In the GOP's "Pledge to America," there's a lot of talk about bailouts and free markets, but many of those Republicans currently bitching about TARP and bailouts and claiming the Tea Party mantle for themselves, are the same Republicans who VOTED "YES" on TARP. See here and here. Best of all, it's all on tape.
--
John Boehner (he hopes to be Speaker of the House again) begs congress and his fellow Republicans to vote for the bailout.
- "These are the votes that separate the men from the boys and the girls from the women."
Boehner spouts cliches. Rambles. Calls TARP a "mud sandwich." Opens wide. Swallows.
--
Paul Ryan can't explain to Neil Cavuto why Congress has to rush to pass the bailout. That's because he swallowed the Paulson-Bernanke story, hook, line and sinker. In other words, he panicked and voted for Big Government to come in and save Big Business. Oh, and Ryan claims that Ayn Rand is the single, most important influence on his political worldview. Just disgraceful.
--
Boehner again. Different tie, same mud sandwich. Says bailouts are good for America. Prays that God helps him "feel better" about voting for TARP. Other idiots clap.
--
In this clip, a gaggle of House Republicans are "disappointed" that the bailout didn't pass, but they tried really, really hard. First they blame Pelosi. Then they blame the Jewish Rosh Hashanah holiday. Eric Cantor, who celebrates Rosh Hashanah, blames Pelosi again. Screw the taxpayer they seem to say, because they spend eight minutes whining about how Pelosi hurt their precious little feelings. These are the very same jackasses, of course, who are presuming to lead the "resurgent," Tea Party-backed GOP.
--
TARP shill Judd Gregg rambles, resorts to metaphors, proves he has no idea what's actually in the bill. Says the bill eliminates "golden parachutes" and high salaries and bonuses for bailed out institutions. Disgraceful. Glad he's gone.
Some of the Ones Who Got It Right
Ron Paul says Vote NO.
--
Bernie Sanders is not a Republican, but he gets it right. In this clip the socialist from Vermont decries TBTF, calls Merrill Lynch "Merrill Winch," says Paulson is the fox guarding the hen house, and says to Vote NO. Bonus points for speaking next to GINORMOUS poster of Paulson looking like an idiot.
--
Tom Coburn enters the Constitution into the record, says congress is a "cancer." OK, that's 2 for 2. Not bad.
And finally...
228-205: Watch as the TARP vote go down in flames.
Off-camera, cheers erupt in Darrell Issa's office.