[proudpapa]

McCain had a chance to win it all - in a landslide!

All he had to do was announce that he was 100% against the bailouts! He would have picked up more conservative votes and wooed many independants.

[allmendream]

I agree. 2/3rds of Americans were against the bailout. Both Obama and McCain were for the bailout while the press was making it sound like it was Republicans fault. McCain said “solve problems first, then name names.”

There is a reason they call it “Kicking ass and taking names”. McCain didn't do it. He showed he was what he always has been; a go along to get along U.S. Senator.

He was the first one who might have been what Rush Limbaugh laughing calls “the Great Moderates of History”.

[BradyLS]

Zackley. Stir up the hornet’s nest and earn his “maverick” cred by going against the bailout. He would have suddenly become the REAL alternative to Barack and his establishment side-kick Biden.

[BlueMondaySkipper]

All he had to do was announce that he was 100% against the bailouts! He would have picked up more conservative votes and wooed many independants

Exactly.

McCain was just coming out of the debate where, when railing against earmarks, stated he would not hesitate to "name names". Up pops the economic crisis and the rushed bailout. McCain "suspends" his campaign and heads to Washington, but rather than standing up for the taxpayer and "naming names" regarding the Dems who are responsible, he just signs on to all of the excessive spending.

Totally lost opportunity to show some leadership.