or Powell's or me• • •
"Mike and Jon, Jon and Mike—I've known them both for years, and, clearly, one of them is very funny. As for the other: truly one of the great hangers-on of our time."—Steve Bodow, head writer, The Daily Show
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"Who can really judge what's funny? If humor is a subjective medium, then can there be something that is really and truly hilarious? Me. This book."—Daniel Handler, author, Adverbs, and personal representative of Lemony Snicket
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"The good news: I thought Our Kampf was consistently hilarious. The bad news: I’m the guy who wrote Monkeybone."—Sam Hamm, screenwriter, Batman, Batman Returns, and Homecoming
September 26, 2008
The Dems Rescue Wall Street
By: Bernard Chazelle
Paulson is a genius. Maybe, after all, he does deserve the half-billion bucks (not a typo) he's got stashed under his pillow. The man was head of Goldman Sachs yesterday and head of Treasury today. That means he is DOUBLY responsible for the financial meltdown of the century. And he is a Republican.
So, obviously, his biggest fans would have to be... Democratic Congressional leaders.
At the same time, [Barney] Frank, a strong Paulson ally, feels the secretary is being undercut in front of the president.“McCain and the House Republicans are undercutting the Paulson plan."
“This is the presidential campaign of John McCain undermining what Hank Paulson tells us is essential for the country.”
And to tell you how strongly the Dems feel about what's essential for the country,
Democratic leaders have warned that they will want at least a healthy Republican showing of 80 to 100 votes if they are going to ask their members to vote with the president.
Makes sense; if you're a Democrat, why in the world would you be in favor of anything that Republicans don't love?
What was it again about lesser evil?
(Not to belittle the Dems' spectacular achievements on Iraq, FISA, campaign finance, Patriot Act, etc.)
— Bernard Chazelle
Posted at September 26, 2008 10:45 AMI kind of like the explanation that the republicans are the party of big & small businesses, and the dems are the party of big business.
Posted by: Erik at September 26, 2008 12:03 PMglad to see this post after jon's " bush's bailout plan " headline .
dems ( at least the leadership -rest are sheep ) are as much in thick of it and equally corrupt .
the whole thing did not happen overnight .
thanks .
glad to see this post after jon's " bush's bailout plan " headline .
dems ( at least the leadership -rest are sheep ) are as much in thick of it and equally corrupt .
the whole thing did not happen overnight .
thanks .
I may be stating the obvious (not the first time), or missing the point (ditto), but the Dems' insisting on GOP support isn't for love of Wall St. or Hank Paulson, or even their usual craven toadying. It's that they (the Dems) aren't sure it's going to work, and don't wanna hold the bag by themselves. Which is smart, because it won't work, and when this all unwinds (as it must), the last thing I want is a typical GOP false-populism spin adding insult to my injury.
Posted by: Mike of Angle at September 26, 2008 12:39 PMThat train has left the station. Whatever happens next, the Dems sang in unison for Wall St while the Repubs argued both sides. Dems cementing their hard-earned reputation as lapdogs. GOP populism spin? Yep, big time.
Posted by: Bernard Chazelle at September 26, 2008 01:51 PMso true about repubs doing both sides .
it is interesting to see ( perhaps should not be ) the silence of so called " progressive " dems . they could have as easily thrown wrench in the wheel by a simple statement NO .
Maybe the Repubs are the Lesser Evil now!?!? Wow, we could have this Hitler or Stalin debate for minutes before puking. Maybe one of the third party candidates will make a run after the open debates HAHAHHAHAHHAAAAAAAAA Democracy Baby!!!!!!!!
Posted by: marcus at September 26, 2008 03:34 PMhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5WiE6MnmCM
Posted by: AlanSmithee at September 26, 2008 07:06 PM"if you're a Democrat, why in the world would you be in favor of anything that Republicans don't love?"
Because if it goes wrong, it's guaranteed they'll use the press to pin it on you. Next question?
"the silence of so called " progressive " dems . they could have as easily thrown wrench in the wheel by a simple statement NO."
If they had made such statements, how would one get to hear about it?
