The bailout and the debate
After a weekend of political drama and late-night negotiations, Congress took up the latest version of the Wall Street rescue plan. With a price tag of $700 billion, nobody said they liked it, but supporters insisted the American people would be worse off without it. Opponents said it would never work.
On "To the Point" — the latest about what’s in the plan and why it has just failed to pass a vote in the House. A total of 218 votes were needed — in the end, 205 votes were in favor; 228 votes were cast against.
And, after their first debate, with no knockouts and no big mistakes, John McCain and Barack Obama are both claiming they made the bailout better.
Guests:
– James Politi: US Economics and Trade Correspondent, "Financial Times"
– James Barth: former Chief Economist, Federal Home Loan Bank Board
– James Galbraith: Professor of Government and Economics, University of Texas at Austin
– Mark Barabak: Political Reporter, "Los Angeles Times"
– Jennifer Rubin: blogger, "Commentary" magazine
– Tom Schaller: Professor of Political Science, University of Maryland
Hosted by award-winning journalist Warren Olney, "To the Point" presents informative and thought-provoking discussion of major news stories — front-page issues that attract a savvy and serious news audience.
The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!