From The New York Times:
In the Roosevelt Room after the session, the Treasury secretary, Henry M. Paulson Jr., literally bent down on one knee as he pleaded with Nancy Pelosi, the House Speaker, not to “blow it up” by withdrawing her party’s support for the package over what Ms. Pelosi derided as a Republican betrayal.
“I didn’t know you were Catholic,” Ms. Pelosi said, a wry reference to Mr. Paulson’s kneeling, according to someone who observed the exchange. She went on: “It’s not me blowing this up, it’s the Republicans.”
Mr. Paulson sighed. “I know. I know.”
I doubt anyone needs me to repeat the sense of urgency within the administration to have legislation in place to sign as soon as possible. It's actually quite stunning that, after days and days of negotiations, making compromises and ironing out the details of a real plan for the Wall Street bailout, a few congressional Republicans would walk into a meeting with the president of the United States, member of their own party, and throw all of that work out the window. For once it looked like Congress was responding swiftly and with appropriate measures to a serious problem and the House Republicans want to quibble over alternatives when the financial markets could actually collapse worldwide if a plan isn't figured out? Who the fuck are they? I hope Rep. Boehner loses his seat this election. I also hope he loses his balls. Was this done because there truely was serious concern about the plan and alternative plans that could be moved into place quickly? No, in fact the congressional Democrats and the administration are on the same page. But because presidential candidate Sen. John fucking McCain (who asked no questions from Treasury Secretary Paulson while his opponent did) hasn't had the chance to do enough grandstanding. Sen. McCain can't participate in the debates but he can make the network interview circuits. What the fuck is wrong with the GOP? Are they really willing to risk further instability just so their candidate can look presidential? Beating Sen. Obama is so important that the GOP is willing to let Wall Street fall. Fuck every single one of them.
