"Were it not for McCain's gambit . . ."

In Harvard's Sanders Theater this afternoon, bottles of Poland Spring water, microphones and name cards await an all-star panel of "some of the nation's leading scholars and practitioners in finance, policy, law and other fields relevant to the current situation." It's virtually open to the public. Starts at 4 p.m. Details below.

"I invite you to join us Thursday, September 25, for a live webcast of a special panel discussion entitled 'Understanding the Crisis in the Markets: A Panel of Harvard Experts,'" Harvard President Drew G. Faust emailed "alumni and friends" this afternoon:

We are fortunate to have on campus some of the nation's leading scholars and practitioners in finance, policy, law and other fields relevant to the current situation, and several of them have generously agreed to participate in a special session for the Harvard community to help us understand and interpret recent developments in the U.S. and world markets.

The panel will begin at 4:00 p.m. EST and will include the following faculty members:

Robert Kaplan, Professor of Management Practice
Jay Light, Dwight P. Robinson, Jr. Professor of Business Administration and Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration
Gregory Mankiw, Robert M. Beren Professor of Economics
Robert Merton, John and Natty McArthur University Professor
Kenneth Rogoff, Thomas D. Cabot Professor of Public Policy
Elizabeth Warren, Leo Gottlieb Professor of Law (To Be Confirmed)

I hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to hear from some of Harvard's leading experts by visiting this link. The webcast will not be password-protected and will be recorded and made available for future viewing. Real Player is required.

Since we aren't a fly on the wall of that 4 o'clock White House meeting of the Leader of the Free World with "old Navy pilot John "OODA Loop" McCain, former community organizer Barack Obama and other members of Congress this afternoon, this will have to do for now.

This just in on Fox: "Stocks jump on word of possible bailout compromise." Sheperd Smith guessed they're "reacting to the belief that this deal is about to be done." Reporter Carl Cameron, on the trail with McCain says "Were it not for McCain's gambit yesterday, it wouldn't have reached the point it has." It looks like the Friday debate is on!

Update via Drudge (Associated Press 02:58 p.m.): "Lawmakers: Financial bailout agreement reached.

Update II: In the flesh, the webcast is technically useless. It keeps signing off. Maybe we can catch it later on C-Span? But all is not lost, by any means. On Fox we are being treated to the Divine Ms. W, Rep Maxine Waters (D CA), shouting at Neil Cavuto.

Comments

[hnav]

So, like the unethical attempt to give McCain the credit for the SURGE, Carl Cameron is now going to try to tell Americans John McCain made this deal work, even when he wasn't in Washington?

Carl Cameron has sunk ever since the GOP Primary.

But again GW leads with strength, and all else follow.

Isn't it ironic to see these Senators running for POTUS, both who repeatedly push populism and demean the Bush Administration for personal gain, are turning to GW for cover?

It is all regretful, as we have so many who are far more worthy for this essential Office in Our Nation.

Sorry, as much as I think the world of Gov. Palin, as much as I understand the need to defeat the misguided Democrat Party, John McCain continues to breed folly.

His declaration of wanting the Clintonite failure named Andrew Cuomo as his SEC CHAIR, inspired a McCain supporter to write me, saying the Maverick Senator might as well name disgraced Gov. Eliot Spitzer as his new Campaign Chair.

John McCain is simply an embarrassment.

[hnav]

PS:

With all the self declared rush to get to Washington, why did John McCain stop to provide vapid acclaim to Bill Clinton, at the Clinton's shady 'Initiative' this morning?

Wasn't the crisis demanding Senator McCain's immediate return, even with the deals already near completion?

When one is truly needed, in a hurry, they don't stop to make grandstanding press conferences about it, nor do they take the time to visit the Clinton Foundation.

Obama is a disaster, but the vapid Maverick is deeply flawed.

[Sissy Willis]

hnav: I share your feelings of distaste re McCain's taking credit — and appreciate your dark humor re Spitzer as Campaign Chair — but have come to think of our own George W as a Christ-like figure in this way, despised and rejected, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, unappreciated in his time but who will be redeemed by history.

Politics is not for the faint of heart!

[Gayle Miller]

I also must opine that although hnavl sees conspiracies and calumnies afoot vis-a-vis the beloved and much abused GWB, I think Senator McCain could act only one way in this instance and he did so. The very act of his coming off the campaign trail (however tardily) and putting country before self even if it was only a p.r. ploy, showed more presidential behavior than the Hamletlike wringing of hands and dithering of Senator Obama. This is not presidential behavior, nor is whining - and Obama has started doing that.

To know Senator Obama is to disdain him. I don't wish the man ill, I just want him to shut up and sit down already!

[hnav]

Thank you mighty SISU.

I hope you are correct.

But it is truly sad, the Nominee of the GOP, must debase this fine President on a weekly, almost daily basis.