In light of the historic–and troubling–events that transpired on Capital Hill, I believe it’s worth looking at how our presidential candidates responded. In a moment of crisis in which the people are anxious and Congress cannot overcome partisan bickering, how did Senator Obama and Senator McCain react?
Obama calls for calm and bipartisanship:
“It’s important for the American public and the markets to stay calm – because things are never smooth in Congress – and to understand that it will get done,” Mr. Obama said. “We are going to make sure that an emergency package is put together, because it is required for us to stabilize the markets.”
He continues:
“Things are never smooth in Congress,” Obama said. “Understand that it will get done, that we are going to make sure that an emergency package is put together, because it is required for us to stabilize the market.”
He continued, “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.”
McCain points fingers. From Ben Smith:
“Now is not the time to fix the blame. It’s time to fix the problem,” McCain says, not long after his campaign blamed Obama and Pelosi for killing the bill.
Then he blames Obama and the Democrats: “Sen. Obama and his allies in Congress infused unnecessary partisanship into the process.”
“I would hope that all our leaders – all of them – can put aside short-term political goals and focus on what’s best for the American people,” he says.
This is a leader we can believe in.
7 comments