"Call me if you need me" That's leadership!

[CowboyCO]

Obama, when asked if he felt he should join John McCain in Washington in work out a solution to the financial bailout said:

John McCain and he had agreed to put out a joint statement on the crisis and that McCain had asked him to go to Washington to meet with Congressional leaders and the President to work out an agreement. McCain also suggested delaying the scheduled debate, and to suspend the campaigns until a solution was passed by Congress. Obama has now declined and said this was the biggest financial crisis since the Great Depression. He said it's important that Americans hear how there next leader will handle the problem.

Obama said he was in touch daily with Pelosi, Reid and Paulson and said, "they can call me if they need me."

If this is the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression, then why is the leader of the Democrat Party not in Washington trying to work out a bi-partisan solution today? Not 40 days from now, but TODAY!

I am not an Obama supporter and do not pretend to be unbiased, but COME ON! We need action from ALL our congressmen, senators and the president. Not next week or next month or next January after the inauguration -- NOW!

Allowing others to lead while you wait for a call is not leadership. Looks like he has decided to take a backseat to Pelosi, Reid and McCain on this one. You can't win if you are on the sidelines...

 

[mla1977]

I hate to be the one to tell you this...

Most members of Congress are only there 2.5-3 days per week. On election years and especially during the weeks leading up to the election, they are hardly there at all.

 

[Christine]

Both Obama and McCain can work on this issue from afar and don't need to be there. They can view everything via teleconference, phone conference, staff briefings, etc. They only need to be present to vote once the final bill is put before Congress. This is done all the time.

 

[Goofyluver]

I heard it best asked by a reporter to Joe Lieberman earlier today:

"What changed from yesterday to today?" that McCain is NOW putting such emphasis on the economy?

IMO...he's covering. He's trying to dig himself out of the hole he dug when he continued to state, over and over, "Our economy is fundamentally sound."

I also appreciated when Obama brought up the ability of a leader to "multi-task"...The POTUS won't always be in the White House when the big decisions need to be made.

 

[CowboyCO]

You know what -- I am in sales. You can't sell on the phone. To reach an agreement on the largest bailout in US history, the leaders need to sit down in the same room and work out a compromise that they can take to Congress. If you are a leader, you are in that room.

I am aware that congressmen don't spend much time in their offices, especially during the election cycle, but according to Bernanke, if action is not taken, the country, the financial sector will crash and the country (and world) will sink into a depression. If you are the leader of your party, you should be guiding and leading, not waiting for a phone call.

 

[Uncle Remus]

I heard it best asked by a reporter to Joe Lieberman earlier today:

"What changed from yesterday to today?" that McCain is NOW putting such emphasis on the economy?

IMO...he's covering. He's trying to dig himself out of the hole he dug when he continued to state, over and over, "Our economy is fundamentally sound."

I also appreciated when Obama brought up the ability of a leader to "multi-task"...The POTUS won't always be in the White House when the big decisions need to be made.

Yeah, the ability to multi task is a clear quality for a President.

McCain really did try to use the economic crisis for his own gain, damn shame he's sunk that low.

 

[mla1977]

So right Goofyluver. As I said, most members of Congress aren't there every day. They have multiple staff members who are there and attend meetings and draft everything for them. I even wrote letters when I was an intern.

 

[CowboyCO]

I heard it best asked by a reporter to Joe Lieberman earlier today:

"What changed from yesterday to today?" that McCain is NOW putting such emphasis on the economy?

IMO...he's covering. He's trying to dig himself out of the hole he dug when he continued to state, over and over, "Our economy is fundamentally sound."

I also appreciated when Obama brought up the ability of a leader to "multi-task"...The POTUS won't always be in the White House when the big decisions need to be made.

The reason is because reports out of Washington, is that a deal is NOT geting done. They are getting bogged down in bi-partisan bickering. Reid said he needs the Republicans to get this thing passed. Well, John McCain, the leader of the republican party is on his way..

And Lieberman today said McCain's decision was based upon what he thought was best for the country, not what was best for his campaign.

 

[mefordis]

You know what -- I am in sales. You can't sell on the phone. To reach an agreement on the largest bailout in US history, the leaders need to sit down in the same room and work out a compromise that they can take to Congress. If you are a leader, you are in that room.

I am aware that congressmen don't spend much time in their offices, especially during the election cycle, but according to Bernanke, if action is not taken, the country, the financial sector will crash and the country (and world) will sink into a depression. If you are the leader of your party, you should be guiding and leading, not waiting for a phone call.

I'm not clear. Is there a meeting that is taking place in DC with Congress which Obama is not going to be present? Do we even know if other members of congress are meeting at a particular place in DC, or are they working via teleconference at their own locales?

It seems like McCain rushing to DC is just him showboating, and also trying to stall the first debate. But then again, he is computer illiterate so he may need to sit by the phone in some hotel room waiting for a phone call telling him the time and place to meet.

 

[mla1977]

I wouldn't trust anything Lieberman says as being unbiased any more. He went from being his party's VP nominee to speaking at the RNC and endorsing the Republican candidate. I now know why my grandfather has hated him for all these years. And to think that I wanted to work for him at one point in time.

 

[Goofyluver]

The reason is because reports out of Washington, is that a deal is NOT geting done. They are getting bogged down in bi-partisan bickering. Reid said he needs the Republicans to get this thing passed. Well, John McCain, the leader of the republican party is on his way..

And Lieberman today said McCain's decision was based upon what he thought was best for the country, not what was best for his campaign.

Well, what was best for his country changed last week...because last week...our economy was fundamentally sound.

THIS week...we can ONLY concentrate on the economy (to cover our mistake).

Should we make priorities? Yes...and Obama is doing just that...by keeping himself informed. Should we able to address MORE than one issue at a time? Yes...and McCain is showing he is unable to do that.

The country needs to hear that debate on Friday night. We need to hear how our economy will be fixed. We need to hear what changes our politicians are going to make. I need to hear it.

 

[Uncle Remus]

The reason is because reports out of Washington, is that a deal is NOT geting done. They are getting bogged down in bi-partisan bickering. Reid said he needs the Republicans to get this thing passed. Well, John McCain, the leader of the republican party is on his way..

And Lieberman today said McCain's decision was based upon what he thought was best for the country, not what was best for his campaign.

LOL, yes, we all know Lieberman tells McCain what to say because McCain isn't able to keep things clear, but I doubt McCain with his limited knowledge of economics can help in any resolution. McCain is not doin' well in the polls, he needs time to regroup. And Obama called it right when he said a President needs to know how to do many things at one time.

 

[Brianne]

You know what -- I am in sales. You can't sell on the phone.

What?! Then I guess telemarketers don't exist? Travel agents? Insurance? Never mind other companies that sell over the phone. My husband's job wouldn't exist. My job wouldn't exist because I do a lot of my business over the phone, and guess what? I sell things without ever meeting the person on the other end of that phone line.

 

[JARNJ3]

Chris Matthews was suggesting that McCain might have to twist some arms of his own party to vote for the bill.

Apparently, they are the holdouts (goes against everything they believe in). And Bush has no pull any longer.

I think the republicans, McCain included are running scared. The polls are not trending in their favor........

 

[Christine]

What?! Then I guess telemarketers don't exist? Travel agents? Insurance? Never mind other companies that sell over the phone. My husband's job wouldn't exist. My job wouldn't exist because I do a lot of my business over the phone, and guess what? I sell things without ever meeting the person on the other end of that phone line.

I think some believe that all these senators get in one of those big conference rooms, order a few Domino's pizzas, and hash out the details!! I think those days of writing a bill are long gone.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

You know what -- I am in sales. You can't sell on the phone. To reach an agreement on the largest bailout in US history, the leaders need to sit down in the same room and work out a compromise that they can take to Congress. If you are a leader, you are in that room.

I am aware that congressmen don't spend much time in their offices, especially during the election cycle, but according to Bernanke, if action is not taken, the country, the financial sector will crash and the country (and world) will sink into a depression. If you are the leader of your party, you should be guiding and leading, not waiting for a phone call.

No offense but you must not be a good salesperson.

If you are in sales, then you should be able to sell Ice to an Eskimoe. Of course you can close sales over the phone!! I work in Travel and have for the past 16 years, do you know how many customers I have never met but booked them over the phone! Even some that are overseas that found us through the internet.

Also something that I think many are overlooking, is what about our current President? Isn't this his job right now, since he got us into this mess shouldn't we be hearing more from him than Mccain or Obama?

 

[TLSnell1981]

The reason is because reports out of Washington, is that a deal is NOT geting done. They are getting bogged down in bi-partisan bickering. Reid said he needs the Republicans to get this thing passed. Well, John McCain, the leader of the republican party is on his way..

And Lieberman today said McCain's decision was based upon what he thought was best for the country, not what was best for his campaign.

This vote needs to happen this week. We need McCain to get face to face and help settle this once and for all. Obama doesn't have a clue what to do. He's never been a leader. He can't bring his teleprompter and his advisors to make ur...ah...uh...sure he says the "right" thing.

I am sick to death of all the bi-partisan bickering. I'm glad one candidate had the sense and courage to realize.....things aren't going well up in DC. If only Barry had time to see what the polls say he should do........ Maybe, he should just slink back to Hollywood for another fundraiser.....during a time of crisis. It's what he did during IKE.

 

[Brianne]

I think some believe that all these senators get in one of those big conference rooms, order a few Domino's pizzas, and hash out the details!! I think those days of writing a bill are long gone.

Definitely. The government's become too big for that these days.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

This vote needs to happen this week. We need McCain to get face to face and help settle this once and for all. Obama doesn't have a clue what to do. He's never been a leader. He can't bring his teleprompter and his advisors to make ur...ah...uh...sure he says the "right" thing.

I am sick to death of all the bi-partisan bickering. I'm glad one candidate had the sense and courage to realize.....things aren't going well up in DC. If only Barry had time to see what the polls say he should do........ Maybe, he should just slink back to Hollywood for another fundraiser.....during a time of crisis. It's what he did during IKE.

You are right and that person was Obama not Mccain. Now you are bringing up Hollywood again, please stick to the facts. The Republicans are having the issue because they have all been saying INCLUDING our current POTUS that our economy is good and gettting better.

Well now they are the ones that have to scramble because they realized that they were wrong.

Why couldn't Mccain wait and release the statement together? He had to do it that way even his own people think it was grand standing.

 

[gmboy95]

McCain has not made a vote in the senate since April 8th.....Now thats leadership.....and before you ask Obama voted last on July 8th

Everyone knows this is a complete and utter stunt