October Surprise

[Wildflower Fever]

I'm curious as to what you all think about the Wall Street bailout and the upcoming election. Many speculate that the poor economy and it's perceived link to the GOP will help Obama. Others are smelling an "october surprise" that consists of Democrats behaving spinelessly and passing the bill, and republicans opposing it to distance themselves from Bush while painting themselves as populists. I'm betting on the latter, and think the way that Obama responds to this right now is crucial. This could be his 3AM phone call, and I think the dems need to be steadfast to controlling this spending bill rather than issuing a blank check to Bush.
Discuss...

[hoops]

i think handing bush a blank check would be the biggests mistake yet. remember this is the man who brought us from being "In the black" due to the clinton admin...all the way to THE BIGGEST DEBT THIS COUNTRY HAS EVER HAD in almost no time. just my opinion
peace
hoops

[Amy in Vermont]

Frankly, early retirement in Nova Scotia is lookin mighty inviting. Songdragon... can I camp out on your couch?

Seriously though, this is going to be ugly no matter what. No one will come out of this smelling remotely like a rose. The candidates should be forced to publish a list of proposed advisors and cabinet members. He who surrounds himself with the smartest, most honorable entourage should be the winner.

If you have a job, keep it as long as you can. Make any concessions you can remotely live with in order to keep the paychecks flowing. And start conserving seriously. You're gonna need it.

[Wildflower Fever]

UPDATE: Now it gets more interesting. John McCain today announced he's temporarily suspending his campaign to return to Washington and work on the economic crisis. Of course, he's "challenging" Barack Obama to do the same, and even wants to postpone Friday's Presidential Debate. Obviously, Obama now has no choice but to follow suit, and McCain looks like the "decider" for bringing this up. First, even though we have a serious economic problem, I think this important campaign can continue without these two candidates immediately returning to the senate floor. Second, I think McCain would love to sweep a postponed debate under the rug as he will probably do poorly in these debates. I think Obama should agree that they should work on the economic package, but he should stress there is no reason why a debate can't go on.

[DaveM]

How about a total collapse of the American economy and a takeover by a "provisional" military government? The United States has significantly more debt at present than did Weimar Germany. Which, in 1932, elected a leader who promised "change". Do NOT forget this....please.

[Colefan]

UPDATE: Now it gets more interesting. John McCain today announced he's temporarily suspending his campaign to return to Washington and work on the economic crisis. Of course, he's "challenging" Barack Obama to do the same, and even wants to postpone Friday's Presidential Debate. Obviously, Obama now has no choice but to follow suit, and McCain looks like the "decider" for bringing this up. First, even though we have a serious economic problem, I think this important campaign can continue without these two candidates immediately returning to the senate floor. Second, I think McCain would love to sweep a postponed debate under the rug as he will probably do poorly in these debates. I think Obama should agree that they should work on the economic package, but he should stress there is no reason why a debate can't go on.

Can't the Maverick manage the economic crisis, and still debate? Another president who cannot multitask.
Tsk! Tsk!

Sarah needs to step in and debate for the Maverick on Friday night OR

At this point, I'd rather watch Tina Fey debate Sarah Palin with Maureen Dowd as the moderator.

[Rickster]

This country is a complete financial mess! they should take the $700 billion dollars and help the middle class and tell the Corporate executive Ceo's to pound salt! Sorry no "Golden parachutes"! The middle class has always taken the brunt for this country, taxes, etc., Now Home foreclosures everywhere.


P.S. It's also time to bring our boys home from Iraq, It's time to hand over the reins! More billions of dollars spent daily there, is putting this country in bankruptcy! It's time to get lean America.

Sorry...just venting

This is worse than the sixties.

[DaveM]

I refuse to tighten my belt so that the people who ran Goldman Sachs (practically the only brokerage house to weather the Great Depression) into the ground won't have to.

[Wildflower Fever]

I refuse to tighten my belt so that the people who ran Goldman Sachs (practically the only brokerage house to weather the Great Depression) into the ground won't have to.

I feel like they want the taxpayers to prevent "jumpers" from skyscrapers, or I suppose they may have installed plexiglass now (see "The Hudsucker Proxy").:rolleyes: Seriously, although I'm kidding, some of these people should meet such a fate.

I wonder what it will take (myself included) to have masses in the streets screaming and pounding their fists about not only this, but EVERYTHING else. No wonder the neocons hate France, because for one thing, those people would be out in the streets right now.

[DaveM]

We could benefit greatly from a Marat or a Robespierre just now. Or better still, the second coming of Thomas Paine.

[diver_boy]

don't you know
we're talkin' about a revolution....

-tracy chapman

[coffeegyrl]

McLame didn't suspend his campaign. The fundraising dinners went on and tv commercials are still airing. David Letterman gave him a good drumming last night too. I hope he doesn't show up for the debate. That would be rich. A president needs to be able to multitask.