You mean the noble league of 17 percenters may be lying in order to blunt any advantage McCain may obtain by showing leadership instead of just campaigning? But…but…the most open, honest, and ethical Congress evuh!!!

Though Sen. Chris Dodd implied that Sen. McCain sandbagged the rest of the negotiators by bringing up alternative proposals, McCain himself did not bring up those proposals, according to four independent sources briefed by four different principals inside the meeting, including two Republicans and two Democrats.

“McCain has not attacked the Paulson deal,” said a third Republican who was briefed by McCain direclty. “Unlike the [Democrats] in the [White House] meeting, he didn’t raise his voice or cause a ruckus. He is urging all sides to come together.”…

But Boehner and the White House — and McCain — if they want to get something passed — do have the responsibility to persuade these Republicans to support the bailout .

After all, if not to get these recalcitrant Republicans on board, why did McCain go to Washington in the first place?

And McCain did, according to Ambinder, try to gauge Republican support and heard Republican concerns. How full of crap are the Democrats? While one half is claiming that McCain’s presence sandbagged efforts that were nearing resolution, the other half is saying that McCain said nothing. Did McCain sandbag efforts by producing an alternative plan he didn’t produce?

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) completely dismissed McCain’s role in the meeting, saying that he spoke last, said nothing important and had little to do with the negotiations.

“Anyone in that meeting who tried to understand what John McCain said in that meeting, couldn’t” understand whether he supported the deal, Reid said, according to a clip aired on MSNBC. “He didn’t say anything substantive. … He was the last person to talk in that meeting.”

If you’re going to lie, at least get your caucus in agreement on it.

Via Hot Air.