The Economy is the ultimate wedge issue and here's our chance to prove it.
This is something I just don't get. Putting aside the obvious answer that the Democrats in Congress are weak-kneed, is it possible that they haven't at least considered the following?
Using a mortgage support strategy to split the GOP forever.
UPDATE - RE THE MCCAIN MORTGAGE PROPOSAL
I think we missed a golden opportunity to make this case to the American People. As amazing as it sounds, it doesn't matter whether it's in the bailout act, or represents an unworkable handout this is to the lender. The fact is that it does bail out homeowners on the brink of foreclosure. Now we're looking like the 'bad' guys, for the first time. Watch McCain work this issue and close some gaps. We should have been ahead of this game.
- Helping Struggling homeowners with their mortgages and putting the brakes on defaults and foreclosures goes to the root of the problem, priming a housing market comeback and improving Wall Street's "bad paper" (just love that term) without them getting their mitts on our money.
- A mortgage support package that helps improve terms and gives people a fighting chance of making it out of the hole would be very, very, popular with the people, and would be a perfect 'alternative to the bailout' which fits neatly with Democratic values. Sure we'd have to iron out the details but it could work.
- We have the votes to pass it in both the house and senate. We could say to the President and Paulson... "you had your chance, we helped you create a compromise and your party scuttled it. Now it's payback time." It would be a massive rallying cry around the country.
- The GOP would be totally screwed. If they go against it, they risk defeat. If they go in favor they undermine their moronic principles. My bet is that we could hasten the demise of the GOP in one fell swoop.
- And what about the President? In his final months in office, he would be forced to sign the bill and put the lid on Reaganomics for ever, or veto a bill that has massive public support four weeks before a general election.
Is it just me, or are we missing the most fundamental opportunity to destroy the opposition in the last century?