Reply #22: I've been trying to figure out the strategy of today's vote.

[MindMatter]

It didn't really make much sense to me until right now.

I think you guys are on it. The Dems had already agreed to hold their noses and pass this bill for a lot of good political (and lousy economic) reasons. But McCain was still bouncing around out there trying to work both sides of the issue for whereever he could get some attention and/or political gain. This vote forces his hand.

And if he has voted for the bill and the House COP still fights it (a very good possibility), it makes it look like he can't even lead his own party.

They really have him boxed in on this one. And the timing of the votes ensures that this will be right in the center of the news as the debate Palin-Biden goes on the air.

It is an expensive victory -- $700,000,000,000. But it is a victory, potentially a crushing one for McCain.