If the Dems are maneuvering to create the best possible conditions for Obama to govern under, then it's likely that the Dems realize that the Republican's (actually a fraction's) populist rhetoric is likely to come to shit if the lack of a bailout results in The Great Reset and sinks the nation. At least if they get something through under Bush, they can blame him later and avoid accusations that their inaction created the Depression in the event of an Obama victory.