Failout Vote – Pelosi’s Lack of Leadership

     Although the Republican leadership told Pelosi they would be able to get 70 to 80 votes today, but only ended up with 65 or so, you cannot overlook the complete failure that is Pelosi’s leadership of the Dems in Congress. Sure, her comments preceding the vote scared a handful of Republicans orginally in that 70 or 80 – Pelosi’s ill timed speech and its partisan tone, combined with her calling the GOP lawmakers unpatriotic, isn’t bipartisan coalition building whatsoever.  Notwithstanding the fact that the Democrats have a majority in the House and Senate and can pass this thing, they insisted on GOP votes as a cover (polls show heavy disfavor to this package).  So here are things of note:

Over ninety Democrats voted against it.  Pelosi didn’t whip her Dems on the floor like she would on some lesser issues such as organized labor.  She failed.

** 5 committee chairman voted no – this is the Democratic leadership – voting no?! **

**Every Dem member of the House Financial Services Cmte except for Barney Frank voted against it! All but Barney Frank!

Over 5 California democratic reps close to Pelosi voted no?!

Her remarks were clearly ill timed and ill suited – she pulled the thread on this fragile bipartisan group supporting this bill and let it fall apart.  I’m not a fan of this bailout / failout package – but her complete lack of leadership is ridiculous.  What was Obama doing?  Where is he during this time and what has he been trying to do?  Why was Obama not working with his party, the holders of the majority in both houses, and building consensus? 

B/C Obama loves staying on the periphery on this issue, criticize McCain who went to Washington, and is more worried about himself politically.  Always has.  Obama’s party is in the majority – they have the votes to pass it, whether the political climate is difficult or not, they have this on THEIR plate and THEIR leadership failed.  Remember it was the Dems who told McCain to “get out of town” b/c he was making it more difficult.  Right …. Failout Pelosi and “they’ll call if they need me” Obama are to blame – their party is in the majority, one is the House speaker and the other their nominee for president.  Good grief.

– AP

Obama Proven Overly Optimistic – Changes Remarks Post Vote

– If you listen to Obama speak on difficult issues while they are developing (Georgia, Financial Bailout) notice how his remarks are similar to what a reporter would be saying, with a few very broad “we should ….” or “during these times it is important to ….” – just reporting and very broad insight. – AP

Obama’s prepared remarks, from earlier today in Colorado.

And today, Democrats and Republicans in Washington have agreed on an emergency rescue plan that is our best and only way to prevent an economic catastrophe.

Not so much.

 UPDATE:
After seeing the bill fail, Obama scapped the originial script and talked of Rocky Mountain-like turbulence

And today, Democrats and Republicans in Washington have a responsibility to make sure that an emergency rescue package is put forward that can at least stop the immediate problems we have so we can begin to plan for the future. As I said, this is a hard thing to do. And right now Democratic and Republican leaders have agreed but members have not yet agreed.

There are going to be some bumps and trials and tribulations and ups and down before we get this rescue package done. It is important for the American public and for the markets to say calm because things are never smooth in congress and to understand that it will get done. That we are going to make sure an emergency package is put together because it is required for us to stabilize the markets and to make sure that when a small business-person wakes up tomorrow morning, he will be able to make payroll. 

We are not going to lose jobs at an even faster clip than we are doing right now. I am confident we are going to get there but it’s going to be sort of rocky. It’s sort of like flying into Denver. You know you’re going to land but it’s not always fun going over those mountains.

FAILOUT

Ed Morrisey of hotair reports that the bailout failed 207-226, with Democrats supporting it 141-94, while Republicans opposed it 66-132.