Cross-posted at Eclectablog.
The Senate Republicans were on board. The Senate Democrats were on board. The House Democrats were on board. The White House was on board.
But the House Republicans, under Senate Minority Douchebag, John Boehner, after meeting with Senator John McCain, decided to throw a political monkey wrench in the works.
So why was Henry Paulsen on his knees, begging the Democrats???
Find out after the jump...
From the AP:
The White House summit meeting, called principally with the purpose to seal the deal that Bush has argued is indispensable to stabilizing frenzied markets and reassuring the nervous American public, descended into arguments.
The meeting revealed that Bush's proposal had been suddenly sidetracked by fellow Republicans in the House, who refused to embrace a plan that appeared close to acceptance by the Senate and most House Democrats.
Paulson begged Democratic participants not to disclose how badly the meeting had gone, dropping to one knee in a teasing way to make his point according to witnesses.
This is how bad it has gotten. John McCain is encouraging the House Republicans to derail negotiations so that he can try to reclaim his "maverick" (retch) moniker that has been sullied by his 100% voting-with-the-president record this year. Hilzoy over at Obsidian Wings blog nails it:
David Kurtz notes that McCain had spoken to the House Republicans before they staged their revolt, and that a number of them reported that he seemed sympathetic to their ideas. McCain's campaign, however, issued a statement saying that he "did not attack any proposal, or endorse any plan."
That's what I call real leadership: parachute in after other people have been in complicated negotiations for days, trailing the entire national press corps behind you, on the grounds that you are urgently needed, in person -- and then undermine the deal behind the scenes without being willing to publicly take any position at all.
Exactly.
You know this country has entered the Twilight Zone when Democrats in both the House and Senate are on the same side of an issue, against Republicans, as the White House and "President" George W. Bush.
And you know the Republicans have completely forsaken any legitimate claim to a "Country First" slogan when they have the Secretary of Treasury of the United States of America on his knees, begging the Democrats (even if only jokingly), not to tattle.
The sad thing is, I firmly believe that McCain's entire reason for this delay tactic is so that he can somehow force a delay of the debate tonight which he hopes will delay the vice-presidential debate that's scheduled for NEXT week, because, as has become glaringly clear from Ms. Palin's performance during her interviews with Katie Couric, she absolute CAN NOT attend that debate. McCain's campaign is rightfully panicked over such a prospect.
If you thought Ross Perot's vice presidential nominee Admiral James "Who am I? Why am I here?" Stockdale's debate performance was bad, you ain't seen nuthin' yet.
I'm just sayin'...