McCain Suspends his Campaign

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DealMonkey

Lifer
Nov 25, 2001
13,136
1
0
Originally posted by: brencat
I think potential presidents need to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. In that context, I believe McCain postponing the debate will backfire on him though not to any serious extent. Talk of him not being prepared for a foreign policy debate as the reason for the delay is just nonsense as this is the one topic he should be able to run circles around Obama on with little to no preparation. Let's see if he changes his mind.

If by "run circles around Obama..." you mean take a refreshing nap and then blink repeatedly at the camera while stuttering, "My friends, my friends..." then yes, I agree with you.
 

RKDaley

Senior member
Oct 27, 2007
392
0
0

Originally posted by: brencat
I think potential presidents need to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. In that context, I believe McCain postponing the debate will backfire on him though not to any serious extent. Talk of him not being prepared for a foreign policy debate as the reason for the delay is just nonsense as this is the one topic he should be able to run circles around Obama on with little to no preparation. Let's see if he changes his mind.

I don't know about running circles around Obama, but I do think McCain will be stronger and better able to handle questions and answers about foreign policy at the debate. McCain tends to stay on message and I'm sure will have certain phrases that he will stick with. He's also able to speak simply, which I think is a strong point for him.

I don't think the true intent here is to work in Washington and cancel the debate. I see this stunt as McCains way to distract from the Rick Davis story, them ducking Palin from the press yesterday and McCains sinking poll numbers.

 

imported_Imp

Diamond Member
Dec 20, 2005
9,148
0
0
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: ranmaniac
From drudge:

David Letterman tells audience that McCain called him today to tell him he had to rush back to DC to deal with the economy.

Then in the middle of the taping Dave got word that McCain was, in fact just down the street being interviewed by Katie Couric. Dave even cut over to the live video of the interview, and said, "Hey Senator, can I give you a ride home?"

Earlier in the show, Dave kept saying, "You don't suspend your campaign. This doesn't smell right. This isn't the way a tested hero behaves." And he joked: "I think someone's putting something in his metamucil."

"He can't run the campaign because the economy is cratering? Fine, put in your second string quarterback, Sara Palin. Where is she?"

"What are you going to do if you're elected and things get tough? Suspend being president? We've got a guy like that now!"

Developing...


:laugh:
Man, that is precious :)

And I thought I had nothing to watch from 11:40pm-12:30am tonight.
 

XZeroII

Lifer
Jun 30, 2001
12,572
0
0
Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
Originally posted by: eskimospy
Hahaha, the Obama campaign's response?

"We can handle both".

McCain just got owned.

Joe LIEberman just said he was disappointed in Obama and that he should reconsider.

HA HA HA HA HA


HA

Yea. When you're that bad of a senator, it's easy to do that and run a campaign full time. I mean, all Obama has to do is just vote Present when the bill comes around. How hard is that?
 

Pens1566

Lifer
Oct 11, 2005
12,257
9,078
136
So if he's in such a big rush to get back to DC and save the day, how does he have time to do an interview with Couric and stick around NYC for the Clinton summit tomorrow?????
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
46
91
Originally posted by: Imp
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: ranmaniac
From drudge:

David Letterman tells audience that McCain called him today to tell him he had to rush back to DC to deal with the economy.

Then in the middle of the taping Dave got word that McCain was, in fact just down the street being interviewed by Katie Couric. Dave even cut over to the live video of the interview, and said, "Hey Senator, can I give you a ride home?"

Earlier in the show, Dave kept saying, "You don't suspend your campaign. This doesn't smell right. This isn't the way a tested hero behaves." And he joked: "I think someone's putting something in his metamucil."

"He can't run the campaign because the economy is cratering? Fine, put in your second string quarterback, Sara Palin. Where is she?"

"What are you going to do if you're elected and things get tough? Suspend being president? We've got a guy like that now!"

Developing...


:laugh:
Man, that is precious :)

And I thought I had nothing to watch from 11:40pm-12:30am tonight.
Why wait, watch it now in full:

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

BMW540I6speed

Golden Member
Aug 26, 2005
1,055
0
0
It was just political dickwaggery. The whole point of quietly creating consensus is that it isn't grandstanding or self-glorifying. Obama was right for offering it privately, and McCain less for loudly trying to postpone the debates using the media as a messenger.

If McCain had any interest in working across the aisle he would have made that suggestion to Obama in private, not in a press conference. Reaching across the aisle is something you do - and not something you strive to be seen doing only when the microphones are on.

If I were Obama, my response would have been something like, "Senator McCain has been asking for debates since this campaign began, and I am ready to oblige him. The debates are an important part of our democratic process, and they will go forward. America does not need another President who will put democracy on hold in a time of crisis in order to score political points."

Also, what was going on the last time George Bush asked Congress to super-quick pass a trillion-dollar expenditure?. Whatever it is Bush wants, we better pass it quick. With full bipartisan support. And not read it first, or think about it. Whatever we do, we must not think of President Bush as the Boy Who Cried Wolfowitz...


 

CallMeJoe

Diamond Member
Jul 30, 2004
6,938
5
81
Senator McCain suspends his campaign to return to the Senate to participate in important national business, implying that this is far more important than campaigning. His hope is that Senators Obama and Biden cover their asses by also returning to Washington, leaving only Governor Palin (who conveniently has no legislative duties) on the stump. Betting that she will not embarrass herself too badly in carefully staged campaign appearances, the McCain organization sees advantage McCain/Palin.
 

Lemon law

Lifer
Nov 6, 2005
20,984
3
0
Well, tomorrow is Thursday and GWB has summoned both McCain and Obama to the white house. Then next day, bill requested by GWB likely not passed by congress on Friday, its debate Friday night.

To some extent, I can see the McCain imperative is to get credit for shaping the final bail out bill probably not in a final state by next Tuesday.

But if McCain debates this Friday, he has to define his position, and that reduces his chances for grabbing credit for a final bill. McCain image has to meet McCain substance, and we will see how
McCain plays his cards.
 

galperi1

Senior member
Oct 18, 2001
523
0
0
Originally posted by: Gonad the Barbarian
Why was McCain just on CNN giving a stump speech if he has suspended his campaign?

maybe he forgot he suspended his campaign yesterday? Why isn't he in Washington yet.

Also I read on CNN that they are trying to cancel the VP debate also now....:thumbsdown:
 

retrospooty

Platinum Member
Apr 3, 2002
2,031
74
86
Originally posted by: ajf3
Say it with me now... President McCain :)

Not quite... He is losing in the polls, this stunt (and lets be honest, it is a stunt) is not gaining him anything. Polls show that this is being greeted as patriotic by his followers and as a diversion from his losing campaign and a stunt by Obama's The split is right down party lines appx 50/50.

Net/Net = no gain. Thus he is still losing in the polls.
 

robphelan

Diamond Member
Aug 28, 2003
4,084
17
81
Originally posted by: galperi1
Originally posted by: Gonad the Barbarian
Why was McCain just on CNN giving a stump speech if he has suspended his campaign?

maybe he forgot he suspended his campaign yesterday? Why isn't he in Washington yet.

Also I read on CNN that they are trying to cancel the VP debate also now....:thumbsdown:

linked

If McSame wants to postpone the presidential debate to focus on the bailout, how could postponing the VP debate help the financial situation?:confused:
 

L00PY

Golden Member
Sep 14, 2001
1,101
0
0
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
What work do you expect McCain to do? Congress is a place where representatives VOTE. Unless McCain is authoring any bills, "working on a real issue" will consist of casting one vote.
I disagree. Beyond just voting on the bill, they can be actively working with the bill's sponsors and writers to make sure their opinions on clauses are known. They can also be calling up and talking with other senators or representatives to ensure there are enough votes to secure its passage and even make it veto proof. Any member of congress could be doing that, but as one of these two senators will be the next President, I'd expect their words would hold more weight than usual.

That's not to suggest this couldn't be done on the road between campaign stops or as debate prep was taking place. But it's clear to me that more could be done and is probably being done than just going to DC to cast a vote.
 

OrByte

Diamond Member
Jul 21, 2000
9,302
144
106
Originally posted by: L00PY
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
What work do you expect McCain to do? Congress is a place where representatives VOTE. Unless McCain is authoring any bills, "working on a real issue" will consist of casting one vote.
I disagree. Beyond just voting on the bill, they can be actively working with the bill's sponsors and writers to make sure their opinions on clauses are known. They can also be calling up and talking with other senators or representatives to ensure there are enough votes to secure its passage and even make it veto proof. Any member of congress could be doing that, but as one of these two senators will be the next President, I'd expect their words would hold more weight than usual.

That's not to suggest this couldn't be done on the road between campaign stops or as debate prep was taking place. But it's clear to me that more could be done and is probably being done than just going to DC to cast a vote.
more can be done in DC? like what? a pizza run? maybe go get the negotiators some starbucks? See, you can't just say "more could be done" when it so obvious that anything that "could be done" could be done on the campaign trail. Is President McCain going to drop everything at a seconds notice and fly back to Washington everytime there is a crisis? He is going to be leading a huge administration with 1000s of employees, most of whom know how to do their job. Why isn't he trusting these experts to figure it out without him hovering over their shoulder?

I guess we shouldn't question his motives because he is putting his country first and showing true leadership.

This comment by Barney Frank sums up the debacle nicely:

Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., who has led negotiations with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson on the package, said that given the progress of the talks, the White House meeting was a distraction.

"We're going to have to interrupt a negotiating session tomorrow between the Democrats and Republicans on a bill where I think we are getting pretty close, and troop down to the White House for their photo op," said Frank, the House Financial Services Committee chairman. "I wish they'd checked with us."


link
 

lupi

Lifer
Apr 8, 2001
32,539
260
126
So let me get this straight. Yall killed bush for not changing planes and continuing regular schedule while katrina was going on. Yall probably would have killed bush if he went to the convention during gustav/hanna/ike. And now yall are killing mccain for taking the time the head to dc for this. Definitely not a partisan moment in those decisions.
 

lupi

Lifer
Apr 8, 2001
32,539
260
126
Originally posted by: OrByte
Originally posted by: L00PY
Originally posted by: Throckmorton
What work do you expect McCain to do? Congress is a place where representatives VOTE. Unless McCain is authoring any bills, "working on a real issue" will consist of casting one vote.
I disagree. Beyond just voting on the bill, they can be actively working with the bill's sponsors and writers to make sure their opinions on clauses are known. They can also be calling up and talking with other senators or representatives to ensure there are enough votes to secure its passage and even make it veto proof. Any member of congress could be doing that, but as one of these two senators will be the next President, I'd expect their words would hold more weight than usual.

That's not to suggest this couldn't be done on the road between campaign stops or as debate prep was taking place. But it's clear to me that more could be done and is probably being done than just going to DC to cast a vote.
more can be done in DC? like what? a pizza run? maybe go get the negotiators some starbucks? See, you can't just say "more could be done" when it so obvious that anything that "could be done" could be done on the campaign trail. Is President McCain going to drop everything at a seconds notice and fly back to Washington everytime there is a crisis? He is going to be leading a huge administration with 1000s of employees, most of whom know how to do their job. Why isn't he trusting these experts to figure it out without him hovering over their shoulder?

I guess we shouldn't question his motives because he is putting his country first and showing true leadership.

This comment by Barney Frank sums up the debacle nicely:

Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., who has led negotiations with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson on the package, said that given the progress of the talks, the White House meeting was a distraction.

"We're going to have to interrupt a negotiating session tomorrow between the Democrats and Republicans on a bill where I think we are getting pretty close, and troop down to the White House for their photo op," said Frank, the House Financial Services Committee chairman. "I wish they'd checked with us."


link

You mean Barney "icouldnthavebeenmoreofapartoftheproblemwithoutwearinganametaglabeledproblem" Franks?
 

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
Moderator
Aug 23, 2003
25,375
142
116
Originally posted by: lupi
And now yall are killing mccain for taking the time the head to dc for this.
Reading comprehension FTL.

We're killing McCain for pussying out of the debate and suspending his campaign.

He can fly to the moon for all I care. Just as long as he's man enough to come back and appear in front of the American people Friday night.
 

Pens1566

Lifer
Oct 11, 2005
12,257
9,078
136
Originally posted by: lupi
So let me get this straight. Yall killed bush for not changing planes and continuing regular schedule while katrina was going on. Yall probably would have killed bush if he went to the convention during gustav/hanna/ike. And now yall are killing mccain for taking the time the head to dc for this. Definitely not a partisan moment in those decisions.

1. Reading "My Pet Goat" is not of the same national importance as a presidential debate.
2. Continuing his brush clearing efforts in Crawford is not of the same national importance as actually finding out what was going on in a major US city that was trying to become the next Atlantis.
3. Only republicans wanted him to stay away from the RNC convention.
 

fskimospy

Elite Member
Mar 10, 2006
85,586
50,771
136
Originally posted by: lupi
So let me get this straight. Yall killed bush for not changing planes and continuing regular schedule while katrina was going on. Yall probably would have killed bush if he went to the convention during gustav/hanna/ike. And now yall are killing mccain for taking the time the head to dc for this. Definitely not a partisan moment in those decisions.

Because Bush was the GUY IN CHARGE OF HANDLING THOSE THINGS you moron. McCain has nothing to do with this. He's not on any of the committees that deal with this, he's not part of the conference committees between the House, Senate, and White House. He's simply not involved. Do you even spend the smallest bit of time trying to learn about a subject before you open your stupid mouth?

So yes, when the president of the United States doesn't pay attention when an entire American city is being wiped off the map you get mad at him. When a senator who admits he knows nothing about economics doesn't participate in the drafting of an economic bill, you are thankful he had the good sense to keep his fat fingers out of it.

Instead, out of desperation McCain is trying another ridiculous stunt to get attention. Looks like his Sarah Palin stunt is backfiring (as I said it would), and I bet this one will too. If I had to place a bet right now, the Democrats will have this deal done (for all intents and purposes either tonight or tomorrow morning. I think they'll finish it for the right reasons, but I'm sure the pleasure of sticking it to this idiot will occur to them.
 

OrByte

Diamond Member
Jul 21, 2000
9,302
144
106
Originally posted by: lupi

You mean Barney "icouldnthavebeenmoreofapartoftheproblemwithoutwearinganametaglabeledproblem" Franks?
yes the same Barney Franks who is apparently at this very moment squeaking out negotiations while McCain is riding into town on his white horse.