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Failed Narrative Number 1

McCain scuttled the deal at the White House, or McCain was silent as useless? You can only have one, Democrats:

Though Sen. Chris Dodd implied that Sen. McCain sandbagged the rest of the negotiators by bringing up alternative proposals, McCain himself did not bring up those proposals, according to four independent sources briefed by four different principals inside the meeting, including two Republicans and two Democrats.

Dudes, you should get on the same page before talking to the press.

Same post:

But Boehner and the White House -- and McCain -- if they want to get something passed -- do have the responsibility to persuade these Republicans to support the bailout .

After all, if not to get these recalcitrant Republicans on board, why did McCain go to Washington in the first place?

Two points:

(1) I haven't seen the analysis that the House Republicans need to be on board for something to pass. Why is that? It's not for the voted themselves, right? Dems have the majority. It must be for political cover.

That speaks poorly for Democrats. We would have passed this very critical, super-important bill, but we didn't want to be associated with Bush unless there were 100 House GOP votes.

(2) What do the GOP members of the House owe to McCain? I have no idea whether McCain thought he could unify them one way or another, but I don't see the connection between McCain and all these safe-district GOP House members.

Notably, that may be an argument against McCain. Why did he go to Washington? To unify a group that he has no influence over?

Full post as published by Expressio Unius on September 26, 2008 (boomark / email).