McCain Wants A Time Out - But Why?

[Benny B]

 

By Nico Pitney

Why does John McCain suddenly want to suspend his presidential campaign and postpone Friday's debate? His campaign surrogates are saying it's a typical "maverick" move, that McCain is simply "putting country first." Let's look at the evidence:

1) As Ben Smith notes, McCain's move "is a mark, most of all, that he doesn't like the way this campaign is going. ... The only thing that's changed in the last 48 hours is the public polling."

2) The idea of uniting the campaigns to find a bipartisan solution to the Wall Street crisis wasn't even McCain's idea. A few minutes ago, Obama spokesman Bill Burton emailed to reporters:

    "At 8:30 this morning, Senator Obama called Senator McCain to ask him if he would join in issuing a joint statement outlining their shared principles and conditions for the Treasury proposal and urging Congress and the White House to act in a bipartisan manner to pass such a proposal. At 2:30 this afternoon, Senator McCain returned Senator Obama's call and agreed to join him in issuing such a statement. The two campaigns are currently working together on the details."

3) John McCain has skipped more votes during this session than any member of the Senate except for Tim Johnson, who had major brain surgery. He has cast a single vote in five months, since April 9. All of a sudden, McCain is demanding that the presidential race shut down so he can return to Washington?

4) A reminder: President Bush was able to debate John Kerry while he was president. For all of his sudden urgency, McCain acknowledged just yesterday that he had not even read the administration's three-page bailout proposal.

5) It's not clear at all that having McCain and Obama back in DC will actually help. "What does seem apparent, though, is that putting the two candidates in the negotiating room is far more likely to distract--and derail--negotiations than having them out on the hustings," Jonathan Cohn writes at the New Republic.

It's impossible to know why McCain chose this course, but it sure seems like more of a political stunt than a maverick moment.

[headhuntersix]

Ur kidding right, McCain beat the Obamessiah to the punch. If ol barry had come up with this u tune would change. But much like his foreign policy plan, Obama wanted to issue a joint statement. Talk instead of action as usual.

[2ND COMING]

Ur kidding right, McCain beat the Obamessiah to the punch. If ol barry had come up with this u tune would change. But much like his foreign policy plan, Obama wanted to issue a joint statement. Talk instead of action as usual.

no, obama would still do the debate and still vote on ths supposed bill...he just playing his cards. I'm bamboozled that you could defend mccain backing out of a 90 minute debate.

[2ND COMING]

Obama can't vote "Present can he?

you know i'm right so you resort to mockery.

cute

[Dos Equis]

Obama can't vote "Present can he?

lol.   

[2ND COMING]

You are indeed bamboozled! 

Kool Aid anyone?

listen scott im am in no way shape or form a dem supporter nor repub backer.

nice try

[Neurotoxin]

can anyone post the pic of McCain dealing with the Katrina crisis. i believe he was eating birthday cake with Bush.

someone please post it.



NT

[headhuntersix]

listen scott im am in no way shape or form a dem supporter nor repub backer.

nice try

Good to hear,

Obama was caught off guard. I would think then u would want some say in financial matters if u might be taking over the biggest company in the world.

[2ND COMING]

Scott?  I prefer to be called Tyrone. 

Only a Non-McCain supporter would post what you posted.

dude lol...why must i be an obama supporter to see that mccain has lost this battle. If u werent such a dilusional turd you would realize that if mccain wanted to be a leader he would have a good chunk of 90 minutes and maybe 120 million people waiting for his ideas....and still have time to vote

[big L dawg]

dude lol...why must i be an obama supporter to see that mccain has lost this battle. If u werent such a dilusional turd you would realize that if mccain wanted to be a leader he would have a good chunk of 90 minutes and maybe 120 million people waiting for his ideas....and still have time to vote

McCain can do nothing wrong in these guys eyes.every decision he makes him that much more of a Maverick.

[2ND COMING]

McCain can do no right in the eyes of Non-McCain supporters and economic dunces!

if you dont stand for something you'll fall for anything!

 

[Neurotoxin]

OH PLEASE!!!!!  What's so important about the financial crisis?  "The Chosen One - Obama"  doesn't need any information, he knows it all already, just ask him.

[/b]

i had no idea there was a crisis.  

thanks for the "heads up" einstein.  


NT

bush has systematically destroyed this country financially. our country is heading for a severe recession as a result of his failed policies. in the coming months, the stock market will come crashing down.


mark my words.

[2ND COMING]

In your world standing is falling.

your level of wit is astronomical

[Neurotoxin]

I THINK YOU ARE THE HAPPIEST PERSON ALIVE ABOUT THE HAPPENING TOO!  Not sure many people think you are as smart as you think you are.  Not trying to burst your bubble.

It's Einstein with a capital "E"...thank you! 

bush has systematically destroyed this country financially. our country is heading for a severe recession as a result of his failed policies. in the coming months, the stock market will come crashing down.


mark my words.

[Neurotoxin]

Yes...that's correct it is all George W. Bush's fault! 

bush has systematically destroyed this country financially.

our country is heading for a severe recession as a result of his failed policies.

in the coming months, the stock market will come crashing down.


mark my words.