McCain to suspend campaign to work on bailout bill

[Encryptshun]

http://online.wsj.com/article/...s_wsj

Also reported on Fox news a couple minutes ago, Obama's reaction is that the debate should take place as scheduled and be held around the work.

So is McCain trying to get out of having a debate and using this as a cover?

Is Obama sacrificing the good of the country to push his new lead in the polls and get his camera time?

Discuss.

Edited to fix spelling and typing errors.
Modified by Encryptshun at 3:33 PM 9/24/2008

[rn79870]

McCain is falling further and further behind in the polls. He is watching the polls and is obviously looking for a way to stop his backsliding.

What he's doing really isn't any different than faking an injury in the 4th. quarter when your team is way behind in order to get out of the game. The public isn't stupid, they'll see through it.

[telcoman]

McCain is falling further and further behind in the polls. He is watching the polls and is obviously looking for a way to stop his backsliding.

What he's doing really isn't any different than faking an injury in the 4th. quarter when your team is way behind in order to get out of the game. The public isn't stupid, they'll see through it.

McCain is sinking rapidly.

The right blames the New York Times for reporting the truth about McCain

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09...login

Can the American people really believe anything that McCain says?

He also told us last week that our economy was fundamentally strong.

The debates should go on as scheduled and we can watch McCain and Palin just fade away. McCain should not be running away from the debate.

It looks like cut and run to me

Telcoman

[AZhitman]

I can't wait to see telco's face when he finds out what inaction will do to his beloved 401k.

[Encryptshun]

I don't think that McCain is running scared. He's showing us that a good leader does what's good for America when America is in need, regardless of the effect it would have on his own goals and objectives. I'd say this is a big win for a "walk the talk" McCain strategy.

I think that Obama will come out looking like a selfish prick if he presses to have the debate.

[HashiriyaS14]

It is preposterous to say that the other 533 members of Congress are somehow unable to handle this crisis without their precious nominees.

Debates are something that the candidates owe to the American people no matter what challenges are facing the nation. McCain is quite obviously trying to avoid the debates.

It's an obnoxious political stunt.

[Encryptshun]

Hash, while I see your points, don't you think it would come off as a bit hypocritical if both candidates call this crisis "the worst since the Great Depression" and then don't prioritize it above one television debate (which could be rescheduled)? Congress is crafting the most impotant fiscal policy change since the founding of the Fed -- what sort of executive-in-training would NOT want to be intrinsically tied to its development?

[AZhitman]

I'm not just saying this because it's McCain, so step aside if you want to be a partisan doof:

The debates are not "debates"... They're canned talking points, deviod of real substance, and unless there's an independent moderator INTERRUPTING them if they say something inaccurate or misleading, they're useless.

From all accounts, this IS a pretty critical issue, and looks like it warrants the attention of all involved - ESPECIALLY those who propose to be ready to lead our country.

[Eikon]

Hash, while I see your points, don't you think it would come off as a bit hypocritical if both candidates call this crisis "the worst since the Great Depression" and then don't prioritize it above one television debate (which could be rescheduled)? Congress is crafting the most impotant fiscal policy change since the founding of the Fed -- what sort of executive-in-training would NOT want to be intrinsically tied to its development?

I completely agree!!!

I actually find it completely retarded that we even allow sitting senators or reps to basically abdicate their position for 18 months + to go campaign. I think you should have to resign your position and allow a replacement to step in so that your constituants actually have representation in government.

I find it refreshing that McCain and hopefully Obama will head to Washington and help lead our government through some pretty difficult and very important decisions.

Just because there are 533 other people there to vote doesn't mean those 2 aren't important. Ask the citizens of Illinois and Arizona if they matter?

[HashiriyaS14]

Hash, while I see your points, don't you think it would come off as a bit hypocritical if both candidates call this crisis "the worst since the Great Depression" and then don't prioritize it above one television debate (which could be rescheduled)? Congress is crafting the most impotant fiscal policy change since the founding of the Fed -- what sort of executive-in-training would NOT want to be intrinsically tied to its development?

Ok, and they can (and should) most certainly go vote on it. That's really the only impact either one of them can realistically have. They're legislators.

Neither one of them are, to the best of my knowledge, on the relevant committees. What are they really going to do?

John McCain is saying that he really can't give the American people SIXTY MINUTES to explain his stances on pressing foreign policy issues? He can't give up one hour?

It would be another matter entirely if one of the candidates was the incumbent President and decided to do this, as they would have a real impact, but a senator? Just vote, voice your opinion, and be done with it.

[Eikon]

John McCain is saying that he really can't give the American people SIXTY MINUTES to explain his stances on pressing foreign policy issues? He can't give up one hour?

In and out in an hour huh? No travel time? No prep and practice time? Just show up and do it.. like voting?

I think it's safe to say we're at a critical point in our nation's recent history... The actions and intentions of today will certainly play a crucial role in the next 4 years at least. I'd sure feel better if I knew that my nation's leader was present at the Capital while this was going on. If nothing else, just to learn and be better prepared for the future.

[96Qowner]

Heheh, it looks like a nice way to illustrate the difference between him and Obama. McCain is interested in working together for the good of the country. Obama just wants to campaign. The contrast is especially interesting in light of Matt's recent discovery about the letters between him and Obama regarding McCain's ethics reform task force:

http://obama.senate.gov/letter...eform/

[Jimefam]

Its absurd to me that mccain cant multi-task around this. This is absolutely a CRITICAL issue but there are many important issues that must be dealt with at once as president. He needs to drop everything for three days to read a bill and take a vote? He will be of little importance in the actual crafting of the bill as will obama. Both of them should try to be as involved as possible while carrying their full workload. This is just a political stunt. And no I'm not biased or an obama supporter.

[rn79870]

You must have missed Obama's speech on the issue today. Obama has all the bases covered.

I guess you didn't notice the commentary that points out that McCain is motivated by his rapidly falling status in the polls. (today's Washington Post shows Obama at 52% and McCain at 42%.) He's, as they say, desperate for another Palin like trick.

If McCain doesn't show up for the debate, he'll be seen as incapable of multi-tasking and therefore, incapable of being president. He's painted himself into a corner here.

[nzmoman]

Its absurd to me that mccain cant multi-task around this. This is absolutely a CRITICAL issue but there are many important issues that must be dealt with at once as president. He needs to drop everything for three days to read a bill and take a vote? He will be of little importance in the actual crafting of the bill as will obama. Both of them should try to be as involved as possible while carrying their full workload. This is just a political stunt. And no I'm not biased or an obama supporter.

I don't know how many of you realize how serious this is and why McCain and Obama should both be there. Right now two parties are hatching out a way to keep the entire American economy from tanking. The structure of the economy is still strong. But it only takes a cornerstone to make a castle fall. They are discussing that cornerstone right now. McCain and Obama are both senators and they both are the ideological leaders of their respective parties. To think that a single debate is more important than this means two things to me. Either you don't really realize the severity of what is going on or you are an extremely partisan in your political views.

I think both Barrack and John realize the severity, but many Americans don't realize that not reaching an agreement could be a catastrophe. A major catastrophe for everyone in this country. They are not just discussing interest rates. They are discussing, how this stuff is going to trickle down to your jobs, and your credit, and your ability to prosper. The potential leader of this country should understand that even though the president has to be able to multi task, in the face of a major economical decision, he should be their to support the efforts that WILL effect ALL people on American soil.

too many people don't realize how much of a slap it is for Obama to think that his position as Senator is secondary to his presidential campaign. If a nuke went off while he was in another country this is like him saying "I am mult-tasking"

people are also forgetting that John McCain has been trying to debate Obama for months, and the one time John says no, people fly off the handle. Some people need to really think about how they want to flame him before they speak. cause that is a horrible place to start.

[nzmoman]

McCain is sinking rapidly.

The right blames the New York Times for reporting the truth about McCain

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09...login

Can the American people really believe anything that McCain says?

He also told us last week that our economy was fundamentally strong.

The debates should go on as scheduled and we can watch McCain and Palin just fade away. McCain should not be running away from the debate.

It looks like cut and run to me

Telcoman

John McCain is going to Washington to protect that 401k that you put money in instead of buying mods for your car. Yup.... your 401k is going to be effected. People need to realize this is not a simple issue and it is so serious that the current president is making a statement and is going to be a part of the discussion. The future president needs to take a serious interest in what is going be directly effecting his term in office. I guess Barrack didn't realize that when John McCain jumped out the window it wasn't to fall, it was to fly (play theme to Superman). Also Obama is not smart to not follow lead on this. McCain has more experience in washington and he knows and understands what happens much better. Maybe he just cares more.

[Jimefam]

First off neither john mccain nor barack obama is the "ideological leader of their respective parties" that is complete bs. As a matter of fact john mccain has been working very hard to appear as the exact opposite of the republican ideology on many fronts due to the unpopular status of the republican platform right now. As I said before yes this matter is critical but at this point both candidates are completely prepped for the debate and all that would be required is an afternoon. Maybe you dont know how the senate works but these bills are written and reviewed in commitees before going to a vote in the full senate. Neither candidate will play a significant role in the advancement of this bill and actually may hinder the process by injecting partisian stances as neither side is going to want to appear to give in or appear weak. They will likely just listen to or review previously given testimony from economic experts and vote on the finished products after coming out of the proper commitee. I am an undecided voter and would very much like to hear these men debate their ideas on the economy and other important subjects. Also comparing this coming vote to a nuclear explosion is a bit far fetched no? regardless of what the sec. of tres. said the world will not end if we dont hand over 3 quarters of a trillion dollars without first ensuring what it will be used for. They can call a special session of congress to continue this discussion past friday. For heaven sakes if they can call a special session for terry schiavo they can do it for this. The president and paulson want to hurry you up so you dont realize that we are going to spend all that money and the average person wont see any relief and that we are basically nationalizing the loss of a relatively small group of investors. Some people are fooled so easily

[Rev_D21]

Last week McCain said the economy was strong. Today he is all of a sudden concerned about it? Come on, political stunt designed to take everyone's eyes off of Palin. This is Bush's problem anyhow. But then again McCain might know a lot about screwball economics, he got a lot of practice during the S+L scandal. Why don't we ask Phil Graham how we should go about this? Oh wait, his 2cents are what got us here.

McCain -1

[barrigas14]

I'm sorry, but at this point in time I WANT to know what these two are thinking RIGHT now. I don't care if it is a "canned speech." If these two are going to lead the country in some way, then they should speak what is their plan and their thoughts.

McCain is trying to back out ever since saying "the economy is fundamentally strong." And his fundamentals are the working people. Sorry, McCain, the working people are not strong right now. We are reeling from this **** up. If the economy goes belly up, we, the fundamentals, are screwed.

You going to congress to "work" something out is BS. You're going there because you think you'll get some of your points back. You've taken the last year and half off as being a senator to run for president, I don't think you'll really be able to do anything right now since you don't have a clue of the economy nor of what to do. You've been for deregulation when in fact some regulation would have helped this whole mess.

[nzmoman]

when a person is given the party nod to run for president that indicates a completed party support and signifies unification of said party. Do you think the conventions are just for a bunch of political jargon. NO. its for party unification behind their proposed head. No its not an official party lead, but it is showing that the party as a whole is placing that individual in position to be a spokesperson for the party to the nation. That sounds like a lead to me?

The writing of the bill is the issue. just as you need a good strong representation for your party to write a bill you need to have all senators present.

I am not a supporter of either candidate (not Ron Paul neither) but the fact that you want to hear a debate does not change the fact that senators need to be in their chair to do their jobs.

I don't know if you realize that the reason this is all over the media is NOT because of the two presidential candidates. Its because the two parties have had numerous issues making a resolution. The two presidential candidates will have a VERY significant place and their words and actions will be valuable in coming to a conclusion. Writing the bill is the problem...because its not easy. Would you want the condition of the company that you will be taking over to be in discussion about a make or break policy without you being there. I hope not. I think you may need to do some reading about the average person. The average person is directly effected by interest rates as they effect every companies investments, production, and jobs.

Please Please Please read up on what is going on.

If the lending system in America falls it will effect you. Most businesses have to borrow money, and most Americans borrow money. That entire system is on the table right now. That is why anyone who wants to lead this country needs to be a part of writing and discussing that bill.

besides...I am pretty sure you are not going to hear these two people say anything that they want to do that you can't find out from searching and looking up their platforms in any number of locations

[AZhitman]

^ Apparently you missed the part where he co-sponsored legislation to rein IN the easy credit mess.

Some here are taking a very overly simplistic view of this whole thing.

But, just go ahead and keep thinking BO comprehends the economy... Remember, HE had a chance to do something about it before - And he stayed silent.

Let's also remember that BO was the one who pussed out on the town hall meetings. So, if you're gonna call this a political ploy, at least point it at BOTH sides.

[nzmoman]

Last week McCain said the economy was strong. Today he is all of a sudden concerned about it? Come on, political stunt designed to take everyone's eyes off of Palin. This is Bush's problem anyhow. But then again McCain might know a lot about screwball economics, he got a lot of practice during the S+L scandal. Why don't we ask Phil Graham how we should go about this? Oh wait, his 2cents are what got us here.

McCain -1

the economy and the lending systems are not the same. In context McCain was stating that if we can work out proposals to support our lending system, our economy will be able to spin as its supposed to. I guess its just all about understanding that these two things in political lingo are not the same to most.

"My engine is in great shape, it functions as its supposed to, it doesn't run right now because there is no gas in it, but when I put gas in it, it will run fine"

[srellim234]

My personal take-

Absolutely a political ploy. There is no reason that the two candidates an't be in Washington, focusing their attention on this, and still get to Mississippi for the debate. They have access to some newfangled thing called an airplane. Better yet, with all the millions being poured down the drain by the campaigns they could charter a couple of jets and fly the moderator and the audience to Washington on Friday.

If you're concerned about not being prepared for the debate, think about the fact that that is exactly the way we want to see these guys. Unscripted and not acting like trained circus bears prepared by handlers. Remember the "deer in the headlights" look that Bush had on 9/11/2001? Let's see if these two guys look that way when they haven't been scripted by their lackeys and someone asks them a tough question. I want to see how BO and JM react in those moments and this may be a perfect opportunity for the voters to see that.

[S13_love]

Hmm...this is a good discussion so far.

I can't add anything at the moment, but keep it up.

[telcoman]

+1

McCain by attempting to weasel out of the debate Friday night is now fitting the definition of a "schmuck" and the American people are responding to the polls to back that up. McCain is sinking rapidly.

A flight to Washington from Mississippi after a 90 minute debate does not take long if their presence were truly necessary. Those involved in the bailout negotiations (Barney Frank) have stated that McCain is not needed at this time.

Telcoman

[HashiriyaS14]

Heheh, it looks like a nice way to illustrate the difference between him and Obama. McCain is interested in working together for the good of the country. Obama just wants to campaign.

False.

Obama called McCain yesterday morning specifically to try and work out some kind of bipartisan statement from the two of them in regards to the crisis. The McCain campaign doesn't even refute this.

McCain said he was onboard, and then 5 minutes later he dropped this bombshell, "daring" Obama to act. It's horseshxt, it's a political ploy.

They could very easily just hold the debate in DC, have both candidates go to DC to vote, and then hold the debate Friday night, here, as planned.

FiveThirtyEight.com made a very astute observation in regards to all of this mess, which I feel it necessary to quote:

"Imagine instead if McCain had called on Obama to return to Washington, and also called on him to meet him at Georgetown University on Friday night for a "civil discussion" (a.k.a. a High Noon showdown) on leading America's economy forward. That could have been brilliant. Obama would probably have had to agree to the change of venue and subject matter. McCain would have needed to follow-through by actually winning the debate, but if he had, that would almost certainly have been a game-changer. But that's not what McCain did."

It's not the idea to go to Washington to deal with the problem, that's a GOOD idea. It's the idea that he wants to postpone the debate, and that's a BAD idea. There's no reason they can't still do the debate.

McCain IS trying to avoid the debate, and I believe that's how Independents will view this fiasco if he doesn't reschedule it to DC or another place and still hold it Friday evening.

[nzmoman]

BTW....I do think McCain is doing this as a sense of duty, but at the same time I think it is a political tactic as well. There is no reason to not debate, but McCain called for a postponement, not a cancellation.

Also, Barrack is not weaseling out. Barrack addressed his same concern, however when discussing the situation with his party he was told that his presence was not needed on which he said as soon as it is let me know and I'm there.

but apparently both of them are either in Washington or headed to washington to meet with GWB to talk about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...lated

[srellim234]

He can't be too concerned about the duty to tell the truth, though. While cancelling his appearance he lied on the telephone to David Letterman claiming that he had to get to Washington, then was within blocks of Letterman at the time the taping was going on. McCain cancelled Letterman and was sitting with Katie Couric, instead.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/....html

And the big concern about being in Washington that McCain was expressing yesterday? He didn't get to DC until this morning for the meeting. I'm guessing he spent the night in New York.

I've got an idea, courtesy of Letterman. Since the VP fills in for the President when the President can't be there, let Sarah Palin fill in for McCain against Barak Obama at Friday's debate. As the outsider in this campaign she has no role to play in this Washington/Wall Street drama. THERE'S a debate that would be fun to watch!

[96Qowner]

The fact remains that John McCain is going back to Washington to do what he has been doing for years - to reach a bipartisan agreement on some VERY important legislation. He is one of a very few Senators who has long-standing trust and credibility with the opposition Party. It's what he's good at. He's demonstrated it successfully several times over decades.

Obama will be doing what he's good at, too - campaigning. He's demonstrated that successfully several times over the past 12 years. I sincerely hope to see Obama waiting patiently behind a podium in Mississippi while his fellow Senators are accomplishing something important. I suspect they'll do just fine without him.

Let the contrast be drawn.

[Encryptshun]

Bush stated in his address last night that he'd invited both McCain and Obama to return to Washington to sit with him and work on the bill.

Being POTUS is a LOT more about "sitting in the chair" than about "standing at the podium". We'll see which each candidate chooses.