Obama Called Lead Bailout Negotiators Before Deal Was Announced

Barack Obama called the two lead Senate negotiators on the proposed bailout just before they announced a tentative deal on Thursday, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Obama spoke with Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Sen. Robert Bennett (R-Utah), though it’s unclear what they discussed.

Dodd, Bennett and the two lead House negotiators, Reps. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) and Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), later told reporters that they expected both chambers to soon the pass a bailout bill, which seeks to give the Treasury Department power to buy up bad mortgage assets from banks.

Obama and his opponent in the presidential race, John McCain, agreed to come to Washington to meet Thursday with President Bush and Congressional leaders to discuss the deal.

McCain said Wednesday that he would suspend his campaign so he could focus on bailout negotiations, prompting accusations of grandstanding from Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) had said Thursday that McCain was interfering with progress on the bailout talks.