BANK ON IT: Shortly after the 4:00 meeting, Republican "reservations" will miraculously disappear.

[Brotherjohn]

Bush will make a joint appearance with McCain, Obama, and lawmakers who were invited there. He will thank McCain for calling everyone together to Washington. He will say they have been able to work out a deal because of it. He will throw Obama a bone.

But I think it will be clear to any sane observer that it was a political stunt by Bush & McCain.

McCain will go to the debates with his tail between his legs. He never had any choice. He will continue to claim credit for solving the crisis, but will in fact face increasing criticism and marginalization for his having politicized this crisis.

Obama will outperform him in the debates, and be up by an average of 10 in the polls by mid-October.

[Jackpine Radical]

1. These are not good times in which to

advise people to "BANK ON IT."

[southpaw]

2. I hope you are right

But I have learned the hard way not to overestimate the ability of the public to see through even the most transparent of political gimmicks.

[kirby]

3. Easy debate point....

Obama: I was in constant touch with the leaders of the House and Senate. I spoke with Tres Sec Paulson several times a day. I've come to learn that Sen McCain had not been heard by any of those leaders.

[RichGirl]

4. What is your record on...

...on prophesy? Wild guesses? How many of the wads of paper do you get into the trash can???

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

5. Actually I think it's the other way around...

This was a set-up, plain and simple!!

The Repukes pretended to go along with the Democrats. The bailout deal was announced to the press. McSame swooped in wanted to add his suggestions on the deal. Suddenly Boehner and other Repukes announce that the deal was "premature." They stall so that Dumbya can have his photo-op with Obama and McCoward. After the meeting, McCoward goes to the Repukes to add his "suggestions." A deal is reached. The Repukes have enough Senate votes to block anything that they don't like. McCoward heads to tomorrow's debate looking like the hero!

I honestly do not know how Obama and the Dems are going to play this.

[Brotherjohn]

6. Oh, I agree it was a set-up. Just a badly calculated one (and one to which Obama has responded...

... perfectly).

First, Obama called his bluff. "No, I intend to debate. I can multi-task."

Second, nearly 8 in 10 in every poll I saw thought it was a bad idea to postpone the debate. That was McCain's worst miscalculation. Add to that Letterman (and the whole world) questioning "But you don't suspend your campaign, do you?!"

He is left HAVING to debate, and he is left HAVING to reach a deal today because of the timeline HE SET. The only card he still holds is the lame and transparent garb at credit through a WH Photo Op.

I mean, come on, is there anything else that anyone is EVER called to the Bush WH for?