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WALL STREET TURMOIL: ECONOMY AT THE FOREFRONT

COMPILED BY REID J. EPSTEIN

October 1, 2008

Since his televised address last week urging for a bailout, President George W. Bush has made public statements on the crisis each day. He hasn't addressed the same topic on so many consecutive days since April 2005, during his campaign to shift Social Security funds into the stock market.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 24

"We're in the midst of a serious financial crisis."

THE DAY: John McCain announces he would temporarily stop his campaign to help forge an agreement; Barack Obama says presidential debate should go on.

THURSDAY

"We are in a serious economic crisis in the country if we don't pass

a piece of legislation."

THE DAY: Meeting at White House over bailout bill dissolves into a verbal brawl in the Cabinet Room.

FRIDAY

"There is no disagreement that something substantial must be done."

THE DAY: House Democrats abandon attempts to insert a bankruptcy aid provision into the bailout bill.

SATURDAY

"The rescue effort we're negotiating is not aimed at Wall Street - it is aimed at your street."

THE DAY: Congressional negotiators and the administration hammer out the details of a proposed bailout bill.

SUNDAY

"This bill provides the necessary tools and funding to help protect our economy against a systemwide breakdown."

THE DAY: Congressional leaders and the administration announce agreement on a $700-billion bailout bill.

MONDAY

"I'm confident that this rescue plan . will begin to restore strength and stability to America's financial system and overall economy."

THE DAY: The House fails to pass the bailout bill; the Dow Jones industrial average plunges 777 points.

YESTERDAY

"Our economy is depending on decisive action from the government."

THE DAY: Supporters of the imperiled multibillion-dollar economic rescue plan fought to bring it back to life; the Bush administration calls for a temporary rise in insurance on deposits.