WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. John McCain’s self-portrait as a bold leader willing to set politics aside to save an endangered financial bailout plan took a pounding Thursday from top Democrats and even some fellow Republicans. His efforts to re-energize his presidential campaign will partly turn on who wins the public relations battle, destined to play out for days. Top Democrats in Congress ridiculed his role after a chaotic end to a White House summit meeting that McCain had requested, and which included Democratic nominee Barack Obama. McCain’s campaign said the session “devolved into a contentious shouting match.” The campaign statement suggested Obama was at fault, but Democrats differed.
Both parties question McCain’s intervention
September 24, 2008