Opening up a new frontier in hypocrisy- just another day on the straight talk express...
It's going to be a real struggle to write any sort of coherent diary about this one, words fail me...
After the theatrics of the McCain campaign effectively helped to derail a deal that was reportedly close to reaching consensus;
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/...
THERE is an intriguing detail in the Washington Post's report on John McCain and the Congressional negotiations to save Wall St.
Republican aides with knowledge of the alternative plan, that is now close to being drafted as a bill, said it had been in the works for a few days and could have been unveiled yesterday but for McCain's histrionic entrance on to the stage yesterday. In other words, rather than helping, he held things up.
and of course, as any fool kno' McCain wouldn't have been too worried about putting a spanner in the works...
more after the jump
his main concern was simply being seen to be identified with a populist solution (whether practical or not) and evading all connexion in the minds of voters with their economic worries- and the unpopular wall street bail-out that his party necessitated with their gross mismanagement of the economy.
And so after professing his determination to help the passage of the bill that seemed about to pass anyhow, he - and I'll admit I didn't entirely follow his logic here- sides with a house republican bill, the gist of which seems to be;
Total Tax cuts for corporations and total deregulation. Which is clearlywhat main street is demanding right now; obviously the current laissez-faire set up didn't go far enough... no wonder the markets don't function properly when they are tied up in so much nonsensical red-tape like laws and stuff (I do hope everyone gets the snark meant here)
Obama meanwhile does not fall for McCain's not-so-cunning trap of 'suspending' the campaigns (a suggestion which has nothing to do with poll numbers-no siree!) and makes McCain look something a fool by pointing out that a president 'will need to be able to do two things at once.' and unlike McCain, Obama has been capable of working towards a solution without throwing a tantrum to make sure everyone's paying attention
exhibit A
http://uk.youtube.com/...
exhibit B ((courtesy of Jonathan Weisman writing in the Washington post yesterday (or today if you're in the U.S)
After the cameras left the Cabinet room, Bush thanked everybody for their spirit of cooperation and said he knew it was not an easy vote. He knew elements still needed to be worked out and said he wanted to go around the table to hear people's views.
Pelosi said Obama would speak for the Democrats. Though later he would pepper Paulson with questions, according to a Republican in the room, his initial point was brief: "We've got to get something done."
Bush turned to McCain, who joked, "The longer I am around here, the more I respect seniority." McCain then turned to Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to speak first.
Boehner was blunt. The plan Paulson laid out would not win the support of the vast majority of House Republicans. It had been improved on the edges, with an oversight board and caps on the compensation of participating executives. But it had to be changed at the core. He did not mention the insurance alternative, but Democrats did. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, pressed Boehner hard, asking him if he really intended to scrap the deal and start again.
No, Boehner replied, he just wanted his members to have a voice. Obama then jumped in to turn the question on his rival: "What do you think of the [insurance] plan, John?" he asked repeatedly. McCain did not answer.
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Okay well that's enough background for now-I'm sure that most of dailykos knows all that I've detailed here and plenty more besides, I just felt it necessary to give some context so that the full shamelessness and lack of self-awareness of McCain's hypocrisy can be more fully appreciated.
And now folks, here it is... in all it's 'oh my goodness did he really say that?! Seriously?! like actually seriously serious?!' glory...
http://www.cbsnews.com/...
From CBS News’ John Bentley:
In his first public address since last night’s presidential debate,.John McCain accused Barack Obama using the current financial crisis for political gain
“ It was clear that Sen. Obama still sees the financial crisis in America as a national problem to be exploited first and solved later,” McCain said. “I am determined to help achieve a legislative package to help avoid the worst, and to set our economy back on the path of stability, confidence, and growth.”
The Obama team's response
The Obama campaign attempted to change the subject to an infamous McCain comment. “John McCain should be careful throwing rocks in his eight glass houses,” said Obama spokesman Tommy Vietor.
I expect to hear something more forceful from them if McCain pushes this utterly ridiculous meme, oh let him push it, I would love to see it blow up in his face :)