GOP opposition to a bailout is entirely political.

[Redbear]

They have no political incentive to approve.

They think their only chance to turn around the presidential and congressional races is to say "we are for the people, the Dems are the ones who gave billions to Wall Street fatcats."

[DJ13]

1. Then let it die with their hand on the knife

[LaPera]

2. You're exactly, exactly correct!!

Republicans whole ideology is base on deregulation and corporate/government control = Fascism!

[screembloodymurder]

3. I agree.

McCain was losing, they were afraid to debate, so they create a new playing field. Instead of a campaign, we now have Congress locked up in what could become, a protracted negotiation. This changes everything. It's an economic 911 and they are the terrorists. Why do we assume we know what they are really after?

[lumberjack_jeff]

4. GOP "anything" is entirely political.

We should take some lessons. Pottery barn rules apply. There is no guarantee that our attempted heroic diving catch of the expensive vase which the drunk, belligerent customer knocked off the shelf will be successful. More to the point, if we fail, we look like the guilty party. If we succeed, the drunk is absolved of any responsibility.

[Old and In the Way]

5. I agree...that's the political endgame.

After creating the problem this past decade, they want to become the populists looking after the people's interests. They want the Dems to sign on, because the Dems want to do the right thing to keep this economy from a total meltdown.

I'd go for a middle ground. Give Paulson some money....$50BB. Tell him to come back in January with receipts and explain why we need more (if we really do).

[damntexdem]

6. Actually, it's also ideological.

They were being pushed to ignore their ideology in the face of crisis. Now, they apparently think that the politics lets them back off that and vote their ideology. It is not yet clear whether that is true.

[Caliman73]

7. Our Democratic Leaders

Need to let it die and get to the media first and LOUDEST and let the people know that the Bill is dead because Republicans wanted a bill with NO oversight and NO encumbrances for the rich.