by Mark Silva
Sen. John McCain, invoking Teddy Roosevelt only four times this morning as part of his rationale for being "in the arena'' of the federal financial bailout, said that he is likely to support the agreement which congressional leaders have reached.
"I'd like to see the details... but hopefully yes,'' McCain said in an appearance on ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos. "This is something that all of us will swallow hard and go for...''
Democratic rival Barack Obama also offered a cautious endorsement of the deal:
"It appears, at least... that some core principles that I set forth at the beginning of this crisis were incorporated, the issue of insuring that we have some strong oversight... and the final thing, the issue of executive compensation,'' Obama said in his appearance on CBS News' Face the Nation., "I'm going to be reviewing the language over the next days....Ultimately, I feel that we have to get something done, so if I feel those are meaningful provisions... then my inclination is to support it.''
McCain, who was criticized by some on Capitol Hill for interjecting himself in the negotiations last week - "suspending'' his campaign for a day to attend a bipartisan summit at the White House that ended in disarray - said leaders deserve all the credit for negotiating this deal and he isn't claiming any.
"Frankly, I think that people up on the Hill deserve great credit that conducted these negotiations,'' McCain said this morning on This Week (see more on Obama's Face the Nation appearance here when it is finished this morning). "We saw both a bipartisan and bicameral approach to this that is welcome....
"The real effect of this is going to be restoring some confidence,'' he said. "What a lot of us are hopeful (about) is that this will restore some confidence throughout the economy...''
Addressing Democratic rival Barack Obama's call for further economic stimulus to accompany this plan, McCain said: "We've got a lot of other difficulties, including the continuing decline in home values... But let's look at this particular proposal, let's get it through the Congress... and then let's sit down and see what else needs to be done, before we start saying let's do this, this, this...
McCain defended his role in the negotiations.
"I won't claim a bit of credit,'' he said.
"I came back... It wasn't because of me that the House Republicans got into the negotiating... They did it themselves,'' McCain said, suggesting that others are free to judge the impact of his role in the talks. "I did the best that I could. I came back... I should be doing whatever little I can to help this process...
"I'm a Teddy Roosevelt Republican,'' McCain said. "I've got to get in the arena when America needs it.''
This wasn't the last time McCain mentioned T.R.
"Even if this plan works perfectly, there are still enormous economic challenges out there... We've got to sort of take this thing as we see the situation evolve,'' said McCain, reminded that he often has advocated government deregulation and now is joining the chorus for stepped up oversight of the markets.
"Two years ago I said that I was worried - cosponsored legislation because of the excesses of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that I saw,'' he said. "I am a Teddy Roosevelt Republican.. Teddy Roosevelt said unbridled government leads to corruption... I believe in that.....''
McCain was asked about Obama complaining that he never mentioned the middle class in their premiere campaign debate.
"Who does he think I was talking about when I said people on Main Street?'' McCain said. "Who did he think I was talking about when I was talking about the necessity of helping taxpayers?'' Laughing dismissively, he said: I've got bigger things to worry about.''
Asked about appearing to be reluctant to look at Obama in the debate Friday night, and if that demonstrated disdain for his rival, he said: "I was looking at the moderator a good deal of time, I was writing a lot of the time.... Not only would I intend it, it wasn't... That's just foolishness... I've been in a lot of debates and many times I do not look at my opponents because I am looking at the American people... and focusing.. because that's what the debate is all about.''
McCain was asked about his running mate, Sarah Palin, suggesting that the U.S. will go into Pakistan if necessary to track down terrorists, he said there is no disagreement between the two.
"She shares my view that we'll do whatever is necessary... Teddy Roosevelt, speak softly and carry a big stick...
"To announce you're going to attack another country is not a mature way to address it... She did fine, she did just fine...''
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Asked about conservative columnist Kathleen Parker arguing that McCain should dump Palin from the party's ticket:
"They can complain all they want to... I'll rely on the American people. The American people have responded in a positive way,'' McCain said. "Kathleen Parker, if that's her name, go ahead and criticize... I am so happy that she is part of the team.''
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Comments
Mark, if you label columnist Kathleen Parker "conservative", does that mean you'll start labeling other columnists "liberal?" Columnists like Frank James, Jim Oliphant, Jim Tankersley, John McCormck, Jill Zuckman, Andrew Zajac.....
And Mark Silva.
Please, someone, try and explain how Parker is any more "conservative" than the Swamp columnists are "liberal." I need a laugh.
Posted by: Bruce | September 28, 2008 11:01 AM
I hope this race for the president continues to be about the two very different ways these two candidates view the role of government in our lives. Obama is a very smart indidvidual, but he truly believes the Federal Government holds the answers, not the private sector. I can not vote for that! http://www.bop-o-rama.com
Posted by: There is a Difference! | September 28, 2008 11:09 AM
It really bothers me when McCain try to sell his role in the bailout plan as non-partisan when people like myself know he is injecting himself in the negotiations to gain credit. Why can't he be honest and admit his "stunts" in the last week has been to gain favor with voters. And while he's at it stop comparing himeself to dead presidents. This election is more about a generational gap than anything else. McCain need to stop living in the past and join Americans in the futrure. What worked in the past will not necessary work in the future...............we need a president who can focus on realities of life as it is now.
Posted by: Flojo | September 28, 2008 11:11 AM
Another of the imperialist Presidents, we don't need any more incursions into foreign lands. Let's leave the Iraqi Oil Fields and allow them to rebuild their destroyed nation, according to their needs and wants. I don't think that Senator McCain, the wannabe Roosevelt, will take off against the robber barons. Senator McCain will probably be celebrating with the robber barons of Wall Street, especially after his dramatic parachuting into Washington, to save our dearly beloved Wall Street, the trailer park of the rich !! We don't need another Teddy Roosevelt, or anymore of the Bushes and we certainly don't need the McCain-Who ticket, the ticket to Nowhere !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | September 28, 2008 12:20 PM
Excuse me, "There is a Difference" but it was a lack of government regulation of the private sector, and the greed/incometence of the private sector that got us in this current mess. So you might want to rethink your opinion.
Posted by: mort | September 28, 2008 12:33 PM
What happened to John McCain? Is this the same John McCain who ran in 2000? Who Kerry is rumored to have considered as his running mate in 2004?! The darling of the Daily Show? Is it age? Ambition?
He has morphed into a crankier version of George W Bush.
Posted by: Anita OBrien | September 28, 2008 12:39 PM
Hey Bruce!
"Mark" didn't label Kathleen Parker as a"conservative columnist" - George Stephanopoulos did. Although you have to admit, most people would consider the National Review a consersative publication. Here's how it describes itself on it's own website: "National Review and NRO are America's most widely read and influential magazine and web site for Republican/conservative
news, commentary, and opinion."
Posted by: Rodger | September 28, 2008 12:47 PM
Enough with the 'McCain injected himself into the bailout'. He's a long time Senator and the Senate and House will be voting on the bill. He's running for President and whoever wins will have to deal with the impact of the bailout. Obama's 'call me if you need me' attitude was ridiculous.
Comparing himself to dead Presidents? Oh, please. Obama's tied himself to Lincoln and JFK.
And anyone who doesn't understand that you can't honestly or realistically look to America's future without remembering and understanding America's past is too ignorant to vote.
Posted by: Mary Catherine | September 28, 2008 12:59 PM
The above post makes an excellent point: There's a clear choice. If you want to see school programs further stripped of music, art and after-school programs, healthcare even more expensive, and a hope that making the rich richer will somehow spread the wealth downward, vote McCain.
If you want to see an investment made in the ideals that founded our great nation, vote Obama.
Posted by: David Marks | September 28, 2008 1:45 PM
Bottom line is McCain pulled himself off the trail to try and help out in a crisis.Obama on the other hand said call me if you need me. Which is leadership?
You can't believe polls either,they are way over sampled with Dems that you dont see unless you read the internals.They also know what names to profile in phone books.
Posted by: Jacob | September 28, 2008 2:04 PM
Obama talks a good game, never really takes a position, rides the political winds, and yaps about 'I did this.." and "I did that.." when in fact he hasn't done squat. If Obama is elected this will be the biggest hoodwink in the history of this country!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2mzbuRgnI4
Posted by: NOBAMA08 | September 28, 2008 2:17 PM
Bruce, are you serious... she's a self proclaimed conservative journalist. When you strokes you fall in line with everything your party tells you to believe, it's worth noting when one dissents, chooses to use her brain, decides to disagree and say something a lot of other CONSERVATIVE journalists are wanting to say.
We call them "reasonable republicans."
there's your laugh... if that's not an oxymoron, I don't know what is.
Posted by: Bones | September 28, 2008 3:16 PM
McCain had no part of this bail-out proposal and neither did Obama or Bush. McCain "rushing" to Washington simply left him walking the halls with his ear pressed to the committee room door.
McCain implying he was a part of it is a lie and he derailed the meeting by injecting politics into it.
Posted by: CarolO | September 28, 2008 3:23 PM
Obama and the Democrats are looking out for the American PEOPLE. The reason this bail out agreement wasn't done sooner is because the Dems were in there telling Bush they would not support his bill unless he added protections for the taxpayers so we don't end up saddled with the debt of these banks. Anyone trashing Obama is a stupid fool. The Republicans are corrupt and greedy, you stupid dimwits supporting these Republican criminals are the reason why the rest of this world hates America. You are the problem, you are in the way of progress and America ever being strong, respected, prosperous and healthy again because you obviously have poor values and don't love your country. Your attitude and prejudice is as ugly as the disaster that is the failure, corruption, laughing stock Bush administration. You McCain/Bush supporters have zero credibility, you had your chance and you BLEW IT BIG TIME, so shut up and sit down, you're done.
Obama / Biden
Posted by: Democrats 08 | September 28, 2008 3:51 PM
McCain you are no Teddy Roosevelt! And Democrats 08 are r right!
Posted by: Evan Crum | September 28, 2008 6:22 PM
McCain cares enough to suspend his campaign and return to Washington to work on this issue, and it was him who worked to get the House Republicans on board with this issue, and even then he said: (and I quote the article above): "I won't claim a bit of credit''. This is true leadership, something that Obama sorely lacking.
Posted by: Ryan | September 28, 2008 8:56 PM
Ummmm, he "won't claim a bit of credit" because he didn't do anything. When McCain showed up on Thursday, he still didn't have a position on the Paulson plan. The House Republicans had - in total silence - cobbled together a "plan" that was absolute nonsense - basically espousing that the market would just solve the problem if we cut corporate taxes. All McCain did was fuel the nonsensical positions of House Republicans.
And the only thing that McKeating has in common with Teddy Roosevelt is that they're probably about the same age. Just because you call yourself a reformer - despite all the facts to the contrary - doesn't make it true.
McKeating is a reformer like Palin is ready to be President.
Posted by: dsk36 | September 28, 2008 9:58 PM
You can't trust the goverment and you can't trust the private sector,.....so of course you will lean on the government to do something, at least you have some recourse by voting them out.
Posted by: Johnny | September 28, 2008 10:02 PM
McCain---If you think you are Teddy Roosevelt--you carry a lame stick and a lame running mate.
Posted by: Steve Pribila | September 28, 2008 10:08 PM
Let's see...he needs to read the details of an agreement he "suspended" his campaign to help put together. I guess all those phone calls were to 1-800-COV-ERUP and not to Congressional leaders.
As for being happy that Palin is part of his team, that can only mean that this is the week for Sarah to announce that her children need her at home...
Posted by: Barack Like Me | September 28, 2008 11:37 PM
wait a min if mcsenile had to suspend his race to help in the bailout he should know the detail s more lies from the unfit to lead
Posted by: show me | September 29, 2008 6:45 AM
I wonder if John McCain knows that Teddy Roosevelt stood "outside the Arena" of a national crisis at least once: he escaped military service in the Civil War by paying someone to substitute for him. The New York draft laws of the time allowed this, and many wealthy men took advantage. Maybe McCain didn't vet his hero enough.
Posted by: Revacoop | September 29, 2008 10:22 PM
so why is mccain not a roosevelt republican? what did Teddy do that Mccain didn't or haven't done? What is the difference between them?
Posted by: orlando Perez | October 16, 2008 2:57 PM