Durbin: McCain’s Return To Washington Brought Only ‘Razzle-Dazzle To The Process And Nothing Substantive’
Durbin: McCain’s Return To Washington Brought Only ‘Razzle-Dazzle To The Process And Nothing Substantive’
Today in an interview with ThinkProgress, Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) sharply criticized Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) decision to “suspend” his campaign and return to Washington for talks on the bailout package. Durbin said that McCain “brought more razzle-dazzle to the process and nothing substantive,” noting that when he was asked to spell out his views at yesterday’s White House meeting, he had nothing to offer.
Durbin also gave some insight into why McCain pulled this political stunt, pointing to slumping poll numbers and recent gaffes:
John McCain returned to Washington because he was slumping in the polls. The economic issues have hurt him because, sadly, he has been part of the problem. He was a believer in Phil Gramm of Texas’s philosophy, which had the government taking a hands-off view toward the credit industry. And that has led to the abuses, which have created the rotten portfolios of today.
And when he pronounced that the “fundamentals of our economy are strong” just hours before the collapse of major companies, it was a great embarrassment to him. So his notion was to shake up the scene by suspending his campaign and returning to Washington. It was no help. In fact, it hurt.
Watch it:
Durbin’s comments echo those of other lawmakers, including Republicans. In fact, as recently as yesterday, McCain was reportedly still unfamiliar with the details of the House GOP proposal.
Transcript:
DURBIN: John McCain returned to Washington because he was slumping in the polls. The economic issues have hurt him because, sadly, he has been part of the problem. He was a believer in Phil Gramm of Texas’s philosophy, which had the government taking a hands-off view toward the credit industry. And that has led to the abuses, which have created the rotten portfolios of today.
And when he pronounced that the “fundamentals of our economy are strong” just hours before the collapse of major companies, it was a great embarrassment to him. So his notion was to shake up the scene by suspending his campaign and returning to Washington. It was no help. In fact, it hurt.
When he came here, it just brought more razzle-dazzle to the process and nothing substantive. When he went into the White House, he was asked to finally spell out his views; he couldn’t do it. He was given his chance yesterday and he really didn’t have anything to offer.
So, he continues to make the rounds on the Hill, but I don’t think it’s productive. I think it’s just the opposite. I think he’s emboldening the critics of any effort and making it more difficult for us to get anything done.
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Can you say PR stunt?
September 26th, 2008 at 3:14 pmAfter admitting publicly, on several occassions, that he knows nothing about economics, how is McCain going to convince anyone that he can help with this financial crisis?
September 26th, 2008 at 3:19 pmIf Russia goes nuts, I sure hope Sarah Palin rushes to the White House to help out. I’m sure it would have the same impact as McCain’s rush to help.
September 26th, 2008 at 3:19 pmRazzle-Dazzle 23 skiddo!!!
I suspended what!!!!
Palin/McCain 2016
Idiots
RIP
September 26th, 2008 at 3:20 pmSGT Stephen R. Sherman
C CO 1-5 IN (STRYKER)
KIA 3 Feb 2005
Mosul, Iraq
.
Damn, I really wanted Nader to fill that empty seat…
.
September 26th, 2008 at 3:24 pmWayne A. Schneider Says:
After admitting publicly, on several occassions, that he knows nothing about economics, how is McCain going to convince anyone that he can help with this financial crisis?
Last night, I was waiting for someone – anyone – to highlight this fact. Nobody touched on the issue. Even McCain admitted that he does not have a firm grasp on economic issues. He didn’t even read the Paulson paper and it was all of two and one half pages. Maverick indeed!
September 26th, 2008 at 3:26 pmUncle Ho,
September 26th, 2008 at 3:26 pmThat would be a PR McStunt…
I think “razzle dazzle” is putting it kindly. I compared McCain to a seagull in a previous thread, and I’ll do it again here. Like a seagull, McCain swooped in, flapping and squawking and making a lot of noise, crapped all over everything, and then flapped away.
And like a seagull, I’m sure the rest of Washington is glad he’s gone.
September 26th, 2008 at 3:28 pmStrat,
A maverick doesn’t need to read…
[/snark]
September 26th, 2008 at 3:29 pm“noting that when he was asked to spell out his views at yesterday’s White House meeting, he had nothing to offer.”
McNuttin.
September 26th, 2008 at 3:32 pmMcKeatingFiveHousesSevenCarsThirteen to Congress:
I suspend your milkshake!!
September 26th, 2008 at 3:33 pmIt was more like Rope-a-Dope. After getting pummeled in the polls for his unending series of gaffes, McCain needed a breather.
His problem? He wrapped his arms around Bush. Another beating in the polls. Run, McCain, run…actually at John’s age, he’d better walk.
September 26th, 2008 at 3:37 pmWe expected nothing more from McCain than self-puffery.
September 26th, 2008 at 3:37 pmGo figure…waaahhhhpublicans performing kabuki theater when there’s serious business to be conducted.
September 26th, 2008 at 3:43 pmImagine that, a Dem saying a Repub contributed nothing…
Gee willickers…
September 26th, 2008 at 3:50 pmIs it just me, or does anyone else see McIIIrd playing a game of checkers on a chess board?
King ME!!@!
September 26th, 2008 at 3:51 pmMcCain “brought more razzle-dazzle to the process?????
WTF, how could the old white streak bring razzle-dazzle to the process???
What did he do tell Irish Jokes? Rape Jokes? Come on…have these guys seen this clown speak? He is as boring as old wet socks.
September 26th, 2008 at 3:53 pmJM droopy left eye raises the possibility that he has had a recent S T R O K E?
September 26th, 2008 at 3:54 pmIf we bail out Wall Street to the tune of $700 billion dollars, this would surely send our national debt past the $10 trillion mark.
I hope the candidates are asked tonight about how they plan to bring the debt down (or, at the very least, put the brakes on the rapidity of escalation). McCain’s solution of going to war with yet another country, cutting taxes for corporations, and expecting to pay for all of it by cutting out $8 billion of earmarks is going to look pretty stupid — especially when he asks how Obama plans to pay for all his “big government” plans.
September 26th, 2008 at 3:59 pmAt least he racked up a few frequent flyer miles.
September 26th, 2008 at 4:00 pmActually, if you view McCain’s stunts as a form of conceptual art, they cling together in an absurdist sort of way. Maybe after Old Johnnie gets crushed in the Presidential Election, he can turn his talents to the Dada art movement (strong in the 1910s).
September 26th, 2008 at 4:00 pmJT Says
September 26th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Imagine that, a Dem saying a Repub contributed nothing…
Gee willickers…
____________________________________________________________
OK, prove the Democrat wrong. What do YOU think McCain contributed?
Or is this just a random, pointless dig on your part?
September 26th, 2008 at 4:00 pmFor the first time this morning I actually started to feel sorry for McCain. He’s older and obviously a little feeble, you can tell by his physical actions and traits, and by the way he constantly mixes up his words and acronyms. Also, his left eye seems to be a sign of ill health if not an oncoming stroke.
September 26th, 2008 at 4:01 pmHe has surrounded himself with the worst possible advisors who have led the most inept campaign possible (I thought that title belonged to Donna Brasile).
I know he has a horrible record, and he is Mr. DeRegulation, but that still hasn’t kept me from feeling a little sorry for him. Kind of like my stepfather who means well but still manages to drive everybody crazy.
God, talking about having something backfire on you. This one backfired on McCain big time.
BTW, did you know that John McCain has won the debate?
Check out this screen shot of today’s Wall Street Journal on-line edition. The ad is down now, I guess they thought it was a little presumptuous.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/images/26Sep_Friday_WSJ.JPG
September 26th, 2008 at 4:09 pmI’m surprised the oldest ever was able to find DC since it’s been so long that he’s been there. I haven’t heard that pointed out either. I imagine that the repub propoganda machine was portraying JM’s interference as an illustration of ‘country first’, but to me it shows how this guy would get nothing done while turning everything into political theater. John seems to be the kind of person who ‘helps’ by holding the light or handing tools or simply staying out of the way.
September 26th, 2008 at 4:12 pmThe troll JT thinks McCain contributed something in DC yesterday even though everything fell apart while he was there. JT thinks Palin sounded brilliant speaking to Katie Couric and that McCain has already won tonight’s debate. Impressive JT being able to carry all that water.
September 26th, 2008 at 4:19 pmShayne, should we dub the JTroll as Mr. BigBuckets?
September 26th, 2008 at 4:19 pmMr bigbuckets sez: reps tell da tooth…why don’tya trustem?
colon powell
donald rummsfeld
wolfie
schrub
cheney
ect. You put the name of any republican caught lying here if you don’t run out of room.
One dem calls bullshit and jt crys like a little cry baby suck a titty baby.
September 26th, 2008 at 4:31 pmthank you, senator!
by the way, you may feel there is no need here,
but MINE is the only DURBIN sign i’ve seen around here…
several of that other guy though…
just sayin’
- katy in illinois, a very red county… s.central… 19th…
September 26th, 2008 at 4:31 pmMaybe he missed the part where many republicans agreed with the democrat that mccain did more harm than good.
try again jt.
September 26th, 2008 at 4:31 pmjt
Here’s what Roy Blunt, a democrat had to say….heh.
September 26th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
I meant Here’s what Roy Blunt, a republican had to say
September 26th, 2008 at 4:38 pmJT Says:
Imagine that, a Dem saying a Repub contributed nothing…
Gee willickers…
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Imagine a Repub contributing NOTHING, wait we dont have to imagine history shows this is about all they EVER contribute, except to the very wealthy
September 27th, 2008 at 8:01 amsohbetSallie Mae put a hold on that and actually has the nerve to tell you on the phone that it’s not is not good for students to consolidate econmically based on the current rates. So getting 7% instead of 10 to 18+ is bad? Come on lol.
April 26th, 2009 at 12:50 pmcetCompanies like that have been pushing deregulation in that market heavily. They’ve removed Bedava mp3 indirbasic bankruptcy protections entirely. They’ve managed to get things federally guaranteed.