Wall Street Closing In On $700 Billion Bailout Booty
Inspired by the scene from the movie Blazing Saddles where the Johnson brothers point their guns at the black Sherriff Bart, who then holds his gun up to his own head and threatens ”Hold it! Next man makes a move, the nigger gets it, ” former Goldman Sachs CEO Henry Paulson stormed Capitol Hill on Monday demanding that he be given Caesar-like powers to spend at least $700 billion of borrowed money, promising economic Armageddon if Congress refused.
By week’s end, Paulson’s face was covered with humble pie as Democrat leaders in the House and Senate pushed back, insisting on a number of fairly weak provisions that would benefit Main Street as well as Paulson’s profligate Wall Street buddies.
Meanwhile, John McHoover, who hasn’t bothered to cast a vote in D.C since April 6, parachuted into town Wednesday to demonstrate his bold, self-sacrificing leadership, promising to suspend his campaign and tonight’s first presidential debate in Mississippi until he was satisfied that the economic crisis that he all but denied existed the week before was resolved.
By most accounts his grandstanding only made things worse. Twenty four hours later, the all but done deal was in shambles thanks to fierce opposition by House Republicans. One can be forgiven for wondering how McSame can lead the country if he can’t even lead his own party.
So, less than 48 hours from initiating yet another of his herky jerky maverick gambles, McCain is leaving D.C. for Mississippi with his tail between his legs, his lie and slime campaign back in full gear. Too bad—I was looking forward to the prospect of Obama debating an actor in a big chicken costume.
Update: WaPo reports that the McCain campaign released a commercial this morning announcing that he won the debate– and before he had announced that he was going to attend. (h/t to HuffPo)
Sir Walter Scott said it best: What a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive!
