As Obama Balks, What McCain Should Do

Another Update: Ed Driscoll has some additional reactions here.

Update: Report here:

John McCain announced that he will suspend his presidential campaign on Thursday to return to Washington to help with Wall Street bailout negotiations. He urged his opponent Barack Obama to do the same.

And here:

However a senior Obama campaign official said Obama "intends to debate."

"The debate is on," a senior Obama campaign official told ABC News.

Let the Left laugh, with Obama saying he wants to continue campaigning and debating, I'd do two things were I McCain.

1) Say you can understand Obama's point of view as he has never been engaged in anything this serious on Capitol Hill, or anywhere else.

and 2) Volunteer to let his VP nominee sit in for him against Obama on Friday.

Yes, I realize the media is still all about Palin - who cares. I'd make the offer.

Comments

[jaime]

Dear Al Qaeda,

Let's suspend the war on terror. I am losing in the polls.

John "can't walk and chew gum" McCain

[Ramba]

They want their Muslim for President?

Okay, let them have Obama.

When they're forced to wear burqas, stone gay people, and make their bearded 13 year old sons grow enter madrasas,

Then we MC CAIN/ PALIN folks will laugh and laugh and laugh and say, "TOLD JA!".

YOU THREW OVER A WAR HERO FOR A FOREIGNER YOU DIDN'T EVEN KNOW KNEW HATED YOU AND THE COUNTRY YOU LIVE IN!

YOU DESERVE WHAT YOU GET!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[seekeronos]

Let's edit that a skootch, shall we:

"Dear Every Nation On Earth Whose Business We've Interfered With over the Past 100 years:

Sorry for the bother. We're going home now.

So long, and thanks for ... erm, ... nothing."

- We the People of the United States of America

[jaime]

"When they're forced to wear burqas, stone gay people, and make their bearded 13 year old sons grow enter madrasas,"

Here come the crazies. The end is nigh!!!!!! Wear your nikes and await the comet!!!!!!

[Hucbald]

Obama v. Palin. Lord, I'd part with a Cleveland to watch that!

I'd make a beer drinking game out of it: Every time Obama said Uh, or Well, I'd take a sip. I'm sure I'd pass out before the end.

[Edwardo]

Obama Should Delay Debate

Barack Obama has been challenged by his opponent to delay their debate on Friday night and ban campaign ads until both of them and their fellow congressmen can go back to Washington to work together to deal with the nations financial troubles. This suggestion was made after it became obvious that the Bush administration's Wall Street bailout plan seemed headed for defeat and a bipartisan solution was urgently needed.
There is a lot of ego involved here but one has to put their country ahead of their personal ambition so here's hoping Barack can swallow his pride at this not being his idea and go along with what is best for America.

[DADvocate]

Obama doesn't understand what the big deal is. He thinks all you have to do is vote "Present" on the bailout and go on campaigning.

[Tyrtle]

Forget Palin.

Let Obama debate Biden. There are plenty of things they disagree on.

[Cocerned One]

There's no way Obama will go to Washington to help solve the economic problems. He'd have to take a stand instead of merely saying "present."

[Average American]

Yeah, I am sure the average American is just dying to hear the "Messiah" debate foreign policy instead of following McCain in solving the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Seriously, Obama has lost it if if he insists on debating.

[jaime]

"one has to put their country ahead of their personal ambition"
-So why isn't McCain heading back to Washington right now? He's got one more campaign stop to make, that's why. John McCain left his scruples in a Vietnamese prison camp.

"Let Obama debate Biden"
-If you're going to steal a punchline you just read from NRO, at least have the dignity to attribute your source.

"He thinks all you have to do is vote "Present"
- You DO know John McCain hasn't participated in a roll call vote since April right?

[Spartan112]

So wait, John McCain who has missed more votes this session than almost anyone wants to delay the debate to go back to DC to save the economy even though he admits to knowing nothing about the economy and also admits that he hasn't even read the 3 page proposal...let that sink in...he hasn't read the 3 page proposal.

This is cowardice on McCains part. He's dropping in the polls and this is a desperation move.

[Robert Arvanitis]

If Obama insists, great idea to let him debate Palin, after all, they are peers in experience etc.

Sad though, to miss out one of only a few showcases, since Obama is such a weak debater.

[section9]

Oh, shoot. McCain should drag out the negotiations so he that Obama thinks he'll be debating an Empty Chair and all of a sudden Palin shows up with the Baby in her arms.

Super Bowl ratings. Super Bowl, I tell ya!

Best,

Chris

[A.W.]

Its brilliant as is, too. i don't know if mccain did it on purpose but...

now mccain is again putting "country first" and obama just looks like a guy who became senator solely to become president, as opposed to having a job to do that he takes seriously.

But if obama accepts, first, it might knock a friday night debate to a day of the week when people are more likely to watch.

And then he would have to take biden off the trail, too.

But Palin holds no national office, so she can keep campaigning.

And yeah, the suggested responce above is brilliant, too.

There are times where i struggle to know if mccain is just being a great guy, or doing ninjitsu on Obama. He is either lucky or one seriously sly bastard. Gotta love him either way.

Although i have to say that some of what he has done has succeeded beyond his wildest expectations. like the palin pick. I think it is safe to say nobody could have guessed how crazy the left would go over her.

[jharp]

A fact.

"McCain has gone from “the fundamentals of our economy are strong” to “we have to suspend the campaign and delay the debates in order to deal with the greatest economic crisis since WWII” in about a week."

Hmmm. It wouldn't be any new polling data that caused his flip flop, would it?

And someone else put it so well, (can't remember who) McCain is behind in the 4th quarter and is faking an injury to buy some time.

[SacTownMan]

One candidate is a patriot that has always put his country first!

The other is a Chicago hack that is so self-absorbed he is incapable of coming to the aid of his country. His never ending me-first attitude is as obvious as the "guaq-a-mol-a" mole on his face. He simply looks at this crisis as an oppourtunity to further his god king quest and use his favorite talking point of McCain = Bush 3!

McCain should just follow his instincts and help the American people to recover from this blow to our economy. As the only person in the race with any history of crossing party lines or giving a crap about anybody but himself he "gets it".

If this makes him lose this election so-be-it! Unlike our troll friends here there are some people in this, the greatest country on earth that care about more than "fulfilling their destiny".

One thing is clear in this election, win or lose Mccain

[jharp]

"now mccain is again putting "country first""

Really? Is that why he said yesterday that he hadn't yet read the bailout proposal? Nor had he made any decision which way he'd vote.

The GOP tried to dump the bailout on the Democrats and it didn't quite work out so good.

It'll be fun to watch the party of small government lobbying to give $700 billion to the Wall Street millionaires who stole at least that much.

And the best part... ... Mr. 24% himself goes on TV tonight to try and sell it. Can't wait to see the GOPers rally behind a 24% approval rating lamest duck in the history of the country.

Kind of throws a wrench into the plan to distance themselves from Bush, huh?

[SacTownMan]

..is the real patriot here!

Some how this got dropped from the end of my post.

[FedUp]

I love both options... AND I think having Sarah tackle Obama would light his fuse sooooo bad!!! I jes wanna know, if only one of the parties in a debate shows up, how can it be a debate??? Isn't that more like a monolog??? No matter... Obama is toast (is that racis?)

[DaMav]

I think you have an OUTRAGEOUSLY good idea! Seriously.

[jharp]

Senator Obama a few minutes ago.

"With respect to the debates, it’s my belief that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who, in approximately 40 days, will be responsible for dealing with this mess. And I think that it is going to be part of the president’s job to deal with more than one thing at once."

And here I thought McCain was Mr. brave war hero. He's is nothing but a coward. Get's behind in the polls and fakes an injury. What.A.Pussy.

[ModDem]

McCain seems to be playing games here. I see no reason to inject politics into this thing by having them go to Washington and hold hands for photo ops. Let the debates go on. Obama makes a good point that the Presidency requires dealing with more than one issue at a time.

[Spartan112]

Isn't it possible to do both? Shouldn't a president be able to multitask?

[SacTownMan]

Hey Harpo still plagiarizing other people's work like Uncle Joey?

'And someone else put it so well, (can't remember who) McCain is behind in the 4th quarter and is faking an injury to buy some time."

I would go back to troll central, Daily Koz, and start looking there for your latest victim.

Please keep quoting those Koz talking points ad nasium about "he didn't read it" and the old standby "Mr 24%". It really plays well here with the regulars.

Your boy is an empty suit. He has no history of ever doing anything! I would love to see if he shows up to debate himself while McCain and others are actually doing something that makes a difference in the real world.

Just more of the same from the Chicago hack you trolls worship known as the "god king Xerxes"

[jharp]

For what it's worth. And I lost the link.

From the K-street comes this “….The deal on the “bail out” is 98% done. Treasury has capitulated on almost every point. A draft is circulating on the Hill now. No one needs McCain to help do the remaining 2%….except the White House who has no standing on this matter on the Hill with either Democrats or Republicans.

[swift boater]

here come the crazies - jaime

I agree, and they have been here for awhile with their tin foil hats. BTW, your is on tight, isn't it?

And someone else put it so well, (can't remember who) McCain is behind in the 4th quarter and is faking an injury to buy some time. - jharp

You're kidding right? Anyone who follows politics knows 48 hours is an eternity. Umm, just ot be sure I will tell you, 48 hours = 2 days.

And I saw the Washington Post poll, the one with the 52% of respondents being Dems and a 14 point advantage Dem to Repub. And don't want to leave out that 22% of the respondents were black (168 out of 780).

If he's only up 9 with those numbers, the Messiah has a major problem.

[mark l.]

sweet lord, barack is a constitutional retard...

on multiple occassions during his pres conference her referred to the winner of the election as having to deal with the crisis in 40 days...

the only problem is that the inauguration isn't until january 2009. It's not 40 days til they take office, it's almost four months. I thought constitutional law was his forte.

McCain is suspending his campaign to fulfill his role as a Senator and participate in an actual debate that is far more urgent matter, than a RELATIVELY, inconsequential debate which is only one of three and requires no matching urgency...

Barrack also felt that the people need to hear about the crisis. Considering he has 50+ reporters who would be more than willing to provide a forum for his ideas, anytime, anywhere.

This split decison about whether to attend it going to cut the emotional chaffe, from the intellectual wheat, and it is quite apparent which candidate is which.

McCain goes because he believes he is needed.
Obama is admitting to his irrelevance in the Seante by not going, and now has put himself in the position where he can't show his face. he backed himself and the media into a corner that is impossible to get out of.

I have no doubt that the decision came about by rove-schmidt-mccain and it was political genius.

ps-heard Mark Levin gave this site a shout out, last night.
congrats dan

[gaffeomatic]

you know, for a guy who said, 'I 'll debate anyone, anytime, anywhere' and then the first thing out of his mouth was, "Except for the 10 townhall debates John McCain wanted" he has no standing on this one. That McCain actually wants to do what they are being paid for, i.e. legislate, should be Obama's thoughts also in these circumstances. I guess voting PRESENT this time would be even too much.

I am sure the great state of MS can reschedule the debate a few days later.

[jaime]

"And I saw the Washington Post poll, the one with the 52% of respondents being Dems and a 14 point advantage Dem to Repub. And don't want to leave out that 22% of the respondents were black (168 out of 780).

If he's only up 9 with those numbers, the Messiah has a major problem."

Seeing as John McCain is desperately behind in party registration, it seems about right.

And Fox News has Obama up 6.

But they don't count either, right?

[solidstate]

jharp said: " A fact. 'McCain has gone from “the fundamentals of our economy are strong” to “we have to suspend the campaign and delay the debates in order to deal with the greatest economic crisis since WWII" in about a week.' " '

McCain is hardly an economic wizard, but I think he's right on the first count. If he wasn't, the economy would have been slowing, not growing (however modestly), for the past three quarters. The current crisis was generated by a quasi-market-based, mostly protectionist, and entirely self-dealing consortium. It consisted of corrupt financial-instituion leaders, legislators using Fanny and Freddie as campaign slush funds, and a nobly intentioned yet economically illiterate piece of legislation called the Community Reinvestment Act. (You can't legislate a reduction in poverty any more than you can legislate an increase in morality, but politicians have long feathered their nests by claiming to do both.)

The combination of secrecy, ecomomic cluelessness, and mutual hand-washing was bound for disaster from day one. (Day one, by this scenario, took place in 1979, accelerated in the mid-90s, and has been picking up speed ever since.) It has little to do with economic fundamentals as economists define them, but rather with a tumor that has been allowed to spread until removing it may threaten the health of the patient.

As for the second of McCain's quoted statements, its veracity remains to be seen. But whether it's true or not, the current situation was avoidable -- and its resolution will be determined in large part by whether Americans want their economy to grow via the assumption and responsible management of risk that has made us the most propserous country in world history -- or want it to shrink via rewarding malfeasance on the part of virtually _all_ of our representatives in government, in both parties, for the past 30 years.

[Lala]

the link that Harpie lost is Talking Points Memo ........tada!

[Lala]

JHarp's quote

A fact. 'McCain has gone from “the fundamentals of our economy are strong” to “we have to suspend the campaign and delay the debates in order to deal with the greatest economic crisis since WWII" in about a week.' " '

is from Crooks and Liars

[Tim M.]

Maybe Sen. McCain can volunteer to vote "Present" that the congressional meetings to be held on the economy while Obama is preening in Mississippi with furrowed brow . . .

[mark l.]

And Fox News has Obama up 6.

keep trumpeting your national polls...

NH just moved its gop senator and john mccain out in front.

269-269.

This election is about va,nm, nv, co, and nh...

if the more educated liberal state of nh is now trending right, do you think you have a good foothold on any of the other four?

[Mick Stockinger]

Obama has gone from "this is the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression" to, I'll see if I can fit it into my campaign schedule. Get real people--the walk and chew gum thing is between the country's dire need and Obama's personal interest. Frankly, I am worried sick about this crisis and mad as hell that Obama isn't using his influence to make something happen. I want everyone's ass in Washington round the clock until this thing is done--no excuses, no whining.

[Steve Poling]

I second the notion of sending Mr. McCain's running-mate. The job of the VP is to stand in for the President and it would demonstrate her readiness to serve in this capacity. The debate topic, Foreign Policy, is supposed to be Mrs. Palin's weak point, and unless Charlie Gibson can bowdlerize her answers, the nation will see the cut of her jib in this venue.

Given the fact that Mr. Obama turns into Uh-uh-uh-bama when handed an unscripted moment he'll need three days to have all possible witty rejoinders programmed into him. Thus he must either accept Mrs. Palin's challenge or reschedule his days of debate prep or forgo debate. His decision tree looks like this: If he believes the WaPo/ABC polls, he'll use this as an excuse to forgo debate. If he has reason to believe otherwise, he'll want debates: If he is confident in his prowess as a debater, he'll beat up on Mrs. Palin like he beat up on Mrs. Clinton. (Perhaps he could scratch his face with his middle finger and say that she's like-able enough.) Conversely, if he's as bad at thinking on his feet in a pressure situation as I think he is, he'll have to reschedule his three days of programming/debate prep to a time less convenient to all involved closer to the election.

The paragraph above presumes that Mrs. Palin is the woman we think she is: relishing the limelight and rising to the occasion. McCain shows the daring and balls of a fighter-jock when he's at war, and I hope nobody will talk him out of sending Mrs. Palin.

Besides, the best place for Mr. McCain to be during the debate about the Freddie/Fanny bailout is at the scene of the crime on the floor of the Senate. What better place to say, "I told you so."

[bc]

Like it or not, the chips are down and deadly serious business is before the congress. McCain is right. Based on current trends, apparently these comment boards will be 100% populated by trolls by election day. Thanks Obama.

[mark l.]

one other problem that will all be worked out...

the Bradley effect...

I've seen anecdotes where it is true and false, but this isn't going to be one test of the bradley effect, it is going to be a test of

PA, WI, MI, and MN- all within 4 pts, and the Bradley effect has transpired by 5 or greater.

pay attention to MN, as Al Franken is so polarizing that he may bring out those who would have been more inclined to stay home.

[ET]

Solidstate -- don't bother using logic or reason with jharpo...he's having none of it. He is a troll, illinformed and devoted to talking-point diatribes. He is a prime example of why liberals should not be allowed to gain power. He will politicize this very real crisis to attempt to advance his party's cause...just like the dems did re: the iraq war and with the legislation McCain sponsored in 2005 that would have avoided this mess. He hates America and celebrates our troubles. McCain, to the contrary, is willing to lose this election if it means helping to negotiate a workable solution to the financial mess. It is a question of character...McCain has it, Obama and his trolls do not.

Liberals suck.

[Worst President Ever]

Gotta be one of the dumbest campaign moves ever. Looks like McLame's in full panic mode - and the public hates presidents that panic.

Yeah, send Ms. Palin in to debate Obama - that'll REALLY make McLame look like the Leader of the Free World.

Count on it - McLame's poll numbers go down big time over this fiasco.

[Bel Aire]

"the person who, in approximately 40 days, will be responsible for dealing with this mess"

57 states and the President assumes office on election day. What's next, the eight branches of government? Didn't O's fancy private school teach.......ummm.....America?

[jharp]

"Liberals suck."

Conservatism is dead. Killed by George Bush and the phony republicans presently holding office.

Hell, we've even got a liberal nominee from the GOP.

Who'd a thunk it?

[jaime]

"Maybe Sen. McCain can volunteer to vote "Present"

Seeing as McCain hasn't voted in the Senate since April, I doubt that.

[Bel Aire]

The beauty of the Palin stand in: O can't accept it. He WANTS to, but Axelrod won't let him. Why? Anything short of a slaughter is failure no matter how much the MSM spins it. So do it, JM. There's a risk that O will take the bait, but it has to be small.

[mark l.]

"the person who, in approximately 40 days, will be responsible for dealing with this mess"

as it stands, he feels that he is not responsible for the decisions he makes in the senate. beautiful.

seriously, if he's knows how this all turns out, I guess he doesn't need to be there. When do you think he'll share his insight? the day the bill is signed, or the day after?

I almost hope he wins, just so I can watch the democrats have a monday morning quarterback, in charge of the country, while they hold both houses.

Even if Mccain loses, I'm smelling 1994, all over. it would ...almost...be worth the pain of losing to a schmuck.

[Matt, Esq.]

Yes, lets crucify a legislator for doing his job.

Look, you lefty morons, the PRESIDENT CANNOT SOLVE THE FINANCIAL CRISIS. We are in the less than capable hands of Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi and by God I want McCain back and fighting to come up with something that works. Obama should be there- though I know he's the chosen one and all, he's still a senator and as usual, failing in his duty to the people of his state and the people of this country.

[SacTownMan]

LaLa is always on top of our favorite Plagiarist, Harpo and his victims!

"JHarp's quote

A fact. 'McCain has gone from “the fundamentals of our economy are strong” to “we have to suspend the campaign and delay the debates in order to deal with the greatest economic crisis since WWII" in about a week.' " '

is from Crooks and Liars"

Maybe someday he'll have an original thought that isn't preceded by an alcohol binge!

[jaime]

It looks like McFail LIED about his super important meeting with his economic advisers.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0908/A_nonemergency_meeting.html#comments

Lincoln didn't even suspend his campaign during the civil war. I guess you can always count on McLiar to panic under pressure.

[Bryan Costin]

All these friendly, visiting Obamabots have some very interesting logic: A Senator calling for a brief respite from campaign follies on the cusp of a serious legislative decision is "playing politics". Another Senator sitting it out and mouthing vague platitudes until he knows which way the wind blows is, on the other hand, demonstrating his vigorous and decisive style of Presidential leadership. Yes, this is clearly a winning argument. Please do continue.

And didn't Obama want to debate foreign policy this Friday, and not economics? How is a foreign policy debate on TV more relevant at this moment than the actual economics legislation being debated back in Washington.

Anyway, this seems like a smart move by McCain. And frankly I think Biden might also secretly approve. Joltin' Joe's a goofy blowhard but he takes his job seriously and is genuinely dedicated to his constituents. Between his formidable ego and his sense of obligation I suspect he regrets neglecting his Senatorial duties during this important business. He's not like Obama, who barely had time to warm his seat before rushing off to fulfill his greater destiny. Besides, Biden's clearly hedging his bets by simultaneously running for his Senate seat; a decision to stay on the campaign trail could come back to haunt him later if this whole VP thing doesn't work out.

Oh, and I was thinking the same thing about McCain sending Palin instead. That would be awesome, if only to see the Democratic reaction.