Congressman says his mail ran ’50 to 1’ against mortgage rescue

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Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield), pictured, tells the L.A. Times that his constituent mail on the Barney Frank mortgage rescue plan was running ’50 to 1: ‘Don’t bail these people out.’ ‘ McCarthy voted against the bill.

Other interesting tidbits from Richard Simon’s piece on latimes.com about how the House vote unfolded today on the mortgage rescue bill:

--One California Republican, Rep. Gary G. Miller of Diamond Bar, voted for the bill. Otherwise, the vote in the California delegation split along party lines, with Democrats supporting the bill and Republicans siding with the White House in opposition.
--Miller said Frank ‘helped win his support by adding a provision that would permanently raise the maximum mortgage the Federal Housing Administration can back to $729,750 from $362,790.’ (Aside: Did anyone ever believe that increase would be temporary?)
--Three Californians skipped the vote: ‘Reps. John Campbell (R-Irvine), Laura Richardson (D-Long Beach) and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) did not vote. By tradition, the speaker seldom does.’

Your thoughts? Comments? E-mail story tips to peter.viles@latimes.com
Photo: kevinmccarthy.house.gov