It means for whatever reason that they can’t legitimately blame it on Bush or Republicans. Not that legitimacy will stop them from trying, but if this hung Bush and Republicans out to dry, they would be dancing in the streets.
If they are, in fact, “somber”, it’s because they are screwed.
I get the picture in my mind from “It’s a Wonderful Life” when the run on the banks starts and Jimmy Stewart has to postpone his honeymoon and Mr. Potter buys the bank......................
They were somber because if it all goes bad, every politician gets voted out of office....and to qoute Mel “The Guv” Brooks’ character in Blazing Saddles....”We’ve got to protect are phoney baloney jobs gentleman!”
And they won’t get a harumph out of me.