Obama may not return to D.C. for bailout vote.

[Obamarulz11]

CLEARWATER BEACH, FLA.) - Although Barack Obama argues that the financial meltdown is an “emergency situation”, he said today that he may remain on the campaign trail, rather than returning to the Capitol, to vote on the $700 billion plan.

“Look if we get a consensus and everybody is popping champagne – then I will probably be going back to campaign with folks who are having a tough time in places like Ohio, and Michigan and Pennsylvania,” Obama said adding, “If this ends up being a close vote or a vote where the outcome is an open question then obviously this is a top priority.”

Shortly after landing at the St. Petersburg airport, the campaign organized an impromptu press conference on the bailout plan. Obama laid out a set of provisions that he believes should be included, but he was unclear whether he would support a bailout without them. While arguing that there are a number of ways of accomplishing the principles that he has outlined, Obama said he is not trying to “dictate” a particular plan.

Whatever the plan, Obama insisted, “I need to be convinced that taxpayers are going to get an upside on this thing and can be made whole when the economy recovers.” He later added that he will ask Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson to “go back to the drawing board” if he the principles that he laid out are not addressed.

Obama also had very harsh criticism of President Bush – calling him stubborn and inflexible when it comes to negotiating the economic plan. “This is not the time for my-way-or-the-highway intransigence from anyone involved.”

At a diner stop earlier in the day, he told a voter that Bush is a “lame duck president” and “can’t really rally the public.”

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2008/09/23/politics/fromtheroad/entry4472357.shtml

[Barack_America]

1. Your point? Would you care to discuss McCain's Senate absenteeism?

When is the last time McCain cast a Senate vote?

[RagingInMiami]

13. What does that have to do with anything?

[jesus_of_suburbia]

23. Are you kidding? You really think Obama needs to sit this vote out? *FACE PALM*

[Obamarulz11]

33. McSame will not show up.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13748.html


sen. John McCain (R- Ariz.) has no plans to return to Washington this week, even though on Monday he expressed discomfort with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson’s trillion-dollar bailout plan and has offered his own rescue proposal.

[Barack_America]

37. Thanks.

I just replied to you downthread about this.

:D

[cosmodem]

38. We will have to wait to see what McCain says as this article does

not address McCain.

[ej510]

2. I would advise him to show up and vote.

[Vinca]

3. Me, too. nt

[JeffR]

5. Have to agree.

He'll be knocked if he votes yea or nay, but he'll be knocked much worse if he doesn't vote at all.

[wanpete]

19. agreed. I don't think it would be a good idea at all not to vote on this.

[RoadRage]

4. I think he should vote no matter what..

No need to give the McCain Camp ANY reason to make an ad: "Obama couldn't even make the time to show up and vote for the most important economic decision in our lifetime"... and believe me.. they WILL if they think it will sway one person to their fucking ticket.

So, even if it's a unanimous decision.. and even if McCAIN is skipping the vote - Obama should be there for it.

I'll go ahead and call this in to the Obama camp myself.. i know they really value my opinion. ;)

[Better Believe It]

8. If Obama Fails To Vote That Will Hand The Election To McCain

And will McCain also refused to vote?

If McCain votes and Obama doesn't how do you think that will go down with voters?

That would pretty much hand the election to McCain.

I can just see McCain's TV commercials now.

[Obamarulz11]

6. He needs to go vote "Hell NO!"

[Obamarulz11]

7. if it doesn't help main street.

Either way he votes, The Repukes and MSM will spin it any way they can. He should stand firm on his plan.

[cosmodem]

28. I believe you are right on that count.

[d_b]

9. I was about to flame you

then I noticed your nick is obamarulz.

Whew!1

[RagingInMiami]

12. How could you flame somebody for posting a news article?

[d_b]

14. ...

:tinfoilhat:

[Barack_America]

15. You say that as if "news articles" are impartial.

They are not and we have a choice in which ones we post.

[RagingInMiami]

26. It's been a while since I've hung out on DU

I didn't realize that we now must post only stories that cast democrats in a positive light.

I must have missed that memo.

[Barack_America]

30. No, we try not to point out articles that have an anti-Democratic bias.

Was McCain asked for comment about his vote? If yes, what did he say? If not, why? Where's the balance to this piece?

[RagingInMiami]

52. This story was written by the reporter covering Obama

I see you don't understand how the media works.

[QC]

61. Things have changed a hell of a lot since you were last here.

By the way, it's good to see you again!

[RagingInMiami]

29. But don't worry, I've already

rated this thread "disruptive".

[Barack_America]

32. I didn't rate it as such.

I wouldn't classify it as "disruptive", merely a thread that I would recommend one "skip". Primarily due to the shoddy journalistic work that is the source of the "article", which is really nothing more than a blog post.

[RagingInMiami]

41. Shoddy journalist work?

They quoted Obama directly.

"Look if we get a consensus and everybody is popping champagne – then I will probably be going back to campaign with folks who are having a tough time in places like Ohio, and Michigan and Pennsylvania,” Obama said adding, “If this ends up being a close vote or a vote where the outcome is an open question then obviously this is a top priority.”

[Barack_America]

43. Okay. Where is McCain's quote?

That is the point I made to you.

[RagingInMiami]

51. McCain, the guy who runs away from the media?

And who shields his VP from the media?

Are you suggesting the reporter hold this story until McCain finally decides to talk to the media?

[MichiganVote]

10. He needs to show up regardless........

[blueclown]

11. Barack needs to take a stand here.

No wedging, no indecisiveness. Come out on one side of the issue and live or die with the consequences.

[elkston]

16. Getting tired of the 9,000 concern threads on this one.

He'll make a decision when he makes a decision. And I trust it will be the right one. He's not going to "sell out out".

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

17. He needs to show great leadership here and I will be greatly surprised if he doesn't

In the article, he says he'll give the matter top priority and come to Washington if the bill doesn't contain the necessary safeguards for the American people. I'm trusting Obama to keep his word on that. I'll criticize him if he doesn't, as I'm not a lockstep Republican.

[Secret_Society]

18. I would advise Obama to show up no matter how he votes

I think it would be a pitch to the American people that he cares. Most people don't understand what should be done. Just showing up is enough. A vote either way won't piss people off, but I think a no show could hurt him.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

20. Oh My God... please tell my you are kidding. He needs to vote.

[Avalux]

21. He'll do the right thing. Are you worried?

Must be for choosing that subject line.

[BeyondGeography]

22. He shouldn't even contemplate not voting

How many man hours were spent defending his decision not to vote on Kyl-Lieberman? We know from experience that it's all downside if he passes.

[nsd]

24. He should be there to vote no matter what.

Given the severity of the situation, he has to be appear engaged and actively involved in seeking a solution. Not showing up would look terrible.

[hisownpetard]

25. Obama needs to vote on this, no matter what. If he doesn't, a lot of people are going to

be pissed, including me. It would also call into question the "Present" votes he cast
in Illinois which, until now, have not been important since the explanation given (and accepted, at least
by me) was "that's how politics are done in Chicago.

I adore Obama, but this is just too important for him to miss.

[RamboLiberal]

27. He needs to be there and vote

Or he hands McCain another attack point. Look how they attack him for his "Present" votes though we all know there were legitimate reasons and they were a small percentage when he was in Illinois Legislature.

[Obamarulz11]

31. UPDATE!!! McSame will not show up period.

Sen. John McCain (R- Ariz.) has no plans to return to Washington this week, even though on Monday he expressed discomfort with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson’s trillion-dollar bailout plan and has offered his own rescue proposal.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13748.html

He shouldn't show his face.

[Barack_America]

35. Thank you for pointing this out.

It's just too bad that the author of the "article" you linked in the OP didn't bother to get a response from both candidates. Not strong journalistic work there.

I didn't mean to criticize you for posting this, I just didn't care for the bias of the article.

[Better Believe It]

36. He Could Be Setting Up Obama ---- That's The Way They Operate

McCain lies. What if he does show up to vote and Obama doesn't?

Answer.

Obama loses the election.

[AldebTX]

34. No Voting

Gives the Repugs the opportunity to say Obama is not taking an positions.

I say change the bill into something he can vote for and have him vote.

[gravity]

39. It's the smart thing to do

I believe McCain is going to do the same. Politically, you can get yourself in a lot of trouble either way you vote.

[Abugface]

40. He needs to vote on this one.

The press and the repugs will be all over him - it would be a terrible mistake if he didn't show up.

[Greg K]

42. Bad idea. He'll get slammed for "just voting 'present'" nt

[Proud Liberal Dem]

44. I'll add my voice to the list of people who say he should vote on it

As a Senator and candidate for POTUS I think standing in the Senate and voting against this plan would be right thing to do and a rather powerful thing to do symbolically. Furthermore, I don't see how it would hurt him politically since he's put a good plan out there, the Dems are united against Bush's proposal, and the majority of people support the Dems on handling the economy so his voting against Bush's "clean" bill shouldn't hurt him and it will show that he takes the current situation as seriously as he says it does. At the very least, it will deprive McSame of any more "ammunition" for ads even though he's not going be there either (but when did something like that ever hurt THEM?).

[styersc]

45. O should only show up if he wants to demonstrate leadership.

If he wants to reenforce the idea that he is an empty suit, he can head to Ohio or Florida to attend a pancake flipping contest or a state fair.

[elkston]

53. Screw you for your pathetic Republican talking point. Primaries have BEEN over (eom)

[elkston]

54. ...and he's BEEN demonstrating leadership each and every step in this crisis. (eom)_

[BronxBoy]

46. Is McCain Voting? n/t

[RollWithIt]

47. I think the press he'd get from showing up would far outweigh a few hours of campaigning...

But tell that to whoever was going to the rallies he has to cancel.

[KatyaR]

48. He needs to get his ass to DC for that vote--

he will have no credibility at all to the undecideds if he misses it.

The world is watching, Obama--don't muck this up.

[Median Democrat]

49. So Long As He Says Whether Or Not He Supports It - No Need To Run Back

The problem is when you have McCain opposing the GI Bill, not voting, then taking credit for it. If the Bill passes by a wide margin, so long as Obama clearly indicates his position, then he can be held accountable.

[nomaco-10]

50. If he doesn't vote it will be the first major mistake he'll have made...

during this campaign.

I find it hard to believe that he would skip it for any reason. Maybe he's fucking with mccain since everytime he releases a statement, mccain comes out two hours later and parrots everything he says, but this is too important and I seriously doubt he would be playing mind games with mcnutcase at this juncture.

He did say "probably" and "if", so I suspect he'll show up.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

55. I can't believe he'd skip that vote...

It would be monstrously stupid of him to take a pass. I don't care if the vote is 100-0 in favor (or opposed, depending on the final package); he needs to be there.

[truthisfreedom]

56. He's floating the idea, people. Calm down, please! I love this quote:

"This is not the time for my-way-or-the-highway intransigence from anyone involved."

Hey Obama, I had to look that one up! 8^)

[Better Believe It]

57. Right! It's Time For Bi-Partisanship Unity In Support Of Wall Street Bailout!

[bluecatz]

58. Smart move

i think this is a smart move. Obama will take action once he becomes president. For now, it's too risky to vote against the bailout, because many Americans favor the bailout. But the base (me included) would be angered if he voted for the bailout, so this is to me a sensible, smart move in his part.

[progressiveforever]

59. Hell, I'm not sure what the right way is to vote either,

No, I'm not a senator--but like Obama said< "“I need to be convinced that taxpayers are going to get an upside on this thing and can be made whole when the economy recovers.”

The way this is being rushed through, how can we do this?

I trust Obama's judgement. That's why I voted for him and the primary and I can't wait to vote for him as the 44th president.

Barack Obama is what we need to see us through this economic crisis.

[Rowdyboy]

60. Not bothering to vote is giving them ammunition and a very stupid thing to do....

Apparently Senator Obama isn't worried. I hope his cavalier attitude is justified.

[Marie26]

62. Why not vote present instead?

How incredibly lame - that would totally feed into the whole "present" meme, & the perception that Obama avoids taking hard stances. He needs to vote on this, ESPECIALLY since he'll probably be the one implementing it.

[AZBlue]

63. I don't care if they reach 100% agreement, he has to vote on this.

Otherwise the GOP will use it against him - and it will work to some degree.

[TheKentuckian]

64. I think if we can get a bill that fits with the principles outlined

then he should vote yea and nay if it doesn't.

However, I don't ANY bill should even reach a vote without McShame.

No McShame then no vote.