[SDW2001]

McCain Suspends Campagin, Wins Election (with BO's help)

Mark it down. Press it is a book. Record it in permanent ink. McCain just won the election today, and he did it by suspending his campaign and watching his opponent react in an incomprehensibly stupid way.

I was hesitant to reverse my position on McCain's campaign, mind you. Up until the Palin selection, his campaign was slow, unresponsive, out of touch with its own message, and generally not "good." Since that selection, it's been positively brilliant. But today puts it over the top. Whether his decision to suspend is politically motivated or not, it's a good one, both for the country and his political future.

I'm watching Obama's reaction live now. It is an unmitigated disaster. His themes have been:

1. The debate should go on (Friday night).

2. <veiled attack on McCain> "The President will have to do more than one thing at a time." Cheap trick, Mr. Obama. Cheap trick. </attack>

3. " I'm here to be helpful if anyone needs me." This contrasts with McCain's leadership or perceived leadership on issue. This was a major theme of his speech today and it cannot be denied. It reinforces the perception that he's a speech giver, not a leader.

4. The best and 'most important' thing we can do is candidates is come out with a joint, bi-partisan statement. Oh my friggin' lord.

5. Repeat veiled attack on McCain (see #2). Follow up with surrogates. I'm watching one now. Harry Reid said that "we need leadership, not a campaign photo op." Wow.

6. Repeat #2


I never dreamed McCain had it in him to be this good. Nor did I think Obama's campaign could be this stupid. What is he going to do if McCain doesn't show up Friday night? What if Congress is in session and Obama's not there?

[ort888]

B Hussein O can never win now. It's the best move ever. Win by not campaigning. If McCain had thought of this earlier he would be even farther ahead. He should have done nothing from the beginning. It's genius. Country first. He's not just saying it. He's living it. It's real. It's like, real and stuff.

It's over. B Hussein O is going to have to go crying back to Egypt or wherever he is from. Nice try, but the country said "Thanks, but no thanks, to the lying foreign socialist elite".

[GSixZero]

It's a political stunt, I'll be interested to see if it works!

[stupendousman]

Originally Posted by GSixZero 

It's a political stunt, I'll be interested to see if it works!

Obama's entire campaign has been a political stunt. He hasn't done too bad so far!

[GSixZero]

Originally Posted by stupendousman 

Obama's entire campaign has been a political stunt. He hasn't done too bad so far!

Yep, Obama has had his fair share too. Nothing wrong with stunts. They either work or they don't, I'll be interested to see what happens with this Hail Mary.

[Big Mac]

I'm a bit lost in this thread. Links?

[ort888]

Johnny "War Hero" McCain should send Sarah Palin debate B Hussein O on Friday. Problem solved.

Palin will skin him like a moose.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by Big Mac 

I'm a bit lost in this thread. Links?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7634455.stm

[GSixZero]

Here are some initial numbers as to public sentiment. It's just one poll, so it doesn't have much credence, but interesting nonetheless.

http://www.surveyusa.com/client/Poll...2-9dd6b2df8c02

America's First Reaction: Friday's McCain-Obama Debate Should Still Be Held On Friday, But Perhaps with New Focus: Immediately after John McCain's announcement 3 pm ET today, Wednesday 09/24/08, that he was suspending his campaign and seeking to postpone Friday's schedule presidential debate, SurveyUSA interviewed 1,000 adults nationwide. Key findings:

A majority of Americans say the debate should be held. Just 10% say the debate should be postponed. A sizable percentage of Americans, 36%, think the focus of the debate should be modified to focus more on the economy. 3 of 4 Americans say the presidential campaign should continue. Just 14% say the presidential campaign should be suspended. If Friday's debate does not take place 46%, of Americans say that would be bad for America.

Caveats: This survey was completed in middle of unprecedented and fast-changing news events. This survey should be viewed as a freeze-frame snapshot of public opinion at a unique moment in American history. Opinions can and should be expected to change as news events unfold. SurveyUSA did not characterize Senator McCain's comments nor Senator Obama's comments in any way in the research questionnaire.

[ebuddy]

Originally Posted by SDW2001 

McCain Suspends Campagin, Wins Election (with BO's help)

Mark it down. Press it is a book. Record it in permanent ink. McCain just won the election today, and he did it by suspending his campaign and watching his opponent react in an incomprehensibly stupid way.

I was hesitant to reverse my position on McCain's campaign, mind you. Up until the Palin selection, his campaign was slow, unresponsive, out of touch with its own message, and generally not "good." Since that selection, it's been positively brilliant. But today puts it over the top. Whether his decision to suspend is politically motivated or not, it's a good one, both for the country and his political future.

I'm watching Obama's reaction live now. It is an unmitigated disaster. His themes have been:

1. The debate should go on (Friday night).

2. <veiled attack on McCain> "The President will have to do more than one thing at a time." Cheap trick, Mr. Obama. Cheap trick. </attack>

3. " I'm here to be helpful if anyone needs me." This contrasts with McCain's leadership or perceived leadership on issue. This was a major theme of his speech today and it cannot be denied. It reinforces the perception that he's a speech giver, not a leader.

4. The best and 'most important' thing we can do is candidates is come out with a joint, bi-partisan statement. Oh my friggin' lord.

5. Repeat veiled attack on McCain (see #2). Follow up with surrogates. I'm watching one now. Harry Reid said that "we need leadership, not a campaign photo op." Wow.

6. Repeat #2


I never dreamed McCain had it in him to be this good. Nor did I think Obama's campaign could be this stupid. What is he going to do if McCain doesn't show up Friday night? What if Congress is in session and Obama's not there?

I couldn't disagree more. As I understand it Obama's camp called McCain's camp first, early this morning. They had agreed to discuss issues in more detail and while Obama was on his way back to the hotel, McCain decides to suspend his campaign and head back to Washington. I think Obama actually scared the crap out of the McCain camp and McCain had to make a more drastic move now to show "leadership".

I think it was desperate and I think he overplayed this hand. Obama comes out like the one looking calm, like a Presidential candidate with more gravitas. McCain looks like chicken little with his head cut off. He absolutely should be able to do both. What's he going to do, rush back to Washington and help push through a worthless piece of corporate welfare that we're not even sure is going to work?

I don't like the move one bit. It's trying too hard to be a caricature of himself and will do little to no good for his campaign or the economy.

[Doofy]

McCain has basically said: "I've got more important things to do than argue with a silly little boy about the same things that we've been arguing about for months. Everyone knows where both candidates stand. Enough already."

It takes two to have an argument. And if McCain reuses to bother, it leaves Barry with nowhere to go.

[GSixZero]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

McCain has basically said: "I've got more important things to do than argue with a silly little boy about the same things that we've been arguing about for months. Everyone knows where both candidates stand. Enough already."

It takes two to have an argument. And if McCain reuses to bother, it leaves Barry with nowhere to go.

Everyone already knows everything they care to know about both candidate's policies. People watch debates for the same reason they watch Nascar, waiting for someone to crash and burn. Whether skipping out on the debate puts McCain in a better or worse position depends on how the narrative is controlled over the next three days. I'm interested to see what will happen.

[ebuddy]

Originally Posted by Doofy 

McCain has basically said: "I've got more important things to do than argue with a silly little boy about the same things that we've been arguing about for months. Everyone knows where both candidates stand. Enough already."

It takes two to have an argument. And if McCain reuses to bother, it leaves Barry with nowhere to go.

Granted, this upcoming debate would've been McCain's alleged strength; foreign policy, but I personally think Obama's got him against the wall with; "the President should be able to do more than one thing at a time" bit. If I were Obama, I'd first run to session and contribute to whatever paralysis is occurring there, then appear on national television where the debates were to be held and have a little town hall with the people about the issue. Showing in fact, that both could have and should have been done while connecting with the people one on one.

[Gee-Man]

Neither McCain nor Obama sit on any of the relevant Senate committes that are responsible for hammering out a deal on the bailout. So what, exactly, is McCain going to actually do to help solve the crisis? All he can really do is vote, just like Obama can. He certainly doesn't need to "suspend his campaign" to do that, just fly back to Washington on Friday for the vote, then fly to Mississippi for the 90 minute debate in the evening. It shouldn't be a big deal, candidates have days like this all the time. Having both presidential candidates, neither of whom are going to actually significantly contribute to the final deal, fly in to grandstand in Washington for a weekend doesn't seem like it will solve a damn thing.

I agree with ebuddy. This came off as desperate, and more like a political ploy rather than a measured reaction to the current situation. The financial crisis has been going on for 9 days now - why would delaying the debate now make a difference, when McCain could have done this several days ago? And why pull ads? What good is that going to do?

This is calling a time-out when things aren't going quite the way you planned.

[Doofy]

Originally Posted by ebuddy 

I personally think Obama's got him against the wall with; "the President should be able to do more than one thing at a time" bit.

I reckon that's going to come back and bite Barry in the ass sometime. I don't know how, I don't know when. Just a gut feeling.

[Mithras]

I realize I (much like every single poster above with the exception of ebuddy) am looking at this through my own partisan-colored glasses, but my gut feeling is that McCain comes away looking weak.

It just doesn't feel right. People don't like a quitter or a whiner, or a kid who asks for time outs the moment the game turns against him. And I don't think they like much better, "my nation calls, and my legislative body of 100 cannot possibly get along without my presence for the next three days."

My money is on the debate proceeding as scheduled, refocused to the economy.

[Mithras]

Originally Posted by ort888 

It's over. B Hussein O is going to have to go crying back to Egypt or wherever he is from. Nice try, but the country said "Thanks, but no thanks, to the lying foreign socialist elite".

Congratulations, you lose the thread. The rest of us might try to have a rational discussion about the implications for policy and politics in the meantime.

[SDW2001]

Originally Posted by ebuddy 

I couldn't disagree more. As I understand it Obama's camp called McCain's camp first, early this morning.

That is not what McCain says.

They had agreed to discuss issues in more detail and while Obama was on his way back to the hotel, McCain decides to suspend his campaign and head back to Washington. I think Obama actually scared the crap out of the McCain camp and McCain had to make a more drastic move now to show "leadership".

I think you made that up. But OK.

I think it was desperate and I think he overplayed this hand. Obama comes out like the one looking calm, like a Presidential candidate with more gravitas. McCain looks like chicken little with his head cut off. He absolutely should be able to do both. What's he going to do, rush back to Washington and help push through a worthless piece of corporate welfare that we're not even sure is going to work?

I don't like the move one bit. It's trying too hard to be a caricature of himself and will do little to no good for his campaign or the economy.

I think Obama is the one who looks ridiculous. This fits perfectly with McCain's country first theme. We can argue whether or not it was a political stunt (it was probably both that and out of legit concern for the issue). But did you see Obama's press conference? Seriously...it was a nightmare.

[finboy]

Right, BO has now ceded leadership to McCain. Obama is obviously not a decisive kind of guy, and it shows.

Man, even with all of the media in his corner he's struggling. You'd think this guy would be annointed already.

[SDW2001]

Originally Posted by Mithras 

I realize I (much like every single poster above with the exception of ebuddy) am looking at this through my own partisan-colored glasses, but my gut feeling is that McCain comes away looking weak.

It just doesn't feel right. People don't like a quitter or a whiner, or a kid who asks for time outs the moment the game turns against him. And I don't think they like much better, "my nation calls, and my legislative body of 100 cannot possibly get along without my presence for the next three days."

My money is on the debate proceeding as scheduled, refocused to the economy.

Well, I'm in the same boat, but I'm rowing the other way. I have reluctantly supported McCain, speaking as a conservative. But something has changed in the last month. Ever since the Palin pick, it's like the guy has come back from the dead. His demeanor has changed back to the McCain of 2000. He's making bold strokes, from the Palin pick, to this. He's taking risks. And I think it's brilliant. He's gone from the Vanilla and Mayonnaise Old Man to to a Fighting Maverick.

And Obama? It's no secret I can't stand him. I think he's utterly unqualified to be President. I disagree with nearly every position he holds. I'm not talking about fake flag pin controversies or lipstick comments....I just disagree with him totally. But one thing I am surprised about is how BAD his campaign has been since the Berlin speech. It's been on gaffe after another. The Biden pick and Hillary snub, the refusal to address the Weather Underground connect, the negative tone of the campaign...it all plays a role. I really thought he'd run a better campaign than this, even if I don't support him.

[Mithras]

Well, like I said, we're all clearly seeing what we're predisposed to see here. Obama saying that "the debate will go on" even while they deal with the banking crisis strikes me as indeed, calm and measured. While McCain's actions seemed more... erratic. Risky, even. I guess, SDW, you're saying that risk-taking is something you admire about him. Fine, I can see that. But in troubled times, people become risk-averse.

[Chuckit]

I thought it made McCain look scared. "Whoa, wait, I have to face this guy? ****, I just remembered I have some…uh…legislation in the oven. Yeah, really urgent legislation. Got to run! I'll get back to you!"

I'm not even sure why McCain would be that timid, but that's how it looks. Because, come on, he is not going to be sitting over a laptop working 24 hours a day fixing our economy all by his lonesome.

I don't think this particularly makes Obama look good. Obama's not doing anything special. It just looks bad for McCain, IMO.

[SDW2001]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

I thought it made McCain look scared. "Whoa, wait, I have to face this guy? ****, I just remembered I have some…uh…legislation in the oven. Yeah, really urgent legislation. Got to run! I'll get back to you!"

I'm not even sure why McCain would be that timid, but that's how it looks. Because, come on, McCain is not going to be sitting over a laptop working 24 hours a day fixing our economy all by his lonesome.

I have to agree with that. He looked very odd at the announcement. Of course, Obama sounded stupid enough to make up for it. The most important thing we can do is issue a bi-partisan statement? And we're going to be working on that statement? WTF?

[Doofy]

Of course, the other option is that your economy is about to go tits-up big style and within two months you're all going to be running around cannibalising each other.

[BRussell]

Is he going to win all 50 states, SDW?

[ebuddy]

Originally Posted by SDW2001 

That is not what McCain says.



I think you made that up. But OK.

McCain suspends campaign-MSNBC
Obama said he and McCain discussed the economy in two telephone calls earlier Wednesday. Obama said it was he who proposed issuing a joint statement on the bailout plan.
He indicated that McCain’s statement seeking to delay the debate came as a surprise, saying McCain had told him in their second call only that he was thinking about the idea.
“I guess he was further along than I thought,” Obama said.

A senior aide to Obama said McCain would have been better advised to have made his proposal several days ago. The aide said the only thing that had changed was McCain’s poll numbers.

Suspend campaign to help with bailout-Fox News
“At 8:30 this morning, Senator Obama called Senator McCain to ask him if he would join in issuing a joint statement outlining their shared principles and conditions for the Treasury proposal and urging Congress and the White House to act in a bipartisan manner to pass such a proposal,” spokesman Bill Burton said.

“At 2:30 this afternoon, Senator McCain returned Senator Obama’s call and agreed to join him in issuing such a statement. The two campaigns are currently working together on the details,” Burton continued.

But McCain’s camp said Obama never reached McCain in the morning call because McCain was meeting with economic advisers and talking to leaders in Congress. Afterward, McCain phoned Obama and expressed deep concern that the plan on the table would not pass as it currently stands. He asked Obama to join him in returning to Washington to lead a bipartisan effort to solve this problem.

Obama said the two still plan to issue a joint statement.

“I made the suggestion to him, he agreed to that suggestion and made the suggestion in addition that we need to have a meeting in Washington with congressional leaders and the president,” Obama said, noting that by time he got back to his hotel McCain had made his announcement.

I think Obama is the one who looks ridiculous. This fits perfectly with McCain's country first theme. We can argue whether or not it was a political stunt (it was probably both that and out of legit concern for the issue). But did you see Obama's press conference? Seriously...it was a nightmare.

I saw Obama's press conference. I saw McCain's press conference. I have no clue what McCain thinks he's going to do by returning to session in Washington. It's a political ploy of the highest order and it is patently obvious IMO. Obama called McCain, made a suggestion to issue a joint statement and that gave Obama the upper-hand in the "gosh he's showing leadership and cooperation" category. This is nothing more than one-upsmanship IMO.

[placebo1969]

Originally Posted by BRussell 

Is he going to win all 50 states, SDW?

Maybe even 57.

[NYK Ace]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

I'm not even sure why McCain would be that timid, but that's how it looks. Because, come on, he is not going to be sitting over a laptop working 24 hours a day fixing our economy all by his lonesome.

well i think we all know he's not going to be going to be sitting in front of a laptop or any computer for that matter... after all, we all know mccain doesn't even know how to use a computer

obama calls mccain at 8:30am to agree to release a joint statement, mccain calls obama back 2:30pm and agrees, mccain suspends his campaign 2:45pm and makes sure he is the first one to speak with the media to make it look like his idea. Country first? Right... John McCain first.

[ebuddy]

Originally Posted by NYK Ace 

well i think we all know he's not going to be going to be sitting in front of a laptop or any computer for that matter... after all, we all know mccain doesn't even know how to use a computer

What a silly thing to say. You know why he's not using a computer right?

[Kerrigan]

I don't know what to think. I'll lay things out as I see them, though:

1) Everyone knows McCain is expected to win the first debate. It's about foreign policy, his strong point, and McCain is regarded as having superior unscripted performances relative to Obama. And it is reported that Obama is cramming like mad for this debate, so McCain granting him extra time to prepare will not be perceived as an act of weakness or desperation.

2) The decision to suspend the campaign is bold. Bold, but smart? He clearly has the opportunity to seize the issue from Obama and frame himself as a more proactive leader. But will it work? Perception is everything, and it could go either way. Either he looks like a bold, concerned leader, or he looks like a reckless man and taints his image by association with a failed bailout bill.

3) Obama's "I can do two things at once, McCain can't" line is effective. I suspect that voters will think, "I get what Obama is saying. He's competent and has a competent staff, he doesn't have to be everywhere at once to get the job done." After all, Kennedy handed off the missile crisis to his talented brother, a general, and averted WWIII. Sometimes people want leaders who know, above all, when to hand things off to other people.

[GSixZero]

Originally Posted by Kerrigan 

I don't know what to think. I'll lay things out as I see them, though:

1) Everyone knows McCain is expected to win the first debate. It's about foreign policy, his strong point, and McCain is regarded as having superior unscripted performances relative to Obama. And it is reported that Obama is cramming like mad for this debate, so McCain granting him extra time to prepare will not be perceived as an act of weakness or desperation.

This may be true, but I think this point may be a little too finessed for most voters to get. I think McCain's play is this: The first debate will be McCain's best, but since the bailout is taking up the whole cycle at the moment it will prevent any kind of bump from the debate. IE, If McCain hits it out of the park on the debate he gets 24 hours of headlines (on a Saturday) and then the media goes back to talking about the bailout. McCain needs to get the bailout out of the way before he can debate.

I don't know if it'll turn out this way, but that's why I think McCain is pushing for the delay.

[NYK Ace]

Originally Posted by ebuddy 

What a silly thing to say. You know why he's not using a computer right?

injuries sustained as a pow dont allow him to type for long periods of time. i dont see though how this is a 100% excuse for being completely computer illiterate. every time you sit down on a computer do you type a 500 word essay?

but really, for whatever the reason, a president that has no concept of how to use a computer or the internet in 2008 is a scary thought.

[paul w]

Originally Posted by SDW2001 

McCain Suspends Campagin, Wins Election (with BO's help)

Mark it down. Press it is a book. Record it in permanent ink. McCain just won the election today, and he did it by suspending his campaign and watching his opponent react in an incomprehensibly stupid way.

I was hesitant to reverse my position on McCain's campaign, mind you. Up until the Palin selection, his campaign was slow, unresponsive, out of touch with its own message, and generally not "good." Since that selection, it's been positively brilliant. But today puts it over the top. Whether his decision to suspend is politically motivated or not, it's a good one, both for the country and his political future.

I'm watching Obama's reaction live now. It is an unmitigated disaster. His themes have been:

1. The debate should go on (Friday night).

2. <veiled attack on McCain> "The President will have to do more than one thing at a time." Cheap trick, Mr. Obama. Cheap trick. </attack>

3. " I'm here to be helpful if anyone needs me." This contrasts with McCain's leadership or perceived leadership on issue. This was a major theme of his speech today and it cannot be denied. It reinforces the perception that he's a speech giver, not a leader.

4. The best and 'most important' thing we can do is candidates is come out with a joint, bi-partisan statement. Oh my friggin' lord.

5. Repeat veiled attack on McCain (see #2). Follow up with surrogates. I'm watching one now. Harry Reid said that "we need leadership, not a campaign photo op." Wow.

6. Repeat #2


I never dreamed McCain had it in him to be this good. Nor did I think Obama's campaign could be this stupid. What is he going to do if McCain doesn't show up Friday night? What if Congress is in session and Obama's not there?

I just watched Obama's press conference and all I can say is you're high on crack.

There was no attack, Obama calmly stated he disagreed with McCain on whether the debates should be rescheduled, offered his reasoning and that's that.

It's clear to see where the partisan camps default position is. The right will rally around McCain selflessly going to Washington to fix this financial mess. The Left will agree that the debates are important too and have suspicion as to his true motivations or real effectiveness. I certainly understand why certain members of congress currently engaged in the issue might suspect his motives.

If you think any of this nonsense is going to decide the election you're fooling yourself. There is NO WAY this gets fixed overnight. I hope not, because we're talking about 700 BILLION DOLLARS!!!

[Captain Obvious]

Originally Posted by NYK Ace 

well i think we all know he's not going to be going to be sitting in front of a laptop or any computer for that matter... after all, we all know mccain doesn't even know how to use a computer

Neither does Warren Buffet yet he can buy and sell Obama's entire family and the market was kept steady today by a wave of his hand.
There is a certain level of status one can reach where computers aren't a necessity since you have legions of monkeys who do the busy work for you.

See, this is why I have no pity for the bitching Obama supporters when they cry in all these other threads about manufactured controversies. The hypocrisy you people throw out there exposes the stupidity of your arguments.

[- - e r i k - -]

Originally Posted by Mithras 

Congratulations, you lose the thread. The rest of us might try to have a rational discussion about the implications for policy and politics in the meantime.

You must be new here...

[hyteckit]

Palin helps McCain win the election.

Obama calling Palin a pig helps McCain win the election.

McCain suspense campaign will help McCain win the election.

Other things that McCain can do to win him the election:

McCain farts

McCain forgets which party he is running for

McCain grabs Palin's ass in public

McCain suffers a heart attack

[Timo]

Originally Posted by Captain Obvious 

Neither does Warren Buffet yet he can buy and sell Obama's entire family

Wow...nice allusion. You talking about Obama or Kunta Kinte?

[NYK Ace]

Originally Posted by Captain Obvious 

Neither does Warren Buffet yet he can buy and sell Obama's entire family and the market was kept steady today by a wave of his hand.
There is a certain level of status one can reach where computers aren't a necessity since you have legions of monkeys who do the busy work for you.

i dont think warren buffet is in a position where he needs to make decisions on this country's internet or communications laws. he is a great investor for sure, and may not need to know how to work a computer to run his operation, but then again he is not running for president either.

i do think the president of the united states is a position where the knowledge of a computer and the workings of the internet would be beneficial to the job, especially when potential bills involving net neutrality, piracy, etc come across the desk.

[hyteckit]

Maybe McCain should suspend his campaign and donate all his campaign money to the bailout.

That would win him the election.

[mduell]

Obama just won. He is up 3:1 odds since the beginning of the week, and McCain just effectively conceded.

[ebuddy]

Originally Posted by NYK Ace 

injuries sustained as a pow dont allow him to type for long periods of time. i dont see though how this is a 100% excuse for being completely computer illiterate. every time you sit down on a computer do you type a 500 word essay?

but really, for whatever the reason, a president that has no concept of how to use a computer or the internet in 2008 is a scary thought.

This is a silly litmus. I've argued this before with others and they really couldn't give me a valid reason why this matters. You have good mail. You have bad mail. There are good shops and there are bad shops. You have good people that use tools for good purposes and you have bad people that use tools for bad purposes. You have morons who thought they'd have bad luck if they didn't forward you yet another stupid chain email. Tell me, is porn, ebay, and youtube having that profound an impact on your life?

I find the internet important because of access to information and communication. I really don't think McCain has any such shortage of information or ability to speak his mind. In fact, I'd argue these candidates are getting too much information from too many different people and they're talking too much. Computers are just tools. The only people who find this important in a Presidential candidate are those who would never have voted for him in the first place.

[lpkmckenna]

McCain has completely lost it. The USA managed to maintain a functioning democracy during two world wars and the Great Depression, but McCain can't campaign while at the same time working in Washington? Ridiculous.

This reminds me of something: a certain tried to stall elections in NYC because of 9/11. How'd that work out?

[ebuddy]

Originally Posted by lpkmckenna 

The USA managed to maintain a functioning democracy during two world wars and the Great Depression, but McCain can't campaign while at the same time working in Washington? Ridiculous.

[ebuddy]

what if...

[ebuddy]

What if McCain is gambling on the fact that Republicans will rally around his plight to sign a bill and get back to the debates, putting his entire campaign on the chopping block. Then, McCain returns to the debate a hero, sets his luggage down, reaches into it, pulls out a laptop and opens it onto the podium! Could be a big pay off.

What if McCain overestimates his support, signs a horrible bill, hops a flight home the following morning while reading about Obama's landmark speech at Ole Miss' place last night?

[tie]

McCain is terribly weak on the economy. Last week he was saying how strong it is, and then he said we should have another 9/11 commission to tell us what to do about it (three years from now, I guess he meant?). Now it is so urgent that we're supposed to believe he's needed at the senate at 9pm on a Friday night? This is really flailing.

This is the perfect time for a debate.

[TETENAL]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjkCrfylq-E

[OreoCookie]

Originally Posted by ebuddy 

I couldn't disagree more. [snip]

I think it was desperate and I think he overplayed this hand. Obama comes out like the one looking calm, like a Presidential candidate with more gravitas. McCain looks like chicken little with his head cut off. He absolutely should be able to do both. What's he going to do, rush back to Washington and help push through a worthless piece of corporate welfare that we're not even sure is going to work?

I don't like the move one bit. It's trying too hard to be a caricature of himself and will do little to no good for his campaign or the economy.

I absolutely agree, it's a bad move for McCain. Last time somebody thought he shouldn't bother campaigning for a while, he lost the primaries by a large margin. Plus, where is his wingman (= VP candidate), ideally she should be able to take over the campaigning while he's working in Washington. Speaking of Sarah Palin, where is she?

All the people will who argue (or think) he's too old will now have new cannon fodder. Since McCain isn't involved in the details of the upcoming deal (AFAIK he's not on the relevant Senate committees nor is it his strong point in terms of qualifications). How long does he want to stop campaigning? I don't think this crisis will be resolved within a month (band aids don't count), so does he want to stop campaigning until after the election?

IMO he'd fare much better to formulate the guiding principles to solve this crisis during a debate which focusses more on economic issues rather than just foreign policy (which is one of McCain's strong points).

[Sayf-Allah]

Hehe, unbelievable. And the fact that people buy into this is just amazing.

Perhaps it's the best he can do though.

After lying to the public (once more?).

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/24/us...YmNY+xELAwcnmQ

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...n-13-cars.html

[ebuddy]

Originally Posted by Sayf-Allah 

Hehe, unbelievable. And the fact that people buy into this is just amazing. Perhaps it's the best he can do though. After lying to the public (once more?).

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/24/us...YmNY+xELAwcnmQ

Oh joy, another hitpiece on McCain from the credible NYT. Subscriptions must be low if they have to subject readers to a full 5-second banner before viewing online articles.
Per John McCain's website;
Today the New York Times launched its latest attack on this campaign in its capacity as an Obama advocacy organization. Let us be clear about what this story alleges: The New York Times charges that McCain-Palin 2008 campaign manager Rick Davis was paid by Freddie Mac until last month, contrary to previous reporting, as well as statements by this campaign and by Mr. Davis himself.
In fact, the allegation is demonstrably false. As has been previously reported, Mr. Davis separated from his consulting firm, Davis Manafort, in 2006. As has been previously reported, Mr. Davis has seen no income from Davis Manafort since 2006. Zero. Mr. Davis has received no salary or compensation since 2006. Mr. Davis has received no profit or partner distributions from that firm on any basis -- weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual -- since 2006. Again, zero. Neither has Mr. Davis received any equity in the firm based on profits derived since his financial separation from Davis Manafort in 2006.

Further, and missing from the Times' reporting, Mr. Davis has never -- never -- been a lobbyist for either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. Mr. Davis has not served as a registered lobbyist since 2005.

Though these facts are a matter of public record, the New York Times, in what can only be explained as a willful disregard of the truth, failed to research this story or present any semblance of a fairminded treatment of the facts closely at hand. The paper did manage to report one interesting but irrelevant fact: Mr. Davis did participate in a roundtable discussion on the political scene with...Paul Begala.

Again, let us be clear: The New York Times -- in the absence of any supporting evidence -- has insinuated some kind of impropriety on the part of Senator McCain and Rick Davis. But entirely missing from the story is any significant mention of Senator McCain's long advocacy for, and co-sponsorship of legislation to enact, stricter oversight and regulation of both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- dating back to 2006. Please see the attached floor statement on this issue by Senator McCain from 2006.

Can you prove this wrong? Has the public record been tainted by McCain operatives? Link? I mean, you can elevate your own personal preference over facts. You can eat up a wealth of BS as fed you by any source you feel is trustworthy. You can overlook what really matters and go to the heart of fluff all day long, but does any of it mean anything at all?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...n-13-cars.html[/QUOTE]
Oh goodie, an article on how many cars McCain owns and whether or not more than 75% of them are American. I know I know, McCain says he's "bought American his whole life" which I guess must be twisted into a lie that sounds more like; "I've never bought anything, but American my whole life."

Strrrrrrrettttch much?