Democrats Challenge GOP on Mortgage Mess

The mortgage meltdown has become a hot political issue. The number of foreclosures is spiraling.  Last week the Congress passed a bill, sponsored by Cong. Barney Frank, to help troubled homeowners. Every Dem voted for it, and most Republicans voted against it (although 39 Republicans bucked President Bush and the party leadership to vote "yes". Quite a few of the Republicans who opposed the Frank bill represent districts with many foreclosures. In the Senate, many Republicans, including Minnesota's Norm Coleman -- who faces a tough challenge from Democrat Al Franken --  voted against another bill to help troubled homeowners.  They should be vulnerable to grassroots and media campaigns revealing how out-of-touch they are with their constituents.  (By the way, a different version of my article appeared in RoofLines, a new blogsite focusing on housing and community development issues, sponsored by the National Housing Institute, publisher of Shelterforce magazine. Those of you interested in these issues should take a look at RoofLines).