This e-mail to supporters just in from Sen. John McCain, who appears to have hit the books since his historic drubbing at the polls. Just a year ago, the Arizona Republican admitted to the Wall Street Journal he “doesn’t really understand economics,” so was deferring to his former Senate colleague, Phil “Nation of Whiners” Gramm, as his expert on the topic. That’s right, Phil “Mental Recession” Gramm, who would likely be treasury secretary if McCain had won the election.
But all that is in the past for McCain, who also conceded on the campaign trail that “the issue of economics is not something I’ve understood as well as I should.”
Apparently, since handing over the White House to Democrats, McCain has put on his accountant’s shades and boned up on matters economic.
Now that the entire economy hangs on the brink, McCain declares “the time for talking has come to an end and we must now begin some serious negotiation.”
Without the talking, that would be — negotiating in sign language? Semaphore? Smoke signals?
What’s crucial, according to McCain’s e-mail, is that “the last thing we need is partisanship driving our attempts to turn the economy around,” he helpfully counsels after noting that the stimulus bill passed the House “without a single Republican supporting it.” He then goes on to point out “the Democrat leadership is trying to jam the existing proposal through” the Senate. It’s chilling to imagine what they might be doing to the existing proposal if partisanship were involved.
McCain closes by urging supporters to visit Country First, the site of his new political action committee, to sign a petition to block the stimulus bill. The site, however, has just an e-mail sign-up and video greeting from McCain, along with the promise, “Full website coming soon!” Maybe not soon enough to save the economy!
Of course, if the economy truly tanks, McCain can always suspend this session of Congress and cancel any upcoming debates to focus on the economic crisis.
From: John McCain
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2009 12:03:22 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Fwd: Economic Stimulus Package
To: [recipient]Dear McCain Supporter,
Yesterday, the Senate began debate on an economic stimulus package that is intended to get our economy back on track and help Americans who are suffering through these difficult times. Unfortunately, the proposal on the table is big on the giveaways for the special interests and corporate high rollers, yet short on help for ordinary working Americans. I cannot and do not support the package on the table from the Democrats and the Obama Administration. Our country does not need just another spending bill, particularly not one that will load future generations with the burden of massive debt. We need a short term stimulus bill that will directly help people, create jobs, and provide a jolt to our economy.
I believe we need to evaluate every bit of spending in this stimulus proposal with one important criteria — does it really stimulate the economy and help create jobs — if the answer is no, it does not belong in a so-called stimulus package. Furthermore, the stimulus must include significant direct relief to American workers in the form of payroll tax cuts and programs to help homeowners keep their homes. Finally, we need an end game to this stimulus so that when our economy recovers, these spending programs do not remain permanent and saddle our children with a skyrocketing national debt.
I appreciate the discussions President Obama is having with my Republican colleagues, but the time for talking has come to an end and we must now begin some serious negotiation. But as of yet, Republicans have not been given the opportunity to be involved. The House of Representatives passed a stimulus bill without a single Republican supporting it. In the Senate, the Democrat leadership is trying to jam the existing proposal through regardless of reservations from a number of members. With so much at stake, the last thing we need is partisanship driving our attempts to turn the economy around.
I have long been a fighter against wasteful spending in Washington and long an advocate for a balanced budget — that will never change. I realize we face extraordinary challenges with our economy today, but that is not an excuse for more irresponsibly from Washington. I hope you will join me in saying no to this stimulus package as it currently exists by signing this petition.
Sincerely,
John McCain
Chair, Country First PAC
