McCain arrives in Washington with a monkey wrench to throw in the works

Just when it seemed like a truly bipartisan financial bailout plan had been achieved after a solid week of negotiations, John McCain rode in to Washington on a dirty steed with diarrhea.

Certainly, McCain could not abide a deal done Thursday. That would mean he'd have no excuse for backing out of the debate with Barack Obama Friday.

Connecticut Senator Chris Dodd has called the last minute Republican balk an attempt to save McCain's candidacy.



Barney Frank, aghast that the Republicans had walked out of emergency negotiations Thursday night, complained loudly that the Republicans were more interested in politics than with coming up with a solution to America's financial problems.

Bush relies on his favorite motivator: fear

As I was running through the Charlotte Airport last night, I couldn't help but notice the unmistakable chimp-like mug of the leader of the Western world staring absently at the camera, lips flapping, as the words of an empty-headed speech ran in closed captions in the sports bars on the concourse. Most eyes were trained on the other screens, carrying late-season baseball. I didn't have time to catch more than a few lines, but I knew immediately that Bush was playing his trump card, fear, to frighten the American public, and intimidate lawmakers into joining him, lockstep, in one more preemptive strike into unfamiliar territory.

Upon arriving home and reading the text of his speech, I knew I was right.

Bush was providing a warning to the American public, but, like 9/11, it is coming months too late, and only after the disaster has happened. Large corporations aren't the only thing facing bankruptcy. The President is writing another bad check.

One could only imagine what another President might have said under the circumstances. What would FDR, JFK or even Ronald Reagan have said? A reality check for the American public is in order, but what the country doesn't need is the panic-inducing performance our current president delivered. What the country needs is truth, encouragement, direction and leadership. George Bush fails on all accounts. John McCain is now trading in similar theatrics. Obama is moving cautiously.

Where have you gone Joe Dimaggio?

More power to Bush?

The financial bailout legislation is getting closer examination, and it appears that 30 words in the legislation give the Treasury of Secretary the kind of power that the Bush administration has been accumulating for seven years.

Our own Chris Dodd has an alternate plan that is getting some positive attention.