Obama Should Reject McCain's Call to Postpone Friday Debate
John McCain just called for postponing Friday's debate with Barack Obama, so that McCain's attention can be fully devoted to helping with our economic crisis.
I hope Obama rejects McCain's call for what it is: an attempt to take a breather from the campaign, because polls are beginning to turn against McCain, because he clearly is now on the wrong side of the two main issues facing our nation - Iraq and the economy - and because Sarah Palin is far from ready to debate Biden in the VP debates next week (it would take her years to get ready).
The economic crisis is not something that needs the direct, in-person attention of either McCain or Obama. Their job, as Presidential candidates, is to explain what they would do to fix this, to make sure it doesn't happen again, to the American people.
Given that McCain's policies are to blame for our current crisis - as well as our problems in Iraq - Americans can well understand why he would not want to debate Obama at this time.
I doubt that many Americans will be fooled by this ploy.
BREAKING NEWS: 4:47PM: Obama just said that he thinks the debates should go on - that this is precisely a time when the American people need to see what he and McCain would do as President. Good!
TIP:
Enter the amount, and click "Tip" to submit!
bill benzon
Poppi Iceland
PattyJane
N. Jordan
Dr. Vanessa Neumann
CPH/NYC
Salon.com
Comments
I'd call it another desperate ploy. But I don't think Obama gets too hurt if he goes along with it, provided there are still three debates before November. Pushing the debates closer to the election might actually help Obama.
This McCain move is absolutely BS, and my feeling is there are just too many Americans that will indeed be fooled by this ploy. Barack is about to make a statement and it better be good.
Oh that's ridiculous. It's an attempt to get out of dodge because it's too hot. If the job's too difficult don't run for president, let alone go to a debate. What did he think being a president would be like watching a symphony? Only he's playing the violin strings, big time.
Obama should move the debate to the Washington area, declare that they make the debate primarily about the economy and re-invite McCain to show up. Then, when he doesn't, take the time to mention that the debate's in Washington, in between votes, etc. and that here is his national platform, including what he's going to do about the economy.
I heard on the radio this morning the question, "...so where are McCain and Obama during this time of economic crisis? where is the leadership?"
this way, McCain can claim the leadership mantle, even though he is not on the Banking Committee, admittedly knows squat about the economic issues, and no matter what Obama does, McCain can play it.
ARGHHH!
while it is obviously a ploy, it's another card for McCain to play the blame Obama game. I'm not sure the average American will see through it. McCain suspends debate, gets more time/distance from the economic crisis OR McCain can say Obama is just concerned with politics, he doesn't realize the urgency of the crisis.
My thoughts - I call bullsh*t. If you're not ready to debate on a dime, then you're not ready to be President. It really shouldn't take weeks and weeks of preparation.
Whether Obama can gracefully prevent McCain from using this tactic is unknown right now.
I mean, all the press has to do is ask McCain one simple question: What, sir, are you going to do EXACTLY over the next however many days that will solve this crisis?
Maybe I'm missing something, but as I understand it, he's returning to Washington to "call on the president to convene a meeting" of Congressional leaders. To what end, exactly? And is there anyone LESS trusted to deal with this crisis than GW Bush?
It seems clearly to be a stall tactic, and I think the press and the Obama campaign will read it like that.
Obama can "reject" all he wants but he'll only look like a cry baby while McCain is back in the senate where the action is delivering presidential soundbites and "fixing" the economy.
No. I heard just the opposite. In fact as the news was being reported that Mcain had made his decision and asking Obama to join him it was reported that Obama was going to make a statement shortly. I had to ge back to work so I never got to hear Obama's remarks.
McCain senior adviser said that Obama called McCain early Wednesday morning to asking a joint statement of "shared principles and conditions" for the bailout proposal.
An Obama campaign source confirmed the call and said that McCain returned his call six hours later, and accepted the concept and suggested the two of them return to Washington to join the negotiations. The source says that Obama told him that he would do that only if negotiators saw it as useful.
According to the Obama source, soon after they ended the call, McCain announced he was suspending his campaign and returning to Washington.
Clearly, the Obama camp knew this was coming. And it does look as though it was Obama's idea to come together and work up some sort of strategic alliance.
(But good reasoning all the same-good reasons on either side.)
If McCain succeeds in using this false crisis for gain then the networks should use the free air time to show the 1997 movie Wag the Dog. American voters are too easily lead by the nose and need to be reminded of it.
The financial crisis is real. McCain has noted before that economics is not his strong suit. He is not needed as the savior of this process.
The McCain campaign is pulling ads from television as fast as they can. McCain knows that Obama's cash advantage makes a win very difficult. That's why he's taking on this desperate ploy.
McCain is just such a cynical, shitheadian ass.
You're a funny guy, John.
If I were Obama, here's what I'd say: "I salute John McCain's selflessness and modesty in his decision to unilaterally withdraw from the Presidential race, believing that this economic crisis will demand his full attention in the Senate. As we all know, however, someone needs to be elected President in November to handle the many serious problems that the current administration is leaving us with. I am that someone."
Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., a close adviser to Obama, called the idea (of postponing the debate) “the longest Hail Mary pass in the history of either football or Marys.”
I think this one is a no-brainer. Go ahead, have both of them go back to Washington and have their VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES do this debate. After all, even if Gov Palin "doesn't know what a Vice President does day to day" she would still be required to fulfill the President's job if he was incapacitated in any way.
If this is so important, then Sen. McCain have your VP handle this and show us why you chose her.
John McCain is a coward, and he is running away from a fight.
Who'd o' thunk it?
1) I still continue to believe it is a pretty good tactical, if desperate, stunt that the McCain camp will [try to] use to their advantage no matter which way it goes
2) I think it starts to further solidify the picture of McCain as irrelevant
All of a sudden, on Thursday, he needs to hurry back to WDC to solve this crisis that his fellow Senators have been dealing with for days and weeks.
p.s., I do like odette's suggestion. and I'll be happy for a break from his ads.
I'd say "talking to the American people" is a responsibility that can't be thrown out.
Go Biden and Palin! Fri-DAY! Fri-DAY! Fri-DAY!
OF COURSE he can participate using modern technology--that's what Obama has been doing for weeks. There is absolutely no need for his physical presence in Washington at all, except that it serves to postpone a debate his handlers know all too well that he'll lose, and lose definitively.
The foundational theory upon which the Republicans have built their 'shining city on a hill" is really a pillar of salt.
Get thee behind me Satan.
Sarah, Barney Frank might just be right about this postponement gambitt being the longest Hail Mary of all time, but I thought just the same thing was said about McCain choosing Palin....Don't you usually get just one Hail Mary per football game, right at the end??
Sarah O'Leary
it's because they are using a bad analogy...when they started calling the Palin pick that, I thought it didn't really fit.
A better one would be an onsides kick...
risky play, usually by a losing team, but sometimes just in the middle of the game to take/gain momentum, go for a chance to get the ball back with good field position but risks giving the opponent the advantage if they recover it.
Sorry, the visual was just too much for me not to share ...
Okay, so McCain now annouces he does not intend to show up (assuming no agreement is reached, but we may well get to one by Friday, so.)
Couldn't Obama just go ahead and take the stage anyway? Shouldn't he? As I suggested way upthread, can't he just answer the questions put to him, fully and completely? If McCain gives up his chance to respond, oh well!
Watch the fireworks tonight on Letterman. I think the wheels are coming off the Straight Talk Express.....
And the close corrollary to "never piss off someone who buys ink by the barrell" is "never piss off someone who has a microphone, a high nielsen share, millions of loyal viewers and a rep for acerbic wit."
This is just cowardice, unpreparedness and desperation on McCain's part. Somehow, Franklin Roosevelt managed to run for president in 1944 while being the incumbent Pres AND running the American part of the Second World War. So I do not buy this "country first" B. S. The last refuge of scoundrels really DOES seem to be Patriotism in this case.
He was counting on the low income voters to project himself and Palin to the presidency on a wave of enthusiastic people voting against their own best interests. He's discovering painfully that he truly can't fool all the people all the time, after they've already been fooled for 8 years.
Hold the debates, and let McCain and Palin sweat them out. That's what you get when you claim to be prepared when you really aren't. The smart kids pulverize you. And it's long overdue.
Thanks, Joan - now, if only the American electorate would listen to me...
Happiest birthday, btw - if it's any consolation, I actually feel younger than before I was 50... (sort of like Dylan's Back Pages, though I'm also under the illusion that I may know more, too...)
With special kudos to Leigh for one of the most apt phrases I've yet heard about McCain: "shitheadian ass"
If the incumbent president was a Democrat instead of a Republican, wouldn't Obama be flying to Washington if summoned by his party to help steer them in the most important vote in our lifetime? Wouldn't the tables be turned if Obama's party was under such intense scrutiny and blame for the biggest economic disaster since the Great Depression?
I beg to differ, however, no matter his reasons for setting his campaign schedule aside, McCain is now in the uncomfortable position to decide and/or vote against his own party's president, one of the most unprecidented turn of events in his political career and in our US history.
From all that was said and done today, it appears that Obama and McCain understand the importance of putting partisan politics aside and working together, united, to do whatever is expected of them, to weigh in on this monumental plan/package/bail out, either as it stands or to challenge it together for America's surrival.
This is heavy duty, beyond anything most Americans can comprehend.
Isn't it time for "all the king's horses and all the king's men, to try to put Humpty Dumpty together again?"
This isn't honor, or patriotism, or "country first." This is maneuvering, politics at its worst, cynisim, a ploy, an diversion and a trick. This is McCain attempting to get out of a debate he will surely lose.
But I invite you to prove me wrong. Tell me, in your view, what McCain will be able to do, even what he INTENDS to do, whether or not he's successful, in Washington, to solve this debacle over the next few days?
What's his plan? Really, I'm being sincere. I am perfectly willing to give credit where it's due. Just give me the bill, I'll pay up.
Let McCain show what a dipshit he really is for playing games as usuall.
I am wondering if what you are sensing is a campaign running on panic mode? The “stunts” that the McCain campaign has employed seem to me an attempt to distract voters from the important issues. Republicans are clearly on the defensive and as much as McCain would like to distance himself from his party, he is still the Republican candidate and has been a Republican for 28 years.
McCain’s biggest stunt is his cynical choice of Palin for V.P. who I have described as his instrument of distraction. However, another poster on Salon has suggested that Palin could be replaced on the ticket once she has served her purpose. Some people are wondering whether she will be replaced before the election or after? And, who on the inside knows of this strategy? I think it is critical that McCain go on record on this important matter. The question is: Senator McCain, can you envision any scenario whereby Governor Palin will not remain your selection for Vice-President?
Let's go dutch on this one.
In the last 24 hours, so much has happened or not, in DC, and the media is so negative about McCain being there, whether he can or cannot do a thing to help the economic crisis. McCain does not have the ego to allow that line of thinking, to my observations, but was, quite frankly, in a damed if you do, damned if you don't...in making the trek to Washington to support his party, or, even go up against his party president. Not a warm and fuzzy place to be.
I am not as hard lined to believe that McCain's only motivation was purely political and far from it. That makes him an easy media target, however and the seriousness of this economic crisis takes prioroty over all campaign activities. Both McCain and Obama were and are on the same page over this highly sensitive and critical plan and both went to DC to be present during a pivital decision in our history and to contribute in any way meaningful to all Americans.
Much of this debate over the debate is now a mute point, as McCain just stated on CNN that he will very likely be present tomorrow night for the debate as planned.
The rest remains to be seen.
And, thank you for your time in responding to my comment, sharing your views and allowing me to share mine.
Much appreciated.
Both McCain and Obama were and are on the same page over this highly sensitive and critical plan and both went to DC to be present during a pivital decision in our history and to contribute in any way meaningful to all Americans.
As of Tuesday, McCain hadn't read the plan. Stellaa had, several journalists had, and Obama had been on the phone with Congressional leadership over it.
McCain is trying to take credit for getting it through. As of 11 pm Thursday night, the plan is further away from being passed than when McCain rode into Washington. House Republicans have walked out of negotiations.
Whether you support the plan or not, McCain's involvement in the negotiations clearly was neither necessary nor helpful.