Imo, yesterday's WH meeting was a planned photo op.

[screembloodymurder]

It allowed McCain to side with the Republican rebels and distance himself from both the plan and the President. I believe some version of the plan is needed and will be passed, but it is very unpopular and it's passage will come back to haunt anyone associated with it. They know that, hence, the meeting to allow McCain to look like a maverick and an advocate for the people.

Check out this AP headline:

Frank Blames House GOP for Breakdown of Deal- AP
The chairman of the House Financial Services Committee declared Friday that an agreement on legislation to relieve a spreading financial crisis depends on House Republicans "dropping this revolt against President Bush."

So now the Democrats are trying to stop a revolt against Bush? WTF?

And this: Paulson begged Democratic participants not to disclose how badly the meeting had gone, dropping to one knee in a teasing way to make his point according to witnesses.

Yea, I'll bet he did. They want all the publicity they can get. McCain, the Maverick, will forge a new plan. One that turns out to be acceptable to the people.

[dkf]

In the end he will vote for or against it and that is all people will remember.

[mmonk]

1. Yes. They just want everyone to own the coming morass.

[babylonsister]

2. It absolutely was; nothing was accomplished. As Dodd said,

"The whole meeting "looked like a rescue plan for John McCain."

[dipsydoodle]

3. ... which failed miserably

I don't think they'll do that again too soon.

[screembloodymurder]

5. Let's see how Fox presents it.

I think that will tell the story and I wouldn't be too sure it was a failure.

[fasttense]

4. There was something accomplished. McInsane brought up Tax cuts for the wealth and corporations.

"Towards the end, McCain finally spoke up, mentioning a counter-proposal that had been offered by some conservative House Republicans, which would suspend the capital gains tax for two years and provide tax incentives to encourage firms that buy up bad debt. McCain did not discuss specifics of the plan, though, and was non-committal about supporting it." (Thanks to jpertello for posting the article from huffington)

That is the Repug's great solution more tax cuts for the uber wealthy and financial corporations. That's why they want the Dems to sign off on it without any Repug agreement.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4093928

[screembloodymurder]

6. As longer as people think they aren't paying for the plan,

people would prefer the tax cuts.

[liberal N proud]

7. You should see this thread by babylonsister

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7193291

[screembloodymurder]

8. Thanks. Very interesting.

The whole thing reeks of grandstanding and gamesmanship.

[Old Codger]

9. setup

That is what it is, the majority of the people are against it, they set things up and the dems fell for it completely, only hope is that they hold out for complete bi-partisan vote and do not go it alone...