Gingrich Sweats over Framing of Current Economic Issues

Newt Gingrich thinks Obama's gonna chase a sinking ship down and be all, HEY!, LEMME ON THAT THING!

The former Speaker, talking to reporters at a lunch, added that he expects Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama (Ill.) to back the plan. He predicted that, if Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain (Ariz.) ends up opposing the administration proposal, there will be an overnight “emergence of a McCain/reform wing of the Republican Party.”

Gingrich said that occurrence would turn the election on its head, with Republicans running ads that feature Obama with President Bush on the same team in pushing for a “nightmare” bailout plan.

The former Speaker said that by November, the flaws in the plan will be apparent, and voters will “break against anyone who votes for it.”

Um, Gingrich.  Really. 

No.  REALLY.  You?  Are an idiot, sir.

(Right, Senator Obama?   You wouldn't do that, right?  You wouldn't hand that one to the Republicans on a gold-and-gem-encrusted platter -- not after everything we've all worked so hard for?

RIGHT?)

Oh.  Yes.  Voices of reason to reign me in, or, specifically, Digby (who is my master) and Senator Obama:

(From within Digby's post, which can be found here:)

What's more, the big banks are threatening not to participate in the bailout if their bonuses are taken away, so it is a factor, and I think Senator Obama is exactly right:

First, the plan must include protections to ensure that taxpayer dollars are not used to further reward the bad behavior of irresponsible CEOs on Wall Street. There has been talk that some CEOs may refuse to cooperate with this plan if they have to forgo multi-million-dollar salaries. I cannot imagine a position more selfish and greedy at a time of national crisis. And I would like to speak directly to those CEOs right now: Do not make that mistake. You are stewards for workers and communities all across our country who have put their trust in you. With the enormous rewards you have reaped come responsibilities, and we expect and demand that you to live up to them. This plan cannot be a welfare program for Wall Street executives.

Ahhhhh.  Yes.

Sanity.

I like sanity.

Comments

[James in Texas]

I read today that Joe Biden is planning to step out of the race soon so Hillary Clinton can get on Obama's ticket. The reason for bowing out will allegedly be for health reasons (supposed aneurysm?), even though his good health was already confirmed before his nomination as VP running mate. He's not getting hardly any press coverage compared to Palin. His stepping down sounds like a scam just to get Hillary's supporters and stir up the media.

[birdgal]

Ok, James in Texas, silly speculation about Joe Biden relates to this post, how???

[Liz]

I like sanity too.

Speaking of which, James, Obama nixed that stupid rumor flat out, no doubt about it, in a Matt Lauer interview yesterday. I think you've been had.