the requisite votes needed.

Some of these Republicans used Speaker Pelosi's speech prior to vote as their excuse for voting in the negative. Clearly, there are enough votes to pass this proposal and in all probability, there will be additional Republican votes on the package when it comes up again on Thursday.

Enter Mr. Machiavelli. If I were Karl Rove or a John McCain strategist, I would find any excuse to keep the proposal from passing and send panic throughout the markets. Then, I would have my favorite presidential candidate ride in, dressed like a white knight, and exert influence (supposedly) over the Republican House members needed to put the measure over the top.

Lo and behold, two things are accomplished: We give McCain credit for exercising influence and statesmanship in helping to pass the bailout, and we divert attention from Sarah Palin's performance in Thursday night's Vice Presidential debate.

Am I cynical or Machiavellian? You decide.

Comments

[jazmatician]

but...but... that wouldn't be Country First!

[deliriousgod]

well, that might not work because the Senate has been loading the bill up with 'Pork' and Dems can back away from 'business-as-usual' 'pork-barrel' 'earmarks'.

[kellygrrrl]

The ReThugs are TRYING to pin Bush on the Dems
They are TRYING to sound like Populists
(they also seem to want to adopt Bill Clinton)

quite surreal to watch.

[jpaultel]

Dude, the proposal failed. Does that mean McCain failed? Maybe he is channeling Machiavelli but this one is a big bust for him. It reminds me of the kid who would boast endlessly about his prowess and skills and how much he could out-swim everyone around. On a dare, he jumped into the tempestuous river and almost drowned were it not for us more circumspect kids who ran and summoned adult help.

[BCubedReg]

"Am I cynical or Machiavellian? You decide."

Both.

But I also hope you are wrong to that either side will allow politics to play out favorably for either candidate. At this point, too much political theater has been played and any continued posturing by either candidate will be seen as suspect.

I think the best thing that Obama can do is to defer until the last vote on the senate floor and vote exactly as McCain. They rise and fall together. Mark my words, McCain is looking to vote exactly opposite of Obama so he can spin it as a political advantage. If the bill fails and McCain votes against the bill, he will say the bill is bad and Obama voted to steal the taxpayers money. If McCain votes for it and Obama doesn't and the bill passes, McCain will spin it the obama does not care about the taxpayer. The best Obama can do on this issue is attempt to persuade the American people (no matter how he votes) that his vote is a vote FOR AMERICA.

[allicansayiswow]

I totally agree; McCain has said all day that he was voting; never saying whether he was voting yes or no.

[joeythetrollslayer]

Sarah is going to do fine in the debates. She give a few memorized facts and figures, then start blasting away. Biden will not want to offend women voters by attacking her, but also not insult women voters by treating her differently because she is a women. He has a much tougher job.
McCain will be vindicated. But the bailout will not happen like that. Mccain playing politics with it (like he tried last time) will be seen for what it is-a shameless photo op for a serious crisis (like Mccain during Katrina). He is a few fries short of a happy meal.

[kellygrrrl]

my expectations for the debate? YAWNER

she will do fine and it will be a boring inconsequential moment

[norcalstacey]

maybe prophetic?

[JRsNana]

You may be both, but what's the difference at this point? Its all just playing political games with the lives of Americans.

[DNeal]

We the people want NO MORE BAILOUTS OFFERED or DISCUSSED PERIOD --- ITS TIME TO CLEANSE THE SYSTEM --- if Congress does not listen --- YOU will be voted out ---- we have already spent 900 Billion Dollars in bailouts and infusions that has done nothing but allowed the rich to get richer--- we will not bow to economic servitude, to economic slavery ever again ------ do bad business then its bankruptcy ---- not the bailout line---------- These companies need to be told to stand on their own -- Sorry but that's what happens to us ------- good business decisions would allow success -------- bad business decisions will lead to failure ---- NO MORE BAILOUTS PERIOD -- WE ARE PREPARED FOR WHAT IS NEXT -- WE DONT WANT ANY CREDIT -- WE WILL PAY CASH -- WE WILL NOT BAILOUT FORIEGN COMPANIES EVER -- FIRE THE FEDERAL RESERVE!!!!

[JohnDrake6]

See, this is why I'm a staunch defender of free speech: it makes it easier to identify the crazy people and get them the help they desperately need.

Understand: even with the rescue we have not seen the bottom of this crisis by a long shot, but without it the bottom is so far away you can't even see it from Alaska!

If you can find a serious economist anywhere who says this crisis isn't going to cause a nation-wide --hell, a worldwide-- recession then for god's sake cite them here and now.

Academics and journalists are saying that, unlike the two relatively short, shallow recessions we've been through since 2000, this one is going to be not months, but YEARS long and very deep.

The root cause is an over-valued housing market where prices far exceed their true value. Not only will this crisis continue until values recede to realistic levels, but downward momentum may take them as far BELOW their true value as they were above it during the bubble.

As prices continue to decline still more homeowners will be holding mortgages costing much more than their home's value and the difference will continue to grow. There is concern that more and more home owners will be forced to sell for a loss or walk away from their mortgages, which will in turn lead to still lower prices --the dreadful death spiral.

[YellerDawg]

You're both. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[Whinger]

Great word, Machiavellian, it can mean different things to different people!