Regardless of the merits or demerits of a massive financial system bailout (and I'm inclined to agree with Don Luskin), I'm struck by the stark contrast between Sens. McCain and Obama today on this issue.
McCain said that the administration plan did not have broad support and would not pass, and that it was imperative to develop a consensus solution this week. So McCain:
- Will suspend campaigning and return to Washington.
- Wants to meet with Bush, Obama, and Congressional leaders until they hammer out a bipartisan plan.
- Called for a delay of Friday's debate if agreement hasn't been reached by then.
- Demonstrated his seriousness by pulling all his campaign ads, suspending all fundraising activities, and canceling appearances on the Letterman show and Fox News.
McCain's statement (as I heard it on the radio) struck me as overstating the danger, but was utterly non-partisan with not even a hint of finger-pointing or point-scoring.
Obama's response (also heard on the radio)? Finger-pointing. Point scoring. Credit grabbing. And this revealing response to a question about whether he'd join McCain in Washington (emphasis in his voice): "What I've told the leadership in Congress is if I can be helpful I'm prepared to be anywhere at any time." And then this: "It may be necessary for both of us to be present to send a strong message."
McCain wants to sit down, negotiate a solution, and craft legislation. Obama is willing to help if someone calls on him, and he thinks the most likely way to help is not to actually work on a solution, but to pose in front of cameras and send a message.
It sounds to me like Obama wants to vote "Present."
