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McCain Takes Conciliatory Tone
September 30, 2008 10:27 AM
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 in Political Radar | Permalink | Share | User Comments (73)
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McCain has been all over the place lately. Erratic to say the least. I think he and his campiagn are in panic mode.
You know the campiagn is on the wrong track when Obama takes the lead in North Carolina and Virginia. To very read state and leading in more then one poll in these states.
I believe McCain lost this election 2 week ago.
Posted by: Vanessa | Sep 30, 2008 10:32:40 AM
So, you know, we’re getting stampeded here to vote for something that doesn’t help homeowners, that doesn’t do anything about foreclosures, that doesn’t help those people who have been in bankruptcy and are looking for a way out. As a matter of fact, it made sure they can’t get out. So, who’s this for? It’s for speculators. It’s to play a game that provides some temporary help in the market, and, you know, you might see an uptick today if this passes the House. On the other hand, if it doesn’t, we need to be ready to find a way for Wall Street to address its problems without having to tap the increasingly diminishing resources of the federal taxpayers.
Posted by: HP Boston | Sep 30, 2008 10:37:34 AM
Being a bully is not working eh??? I still don't by this-McCain is not sincere or genuine at all-It all politics
Posted by: Sophia | Sep 30, 2008 10:46:25 AM
Now he doesnt want to go to D.C. because it might harm the process? Is he serious? Didn't he just go a week ago, and say he needed to be there? Why the change of heart Johnny Boy? He doesnt know what he wants to do.
Posted by: ByeByeBush | Sep 30, 2008 10:46:47 AM
Granpa' McShame was the one who created this failure, nobody needed him in Washington, by the minute he decided to inject politics into the negociations, the plan was dead at the arrival, he should've stayed at home instead of looking for photo op in washington.
Now we're in a deeper crisis because of him, and he has the nerve to hold Obama responsible for his own gambles and poor tactics, what a poor man !
Now the solution is to let Congress work on a new solution, without any distraction from Granpa' McCain't, he needs to really suspend his campaign, go to his home state of Arizona and wait for the solution of this crisis before returning to the campaign trail, if he wants.
It's almost the end of his poor, nasty and shameful campaign !
Posted by: Damon | Sep 30, 2008 10:49:53 AM
I wanted to point out two AP stories that deal with a proposal to raise the FDIC limit. The first story says that Sen. Barack Obama supports such a proposal. That is, frankly, shocking, since the idea was actually proposed by House Republican negotiators on Saturday evening, but was strongly rejected by Senate Democrats. Rep. Chris Shays has introduced this proposal as legislation (H.R. 7235). The second AP story mentions the House GOP support for this proposal.
Why is Sen. Obama embracing a proposal his colleagues rejected? Why did Senate Democrats reject the proposal initially? Have they all changed their minds, or is Sen. Obama breaking with his colleagues? Interesting questions …
Posted by: HP Boston | Sep 30, 2008 10:50:17 AM
No bailout!! Not with the American people's tax dollars! I think it stinks that Pelosi tried to stick some extra cash for her polictical allies. And once again it's the middle guy who will suffer the consequences of the mismanagement of these companies and our goverment.
Posted by: my two cents | Sep 30, 2008 10:50:49 AM
I wanted to point out two AP stories that deal with a proposal to raise the FDIC limit. The first story says that Sen. Barack Obama supports such a proposal. That is, frankly, shocking, since the idea was actually proposed by House Republican negotiators on Saturday evening, but was strongly rejected by Senate Democrats. Rep. Chris Shays has introduced this proposal as legislation (H.R. 7235). The second AP story mentions the House GOP support for this proposal.
Why is Sen. Obama embracing a proposal his colleagues rejected? Why did Senate Democrats reject the proposal initially? Have they all changed their minds, or is Sen. Obama breaking with his colleagues? Interesting questions …
Posted by: HP Boston | Sep 30, 2008 10:51:56 AM
Sen. John McCain is an experienced, intellligent, rational man. Say whatever you want about him, but his entire adult life have been devoted unselfishly to public service. That is way more than anyone can say for empty suit Barack. And PLEASE give up on the "but he was a community organizer in Chicago" tired old defense. Google "ACORN" and you will soon see what Barack's lame "community organizer" skills really involved. Barack = ACORN = Current financial crisis in America.
Posted by: PhillyPaul | Sep 30, 2008 10:52:14 AM
Vanessa, Beck and Angie - all paid Obama bloggers, or people who have a lot of time on their hands.
Posted by: Dorcas Roescher | Sep 30, 2008 10:53:06 AM
McCain's obsession to become president has destroyed a good man. His word means nothing because he will change it on the drop of a hat if he thinks it will get him a vote. SAD SAD SAD
Posted by: The Unshrub | Sep 30, 2008 10:56:56 AM
Neither John McCain or Barrack Obama are fit to be President. They are both trying to push Americans into this disgraceful bailout, no wonder what they call it.
They are not listening to their constituents, the vast majority who do not want it. We KNOW what the bill says, we say NO WAY! No BAILOUT. NO RESCUE. Listen to the American people and stop playing political games, both of you!
VOTE THIRD PARTY, AMERICANS! Let your voice be heard for a change!!
Posted by: Ladywolf | Sep 30, 2008 10:58:37 AM
Posted by: paear Luik | Sep 30, 2008 10:59:52 AM
PhillyPaul: A couble of blogs do not make it a fact.
Posted by: The Unshrub | Sep 30, 2008 11:00:11 AM
McCain is all over the place. And his VP candidate is a clueless .....
Posted by: Phil | Sep 30, 2008 11:00:17 AM
McCain does not care election, he only cares about American.
Posted by: JB | Sep 30, 2008 11:02:14 AM
Posted by: I love Huckabee | Sep 30, 2008 11:02:35 AM
John McWimp: You are embarassing me, i'm starting to wonder who should be wearing the pants on this team.
Posted by: bombem | Sep 30, 2008 11:02:56 AM
Phillypaul. I live in Az and John McCain was handpicked to run because of his POW record, he is not particualrly intelligent, and his temper is legend. Google Kathy Dubs. This is a guy that has to be held back from jumping across a table at someone that showed that his political position just happened to net his wife several million dollars in a land deal.
Posted by: Danny | Sep 30, 2008 11:04:23 AM
Dorcas Roescher: We are paid Obama bloggers... seriously... what are doing on here... must have time on your hands.
Actually I am not.. I am a 50 years old white woman who will be voting Obama. His policies are what will be good for me and my family.
As for time on my hands.. I do, I am a work right now but for 2 weeks now our phones have not rang, nor a customer come thru the doors. I do advertising. I just pray we can get thru this economy crisis soon or I will be jobless. Oh, just because you seemed to want to know about who I am.... I also am a breast cancer survivor who can't get insurance for 5 years. "Thanks McCain but NO Thanks"..
Posted by: beck | Sep 30, 2008 11:06:48 AM
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