Blunt Tells CNN: McCain Is With His Caucus

FROM POLITICO:

Roy Blunt, negotiator for the House GOP, just told CNN that John McCain is "with" his caucus -- even though the Republican candidate hasn't publicly backed any plan yet.

Blunt, seen as a seasoned hand who will smooth differences between the camps, didn't say if the Arizona senator backed their market-based approach ["Certainly... he might be supportive"] -- but suggested McCain agreed the whole process needed to be slowed down." Everybody else seemed to be rushing for a deal and John McCain came back and said, 'Wait a minute, I think the House Republicans have the taxpayers in mind and I'm with them,'" Blunt, the minority whip said.

He also indicated that many in his caucus would be satisfied with the addition of some of their proposals "here and there," and said "almost all" -- but not every -- member of the House GOP believed the economy was on the brink of collapse.