"I was not elected to abet American socialism," Rep. Thad McCotter, the Republican Policy chairman, said in a press release issued before Congress voted on its $700 billion Wall Street bailout last month.
But after winning reelection, McCotter - along with other Michigan House Republicans - appears to be changing his tune.
"Well, as they say, if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em," Steven T. Dennis writes for Roll Call. "Several Michigan Republicans — Reps. Thaddeus McCotter, Mike Rogers and Tim Walberg — opposed last month’s fiscal rescue package, but now have signed a letter urging President Bush to use the cash to save the domestic auto industry."
McCotter explained his change of heart in a press release.
“The Wall Street bailout was passed despite my fierce opposition and our GOP free-market alternative,” McCotter said. “While I support a free-market alternative to helping the domestic car industry regain its footing — cutting taxes, red-tape and litigation costs — this is not the path the current nor the in-coming administration and Congress have taken or will take. Thus, since the law is in place, we must work in a bipartisan manner to ensure it is used to directly and beneficially impact the lives of working Americans.
“In sum, as is often the case for myself and all Republican Members in the coming Congress, on behalf of my constituents, I am trying to make the best of a bad policy paradigm, which was imposed despite my opposition,” McCotter added.
The following is a video of Rep. McCotter attacking the bailout as a "700 billion dollar bag of dung" September 29 on the House floor:
"I was not elected to abet American socialism," Rep. Thad McCotter, the Republican Policy chairman, 