Republicans to Cheney on $700-billion bailout: We're not buying it

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(not sure if this was posted or not)

Republicans to Cheney on $700-billion bailout: We're not buying it


Vice President Dick Cheney trudged up to Capitol Hill today to try to convince skeptical Republican congressman that spending $700 billion to bailout Wall Street for its bad gambling habits at taxpayer expense was a good idea.

It was a tough sell.

A large number of House Republicans remained skeptical, even after a two-hour meeting with Cheney at the Cannon House Office Building.

"I don't know anyone who's sold on this rescue plan,'' said Rep. Wally Herger (R-Chico). "There's a lot of concerns. The general feeling is we have to do something, we have to be decisive. But there's concern about a bill that could be loaded up, and there's concern about whether this is the right way to go."

Some blame President Bush for not selling the idea better.

"I think they still need to make the case,'' said Rep. George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) "Is the president going to help us with our constituents and make them realize that it's not about Wall Street, that it's about every American? That case still needs to be made.''

A number of lawmakers said they didn't like the idea of rushing through a proposal they only received days ago.

Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), saying the House is now "very divided," urged a slowdown. "If Congress said, 'We're going to do something, we're not sure what, but help's on the way ... I think you can actually send Wall Street a good signal, get a little sanity injected into this."

The last time Cheney, a former congressman, played this same role in corralling support on Capitol Hill was for the war resolution that sent troops to Iraq. This time, he took with him officials from the Treasury Department and the Office of Management and Budget who warned of dire consequences if the package is not passed this week. Still, the doubters dominated. And some of the doubts stemmed from the Iraq war.


http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/presidentbush/2008/09/c...