McCain blames Democrats for bailout defeat
John McCain responded to the defeat of the bailout bill with a stinging attack on Democratic rival Barack Obama and his congressional allies.
“From the minute John McCain suspended his campaign and arrived in Washington to address this crisis, he was attacked by the Democratic leadership: Senators Obama and Reid, Speaker Pelosi and others. Their partisan attacks were an effort to gain political advantage during a national economic crisis. By doing so, they put at risk the homes, livelihoods and savings of millions of American families," senior policy adviser Doug Holtz-Eakin said in a statement.
“Barack Obama failed to lead, phoned it in, attacked John McCain, and refused to even say if he supported the final bill. Just before the vote, when the outcome was still in doubt, Speaker Pelosi gave a strongly worded partisan speech and poisoned the outcome. This bill failed because Barack Obama and the Democrats put politics ahead of country.”
Obama's campaign responded: “This is a moment of national crisis, and today’s inaction in Congress as well as the angry and hyper-partisan statement released by the McCain campaign are exactly why the American people are disgusted with Washington. Now is the time for Democrats and Republicans to join together and act in a way that prevents an economic catastrophe. Every American should be outraged that an era of greed and irresponsibility on Wall Street and Washington has led us to this point, but now that we are here, the stability of our entire economy depends on us taking immediate action to ease this crisis.”
But the McCain camp upped the ante: “When Barack Obama released remarks today that praised the passage of America’s economic rescue plan, just before his allies in Congress voted to kill it, it revealed just how out of touch Barack Obama has been during this crisis. As our country stares economic disaster directly in the face, Barack Obama has called for higher taxes we can’t afford, more federal spending we can’t afford and shown failed leadership we can’t afford.”
UPDATE: McCain gave a more measured response in person in Des Moines, Iowa, saying that it is a time to put partisan politics aside.
"Now it is time for all members of Congress to get back to the drawing board," he told reporters.
McCain said he was disappointed by the plan's failure, saying though it was not perfect, it was "significantly improved" and that if Congress doesn't act, it would have "a grave impact on every American worker."
McCain took credit for getting more Republican input into the rescue plan when he returned to Washington last week. "I worked hard at playing a constructive role," he said.
Among Democrats, 140 voted yes and 95 no. Among Republicans, 65 voted yes and 133 voted no.



Several Republican aides said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., had torpedoed any spirit of bipartisanship that surrounded the bill with her scathing speech near the close of the debate that blamed Bush's policies for the economic turmoil.
Without mentioning her by name, Rep. Adam Putnam, R-Fla., No. 3 Republican, said: "The partisan tone at the end of the debate today I think did impact the votes on our side."
Opponents said part of the reason for the opposition from Republicans was what they termed a partisan speech by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, said one GOP source.
"Pelosi's partisan speech has caused our members to go berserk and may cost us any remaining chance to pass the bill," the source said.
Pelosi had said that Congress needed to pass the bill, even though it was an outgrowth of the "failed economic policies" of the last eight years.
"When was the last time someone asked you for $700 billion?" she asked. "It is a number that is staggering, but tells us only the costs of the Bush administration's failed economic policies — policies built on budgetary recklessness, on an anything goes mentality, with no regulation, no supervision, and no discipline in the system."
TRUTH IS SPREADING ABOUT OBAMA'S TIES TO TERRORIST!
Barack Obama has had a long association with his friend William Ayers, who was on the FBI's Most Wanted list for nearly a DOZEN terrorist attacks.
NOBODY in the mainstream media has wanted to talk about this fact -- until WE started FORCING them to.
Just this week, the Wall Street Journal's Stanley Kurtz ran a HUGE exposé on the long relationship between Obama and Ayers, entitled "Obama and Ayers Pushed Radicalism On Schools" -- giving details about what they did together, and revealing to the nation what we've been saying all along
The truth is finally starting to get out about Obama's terrorist ties -- but we need YOUR help to FORCE the media to deal with that truth and NOT LET UP or "sweep it under the rug!"
William Charles Ayers and Barack Obama have been friends for decades.
This is a man who has admitted to BOMBING THE PENTAGON -- and has never expressed one ounce of regret for his actions. Ayers is a terrorist -- and Obama is his friend and political student.
Obama has tried to dismiss Ayers as just "a guy who lives in my neighborhood," and "not somebody who I exchange ideas with on a regular basis." Yet documents in the Chicago Annenberg Challenge (CAC) archives, housed in the Richard J. Daley Library at the University of Illinois at Chicago, make it VERY clear that Ayers and Obama were partners in the CAC in the 1990s. But that's not all -- there is clear evidence that Obama and Ayers were friends all the way back in 1986.
Obama and Ayers served together in 1995 on the CAC, overseeing the distribution of about $50 million to area schools through radical left-wing groups like the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (or ACORN). As the Journal reports, Ayers "called for infusing students and their parents with a radical political commitment, and which downplayed achievement tests in favor of activism."
That same year -- 1995 -- Barack Obama's first run for the Illinois State Senate was launched at a gathering at Ayers's own home!
THE WORD IS FINALLY GETTING OUT about Obama's connections to this radical left-wing terrorist -- but we need YOUR help to FORCE the media to deal with that truth and NOT LET UP or "sweep it under the rug!"
What does the association between Ayers and Obama say about Obama's political views and perspective?
Ayers was an anti-American, traitorous radical who will stop at nothing to push his hateful communist agenda. (Yes he called himself a "radical, Leftist, communist"!)
In the 1960s and '70s, he was a leader in the notorious underground terrorist group, the "Weathermen." The Weathermen declared war on the United States government, and they bombed over 30 establishments (leading to multiple fatalities, including police officers).
Ayers is unapologetic about his terrorist activities. In fact, he even said he didn't do enough bombing!
Incredibly, on Sept. 11, 2001, Ayers is quoted by The New York Times as saying, "I don't regret setting bombs … I feel we didn't do enough."
WHAT??? How could a man like Barack Obama associate with such a dangerous radical? And even defend him?
Obama and Ayers not only worked hand-in-hand at the CAC; they worked together at the "Woods Fund," and had a number of forums to fight legislation together. And guess what "nonprofit organizations" benefited from funds directed to them by Obama and Ayers? How about Rev. Jeremiah Wright's church, for starters?
And now Obama, Ayers' friend, could be sitting in the White House next year -- unless WE tell the American people the TRUTH about them!
We can't do that without YOUR help -- and with barely ONE MONTH left before the most important election of our lifetime, TIME IS RUNNING OUT to get the truth out there NOW!
We MUST continue to get the word out there about Obama and his ties to terrorists like William Ayers, a man who once said, "Kill all the rich people. Break up their cars and apartments. Bring the revolution home, kill your parents, that's where it's really at." A man who bombed the Pentagon and doesn't regret it. And the man who almost single-handedly launched Barack Obama's political career.
The major media have already decided who their candidate is! MSNBC host Chris Matthews says Barack Obama makes a "thrill" go up his leg when he hears him speak.
Oprah Winfrey thinks she has picked your next president!
But you can STOP Chris Matthews, Oprah and the rest of the liberal media.
You can say, WE the American people will pick our president.
Thank you Pelosi, Obama and Reid for SINKING our 401k's, Pension Plans and Life's Savings in the Stock Market.
You couldn't keep your partisan mouths SHUT could you?
You need to resign from Congress now!!!!!
All John did was phone in. He hardly spent anytime on thee Hill and when he did he did not say anything.
There are some terrible politics going on here and if history is a guide the Republicans are trying like hell to protect their rich buddies and the Democrats are trying to protect the little guy.
"Politics ahead of country".
Kind of like when you picked your VP to gain the female and religios votes, right, John?
This is a great illustration of how McCain consistently fails the leadership test. His cynical comments add nothing towards a solution.
I suggest McCain look at WHO voted AGINST the bill - stupid !!! it was the republicans that defeated it. DUHHHHH!!!
I think McCain's melanoma reached his brain long ago. Republicans deserted a Republican bill submitted by a Republican White House, and it's the Democrats' fault. Sure. How's that $250 million Freddie Mac lobbyist working out at your campaign, Johhny Boy?
Wow, the McCain mouthpiece is right - that is EXACTLY what Senator McCain did! He phoned it in, failed to lead, attacked Obama, and put his overarching ambition to be president over his country. The man has no honor.
Absolutely right... Country First! John McCain is the right man for the job, willing to put aside party politics for the better of the country...
This sums it up perfectly. A lot of Democrats even opposed thebill as well, since the Dem's didn't need the Repbulican votes- they could have passd it. Instead of working with McCain they just attacked him.
What great leadership from the Dem. leaders. Yes, this makes me want to vote for Obama and this parisan and uncompetent party.
Oh but wait, why are we in this situation? Could it be John McCain's Republican Party? Let's just blame Bill Clinton.
Let's see if I understand this. House Republicans vote 2:1 against the bill, House Democrats for 3:1 for the bill and the Democrats are at fault because it is defeated??? John McCain must have bumped his head pretty hard bailing out of that airplane.
Frank Rich called this one. The un-American John S. McCain would rather tank the economy than lose an election. This manufactured crisis is being brought to you by the same corporatists who shut down the government during the Clinton administration. These folks are really gutless; no wonder McCain can’t look anyone in the eyes. Now former House speaker Newt Gingrich is criticizing the effort to save the American economy from the quagmire that his, President Bush and Senator McCain’s support of International Corporatism has placed America. These International corporatists, much like their cousins International Communists have sought to have all of the wealth and resources of the world controlled by international cartels. They have viewed the role of the US government instead of providing for the general welfare of the country to be to provide for the feed and caring of these corporate cartels. Their goal is the complete destruction of the middle class in this country. They want international low cost workers where these cartels will have the same cheap labor through out the world, no worker nor environmental protection and minimal worker benefits, if any. In the case and point of the United States, their goal is to see no difference between the Mexican and the American worker. They don’t believe in maintaining any infrastructure, hence their demagoguery of any infrastructure expenditures as pork barrel spending. They believe the American worker should be kept uneducated, hence are grandchildren and great grandchildren are now less educated by the public schools than we were. That some of these corporatists, such as presidential candidate McCain want to label themselves as populists is laughable. You look into the eyes of Senator McCain and you see the soul of Comrade Nikita Khrushchev. At the next debate, don’t be surprised if the reckless, irresponsible, and uncontrollable John McCain starts banging his shoe on the podium.
Nice try McCain.... Heard from Keating lately? Nancy Pelosi told the truth. "You can't handle the truth!"
Oh GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
The only reason McSame even went to Washington was to politically posture. Boy the republicals have reached to new depths of lies in their attempts to paint the economic meltdown we're about to experience, as well as its cause, as the fault of anyone on the Democratic side.
Get it straight... republicals created the climate for the meltdown, as Pelosi correctly pointed out, then refused to act, directly causing the meltdown that will happen, by sitting on their hands because their feelings were hurt by the truth.
What a bunch of spoiled babies!!
Clinton policy started all this mess.
Hello!! It was REPUBLICANS (mcsame's party) that FAILED to approve this bill. As usual, they are at fault!
When it comes to the battle for our economic security, John McCain is AWOL. He has no strategy, he has no tactics, and he is not fighting for the folks. I can't believe he is trying to take credit for any efforts to prevent economic meltdown.
Well, what did you expect? Obama hasn't bothered to vote for much of anything ELSE! Why should this one be any different? You people should remember that it was Bill Clinton who got us into this mess in the first place. Combine that with a Democrat controlled congress and you've got a recipe for disaster. I only hope that people open their eyes before November. Obama represents the dog whistle of the doomed.
Only one third of the Republicans voted for the bailout. They only needed a handful of votes to pass it. The Republicans are just as guilty of playing politics if they failed to support the bill because of Pelosi's comments.
haha. John McCain didn't do anything except go to Washington as a political stunt.
first of all The majority agains the bill were republicans. Instead of blaiming eachother. the should focus on the things they need to accomplish.
Unbeleivable. McCain is blaming Obama? This is a bill that needs to be passed with 50% of the vote coming from both parties so one cannot blame the other, or use it as ammunution against the other in the election to come. McCain is trying to politsize this (pardon my spelling). Most of main street does not want the bill so voting for it is not very popular. I listened to Pelosi's comments and though they were a little harsh, they were very true. More needed to be said that both parties had a hand in deregulation, she hit the nail on the head as to how we got into this mess.
The majority of Democrats voted for the bill, while the majority of Republicans did not. You simply cannot spin that fact.
This is what I call seasoned leadership. Rush into a situation that's making progress, do nothing as it falls apart, and blame everybody else.
Frankly I don't think there is a legitimate leader left in this country. The candidates won't speak up until they know what the consensus is and the concept of compromise, which created our constitution in the first place, is widely viewed as a sign of weakness. Until we demand that our elected officials put genuine management and problem-solving ahead of posturing, butt-covering and finger-pointing I'm afraid we'll get what we settle for.
The republicans put politics before country; they want this to be a democratic bill so they can rail against it and say "well I didn't vote for it."
Republicans want the bill to pass, but they don't want to take responsibility for it. That's called "passing the buck."
This needs to be a bipartisan bill, not a democratic bill, since both parties are responsible for this mess.
More gimmicks, lies, deception and incompetence.
Two thirs of the Republicans have refused the plan and Mc Cain blames the Democrats: this guy is a clown !
Strange thinking on McCain's part that Obama was related to the fact that less than 1/3 of House Republicans voted for the measure. Wasn't it MCCAIN who was the voice of the recalcitrant House Repuplicans last week on Thursday? and then he was working the phones on Saturday. Obama has left the Washington politicking to his party's leaders...and they did bring over 2/3 of their party in the House to YES.
Aside from what people think of McCain and his many good qualities, his blatant, unwarranted politicizing of things is remarkable....To me, it does lead to questions about his judgment and seems to put a lie to his statements that he will be bi-partisan if president.
Serious judgment problems....
McCains slogan "country first" is getting old.
I would change it to "pragmatism before ideology".
You stupid fools. We could have had a deal last week were it not for Republicans. You guys are playing games and you don't seem to care or know what the risks are. McCain suspended his campaign and accomplished nothing.
McCain is angry. He should be. He put this nation at risk. But the blame belongs with him.
I love it! Decades of republican ideology-driven economics crashes and burns and they have the nerve to try to blame the democrats. Good one, rightwingnuts!
The Democrats? Excuse me! "Numerous members of Bush's own Republican party in the House opposed the package, before the vote, because they believed it would be an overly intrusive government intervention in the markets."
And the
The Bush administration failed to bring them in line in time for Monday's crucial vote.
The Bush administration failed to bring them in line in time for Monday's crucial vote.
McCain blaming democrats is too, too bizarre. It seems that it is his party which screwed the whole thing. Poor McCain--just couldn't wear the white hat. At this point, I think I would advise Obama to leave the mess to McCain and his cronies who caused this problem in the first place. Let them figure out how to get out of this. McCain is as guilty as Bush as he has been a prime voice for deregulation for years. He is a very sick man who will not face the consequences of his past actions and beliefs. I am so angry at his lying and politicking that typing is becoming difficult.
"Barack Obama failed to lead, phoned it in, attacked John McCain, and refused to even say if he supported the final bill."
If Obama refused to say if he supported the final bill, so did McCain. The only statement on McCain's website about the bill is an excerpt from an interview he did on a Sunday morning show: "I'd like to see the details but hopefully yes and from the outlines that I have read of it, that this is something that all of us will swallow hard and go forward with. The option of doing nothing is simply not an acceptable option."
Obama is not as reckless as McCain, and the only reason
McCain went to washington was because that day his poll numbers dropped 9 points.Thanks John,anymore Country First crappolla and we won't have a country.
PUMA, why don't you menopausal old biddies just shut up. Hillary lost the primaries. McCain is hoping you are dumb enough to think that Palin is qualified to be VP simply because she has a uterus. Give me a break!
I can't believe the MORANS who are posting LIES about OBAMA.. YOU MORANS PUT Bush in the WHITE HOUSE and look what he did. NO MORE MORANS IN THE WHITE HOUSE.. YOU PEOPLE ARE THE REAL TERRORIST WHO ARE RAPING THIS COUNTRY FOR LAST 8 YEARS... GO BACK TO YOUR CAVES YOU IDIOTS,...
Yo Mccain ... stop blaming people, get the things done, you don't do anything good, just keep pointing fingers at people when things don't happen your way. Classic case of the pot calling the kettle black.
The vote failed 228 to 205.
Democrats: 140 for, 95 against.
Republicans: 65 for, 133 against.
So how, exactly, was its failure to pass the Democrats' fault? What about McCain's failure to rally members of his own party to support the bill?
Um... from what I can tell the GOP was the party against this bill. They should probably check their math.
Am I missing something here? Fact check this if you like: Democrats supported the bill and Republicans voted it down. How can you put the failure of this bill on Dems? If Pelosi slammed the GOP policies before the vote, good for her for speaking the truth.
Uh, didn't far more Republicans than Democrats vote against this Bill?
Similarly, Obama's press release stated, "While I look forward to reviewing the language of the legislation, it appears that the tentative deal embraces these principles. When taxpayers are asked to take such an extraordinary step because of the irresponsibility of a relative few, it is not a cause for celebration. But this step is necessary."
McCain also praised the House Republicans in his speech. Evidently they are people who can be dissuaded from putting "Country First" if they feel hurt by a San Francisco liberal.
Do the McCain people really think we are all so stupid? Look at the bailout vote numbers today - more Democrats voted for the bailout than Republicans!
Yeah, Uncle Rico, just like Obama having his "acceptance" speech fall the same day as MLK's Dream Speech or speaking on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to launch his campaign, at the time a 2yr junior senator.
Pelosi, I wish that glass ceiling was a bit lower. You ruined my 401K!!!
Wait a minute. How is this in any way Obama's fault? It was a coalition of House Republicans and Democrats who torpedoed this compromise. And if Republican's switched their votes after Pelosi's speech, then they have definitely put polictics first. Forget that "country first" stuff they were spouting at the RNC...
just passing through. this looks to be a Republican hot spot rag sheet. oh look there's Rush Limbaugh over there by the bar....
I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.
Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in
a We Deserve It Dividend.
To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000
bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+. Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..
So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00.
My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend.
Of course, it would NOT be tax free.
So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.
Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.
That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.
But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.
A husband and wife has $595,000.00.
What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads
Put away money for college - it'll be there
Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car - create jobs
Invest in the market - capital drives growth
Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else
Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks
who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company
that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed
Forces.
If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of
trickling out a puny $1000.00 ( "vote buy" ) economic incentive that is being proposed
by one of our candidates for President.
If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!
As for AIG - liquidate it.
Sell off its parts.
Let American General go back to being American General.
Sell off the real estate.
Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.
Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.
Sure it's a crazy idea that can "never work."
But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!
How do you spell Economic Boom?
I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion
We all deserve the "We Deserve It Dividend more than do the geniuses at AIG or in
Washington DC.
And remember, The plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because
$25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.
When is McCain not busy blaming someone for something he did or failed to do these days? It's sad. He used to be respectable.
are you people crazy?
just yesterday mccain's campaign chief and mitt romney said there would be no deal without mccain. now it failed because of house republicans, so if mccain wanted some preemptive credit yesterday then he deserves the blame now.
you know *why* mccain was attacked when he went to washington? because it was a stupid move that poisoned the atmosphere in d.c. and injected presidential politics where they shouldn't have been *just like obama predicted*.
mccain is just astonishing in his back-and-forth and outright lies during this crisis.
and the media made kerry out to be a flip-flopper ...
John McCain - "the fundamentals of our economy are strong."
This guy's clueless and will blame anybody in order to get elected... keep in mind it was Republicans, especially McCain/Gramm who legislated deregulation and hard right Republicans who are blocking any attempt at a bailout that doesn't protect the rich and well connected.
Isn't it true that George Bush's stewardship of the economy that has failed us? Not sure what is partisan about this.
By the way, please be a bit level headed and post relevant comments instead of insults. The man or woman who has lacks the wisdom to offer a constructive view usually ends up insulting others.
Please be sensible and cohenerent in your comments.
Excuse me? Where was McCain's leadership on this? By a 2-1 margin it was Republicans who sunk this bill. Who is he trying to fool here? Truth is Republicans made a failed attempt to have the bill pass with only Democratic support in order to save their own butts and are now trying to blame Democrats for their own mendacity. Stunning. So much for "Country First". Maybe Sarah Palin should suspend her campain and fly in to save the day.
You can accuse McCain of anything in his decisions, but the decision speaks for itself, Uncle Rico - Obama is NOT what this country needs. It needs patriotism, not division. McCain is the patriot, Obama is not.
The facts are that 60% of the Democrats voted for the bailout, but 2/3 of the Republicans put reelection ahead of doing the right thing for their country. John McCain spoke to these people. Whatever he said did not get the job done.
Wasn't it John McCain bragging this morning that he helped bring Republicans on board for the vote? Where is his leadership? How come he could only get one third of his own party to support him? The Repubs official response was that they were upset by something Pelosi said is absurd. They were elected by the people for the people. Why weren't they thinking about us, the little guys? Oh wait they are only out to protect their rich buddies. I hope McCain enjoyed his dinner with Lieberman at that posh restaurant. Too bad most of us can't afford such things. I guess you are out of touch. As we worry about our homes, jobs, pensions, you were out celebrating at the fancy restaurant
It seems like the democrats are trying to help out the big corporations
as well as their jobs. I guess they really don't care about the people.
They control the house. If all the democrats wanted this bill to go through
it would have. Everyone should blame the dems.
It's their fault.
A lot of vacant seats will be up for grabs come november, on the dems side.
I think the bigger issue that MUST be brought to light is the fact that the bastards on the left rejected an opportunity to control the secondary subprime market more than 3 years ago when Republicans first proposed S.190.
Instead the pack of thieves with "D's" behind their names stuffed their pockets full of "campaign contributions" from the Freedie and Fannie mae fan club.
It is them that should have to face a judge.
Looks like McCain is insane and a few others too. The votes are clear -- the REPUBLICAN PARTY voted against this in significant numbers whereas the majority of Dems supported it. If anyone seriously thinks Reps voted against the bill because of Pelosi's rhetoric, that certainly means THEY put politics ahead of country.
As world panic sets in and credit it frozen NATIONWIDE and businesses start to shut their doors and many of those angry constituents are UNEMPLOYED, who gets blamed at the end of the day won't matter. Our house is on FIRE. LET'S PUT IT OUT.
I was a reluctant Obama supporter. I was worried that he may be all hype and no substance. I really wanted to believe in him: Our First Black President. But I couldn't bring myself to fully believe. There's something fake about him. Something mechanical and calculating. As if he is entitled to my support and vote. And his campaign and his Obama Thought Police have been too aggressive for my taste. And the media is clearly one-sided. I can't believe that things they are holding against Sarah Palin. HUGE HEADLINE: PALIN ACCEPTED BOQUET OF FLOWERS, as if that is the worst thing anyone has done. I still don't know that much about Obama even though I read his books about himself. I feel that he and the media are still hiding something from me. I was a fair competition. I am disgusted by all thisfighting. Today was the worse: CONGRESS GET YOUR ACT TTOGETHER!
It seems like the democrats are trying to help out the big corporations
as well as their jobs. I guess they really don't care about the people.
They control the house. If all the democrats wanted this bill to go through
it would have. Everyone should blame the dems.
It's their fault.
A lot of vacant seats will be up for grabs come november, on the dems side.
The dems delivered 2/3 of their votes in favor of the legislation.
The repubs fell short, delivering only 1/3 of their votes.
If there was any leadership on the republican side this thing would have passed.
To blame a partisan speech by Pelosi is ridiculous... so house republicans voted against the future of the country because their feelings were hurt??
John McLame has shown real leadership, he came out and supported the bailout but but couldnt deliver the votes. So the best he can do is blame the democrats. The Dems delivered 2/3 of their constituents, the Republicons delivered 1/3, so the republicons sunk the bill.
McLame should be ashamed of himself for trying to blame Obama for his incompetance. The republicans and their lack of regulation have caused this mess.
Much thanks to George W Bush and his 90% accomplice John McCain for putting the foxes in charge of the henhouse AGAIN. Lehman president took home 350 million in the past 7 years. 350 million!
That is who you should be angry with.
When all the "average" Americans who didn't think Wall Street needed or deserved an agreement check their retirement accounts this evening, they are going to realize that this financial crisis affects everyone, not just rich CEOs.
All you uneducated people bashing the Dems for sinking the vote, the majority vote against the bill was Republican. So either Republicans are the ones guilty of sinking the bailout themselves or Republicans are too f*(&in stupid to think for themselves because they were "influenced" by a "speech" from Pelosi. Either way you don't deserve to be in power. All you Republicans can go to Hell for the disaster you visited on this nation
The "bailout" failure of the day was Pelosi. Last Thursday, she & Barney Frank boasted that they could deliver ALL the Democrats and DID NOT EVEN NEED THE REPUBLICANS in the House for the vote to pass.OOPS! Now she turns around and blames the Republicans for not voting for the plan-- after she hurls her insults at the House GOP. It appears more than 90 people in her own party did not go along with her (which she obviously took for granted)---- YET she puts full blame at the House GOP's feet. It's clear that her clout within her party was so poor that she DID need the House GOP afterall. Guess what Pelosi! If you want someone's support, you don't poke them in the eye, insult them and spit at them right before you ask them for a vote. I think most people in America learned that on the playground in 2nd grade.
It's clear, partisan rantings were far more important to Pelosi than the good of America's economy.
Last time I checked, two thirds of republicans did not vote for the bill. It doesn't sound to me like McCain helped much to recruit Republican congressmen to pass the bailout.
you guys are not here in what we like to call the world.
house republicans voted against the bill the moronic president bush proposed. you will lose in nov!
If anyone thinks that one little speech by Pelosi would change the minds of some republicans and therefore defeat the bill, then those republicans shouldn't be there in the first place. The bill failed because enough is enough...why should we the taxpayers have to bail out financial institutions who have taken advantage of hardworking Americans and are walking away with millions?? No one is bailing out those whose homes are in foreclosure, are they? Let it crash...
Perhaps Pelosi's words were imprudent and regrettable. However, each Congressman is ultimately responsible for how they cast their vote, and saying "she ticked me off so I took my ball and went home" does not seem like a sufficient excuse in these circumstances. It certainly seems no worse than Democrats having to hear their patriotism questioned every time they did not give the Imperial Presidency the blank check it sought.
Why are all these absurd comments on a page called Political Intelligence? There's not a shred of intelligence (or truth) in anything the McCain camp has said since he started running for president.
Pathetic! They all should be fired, kicked out of Washington ... In 2006 the Dems took control of both houses of Congress. Look what they've done for this country and TO this country in the past 2 years. You want "change"? How quickly everyone forgets...
Give us a huge break here Senator McCain. You are hardly in a position to cast aspersions on the other guy. Your accusations must be coming from a guilty conscience because you've been playing politics ever since you entered the race. Shame on you for adding fuel to the fire now. Try acting like a leader instead of having your campaign issue rhetoric. Disgusting.
Aww, did someone hurt your feelings? it's sickening that the Republicans would hide behind Pelosi's speech. You either think the plan is the right course or you don't. Is someone hurting your feelings enough to make you change your mind? I mean, seriously. Grow up.
I'm not saying the speech was a good idea. But grow a little honesty.
"refused to even say if he supported the final bill." The same could be said for McCain on Friday, who didn't actually say anything.
McCain's VP choice wasn't a stunt trying to gain female and religious votes. It was a choice to gain conservative votes. Thanks to those elected officials who listened to the people and voted down the bailout.
um....
boys and girls, aren't we forgetting that the Republicans are the ones who voted against it?
you're saying they got all mad at Pelosi and cut off their nose to spite thier face? Oh, poor little repubi's. maybe they should go back to mamma and come back to congress when they grow a spine.
and McCain said he was gonna make it happen. What a leader. Yeah, right.
I think it is ridiculous that anyone would say that a bipartisan speech would keep someone from voting for something they believe in. So we should now think that the Republicans didn't vote for the bill out of spite because of the speech. To me, that reflects much more poorly on them than Pelosi. It sounds like we have 3 year olds in the House of Representatives to me!
Oh no no no, the Republicans are NOT going down that "Obama is a terrorist sympathizer" route again?! How many fact-checkers have to say that this story is a total fabrication before they stop spewing it??
I'm sorry, but more republicans voted against the bailout bill than democrats. Did any of you even look at the numbers?
Puma you's a damn fool
I think it is quite funny how John McCain was Johnny on the spot like mighty mouse "here I come to save the day!" was the only person who could save this bill, and is now blaming the dems for its failure. Perhaps it failed due to poor leadership little Guy.?.
Pretty petty to vote down such an apparently important piece of legislation just because you didn't like a speech. The Republicans would rather let the economy go down the toilet than show some leadership and take responsibility.
You gotta love the Republicans. Their erstwhile leader blames the Democrats for the failure of the bailout package, even though 60 percent of Republicans voted against it, and only 40 percent of Democrats did likewise.
Then, you've got some Republicans claiming they voted against it because their feelings were hurt by a speech.
Poor widdle babies.
Really, the spin in here is unreal. The more the hate is spewed at Obabma the more it is obvious who the real scum are. It's so easy to blame the black man for this. You American right wingers should be ashamed of yourselves.
Your ignornace, hate & greed will be the death of many of us, and you'll still find someone else to blame. Look int he mirror for a change.
hilarious
please, continue to LIE, i am falling off my chair.
Obama could find cures for Cancer and AIDS and John McCain would attack him.
thanks for writeing this it helped me on my home work
60% of democrats voted yea on the bill. Only 1/3 of Republicans did. So... democrats are to blame for it being rejected? Not the people who voted no... they aren't to blame at all.
Really?
I thought the bill died because 113 Republicans didn't vote for it. Perhaps I'm wrong. Thank God Team McCain is there to sort things right.
Let me see if I got this straight. The Republicans voted against it due to something Pelosi said. And they are blaming the Democrats. "It's all your fault that we voted the way we did". Yeah! I'm buying that one, all right. Yeah. That's the ticket.
Everybody just shut up. This isn't about McCain or Obama but instead about the American economy and where we go from here. The man holding the reins right now is President Bush and I voted for him. We live and learn. Get over it.
Ummm...
The official tally of the vote:
Democrats: 141 in favor, 94 opposed
Republicans: 65 in favor, 133 opposed
So...more Democrats voted for this bill than Republicans, but it's the Democrat's fault it failed? Huh?
Wow, the first three posts here are from people that just believe whatever McCain has to say. The only reason house REPUBLICANS are able to vote this bill down is that John McCain gave them the opportunity to do so by suspending his campaign. They've acknowledged this and otherwise would have felt compelled to vote for the economy, the financial infrastructure and the country. This may be unpopular but house REPUBLICANS need to vote affirmatively for this now or we need an alternative plan last week.
BTW, read between the lines when McCain speaks, he's usually trying to deflect the blame from where it belongs and put other people on the offensive though I think a majority of people have awakened to his responsibility dodging tactics.
If the vote failed because of Pelosi's speech, doesn't that mean that the people that voted against it even though they support it put politics ahead of country?
So somehow the democrats forced the republicans to tank the bill? This article totally neglects the fact that the bill was proposed by the republican white house and supported by the democrats. It is the republican's who torpedoed the bill. Let the democrats say what they want, just get the job done. Don't vote no and then claim it was because the Democrats weren't being nice enough to get you to vote for it. If the bill needs to pass vote yes. It's not rocket science, and its hard to pass the blaim of failure onto the people who voted "yes."
So John McCain has run to the press to turn this into a partisan debate? LOL and of course the so call 'liberal media' gives it plenty of air time.
This is just lovely how these GOPbots are spewing forth their frothy Santorum all over the internet!
IS MCCAIN KIDDING? Only 30% of Republicans voted for the bill that a Republican President and a Republican Treasury Secretary put forward. Is John McCain this much of a joke? This is a completely ridiculous statement when it was House Republicans who couldnt get 50% of their collegues to vote for a bill that the president and sentate and house leadership on teh Republican side supported. Compeltely irresponsible statement by McCain and completely irresponsible action by House Republicans. Nancy Pelosi could have used nicer language but PLEASE? People aren't going to vote for a bill because of Nancy's Pelosi''s speech??
So am I to understand that the Republicans chose to sink the economy because they didn't like the Speaker's SPEACH? Holy *$%#!@*!
Awwww.... were the Republicans' feelings hurt by what the big mean lady said about them? So much so that they tanked the economy? Gimme a break... The Democrats delivered their votes, the Republicans did not, and in doing so the Republicans killed the bailout package. One would think the Republicans would have learned their lesson about "free market" corrections in 1929, but apparently history is a tough pill to swallow. Republicans can laughably argue that they were in favor of the bill until Pelosi shot her mouth off, but only a 5-year-old would run home and refuse to play after such a verbal barrage. Republicans did get one thing right today... they just handed the election to the Democrats.
Majority of Democrats voted for the bill.
Majority of Republicans voted against.
Clearly Obama's fault.
That was a revealing comment above, about Republicans going berserk because of a Pelosi speech. They can't even control themselves, yet want to govern the country. On top of that they want to blame Pelosi, who voted for the bill, for their negative vote! These guys are masters of double speak.
The fact is, about 70% of the Republicans voted NO, while about 60% of Dems voted YES for the bailout.
The problem is, the cynical rich Republicans in power are SO GOOD at manipulating their fellow brainless idiot Republicans, that by pointing a finger at the Democrat Pelosi, they've convinced countless of you fools that it failed because of "partisan politics"...
Look at the vote people! It didn't pass because they didn't vote for it...
How stupid are you, people? Really!
If the vote failed because of Pelosi's speech, doesn't that mean that the people that voted against it even though they support it put politics ahead of country?
Hang on... I'm a Republican, and totally for McCain, but everything I was hearing on CSpan this morning was primarily Republicans balking on this deal (not all), most Democrats were for this deal... Let's just hope it means there will be a better deal...and fast! Not sure why no one's listening to Newt Gingrich... has some great ideas...
McCain and the Republican leaders are idiots!! How can you say a speech swayed your vote? It is either the right thing to do...or it isnt! What a bunch of babies. They are allowing their feelings to get in the way of doing the right thing. What a bunch of wimps......
Stupid people stick to doctrine, believe memes and scuttlebutt, and think with their heads in the sand. You fools can't blame Obama OR McCain alone for years of unregulated thieves whooping it up in the Wall Street crack party. Now despite politics as usual including plenty of dopes on both sides of the aisle, the tab comes due. As usual it is the vast working class who is saddled with the costs. All the political diatribe and twisted "truths" won't undo this fact. To an extent we all hopped on the greed train and now the tracks have run out. Problem is "everyman" can't offshore their swag in untraceable bearer bonds, gold ingot, or numbered accounts.
We all should note that the vote in the House failed because numerous Republicans refused to support the bill. If Obama truly has the power to influence Republicans to vote against a bill introduced and supported by President Bush and advocated by John McCain, doesn't that mean he will be wonderfully successful in ending the gridlock that too often characterizes partisan politics in Washington? Isn't this exactly the kind of leadership we want?
The crazy guy with the Obama-Ayers rant are you serious? You woke up today and this is what you decided to do with your life?
Hey, McClum -> At least McCain came back to Washington and tried to spend time working at his JOB - which is United States Senator. I guess Obama can't be bothered by such mundane tasks - like working for a living.
I think you need to get out of the ancient "Republicans are for the rich people" mindset. If it wasn't for the House Republicans standing up against this stupid deal, your tax money would be forked over to these lending institutions never to be returned - and 20% of the profit from any sale of these properties would be going directly to an organization called ACORN - which has been caught in numerous instances of voter fraud for Democrat candidates. Do you really think that little nugget "slipped by" Pelosi, Reid and Barney Frank? I think not.
Wow. Looks like the Rove moles are out in force.
Well, leave it to McCain to blame, blame, blame Obama, to bomb, bomb, bomb Obama, to drill, drill, drill Obama, to bail, bal, bail, etc. His campaign has press releases ready made for any situation and the first two words are always the same: "McCain Blames....." [fill in the blank]
Desparation breeds pathological behaviour and McCain is becoming a really pathetic figure of a man.
My question is, why dont the CEO's of these failing corporations that have put our 401(k)'s and pensions at risk, using their own money to bail out wall street? If they all put their life savings into it, i am sure they could muster 300 billiong USD. And if this is supposed to go the way they say, and we make all the money back sounds like a pretty good deal to me. If they arent willing to invest their own money in their own company, why should we be willing to give them our childrens money? Sounds pretty fishy to me.
Just another political stunt to point blame. Please Mclame can you stop all the BS tactics because the economy crisis is killing you in the polls. And Obama isn't a terrorist so your insane to post that. You think 100% of the media is liberal, please they attack both parties all the time. Don't get mad because you see your fat cat candidate losing ground. There will be no McSame '08
All of you in favor of Welfare for the Rich, feel free to vote FOR this bailout.
All others, work to get the Bush regime out of office first. Only then is there hope for the country - and the world. Note: McSame won’t be working on your behalf.
Even the Republicans realized the Bush Bridge to Nowhere will eliminate their chances of re-election.
In spite of the psycho-looney posts above, no one wants this bailout – it WON’T bail You out. So: Quit the whining about Socialism that might cost a few billion for health care. Love the socialism that sends $700 Billion to the least deserving. You won’t be hurt any more one way or the other, but you could also be $700B poorer on top of losing home & job anyway.
The Dems mustered up more than 60% of their chamber – the GOP just over 30%. Who mailed it in? Their own President's bill, no less!
LOL.....
needed :218 votes for passage.
shortage:13 votes short of that target
final vote:228 to 205 against.
About 60% of Democrats and fewer than 33% of Republicans voted for the measure.
Senator Obama now needs a maths teacher after a computer one.People don't be senile like grandpa cain.....see the statistics for yourself!!!!!
So this Morning McCain was the reason the Bill passed before it passed. And now he's saying that Obama and Pelosi are the reason's it didn't pass. What are we stupid?!!!! The Republican's torpedoed this bill. McCain couldn't even get his own party yo back it. What does that say about his Leadership. Not to mention that he's an idiot running around claiming glory while doing nothing.
As a democrat...I think it's simple. The Republican's created this mess...they should clean it up. I wouldn't vote for anything. Let the economy tank...that's what the republican's voted for. We'll clean it up in Jan.