Today, John McCain said that he would suspend his campaign and return to Washington D.C. to deal with the problems on Wall Street. He also said that his campaign was working with the Obama campaign and the Commission on Presidential Debates to postpone Friday's debate in Mississippi.
Now, anyone that has followed McCain's career ought to know that at a time like this he really doesn't act with any political calculus. There will be those that will attempt to find cynical motives to what McCain has done. The reality is that the bailout was failing in the legislature, and McCain felt that his duties as a Senator were more important at this time than his duties as a Presidential candidate. He's going back to Capital Hill to help in negotiations to find compromise on legislation. Frankly, that's what statesmen do.
Here is how the Obama campaign responded.
Obama supporter and chief debate negotiator Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., told
MSNBC that "we can handle both," when asked about his reaction to McCain's call
to postpone the first debate because of the administration's bailout plan.
He believes they are making good progress on Capitol Hill on the bailout and his initial reaction is that the work on the Hill should not preclude the debate from taking place.
An Obama campaign official told ABC News the Democratic presidential candidate called McCain this morning to suggest a joint statement of principles.
McCain called back this afternoon and suggested returning to Washington.
Obama is willing to return to Washington "if it would be helpful." But reiterated Obama intends to debate on Friday.
In other words, negotiations on a compromise on a piece of legislation to try and rescue our economy from the brink of disaster comes in second to a debate in the mind of Barack Obama. Rarely have I witnessed a more callous position. Negotiations and compromises like this go on and on until they are met. They do not stop from 8-11PM ET on Friday. John McCain knows this because he has been at the center of many such negotiations. Barack Obama does not because he never has. Never in the campaign prior has the difference in the make up of both candidates been more obvious than in their reaction to this crisis.
Immediately, John McCain put out a proposal upon which he thought the federal government could make sure such a situation would not happen again. Barack Obama sat back and gave no proposal. Instead, he criticized Wall Street, George Bush, the Republicans, and John McCain while offering no ideas of his own. Now, John McCain feels this is so important that he is suspending his campaign and going back to his duties as a Senator to help in negotiations. Barack Obama sees this as so unimportant that he believes the debate ought to go on. Of course he does. It isn't as though he will participate in any meaningful way in the negotiations. Here is the money quote.
Obama is willing to return to Washington "if it would be helpful." But reiterated Obama intends to debate on Friday.
If it would be helpful? Is this really a question he should be asking? Wouldn't a real leader assume that it would be helpful if they were part of negotiations? Barack Obama clearly wants to watch the work of the politicians on this crisis from the sidelines. That isn't Presidential but the behavior of a back bencher legislator. At no time is it more clear than this that he is unfit to lead.
Of course, Barack Obama wants to keep the debate as scheduled. He will be fresh and ready for the debate. John McCain is about to embark in long hours as a Senator.
Which of these two sounds like they are more ready to be President?
21 comments:
Answer: Obama, of course.
That little drama queen McSame knows that he will be punked in the deabtes so thsi si his way of trying to weasel out of them.
Goddam chicksh*t.
yeah.
looking at this through mccain tinted glasses a bit, are we?
Your whole premise is based on the idea that mccain does not have political acumen, but certainly people associated with him do.
They have calculated that he is going to get slaughtered in the debate by a man who was the top of his Harvard Law class. Mccain, by contrast and as we all know was in the bottom 5 of a class of nearly 900 people.
Slaughtered.
And another thing, many people are suggesting that the economy does not really need 700 billion dollars, but rather the republicans are just making one last grasp for power and money.
slaughtered.
> Which of these two sounds like they are more ready to be President?
Barack Obama. Mccain sounds like he is panicking and trying to run from the debates. You have to be able to multitask as a president. This is a clear political ploy by Mccain and I believe it will backfire in the days to come.
The nine most terrifying words in the English language are 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help'
I thought that quote atop this article was particularly amusing - I realize it isn't 100% relative, but it fits to a degree.
Reid has already stated they didn't need the two candidates & would like to avoid the campaigning complicating the discussions they are trying to have. McCain doesn't know anything about the economy, regardless, so his function there would be to serve as a Republican figurehead at best.
America's best interests are served by both candidates by presenting themselves to debate as scheduled.
No one doubted that this would be used as another jab from the opposition (on both sides, it seems). Hopefully people see tricks & distractions for what they are.
Putting more pilots in the cockpit isn't going to make your late flight arrive on time.
Especially when these pilots haven't been a part of the flight plan.
The timing of this nonsense is waaay too convenient for McCain, and the voters know it.
Obama isn't saying that the debate comes first, he's saying the VOTERS come first. In the meantime, if his party needs him in Washington, he's made it clear that he'll be anywhere, any time he's needed.
McCain should be ashamed of himself for trying further to politicize this economic catastrophe.
Here goes his European support, and New York State too.
BA
silly, silly liberals. Do you really think that the average American will believe that John McCain withstood six years of torture but is afraid of a debate on foreign policy no less? Do you really think that Americans will believe that a man that got into bed with Ted Kennedy while the Republican Primary was heating up is doing this for political purposes?
That's the problem with all of these premises. John McCain has a history of statesman behavior. Obama doesn't. The Senate is now debating a very important piece of legislation. John McCain's current job is Senator.
Since when did anyone care what Harry Reid thinks? John McCain doesn't take marching orders from Harry Reid. Nearly every important piece of legislation in the Senate over the last ten years has been touched by McCain, why should this be any different.
I was wondering how long before someone brought up the rancid old "he was a POW" turd.
S/F/O!!!
Newsflash: no one gives a shit because it's irrelevant. The debate is about intelligence and the ability to articulate one's position.
Censorship activated!qekrdru
I know what a debate is like. The reason that I brought up his time as a POW is because that is how silly it would be for someone to proclaim that he is doing this because he is scared. Are you really saying he endured six years of torture but is afraid to debate? That isn't much of an argument. Don't swear anymore on my site or I will have to reject the comment.
The order in which you should perform your tasks are:
1) Urgent and important
2) Important
3) Urgent but unimportant
4) Unimportant
To Mr. McCain the potential of a complete financial meltdown is of category 1) and the debate is of category 2) at best. For Mr. Obama, getting elected is of category 1) and to give him the benefit of the doubt the welfare of the country and keeping us out of a financial meltdown is at best, category 2). It is very telling as to the characters of of the individuals involved. By himself, Mr. McCain will not make a huge difference except as to perhaps serve as a bi-partisan catalyst to forge a plan that keeps the country's economy afloat. I am sorry that Mr. Obama thinks that teleprompter time is more important than his country. We are paying him a salary to serve as a Senator. The least he can do is to show up when there is a crisis.
The order in which you should perform your tasks are:
1) Urgent and important
2) Important
3) Urgent but unimportant
4) Unimportant
To Mr. McCain the potential of a complete financial meltdown is of category 1) and the debate is of category 2) at best. For Mr. Obama, getting elected is of category 1) and to give him the benefit of the doubt the welfare of the country and keeping us out of a financial meltdown is at best, category 2). It is very telling as to the characters of of the individuals involved. By himself, Mr. McCain will not make a huge difference except as to perhaps serve as a bi-partisan catalyst to forge a plan that keeps the country's economy afloat. I am sorry that Mr. Obama thinks that teleprompter time is more important than his country. We are paying him a salary to serve as a Senator. The least he can do is to show up when there is a crisis.
Projection as perception sure is curious.
It is interesting how liberals ALWAYS view what others do as a sneaky snak atttempt to sneak away from their "GEENius Plans(TM)".
I do not really like McCain. But what I can say in observing him for years is that he honestly does what he feeels is best for his country. Obama has his finger to the wind, wishing the polls would tell him what to say he feels is best about the country. Obama's hubris will be his end.
This is an impressive move by McCain, one that will remind Americans of the statesmen of yore...the servant leader. And that Obama is the spoiled rich kid who wants---demands---it all.
I agree with Anonymous at September 24, 2008 2:59 PM and jakef.
BTW Obama's debating skills do not scare very many people. If he speaks first, he does not what to say; if he speaks second, he says "Me too".
BA
They have calculated that he is going to get slaughtered in the debate by a man who was the top of his Harvard Law class
So that's why Obama ran away from ten town hall debates, he didn't want to slaughter McCain too soon. Do we know he was top of his Harvard Law class? I thought he'd dodged publishing his results. Just to make the debates fair, I do hope the big O is allowed to have his teleprompter with him, you know how useless he is without it.
This is actually rather stunning. This move is truly mind boggling. John McCain will spend about twelve hours huddled in meetings, debating on the floor and continuing to make updates from the hill on the progress of one of the most important bills in our history. Just imagine that contrast and how that will play with the electorate.
I don't think there is a heck of a lot that McCain can do, but I would suspect his motives are true.
The Debate WILL happen in any event, so those who think he is trying to shy away are a bit overly excited anyhow.
The possibility that the "anointed one" will not rise up to take office has really got these little bees with their stingers out. Yes.. vicious little bees, with a vicious hive mentality.
There is plenty that McCain can do. He has been in the middle of every important piece of legislation that has come through the Senate. Second, he is a Senator. This legislation is important. It's his job to be there.
Mike, you have your work cut out for you now that a bunch of anonymous Obamanaughts have found your site. I suggest you add a language filter right away!
I too thought this made McCain look like the real grownup in the room. I wonder how the people of Illinois feel about the wonderful representation they have been getting in the Senate over the last couple years. The greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression (according to Obama)and he can't even be bothered to go back to Washington and play a part in the response.
While I don't know how much effect McCain's presence will have on the final bill, especially since none of them will admit their role in this mess, I do know he is still drawing a paycheck from the taxpayers and should be expected to do his job. Obama evidently doesn't feel the obligation to actually earn his paycheck. Something to keep in mind on Nov. 4.
"Goddam chicksh*t."
McCain may be many things, but 'yella' ain't one of them.
"Reid has already stated they didn't need the two candidates"
Sorry, but Reid is one senator. He may be a leader, but he doesn't have the sole say in things, especially something this important.
A few things, first I welcome any comment except those with swears. I much prefer to have folks that disagree with me comment than those that do. After all, my site is called The Provocateur. I am trying to provoke.
As to Reid, the day before he demanded tha McCain come back to the Senate so his credibility on this issue is rather low.
Finally, whether or not this works depends on what the final product looks like. Now, I am personally not buying that a deal is near. The public hates this plan and lots of Republicans hate it as well. If this thing goes through a revolution, which I hope both politically and policy wise, then it is a huge political win for McCain. If it passes in much the same language as before he showed up, then it might be a loss for him.
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