John McCain wants to bail on Friday's debate
Apparently, John McCain wants to bail on Friday's debate with Barack Obama. Could it be because he's behind nine points in the polls? The New York Times has this:
Senator John McCain said Wednesday that he would suspend campaigning on Thursday, and seek a delay in this week’s planned presidential debate, so that he could return to Washington to try to forge a consensus on a financial bailout package.
Should Barack Obama stand his ground and demand the debate go on? I'm saying yes, but what do you say?
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September 24, 2008 |
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Posted by: Dena | Sep 24, 2008 3:12:51 PM
Sen. Obama says:
"With respect to the debates it is my belief that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who in roughly 40 days will be responsible for this mess," he said. "I think it is going to be part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once. I don't see why we can't be constructive in helping with this problem."
Seems spot ot to me. McCain is grasping for a reprieve from a terrible 10 + day stretch for them.
Posted by: Jack Roberts | Sep 24, 2008 3:23:40 PM
Actually, the Senate would benefit from having McCain there to help craft a bipartisan solution. After all, he has a history of doing that, i.e., the Gang of 14 on judicial nominations and McCain-Feingold, as well as his unsuccessful efforts on immigration and global warming.
By contrast Obama, who basically decided to red shirt his freshman term and run for President instead of learning the ways of Congress, would offer little and probably should stay on the campaign trail where he is better suited.
Posted by: Leo Schuman | Sep 24, 2008 3:45:42 PM
Jack Roberts wrote: "Actually, the Senate would benefit from having McCain there to help craft a bipartisan solution."
If this weren't the last 40 days of an election, you might have a point. As is, McCain's presence will do nothing but polarize the debate along partisan lines, as any step towards him will be perceived as a campaign endorsement.
Posted by: torridjoe | Sep 24, 2008 3:45:56 PM
What are you talking about, Jack? Obama has multiple instances of working directly across the aisle to get bills passed. If I recall right he did one with the ultra-wacko Tom Coburn at one point.
Barney Frank said it best: this is the longest Hail Mary in the history of either football or Marys.
Posted by: Anthony | Sep 24, 2008 3:46:12 PM
You mean, other than Obama-Luger and other bipartisan pieces of legislation, right Jack? Congress could use both of them there, but honestly the country can chew bubblegum and walk at the same time. The debates should go on, even if the venue is moved to DC to better accomodate their legislative needs.
McCain probably wants to duck away from the inevitable debate question: Do you still support deregulation?
Posted by: Jeff Alworth | Sep 24, 2008 3:49:05 PM
Except, Jack, that Congress is, according to one source, 98% done. Here's the draft bailout circulating the Hill. Looks like John should have kept his powder dry.
Posted by: Kristin | Sep 24, 2008 3:50:31 PM
He can't bail -- I've already bought the bourbon for our soul food/mint julep party (in honor of the University of Mississippi). Sorry, John.
This is the type of tactic I used to use when I hadn't finished my math homework -- this isn't junior high, Senator, get the hell to work.
Posted by: Lani | Sep 24, 2008 3:54:13 PM
This is our newest "October Surprise". Most people are opposed to the Wall Street Bailout while 9800 households are foreclosed daily and it does nothing to help those at the bottom.
McCain can go to the Senate (I don't think he's cast a vote since last April) to claim the high "Presidential" ground on this issue that the Republicans created. McCain will point at Obama as the follower and then vote against the bill. Again, McCain'll exploit the opportunity it to claim "Maverick" status.
Congress should postpone their vacation and spend the time needed to pass the foreclosure prevention bill FIRST.
If these companies are guilty of fraud, they should use the RICO statutes and it won't cost the taxpayers a penny.
Anything that's "too big to fail" shouldn't exist. That's why we have anti-monopoly laws--it's past time they were enforced.
Posted by: Sid Leader | Sep 24, 2008 4:06:49 PM
So, Mr. Roberts, now McCain wants to go to work. Now?
Your short, knarled, angry, old, confused candidate, McSame, missed more votes in the Senate than anyone except the Minnesota guy in the coma.
Check dat fact, Jack.
Posted by: Jack Roberts | Sep 24, 2008 4:07:52 PM
You mean, other than Obama-Luger and other bipartisan pieces of legislation, right Jack?
I did forget about one piece of bipartisan legislation: Obama and Gordon Smith's bill increasing fuel efficiency standards.
Except, Jack, that Congress is, according to one source, 98% done. Here's the draft bailout circulating the Hill. Looks like John should have kept his powder dry.
What do you mean? Like you think this would have happened without this nudge from McCain?
Posted by: joel dan walls | Sep 24, 2008 4:08:24 PM
Senator Obama, I can't make it to the debate because my dog ate my Teleprompter.
Posted by: joel dan walls | Sep 24, 2008 4:08:25 PM
Senator Obama, I can't make it to the debate because my dog ate my Teleprompter.
Posted by: Kristin | Sep 24, 2008 4:08:57 PM
When I read "Suspends Campaign" the letters get all blurry and all I can read is "Rose Garden." Worked really well for Carter, too.
Posted by: joel dan walls | Sep 24, 2008 4:13:24 PM
Actually, McCain was simply acting on the advise of Bush and Cheney, but got confused about the wording: the actual message he received was "John, I think it would be be to suspend the Constitution".
Posted by: Matthew Sutton | Sep 24, 2008 4:16:12 PM
McCain continues to show the instability and poor judgment that does not instill public confidence or befit a future commander in chief. We saw this in the Palin selection and now this.
But a clever political move nonetheless:
1. It removes from tonight's newscasts the NYT story today on McCain's Campaign Manager Rick Davis receiving payments from Freddie Mac until last month. So much or McCain's invitation to examine his record!
2. It shifts the focus away from all the polls coming out in the last day or two suggesting an Obama surge.
3. It buys more time for Palin to prepare for her debate against Biden since this could result in the rescheduling of that debate as well.
Very clever indeed. But as we learned with Bush/Rove, disguised political cleverness does not equate with wisdom or real leadership.
Posted by: t.a. barnhart | Sep 24, 2008 4:18:53 PM
if Sarah Palin is ready to be Pres, she ought to be ready to debate Obama. so let the old guy get out of the way -- it'll happen soon enough anyway -- and let the country see what they'll get with their twofer.
Posted by: Franklin D. Roosevelt | Sep 24, 2008 4:24:01 PM
Debate? Good lord, we shouldn't even be having an ELECTION during WARTIME.
Posted by: Gregor | Sep 24, 2008 4:25:55 PM
If Jack is right, and we should look at McCain's record, we will realize he is against government regulations. Always has been, always ... ummmmm ... I feel a flip-flop coming here. Either that, or McCain maintains his prinicipled no regulation stand, which does not require campaign suspension. It simply requires a "No" vote. That shouldn't take all day!
Word on the radio is the Dems want McCain to vote in agreement with any proposal he makes. He has to have his skin in the game if he wants to play. He's blinking. Maybe Sarah can help him with this decision. She probably already "knows" what to do.
PS - McCain's bailout of the debate sounds like another one of those "We have to support the President" call-to-arms. So why is he not like Bush? It sounds like he prefers Bush to lead more then he wants to take that role himself. Obama has shown himself to be deliberate in this matter. McCain has been decisive, making new decisions several times a day, even if they contradict each other.
Posted by: torridjoe | Sep 24, 2008 4:32:35 PM
when the above piece notes "I'm saying yes," is that Mr. Inthenews talking?
Posted by: RichW | Sep 24, 2008 4:56:11 PM
"Senator Obama, I can't make it to the debate because my dog ate my Teleprompter.
... or perhaps a moose ate his notes.
Posted by: Joe Democrat | Sep 24, 2008 4:58:19 PM
"WASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Wednesday said global financial markets were under "extraordinary stress" and threatening an already weak U.S. economy as he offered his bleakest outlook since a credit crisis set in last year."
Im sorry but the debates are much more important than this economy stuff...besides we don't understand it anyway. We just need to pass some tax increases - being patriotic - to pay for this bailout...the bailout we'll figure out after the important stuff, like debates.
Posted by: johnnie | Sep 24, 2008 5:09:16 PM
Warren Buffet (Obama's man) is talking about a "financial Pearl Harbor". If it is, then every congressman should go to work (and IMO correct a mistake they made).
If Obama thinks he can multi-task a campaign with a financial PH then he either doesn't get it or doesn't need to get it because Buffet is in charge financially.
Comparing moving a debate a few days with stopping an election is, well rather a stretch, no?
Regarding, F/F. Is Team Obama really saying that F/F bought McCain by hiring Davis, but contributing to campaigns doesn't buy a politician? Really? Obama must have a lot of faith in his ability to get his faithful follower to believe what he wants them to believe.
Both are bought, one more than the other, as everyone knows which candidate frequents parties with former F/F execs.
If presidential debates were soooo important to this country Team Obama should have accepted the 10 townhall challenge from Team McCain.
Funny that Obama is supporting Bush on this bailout while very few Republican's support Bush's bailout.
I say get to work, let the debate slid a day or two.
Posted by: Pedro | Sep 24, 2008 5:27:18 PM
"My friends, my friends, I haven't got a clue on how to rescue my losing campaign so it's time to punt, my friends"
Posted by: Sheryl Warren | Sep 24, 2008 5:47:54 PM
As I watched this unfold today, I was struck by several facts. 1. Obama contacted McCain earlier today (privately, not over the airwaves) to propose a joint statement on the financial crisis. 2. McCain responded publicly that he wants the debate suspended. 3. McCain is not a member of the Senate Committee currently dealing with the legislation being proposed re: the bailout.
I conclude, from these facts, that 1) McCain does not trust his colleagues working on the legislation; 2) McCain attempted a public outing, of sorts, by proposing cancelling the debate publicly instead of privately; 3) McCain thinks/knows he is in trouble in this race for President and is pretending to take the so-called "high road"--fortunately, Sen. Obama held his ground and the debate will go on (I guess).
Just as an aside, it struck me that McCain displayed no regard for the University of Mississippi and its community by calling for a last-minute cancellation of the debate. While I do not discount the seriousness of the financial situation facing Washington (& all of us), neither his nor Obama's presence in Washington is required on Friday evening.
Just some observations....
Posted by: Bill R. | Sep 24, 2008 5:54:41 PM
Such a deal! McCain gets to call time-out when he's behind and refuse to resume play. Not gonna debate, not gonna let Palin debate. Aw heck... What a man, what a leader!
Posted by: Tom Civiletti | Sep 24, 2008 6:00:12 PM
Colorado McCain Staffer Accidentally Leaks Talking Points To Reporters
Posted by: Jack Roberts | Sep 24, 2008 7:19:27 PM
Colorado McCain Staffer Accidentally Leaks Talking Points To Reporters
What's the big deal? It just means a lot of reporters don't have to wait to hear them on Fox news.
Posted by: Tom Civiletti | Sep 24, 2008 7:25:16 PM
Jack Roberts wrote:
What's the big deal?
How about: McCain campaign outlines "suspended campaign" campaign.
Posted by: Fireman Tee | Sep 24, 2008 7:36:34 PM
Maybe instead of a debate they could both be waterboarded for a couple of hours on live TV. Find out what they're really made out of.
McCain is not afraid of debating Obama.
Posted by: JustAsking | Sep 24, 2008 8:07:01 PM
Yes, if McCain is going to cut and run from the debates, then Palin must step in and the VPs can debate on Friday.
I mean, McCain says that she's a foreign policy and energy expert...so should be no problem. It's not like Palin is busy holding press conferences or responding to subpoenas, so she's got time.
Posted by: LT | Sep 24, 2008 8:48:54 PM
Sheryl, thanks for this:
"Just as an aside, it struck me that McCain displayed no regard for the University of Mississippi and its community by calling for a last-minute cancellation of the debate. While I do not discount the seriousness of the financial situation facing Washington (& all of us), neither his nor Obama's presence in Washington is required on Friday evening."
As the sister of an audiovisual technician at a convention hotel in another state, I can just imagine what a logistical nightmare it would be to postpone this debate. The auditorium has been reserved for months (meaning nothing else could happen there that night, it would just be empty), the networks and local news outlets have been planning coverage for a long time and are advertising "tune in on Friday..", the technicians and everyone else have been scheduled to work Friday night, people who have tickets to be in the audience (esp. students or those who work odd hours in retail, medicine, or other occupations which are not 9-5) have arranged their schedules, the town and college hosting such an event has done a lot of planning, and then all of a sudden this happens? As someone said, it is unlikely Congress would be voting at 9pm Friday, and jet planes were invented for just such situations.
McCain has not yet (to my knowledge) spoken on the details of the bailout plan. Yet with something like 60 hours left, he wants to throw a monkeywrench into the plans of all those people involved just to make a political statement/ gamble / gambit/ political theater?
Is he sending a message that if elected president he will act on whim and not care how it affects the lives of others?
Does he think every resident of Miss. who had planned to attend the debate or watch on local TV will be more likely to vote for him if he bails at the last minute? Or isn't he thinking that far ahead?
Posted by: Bill R. | Sep 24, 2008 9:18:14 PM
Only 10% support McCain's cut-and-run flight from the debate:
Americans Want Debate to Go On
Just after Sen. John McCain's announcement this afternoon that he was suspending his campaign and seeking to postpone Friday's schedule presidential debate, SurveyUSA interviewed 1,000 adults nationwide.
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/09/24/americans_want_debate_to_go_on.html
Americans Want Debate to Go On
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."
Posted by: John S. McCain III | Sep 24, 2008 9:19:52 PM
My friends, I've never told you this, but I was a POW in Vietnam, and that makes me uniquely qualified to run for president break my commitments posture about my economic credentials.
Posted by: joel dan walls | Sep 24, 2008 9:23:32 PM
johnnie, my friend, the reason we've got GOP congressmen denouncing the bailout isn't because they actually believe any of the garbage they spout about free markets. No, my friend, they want the Democrats to get suckered once again into cutting a deal with Dubya, and then they're going to spend the last month of the campaign running against BOTH Dubya (who they've otherwise slavishly supported) AND the Democrats.
Posted by: Bill R. | Sep 24, 2008 9:24:06 PM
Looks like part of the gambit here is to cancel altogether on the VP debate according to this:
Marc Ambinder-http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/09/mccains_bottom_line_no_deal_no.php
"The aide did not know whether Gov. Palin would attend Oct. 2's vice presidential debate if Congress, by that point, still hasn't reached a deal."
Based on her performance in two softball interviews with Charlie Gibson and Katy Couric, I'm betting her fund of knowledge is so low she's not ready for prime time, despite her crash course these past two weeks from Wingnut U.
Posted by: Kari Chisholm | Sep 24, 2008 10:03:49 PM
I did forget about one piece of bipartisan legislation: Obama and Gordon Smith's bill increasing fuel efficiency standards.
Nice, Jack. You mean the bill that Gordon Smith voted against three times? And then cosponsored when he needed cover for his re-election campaign?
Posted by: Sun | Sep 24, 2008 10:08:42 PM
Why is KC Hanson posting on this blog?
http://blueoregonwhistleblower.blogspot.com/
Posted by: RW | Sep 24, 2008 10:16:23 PM
Kari: I hate it when you skewer me, even gently. But I sure do enjoy it when you do it to others. :)... that was the perfect nightcap.
G'night.
Posted by: JustAsking | Sep 24, 2008 10:45:25 PM
What if McCain had picked Kay Bailey Hutchison? Or Kristi Todd Whitman? Or even Condi?
They would not need a crash course at Wingnut U, that's for sure, and each one of them has handled hundreds, if not thousands, of media interviews. Any one of them would be ready to step in and speak for the Rs in a debate.
Posted by: Bill R. | Sep 24, 2008 11:19:21 PM
McCain and Gordo sinking like stones in Oregon:
Merkley up 44-42,
Obama up by 11, 52-41
( The Obama numbers are consistent with polls by Hibbitts and ARG, Pollster.com has an average at 50-41 in Oregon for Obama)
From SUSA pollster:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/25/12623/8182/514/609680
Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) has hemorrhaged support since midsummer in his tough battle for re-election against state Speaker Jeff Merkley (D), according to a new automated poll conducted for Roll Call and KATU-TV by SurveyUSA.
In a survey of 708 likely voters conducted Monday and Tuesday of this week, Smith was statistically tied with Merkley, trailing the Democrat 44 percent to 42 percent, with 6 percent undecided. Constitution Party candidate Dave Brownlow registered at 8 percent. Back in early August, Smith led Merkley 49 percent to 37 percent in a SurveyUSA poll.
"The contest today is effectively even," said the polling memo prepared by SurveyUSA, which referred to the race as "difficult to handicap."
In the presidential race, Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) led Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) by 11 points, 52 percent to 41 percent.
Posted by: Deborah Barnes | Sep 25, 2008 5:22:10 AM
To all I have invited to the debate party at my house on Friday...I apologize. I guess all those bottles of wine will just have to wait till the vice presidential debate...or if Ms. Palin decides she can't debate then...well...we will just have to open all of those bottles on election day when we celebrate the Obama-Biden election night victory.
Crap, even my high school students can debate and listen to their ipods at the same time.
Posted by: Bert Lowry | Sep 25, 2008 6:48:33 AM
Like you think this would have happened without this nudge from McCain?
Jack Roberts seems to have drunk the McCain koolaid. That's too bad. Jack, it's not a good idea to attach your credibility to McCain's right now. Your best bet is to let the more, um, unlikely statements from his campaign pass without comment. Agreeing with them makes you look naive or dishonest.
Posted by: Bill Bodden | Sep 25, 2008 8:35:08 AM
Perhaps John McCain should return to Washington to help with the economy. He has gotten it wrong so many times maybe the law of averages will kick in and he'll get it right this time - even if he doesn't know what the hell he is doing.
And ditto on Bert Lowry's post.
Posted by: Sid Leader | Sep 25, 2008 8:47:19 AM
Let's take up a collection to send our own Republican hero, Jack Roberts, to DC to help Bush, Beardo and the Bald One save Amerikka!!!
From itself.
And I notice Jack did not defend McCain's putrid Senate voting record, the worst record of all, except for the guy who was in a coma in Minnesota.
If McCain had actualy worked for his Senate check, instead of banging creepy Cindy on the jet, we might not be in the biggest financial mess since 1929.
Posted by: Ron Morgan | Sep 25, 2008 9:47:28 AM
Didn't you hear Sarah Palin tell Katie Couric that America is waiting with baited breath to hear what McCain has to say on the economy? She's half right, America is wondering which contradictory and inflammatory statement McCain will make. He's pivote so many times in the last week and a half he must be standing on a lazy Susan. "The economy is fundamentally strong, the economy is cratering, I support the bail-out, I haven't read it yet, fire Cox!"
McCain's bailed out of the debate so he can go have a photo op at the White House and declare that he's bipartisan for supporting a bill that the Dems have hammered out while he was on the road pretending to be the Red Queen, off with their heads!
Posted by: Eric Parker | Sep 25, 2008 10:30:34 AM
I wonder if Palin would consider to stop using the phrase 'baited breath'. It's kind of not a necessary phrase to use in a professional conversation - especially when running for VP.
Posted by: Joel dan walls | Sep 25, 2008 11:00:28 AM
Personally, I'm waiting with bated breath to see what sort of bait Palin is using :-)
Posted by: Jack Roberts | Sep 25, 2008 11:36:54 AM
Let's take up a collection to send our own Republican hero, Jack Roberts, to DC to help Bush, Beardo and the Bald One save Amerikka!!!
From itself.
I wear the disdain of someone who spells our country's name "Amerikka" as a badge of honor. (It is progress, however, that this time you used only two "k"s; earlier it was three).
And I notice Jack did not defend McCain's putrid Senate voting record, the worst record of all, except for the guy who was in a coma in Minnesota.
I think he more than made up for this by flying into Washington, D.C. and apparently getting bipartisan approval for the McCain Plan to break the grdlock on this critical issue.
If McCain had actually worked for his Senate check, instead of banging creepy Cindy on the jet, we might not be in the biggest financial mess since 1929.
Okay . . . Is this where we all start looking embarrassedly at our watches and discover there is somewhere else we have to be?
Posted by: Bill Bodden | Sep 25, 2008 12:47:20 PM
I think he more than made up for this by flying into Washington, D.C. and apparently getting bipartisan approval for the McCain Plan to break the grdlock on this critical issue.
This is from Think Progress:
"Cornyn responded by bristling that McCain was swooping in at the last minute and trying to take over:
Things got really heated when Cornyn accused McCain of being too busy campaigning for president to take part in the negotiations, which have gone on for months behind closed doors. “Wait a second here,” Cornyn said to McCain. “I’ve been sitting in here for all of these negotiations and you just parachute in here on the last day. You’re out of line.” […]
“[Expletive] you! I know more about this than anyone else in the room,” shouted McCain at Cornyn."
It appears that his fellow senators (except maybe Lieberman and Lindsey Graham) weren't too happy with McCain's supersenator act. The rest of the article is here here.
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Posted by: Leo Schuman | Sep 24, 2008 3:12:45 PM
If John McCain can't focus on more than one thing at a time, he's not fit to be President.