No deal. I guess.
From Daily Kos – no campaign suspension in effect:
But, what – exactly – did he “suspend”? His surrogates are all over television, attacking Obama. His campaign ads are still running and his Internet fundraising is still operational. McCain’s press crew is fully operational. He spent the day with Rick Davis, his lobbyist campaign manager. And all of his campaign offices are still open and fully operational.
And now comes word via Jonathan Martin at The Politico that McCain will spend the evening doing interviews on ABC, NBC, and CBS.
Dodd is accusing McCain and the GOP of derailing negotiations.
Mark Armbinder reports on the White House meeting:
During the White House meeting, it appears that Sen. John McCain had an agenda. He brought up alternative proposals, surprising and angering Democrats. He did not, according to someone briefed on the meeting, provide specifics.
I can’t make any sense out of the online media reports. I’ll see if the broadcast media does any better tonight.
Addendum: Paulson agrees that the Republicans derailed the agreement, for what it’s worth. Barney Frank blames McCain.
As Democrats met afterwards in the White House’s Roosevelt Room, Paulson told them, “Please don’t blow this up,” after which angry Democrats are said to have argued House Republicans were jeopardizing the deal, according to sources.
Sources say Frank was livid, saying ‘Don’t say that to us after all we’ve been through!’
House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., reportedly said, “We’re not the ones trying to blow this up. It’s the House Republicans.”
Paulson is said to have replied, “I know, I know.”
The House Republicans have come with a new proposal that Paulson opposes.
Democrats involved in the negotiations are reportedly very upset that the nearly-agreement now appears to be in jeopardy.
Second addendum: Yup. McCain pulled a stunt. I don’t know if he has ideological objections to whatever was in the bailout plan, or whether he wants to delay matters to showboat and/or dodge the debate, but it looks like his presence undid the process. Chris Dodd was obviously pissed off, but trying to keep it positive in this interview.
“It was a rescue plan for John McCain. This was theater for the last two hours.”
“The Paulson Plan is dead.”
Third addendum: Obama – “It’s amazing what you can get done when you aren’t looking to take credit.”
As for the mythical campaign suspension, from MYDD:
As Jonathan noted earlier, John McCain’s suspension of his campaign is a complete sham. Cribbing from Scout Finch:
- Surrogates and advisors on the teevee attacking Obama? Check.
- Campaign ads still on the air? Check.
- Online fundraising still operational? Check.
- Still meeting with campaign manager? Check.
- Campaign offices open for business? Check.
- VP running mate still out campaigning? Check. Check.
The Obama campaign is on it. This from a campaign memo:
So make no mistake: John McCain did not “suspend” his campaign. He just turned a national crisis into an occasion to promote his campaign. It’s become just another political stunt, aimed more at shoring up the Senator’s aimed more at shoring up the Senator’s political fortunes than the nation’s economy. And it does nothing to help advance this critical legislation to protect the American people during this time of economic crisis.
A pretty obvious conclusion to make, right? Now if only the press would report on it.
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