Optimism for House Bailout as Reps Switch Sides

Washington, DC, Oct. 3, 2008--The $700 billion rescue package is getting a second chance in the House as voters anxiously ponder an economic meltdown that could wipe out their ability to borrow, plunder their savings and put them out of work.

Republicans and Democrats were jumping aboard the bailout as the House sped toward a make-or-break vote, though it was still unclear whether leaders would have the dozen or so supporters needed to pass the measure.

The plan lets the government spend billions of dollars to buy bad mortgage-related securities and other devalued assets from troubled financial institutions. If it works, advocates say, that would allow frozen credit to begin flowing again and prevent a serious recession.

Black lawmakers said personal calls from Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama helped switch them from "no" to "yes," as Republicans and Democrats alike said appeals from credit-starved small businessmen and the Senate's addition of $110 billion in tax breaks and other sweeteners had persuaded them to drop their opposition.

"I hate it," but "inaction to me is a greater danger to our country than this bill," said GOP Rep. Zach Wamp of Tennessee, one of the 133 House Republicans who joined 95 Democrats in rejecting the measure Monday, sending the stock market plummeting.

Others said they were agonizing as they decided whether to change course and back the largest government intervention in markets since the Great Depression. "I'm trying desperately to get to 'yes,'" said Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-N.H.

Obama and his Republican rival, John McCain, phoned reluctant lawmakers for their help.

Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., told a closed-door meeting of House Democrats that he would support the bill after speaking with Obama about it.

Congressional leaders worked over wayward colleagues wherever they could find them.

Rep. Steny Hoyer, the second-ranking House Democrat, said Thursday there was a "good prospect" of approving the measure but stopped short of predicting passage -- or even promising a vote.

"I'm going to be pretty confident that we have sufficient votes to pass this before we put it on the floor," Hoyer said.

Lawmakers were expecting to use at least some of 90 minutes scheduled for debate in choreographed question-and-answer sessions known as "colloquies," in which lawmakers ask for assurances about what the legislation will or won't do. That could make it easier for people switching their votes to explain why they did so.

The top Republican vote-counter, Rep. Roy Blunt of Missouri, did predict the measure would be approved.