The trouble with your scenario is that McCain has been openly saying he believes the situation is so bad that something does have to pass the Congress and he will do anything he can to help get a bipartisan bill.
I heard him for myself on Fox and Friends this morning.
I know he has spoken his views on other occasions that I didn’t personally hear.
McCain can’t say the opposite of what he apparently believes (and has already said).
Yes, McCain has been running in the exact opposite direction.
Politicians are like herd animals.
Bush spooked them and they all began running in the same direction.
McCain however, can peel himself away by saying that it is a false dichotomy to say it is a choice between Bush’s bailout proposal and doing nothing.
He’s laid out a number of alternatives that do not require a taxpayer bailout or congressional approval. This is the platform from which he can denounce Bush’s ill-advised public fear mongering.
Honestly, I felt dirty watching Bush’s television addresses warning that without immediate and reckless congressional action submitting to his demands there will be dire consequences. It reminded me of his similar dire warnings after September 11th, and prior to the Iraq invasion.
This time, Bush jumped the shark when he reached for the fear card.