WASHINGTON — No one said it would be easy. Despite unprecedented calls for quick action, the White House's $700 billion plan to rescue the financial industry appeared to fall apart late Thursday, less than 12 hours after a market-soothing deal seemed likely. A convergence of financial concerns, presidential politics and partisan rancor created an unexpected Washington drama with the nation's economic future hanging in the balance. House Financial Services Committee Barney Frank, D-Mass., accused House Republicans of refusing to negotiate in good faith and told President Bush "to go to work" to find GOP votes needed to pass the plan. At one point Thursday, a somber Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson kneeled before Democrats at the White House while urging them not to publicly criticize Republicans — and risk sending the financial markets plunging.
Meanwhile, Republican presidential nominee John McCain issued a statement acknowledging that a bipartisan White House meeting he appeared to have sought to help showcase his leadership skills on the economy had devolved into a "contentious shouting match." Tension over the competing plans boiled over during the White House meeting among congressional leaders, President Bush, McCain and Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, McCain's Democratic opponent in the presidential race. What had seemed like it could be a triumphant moment of bipartisan problem-solving ended with the participants scattering, with no formal announcements and with signs of deep discord.
- JJ Commentary: The “third horseman” (third seal, Revelation 6:5) is riding in earnest now
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