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Palin Seeks Serenity in Sedona

September 30, 2008 7:57 PM

ABC News' Kate Snow and Imtiyaz Delawala  report:  Gov. Sarah Palin secluded herself today at the Sedona ranch home of Sen. John McCain, using the sprawling estate’s “relaxed environment” to prepare for her critical vice presidential debate with Sen. Joe Biden Thursday in St. Louis. 

"The Governor's debate prep today is taking place outdoors near a creek on the scenic McCain ranch in Sedona,” a campaign official said. “The serenity and beauty of this setting has contributed to what can be characterized as a relaxed environment.”

Signaling the importance of the upcoming debate, McCain's top campaign adviser Steve Schmidt traveled to Sedona to help with the final preparations, as did McCain's chief foreign policy advisor Randy Scheunemann, who is playing the part of Sen. Biden in mock debate sessions. Mark Wallace, deputy campaign manager to President Bush in 2004, has also been working closely with Palin, as has former Bush National Security Council staffer Steve Biegun, who is serving as Palin's lead foreign policy adviser.

Palin has also been joined in Arizona by her husband Todd, as well as her daughters Willow and Piper, and infant son Trig. Aides to the campaign hope the atmosphere will help Palin relax and better prepare for the upcoming showdown with Biden, and allow her to focus on highlighting her strengths as a candidate.

“She's eager to show more of what got her where she is,” the Palin aide said. “To her team, that means more of what her fans in Alaska and elsewhere know and love about her record and her fresh approach to reform.”

Palin was widely criticized for a series of interviews with CBS’ Katie Couric that aired last week, including by former conservative supporters who said she was unprepared and presented herself poorly on critical issues such as the economy and foreign policy. Palin took time out from her debate preparation this afternoon to tape an interview with conservative blogger and radio host Hugh Hewitt, in which she blasted the media’s treatment of her.

“I have a degree in journalism also, so it surprises me that so much has changed since I received my education in journalistic ethics all those years ago. But I’m not going to pick a fight with those who buy ink by the barrelful. I’m going to take those shots and those pop quizzes and just say that’s okay, those are good testing grounds,” Palin told Hewitt. “It makes somebody be even clearer and more articulate in their positions. So really I don’t fight it. I invite it.”

At a rally in Columbus, OH yesterday Palin said she was looking forward to the debate with Biden, while making a joking reference to her opponent’s age and experience in Washington.

“We are going to talk about those new ideas, new energy for America,” Palin told the crowd. “I'm looking forward to meet him too. I've never met him before. But, I've been hearing about his senate speeches since I was in like 2nd grade.”

In another interview yesterday, after the Columbus rally, Couric asked Palin whether joking about Biden’s age was “a risky thing to say, insinuating that Joe Biden's been around awhile” given that her own running mate is 72 years old, and would be the oldest president ever elected.

“Oh no, it's nothing negative at all,” Palin said of the comment on Biden. “He's got a lot of experience and just stating the fact there, that we've been hearing his speeches for all these years. So he's got a tremendous amount of experience and, you know, I'm the new energy, the new face, the new ideas and he's got the experience based on many many years in the Senate and voters are gonna have a choice there of what it is that they want in these next four years.”

September 30, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (268)

Stephanopoulos: Independent Voters Hold White House Key

September 30, 2008 7:22 PM

ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos reports: Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama holds a 50-46 percent lead over Republican presidential candidate John McCain among likely voters, according to the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll.

However independent and undecided voters, who could make all the difference in a tight election, are shifting back and forth between Obama and McCain.

After the Republican convention, McCain was up by about 10 points among independent likely voters, according to an ABC/Post poll released earlier this month.

Then, last week Obama has a big swing and was up by 14 percentage points, but in our latest poll, McCain has pulled ahead by three percentage points.

We’ve seen similar dramatic moves among white women, another group whose preferences are changing with each new poll.

After the Republican convention, McCain has a double-digit lead among white women, with many pundits crediting his new vice presidential pick Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin for the shift in voter preferences. Last week Obama pulled ahead by two percentage points with white women, but the ABC/Post poll released today finds McCain regaining  sizeable 11 percentage point lead over Obama with this group.

One in five voters say they could still change their mind in this election. It is those undecided voters and white women voters who will hold the key to who wins the White House in five weeks.

The poll also found that President Bush is far and away the biggest drag on McCain right now.
He has a new disapproval rating of 70 percent, which is a record for all presidents going back to the beginning of public opinion polling in 1938. The problem for McCain is that a majority of Americans – 53 percent – believe he would take the country in the same direction as Bush.

When it comes to the all-important Commander-in-Chief test, a majority of Americans still do not believe Obama would be a good Commander-in-Chief.  The poll found McCain leading Obama on who would make a good Commander-in-Chief of the military, with 73 percent of Americans saying McCain would do a good job, while just 46 percent said Obama would make a good Commander-in-Chief.

But for the first time, the poll found a majority of Americans – 52 percent – who say Obama has the experience to serve effectively as president.

If Obama keeps that number above 50 percent, it will be his race to lose.

September 30, 2008 in McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (599)

Biden Warns of "Real Trouble" if Bailout Plan Collapses

September 30, 2008 6:48 PM

ABC News' Matthew Jaffe Reports: With Thursday's vice-presidential debate looming, Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., is focused on debate prep, holed up in a downtown Wilmington hotel with Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, but on the minds of voters there is one issue of paramount importance: the embattled economic rescue plan struggling to make it through Congress.

Biden took a break from debate prep Tuesday to grab lunch at Wilmington's Charcoal Pit, where he fielded two questions from voters concerned about the nation's precarious economic situation.

"It’s real trouble," Biden said of the prospect that the rescue plan might not come through. "What people are going to do if they don’t get this done, people are going to lose their jobs, their pensions."

The Delaware lawmaker noted that the $700 billion bailout - "if it works the right way" - will be paid back to taxpayers.

"Way we’re making it sound now and what our Republican friends are saying is, ‘we’re not gonna bail...'," Biden said. "I mean, it’s people’s jobs."

"That why we’ve got to have this package," emphasized Biden to another voter. "This is not a $700 billion check we’re writing out. We’ll get this money back."

Even after he finished his cheesesteak lunch, Biden was not done with the questions on the economy, with a reporter asking if he thought an agreement would be reached on the rescue package.

"I'm hoping so," Biden replied. "We need to."

And with that, it was back to debate prep, but the senator will return to Washington later this week for a vote on the bailout plan if it comes to one.

September 30, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (45)

Gingrich Denies Whipping Against Bailout

September 30, 2008 4:00 PM

ABC News' Teddy Davis, Arnab Datta, and Rigel Anderson Report: Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich said Tuesday that he did not personally urge members of Congress to vote against Monday's failed Wall Street bailout bill, disputing a report made earlier in the day on MSNBC by correspondent Andrea Mitchell.

"MSNBC is just wrong," said Gingrich. "And it is probably wrong deliberately. It is a stunningly dishonest network."

"I believe that if they would simply look at what I released yesterday, if they look at what I said on 'This Week' on Sunday, they'll see that what I said was, 'I deeply opposed Paulson's original proposal.  I deeply opposed the liberal Democrats making it even worse on Thursday,' I did everything I could," said Gingrich.

"And I think that John Boehner and Roy Blunt would confirm this -- or Eric Cantor or Paul Ryan would confirm  this -- I did everything I could over the last five days to improve this bill. And I said with great reluctance I would vote for it," he continued, "and I gave a statement to that effect to Leader Boehner, who was going to both put it in the record and share it with all my friends and former colleagues, so I was actually reluctantly trying to help it get through."

Gingrich offered his scathing criticism during the question and answer period which followed a Tuesday speech on the financial crisis at the National Press Club.

Appearing earlier in the day on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," NBC's Andrea Mitchell reported that she had been "told reliably by leading Republicans who are close to" Gingrich that the former House Speaker "was whipping against" Monday's failed Wall Street bailout bill "until the last minute" when he issued what Mitchell called a "face-saving statement."

"Newt Gingrich was telling people in the strongest possible language that this was a terrible deal," Mitchell continued, "not only that it was a terrible deal, that it was a disaster, that it was the end of democracy as we know it, it was socialism. And then at the last minute comes out with a statement when the vote is already in place."

Mitchell's report was followed by MSNBC's Mike Barnicle saying, "Andrea, I could hug you for saying that because I was told last night by two or three members of Congress that this was the opening salvo of
Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign four years hence."

When Barnicle raised the prospect of Gingrich seeking the White House by undermining the House Republican Leader, Mika Brzezinski interjected by borrowing the words Boehner had used to describe the Wall Street bailout.

"Talk about a crap sandwich," said Brzezinski.

Watch the MSNBC video on ThinkProgress.

Gingrich led the charge against Paulson's original proposal last week, telling ABC News on Tues., Sept. 23 that John McCain could not vote in favor of it and still claim "with a straight face" to be "the reform candidate."

The next day - on Wed., Sept. 24 - Gingrich issued a statement to the press praising McCain for suspending his campaign and "putting everything on the line" to try to get a bipartisan "economic package" to replace what he called the "failed Paulson bailout package."

Appearing Sunday on ABC News' "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," Gingrich said that he suspected that he would "probably" end up voting "reluctantly yes" on the revised bailout if he were still in office. He coupled this with a call for Henry Paulson's resignation, claiming that the U.S. Treasury
Secretary had behaved in an "un-American way" by initially asking for $700 billion without legislative oversight or judicial review.

On Monday, with the vote underway on the House floor, Gingrich made his position on the bailout definitive, issuing a statement saying that if he were still in office he would "reluctantly and sadly" support it. Gingrich explained his change in position by saying that the House Republicans, "reinforced by John McCain," have improved the bill "significantly" so it is "less bad" than the original proposal offered by Paulson.

MSNBC did not have an immediate reaction to Gingrich's criticism.

September 30, 2008 in McCain, John, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans, Washington, White House | Permalink | User Comments (44)

Biden Preps for Debate As Son's Deployment Looms

September 30, 2008 3:51 PM

ABC News' Matt Jaffe Reports: All the attention this week might appear to be on Thursday's vice-presidential debate in St. Louis, but such is not the case for one of the two participants in the much-anticipated duel: Sen. Joe Biden's son Beau, Delaware state attorney general, will begin his year-long deployment to Iraq with a ceremony Friday in Wilmington.

Biden interrupted his debate prep Tuesday for lunch with Beau, Beau's wife Hallie, and their four-year old daughter Natalie at a family favorite burger joint, The Charcoal Pit in Wilmington.

"Debates are important but family is always what's really important," said Biden spokesman David Wade. "The Biden family, like all the families in our country who have a loved one called up, deserve some time to themselves outside the glare and frenzy of the political process. They appreciate how incredibly understanding folks have been, including the media."

Following Thursday's debate, Sen. Biden will fly home to Delaware to get back in time to attend and speak at Friday morning's deployment ceremony for Beau's unit, scheduled for 11am in Dover.

Earlier this month, Republican vice presidential candidate Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin was the featured speaker at her son Track's deployment ceremony in Fairbanks bidding him a very public goodbye on the tarmac.

In her remarks, Palin never referenced her 19-year-old son. ""Soldiers, we honor you. Each one of these soldiers is here by choice," she said.

Lt. Col Len Grattieri, public affairs officer for the state National Guard, said that although the 60-minute event will feature the Democratic vice-presidential nominee, it is in no way a political forum.

"It is by no means a political rally," Grattieri said. "This is about the soldiers."

Biden, Grattieri stated, has regularly attended the 10-15 deployment ceremonies since the 9-11 attacks, although Friday's will have added meaning for the Delaware senator.

"He will always speak at these and he said he will speak at this one as well," Grattieri pointed out, noting that the senator, chairman of the Foreign Relations committee, frequently uses the forum to impart to the troops his international know-how on Iraq and Afghanistan.

"He's a real foreign relations expert, so he's usually gonna tell the soldiers his view of what's going on there based on his visits."

But Grattieri cautioned that Friday's event is not about the Bidens, but rather the entire 261st Signal Brigade, set to deploy for the first time.

"These are unique circumstances because of the senator's position and Capt. Biden's position," said Grattieri. "There are 115 soldiers going out with this unit and Capt. Biden is just one of them."

Friday's ceremony will take place on the Legislative Mall in front of the state capital in Dover. Along with Biden, it is customary for other elected officials from Delaware to speak, including Gov. Ruth Ann Minner.

"They always come to wish our troops a fond farewell," noted Grattieri.

Following the event, the troops will actually be able to return to their families for the weekend. The 115 soldiers then leave Sunday morning for Ft. Bliss, Texas, where they will spend six to eight weeks before heading to Iraq. If all goes well, the unit, commanded by Brig. Gen. Scott Chambers, a one-star general, could return as soon as September 2009.

In Iraq, Capt. Biden's work will be "very technologically-based," and "very complicated" according to Grattieri. "He will be providing communications to soldiers in the Iraqi theater."

"They're not infantry men," Grattieri added, "but they'll be in combat zones."

Biden has referenced his son's deployment at various points along the campaign trail, including an August meeting with guardsmen in Denver when he asked them to "keep an eye out" for Beau.

"We love you," said Biden, accompanied by his wife Jill. "And by the way if any of you get shipped back over, keep an eye out for my son. He'll keep an eye out for you guys. Keep the faith, go get 'em."

Just last Monday in Baltimore, Biden addressed the National Guard's annual conference, noting that he was not just speaking as the Democratic vice-presidential nominee.

"I'm also here today as a father of a guardsman," he continued. "My son Beau is proud to wear the uniform, and proud to answer the call to serve."

Beau introduced his father at the Democratic convention last month, giving a speech in which he referenced his pending deployment to Iraq.

"Because of other duties, it won't be possible for me to be here this fall to stand by him the way he stood by me." Beau said to the Democratic party gathered at Denver's Pepsi Center. "So I have something to ask of you. Be there for my dad like he was there for me."

September 30, 2008 in Biden, Joe | Permalink | User Comments (19)

McCain Takes Conciliatory Tone

September 30, 2008 2:27 PM

ABC News' Ron Claiborne Reports:  Republican presidential nominee John McCain took a more politically conciliatory tone today as he urged Congress to move quickly to pass a financial "rescue" plan before small businesses are swept up in the tightening credit crunch.

At a business roundtable campaign event in Des Moines, Iowa, McCain offered examples of small businesses and even college students suddenly unable to obtain loans.

"Businesses all over the country cannot borrow to finance their own operations and pay their bills," McCain said. "If we do nothing, many may fail... Inaction is not an option."

McCain did not mention his Democratic opponent, Sen. Barack Obama at all as he did just yesterday when he accused Obama of "phoning it in," and failing to provide leadership in the financial crisis.

In an interview today with ABC News, McCain declined to attack Obama when asked about that prior criticism.

"We can look back on this very soon, the crisis is here, let’s work together," he said. "I don’t feel like trading insults with Sen. Obama or anyone else right now. Let’s sit down together and work it out.

McCain said House Republicans should not have voted against the rescue plan yesterday just because they were angered by what many considered inflammatory on-the-floor remarks by Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California). After the measure failed, some Republicans blamed the defeat, in part, on Pelosi's harsh attack on the economic policies of President Bush and the Republicans.

"The vote should be decided, not on basis of (an) inflammatory speech but on the basis of what’s best for America," he said. "Of course it (Pelosi's comments) wasn’t helpful, but the point is there is so much larger stakes here in this game that we have got to act together."

But even as McCain toned down the rheotoric on the campaign trail, his campaign released a new television ad asserting that he had fought to "rein in" the now-troubled mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie.Mac and "pushed for stronger regulation while Mr. Obama was notably silent."

McCain had originally planned to fly to Washington, D.C. tonight. Instead, he is going to Kansas City, Missouri to continue campaigning. He said he did not know when he would return to Washington or what his role would be in trying to come up with a plan that can pass in Congress.

"I’ll do whatever is necessary," he said. "I don’t know that that necessarily means go back to Washington ... I’ll rely on the advice of some of my colleagues as to how I can be most effective. The last thing I want to do is go in and harm the process."

September 30, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (73)

McCain: Americans Are Suffering from a 'Crisis Of Confidence'

September 30, 2008 2:26 PM

ABC News' Bret Hovell reports: Calling the credit crunch "the greatest financial crisis of our lives," John McCain attempted to make the administration's financial rescue package relevant to middle America Tuesday. Speaking at a roundtable with Iowa business leaders in Des Moines, he said Americans were suffering from a "crisis of confidence." 

"One of the reasons why Congress failed to act effectively was because it hasn't really sunk in that people are hurting, and are being hurt, are Main Street, families, small businesses, those kinds of people that are the engine of our economy," McCain said.

"And the unfortunate aspect of this seems to be we are finger-pointing and trying to place the blame rather than trying to fix the problem," he said.

In his prepared remarks which opened the panel discussion, McCain said "we cannot allow a crisis in our financial system to become a crisis of confidence."

But a few minutes later, speaking without a script, he seemed to indicate that the economic situation had, in fact, already gotten that bad.

"We've got a severe crisis of confidence among the American people…" McCain said. "So we have a confidence building – a confidence restoration challenge that needs to be made here. And so when we go to the American people, we have to make sure that they have the confidence, which they do not today, that the changes that we make will be to their benefit and not for political reasons or for reasons of helping people on Wall Street."

McCain said that assurance would be key to winning passage of the administration's proposed bailout of the financial sector.

In order to improve the bill's chances of passage, McCain has recommended increasing the FDIC's insurance coverage to $250,000, a non-controversial step that Sen. Obama has also suggested.

McCain reiterated his call for Chris Cox, the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission to step down. McCain said that even good people have to take responsibility when things go wrong on their watch, which elicited a large round of applause from the audience.

McCain has given little indication of what he will do to help resurrect the bill in Congress. He told ABC News's Ron Claiborne Tuesday morning that he would "take the advice and counsel" of leaders of Congress on how he can be most helpful.

"I'll do whatever is necessary," McCain told Claiborne. "I don't know that that necessarily means go back to Washington."

September 30, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (29)

Obama Pushes Rescue Plan ... Lays Off McCain

September 30, 2008 1:44 PM

ABC News' John Berman, Sunlen Miller, and Ursula Fahy report: Barack Obama delivered a rarity today in Reno, Nevada.  After days of hammering John McCain, trying to tie him to the Bush administration, and suggesting he doesn't understand the problems facing the country, Obama held a rally today, delivering a full  36-minute speech where he didn’t once mention the name “John McCain.”

“There will be time to punish those who set this fire,” he said, “but now is the moment for us to come together and put the fire out.”

Obama used the speech at the University of Nevada, Reno to try build public support for the economic rescue plan being discussed in Washington, and put pressure on Congress to act.

“It is not a time for politicians to concern themselves with the next election,” Obama told the crowd,  “It is a time for all of us to concern ourselves with the future of the country we love. This is a time for action.”

And in his speech, he leaned on members from both parties. 

“To the Democrats and Republicans who opposed this plan yesterday, I say – step up to the plate and do what’s right for this country.” 

While Obama had been in touch with President Bush, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Democratic House leaders, aides say he did not make any calls to push for Democratic votes before the failed vote Monday.  Now, campaign officials refuse to say whether he is making directs pleas to wary members.

Obama also made a more direct sales pitch to voters than he has in recent days, trying to persuade of the risks of not taking action.  “What it means is that thousands of businesses could close. Millions of jobs could be lost. A long and painful recession could follow,” he said.

He also tried to put the cost of the plan in perspective, “This is not a plan to just hand over $700 billion of your money to a few banks on Wall Street. If this is executed the right way, then the government will temporarily purchase the bad assets of our financial institutions so that they can start lending again, and then sell those assets once the markets settle down and the economy recovers.”

Obama offered a new policy proposal in the speech, raising the Federal Deposit Insurance limit to $250,000 from where it stands at $100,000 right now. 

It’s an idea Republicans say they first brought up last week. 

McCain has also recommended increasing the FDIC's insurance coverage to $250,000.

In a statement, House Republican Leader John Boehner said, “The presidential candidates’ support for increasing the FDIC cap is welcome news. Increasing the FDIC cap is a proposal put on the table by Roy Blunt and House Republicans but ruled out by Democrats during the negotiations that led to yesterday’s unsuccessful vote.”

Nevertheless, Obama asked for other ideas too.

“That’s one idea. If there are others that can help shore up support for this plan and shore up our economy, I encourage both parties, Democrats and Republicans to offer them.”

He concluded, “We can't have another day like yesterday.”

UPDATE: Obama campaign spokeswoman Linda Douglass now says that "yes" Obama is making calls to lobby members. She would not say which members or how many, but she did say that it is being done in consultation with the House leadership.

September 30, 2008 in McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans, Washington | Permalink | User Comments (517)

Senate Decides to Stay in Session; Congress Can 'Act Like Grown-Ups'

September 30, 2008 11:06 AM

ABC News' Z. Byron Wolf Reports:  Senators were supposed to be out of session today to accommodate celebration of the Jewish New Year, and while there are no votes scheduled, they made the last-minute decision to stay in session.

The two leaders of the both -- Republican Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Democrat Harry Reid of Nevada -- made a bipartisan pledge on the Senate floor to pass legislation to address the financial crisis this week.

Notwithstanding yesterday's failure in the House, the Republican Leader McConnell said Congress can "act like grown-ups."

"We will get the job done. We will get it done this week. It will reassure the American people that Congress can rise to the occasion, act like grown-ups, if you will," McConnell said.

Senate Majority Leader Reid said he spent a good amount of time on the phone this morning with White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and with the Democratic Presidential nominee, who Reid said had spoken on the phone with President Bush. The government is working, he said, to pass legislation (he didn't say which or how the failed legislation would change).

Reid will meet later this morning with the chief Senate negotiators, Sens. Chris Dodd, Chuck Schumer and Jack Reed.

"The blame game needs to end," Reid said, trying to paint a picture of the financial crisis that would resonate with the public. "Yesterdays drop on Wall Street allowed for a loss of more than a trillion dollars...Most of that money doesn't come from Wall Street titans, it comes from the pensions of people who work...people who work for a lifetime to save a few dollars."

September 30, 2008 in Washington, White House | Permalink | User Comments (98)

Bush Warns Economic Damage Could Be 'Painful and Lasting'

September 30, 2008 10:06 AM

ABC News' Jennifer Duck reports: After Congress failed to pass a $700 billion financial rescue bill yesterday, President Bush made a plea to Congress Tuesday morning to act now or "the economic damage will be painful and lasting." 

This is the sixth time in the past two weeks President Bush cleared his schedule to make remarks specifically on the economy.

"The reality is that we are in an urgent situation, and the consequences will grow worse each day if we do not act," he said. 

"The dramatic drop in the stock market that we saw yesterday will have a direct impact on the retirement accounts, pension funds, and personal savings of millions of our citizens. And if our nation continues on this course, the economic damage will be painful and lasting."

The president added the more than 777-point drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average yesterday represented more than a trillion dollars in losses.

Speaking directly to Congress he said, "We're facing a choice between action and the real prospect of economic hardship for millions of Americans. And for the financial security of every American, Congress must act."

Bush admitted he was "disappointed" by the vote yesterday but emphasized urgency in getting a new bill into law. "Producing legislation is complicated, and it can be contentious.  It matters little what a path a bill takes to become law. What matters is that we get a law."

Since many members are off today for the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashanah, the legislation would come Wednesday at the earliest. 

However, the president noted his economic team will be working closely and talking with both parties in Congress today. 

Both presidential candidates called the president this morning about the failed bailout bill.

“Senator McCain and Senator Obama each called and spoke to the President this morning regarding the financial crisis," White House spokesman Tony Fratto said. "Both calls were very constructive, and the President appreciated hearing from them.  The senators offered ideas and reaffirmed what they have said publicly – that this is a critical issue that needs to be addressed.  We’re not going to comment on specific ideas, but we appreciate hearing them and will continue to work with congressional leaders on ideas that will help the economy."

Some of the ideas being considered for the bill include extending Federal Deposit Insurance to more accounts, something Obama advocated this morning, and eliminating the mark-to-market rule that makes financial decision-makers show their losses in real time.

September 30, 2008 in Washington, White House | Permalink | User Comments (98)