Sep
30
Massachusetts Shut Out at Credit Window
September 30, 2008 | 1 Comment
The State of Massachusetts, looking to borrow money to make a local aid payment, found itself unable to borrow sufficient funds on the open market to do so, forcing the Treasurer to utilize State funds to make up the balance of the payment. From the Boston Globe:
In an example of how fragile credit markets have [...]
Sep
30
Palin and McCain on Pakistan
September 30, 2008 | 5 Comments
John McCain and Sarah Palin back with Katie Couric, trying to explain the contradiction between the McCain criticism of Obama for publicly stating he would launch cross border attacks on terrorists into Pakistan, and Governor Palin’s expressed support for that position in a conversation with voters. Apparently they can blame “gotcha journalism’ even when journalists [...]
Sep
29
Mass delegation and the vote
September 29, 2008 | 3 Comments
The Massachusetts Congressional delegation had three members who voted against the bailout bill. According to WBZ those three were Steve Lynch, Bill Delahunt, and John Tierney. All other members, including Fifth Congressional Rep. Niki Tsongas, voted in favor. The entire Congressional Roll Call is attached as a pdf. file.
Roll Call Results
Sep
29
Republican Rep Darrell Issa Condemns Treasury, Fed
September 29, 2008 | 4 Comments
Conservative Republican Rep. Darrell Issa, a no vote on the Bush bailout package, appeared on Hardball with Chris Matthews today and said, amongst other things, that the “mismanagement of the Fed and the Treasury had gone on for “months and years”. He also urged Treasury Secretary Paulson to stop acting like a “day trader” at [...]
Sep
29
And the Recriminations Fly!
September 29, 2008 | 6 Comments
The defeat of the Bush bailout plan brought charge and counter-charge between the Republican and Democratic leaders of the House. 133 Republicans and 95 Democrats rejected the bill, with Republicans charging that a “partisan” speech by Speaker Pelosi before the vote pushed enough Republicans into a no vote to derail the bill. From the Washington [...]
Sep
29
House Defeats Bailout Bill
September 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment
In a stunning rebuke to the Congressional leadership and the President the House of Representatives today voted down the bailout bill by a 228-205 margin. Where we go from here is anybody’s guess, but this is a huge development. I will post the vote by legislator as soon as it becomes available.
Sep
29
The Debate ad wars McCain style
September 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The John McCain debate ad, criticizing Obama for agreeing with him so much.
Sep
29
Campaigns trade debate ads
September 29, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The Obama ad hitting McCain on his tax plan, and a lack of focus on the middle class during the debate.
Sep
28
SNL Strikes Again
September 28, 2008 | 1 Comment
Yes more fun with Couric and Palin.
Sep
28
Bailout Deal appears set
September 28, 2008 | 1 Comment
A tentative deal appears to have been reached on a bailout of the banking system, with the Administration appearing with the Congressional leadership to announce that negotiations had succeeded. With agreement principles in hand the fine print must now be created, and the deal is subject to that final round of approval of the written [...]