I called my Rep again today about the bailout, and asked him to make Pelosi work for his vote.

[femmedem]

My Rep. Joe Courtney (D-CT) was the only member of the CT delegation to vote against the bailout. In today's local paper, he's quoted as saying he's not sure how he's going to vote this next go around, but he'd like to see something that addresses the root cause of the crisis and provides stronger protection for homeowners facing foreclosure.

I told his staff member that he'd never have more leverage than he has now to push for a more progressive, "trickle-up" bill. And I mentioned that I'd heard Obama talk about studying the possibility of buying and renegotiating ARMs early this coming winter. I said that was going to be too late for a lot of people.

I think Pelosi could ensure passage if she made the bill more attractive to Democrats. But she'd prefer to get those extra votes from Republicans so she can claim stronger bipartisan support and protect Dems from political attack ads. I'm disappointed, because I think this issue is too important to politicize.