On Bailout Bill, Obama Led, McCain Did Not

There is a very simple equation we can use to see which of the two presidential candidates truly led on getting a Wall Street bailout bill passed in the Congress:

• As the presidential nominees of their parties, Barack Obama and John McCain are the titular heads of the Democratic and Republican parties, respectively.

• Both Obama and McCain pushed their parties to vote for the bailout bill -- with McCain even claiming his stunt of suspending his campaign and going to Washington last week would show his leadership and make that happen.

• The Wall Street bailout bill failed today in the House of Representatives by a vote of 228 to 205 against passage.

• Under his leadership, Obama delivered 140 Democratic votes for passage of the bill. House Republicans essentially gave John McCain a middle finger, with only 65 of 199 Republicans following his lead.

On Sunday, McCain campaign spokesman Steve Schmidt said this in trying to demonstrate McCain's leadership: "What Senator McCain was able to do was to help bring all of the parties to the table, including the House Republicans, whose votes were needed to pass this."

But, if you'll pardon the expression, you can't put lipstick on this pig.

Barack Obama led his party and John McCain did not.

Case closed.