The lamest of lame ducks:
If there was any doubt that President Bush had been left politically impotent by his travails over the last few years and his lame-duck status, it was erased on Monday when, despite his personal pleas, more than two-thirds of the Republicans in the House abandoned the plan.
[...]
“There probably could have been an outreach that began earlier than in just the last couple of days,” said Representative Adam Putman of Florida, a member of the Republican leadership, who supported the bailout. “But it is very difficult to deal with an outgoing administration”— its leverage waning — “than one that’s early in its term.”
The episode underscored that Mr. Bush’s credibility and political clout, long gone among Democrats, is lacking among Republicans as well. “There is a fair number of people who believe we’re not staring into the abyss as has been represented,” Mr. Putnam said. “And some people do believe we are facing a market collapse and something needs to be done, but they would rather not be the ones who have to vote for it.”
I think it's important to understand that we're essentially functioning without a president right now; George is being ignored by Congress and citizenry, by Democrats and Republicans (and, all things considered, maybe that's for the best). But if ever there was a time for Leadership-with-a-capital-L this is it. McCain clearly isn't up to the job - he's too concerned with "gotcha journalism" being practiced by citizens in "pizza parlors" and pulling cheap stunts - so it looks like it falls to Obama to step up and prove himself a grown-up.
We're on the verge of economic catastrophe and, so far, not a single person has shown him- or herself to be able to step in and lead.
We live in "interesting" times.
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