McCain Bailout Circus

Sept. 15: On the same day that two of Wall Street’s major banking institutions collapsed, McCain declared that he “still” believes “the fundamentals of our economy are strong.”
Sept. 16: During a round of network interviews, McCain flip-flopped on his support for “excess regulation” in less than an hour.
Sept. 16: Attempting to talk about the financial crisis, McCain twice incorrectly referred to the “SPIC,” when intending to refer to the SIPC (the Securities Investor Protection Corporation).
Sept. 17: After saying the day before that he opposed it, McCain flip-flopped and said he supported the bailout of insurance giant AIG.
Sept. 18: McCain declared that if he were president, he would fire the chairman of the SEC, which the president doesn’t have the constitutional authority to do.
Sept. 19: Attempting to walk back his SEC gaffe, McCain said that that “the chairman of the FEC” — not the SEC — should resign.
Sept. 21: In a 60 Minutes interview, McCain defended his past support for deregulation, saying “I think the deregulation was probably helpful to the growth of our economy.”
Sept. 21: Despite the looming $700 billion bailout legislation, McCain told CNBC that he “can still balance the budget” during his first term.
Sept. 25: After McCain abruptly suspended his campaign in order to inject himself into bailout negotiations, the bailout talks broke down during a “contentious” White House meeting called for by McCain. In the meeting Obama confronts McCain and demands him to take a position, McCain responds by stomping out of the room.
Sept. 29: McCain and his aides boast that he was responsible for passing the House bailout bill as the voting begins; it is voted down instead. He also runs television ads that are aired after the vote-down, which say that he got heads together and got the bill passed.
Sept. 30, October 1: McCain runs extremely nasty negative ads against Obama in some states, bashing Obama for supporting the “evil” bailout. In other states he runs ads supporting the bailout and touting his leadership role.
Oct. 1: McCain makes passionate support speech in Senate debate, then votes yes on bailout. 25 Senators vote no.
Oct 2: McCain appears on morning television shows, bashing the bailout as “pork-laden” and a horrible bill.