Dem: House GOP not consulted enough on bailout

Rep. Paul Kanjorski (D-Pa.) on Friday suggested Democratic leaders did not solicit enough input from House Republicans on the financial rescue package.

During an interview on CNBC, Kanjorski pointed out that House Republicans have balked at the new compromise on the bailout.

{mosads}Asked whether House GOP lawmakers are right to believe they were slighted, Kanjorski replied, “I don't know that we included them in enough, and that's always a dangerous thing in politics. Remember, you're dealing with egomaniacs. We're all egomaniacs down here.”

Kanjorski, who faces a difficult reelection race, is a key player on the bailout package. He is chairman of the House Financial Services subcommittee on Capital Markets, Insurance, and Government-Sponsored Enterprises.

Kanjorski said, “Now, what we have to do is open that door for the House Republicans, bring them on in and say, ‘Guys, you know, we can't cast your idea aside.’ Let's listen to it … I think we have to allow them to talk their idea out. We have to be willing to listen.”

Financial Services Committee Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) doesn’t agree with Kanjorski. During a press conference Thursday night, Frank noted that the committee's ranking member, Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), has participated in the negotiations.

After Democrats announced they had a deal on Thursday, Bachus released a statement, which stated, “As I made clear in the meeting [Thursday] morning, I was not authorized by my colleagues to make any agreement on behalf of House Republicans.”

“There was progress on many issues, but no agreement other than to continue discussions,” Bachus added.

Kanjorski said feedback from the public has been very negative on the bailout.

“I think out of 100 calls, approximately, we're lucky if we get one positive call,” he said.