So much for party discipline. This bill was supported by John McCain and Barack Obama, the presidential candidates who, between them, have the support of nearly every member of the House.
But a majority of the House voted along with Bob Barr, the Libertarian who said, We need to make Wall Street take the hit for its irresponsible investment decisions, and Ralph Nader, the independent candidate who described the bill as a bailout for Wall Street crooks.
I had assumed the House leadership could assure that enough members of both parties held their noses and voted yes to gain a narrow margin for passage. But what we have here is a rejection of what Mr. Nader calls the two corporate candidates.
