193 Comments

1. Pajamas Media » McCain Suspends Campaign:

[...] the entire story here [...]

Sep 24, 2008 - 12:37 pm 2. John the Libertarian:

It’s a brilliant move.

Sep 24, 2008 - 12:40 pm 3. jane:

Apparently Obama thinks the debate is more important than fixing the financial situation. does that mean he debates an empty chair?

Sep 24, 2008 - 12:49 pm 4. John Loki:

Way to go Mac!

Sep 24, 2008 - 12:50 pm 5. CALIndie:

John McCain at his politial best! It looks like Republicans on Capitol Hill are enthusiastically supporting McCain. It’s time for the Mavericks to kick some partisan a** and help the American people.

The Democrats had a chance and they’ve blown it… as usual! No matter what happens, Barack Obama and the Democrats are now following John McCain’s lead in this crisis!

Way to go John! Kick some a** and take some names for hardworking Americans! The gloves are coming off and Obama can’t talk his way out of this fight!

Sep 24, 2008 - 12:50 pm 6. CALIndie:

Judgement to lead? Barack Obama… not so much!

Sep 24, 2008 - 12:53 pm 7. Pajamas Media » PJM Political 9/24/08: Veep Wars–Biden’s Gaffes, Cybercrimes Against Sarah Palin:

[...] John McCain may have temporarily suspended operations, PJM Political rolls on, exploring the vice presidential nominees in the news: Joe Biden’s [...]

Sep 24, 2008 - 12:55 pm 8. Mark Rinzel:

Sad. All of you.

The old man is scared, and it’s obvious to any of us not in the tank for him. His presence will be nothing but polarizing.

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:00 pm 9. Will Sharpe:

I’m amazed that the responses thus far take little consideration to the economic implications this complex issue facing us presents, and, instead, propounds the political savvy of a man who just over a week ago pronounced the U.S. economy to be fundamentally sound.

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:02 pm 10. Mark:

This perfectly reflects the history of the two candidates.One has spent over 20 years in Congress trying to make a difference, the other ran for the Senate as part of his Presidential campaign.It would be entirely fitting if on Friday night McCain were busy in DC cobbling together a Treasury package while Obama was preening, by himself ,in Oxford Ms.

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:08 pm 11. jvon:

My first thought was that this was kind of lame.

But the more I think about it, the more I think that McCain DOES have a history of bringing the parties together to work on things. He may actually be able to pull something off.

What Obama can contribute to this situation is less clear. I expect him to whine a lot about the debate being called off, because that’s about all he is capable of.

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:09 pm 12. Kurt:

Polarizing, huh Mark? Funny, but that seems to be Obama’s specialty. McCain has an established history of crafting bipartisan reform legislation. Obama has an established history (established over the past two years) of saying he is a new politician and then reverting to the standard Democrat playbook. There’s no bringing anyone together there.

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:13 pm 13. Rachel:

please, mark, if Obama did this, you would be saying how brave and caring he is

which would be a first, considering he allowed his own constituents to freeze in their collapsing new apartments

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2008/06/27/grim_proving_ground_for_obamas_housing_policy/

if he can’t take care of his own neighborhood how the heck can he take care of the rest of us?

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:15 pm 14. Bart:

Now is Obama’s chance to prove his rhetoric of Change! Change! Change! An open invitation to participate in what may be one of the most serious financial crisis to face us since the Great Depression. An invitation to put up or shut up. Hands across the aisle and all that. Reaching out to the other side to come up with an answer to the problems we face as a nation.

So far, Obama still wants to go ahead with the debate. I think McCain should send out a press notice, cancelling his appearance at the debate and let the country know who is serious and who isn’t.

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:19 pm 15. Cap'n Rusty:

Or maybe McCain could have Palin fill in for him if Obama doesn’t agree?

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:21 pm 16. tomw:

Obama press release:
“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.”

It was a smart and calculated move by McCain, and the right thing to do. I’m glad both side of this want to work together to work this out. While some may criticize McCain for ditching the debate, I think he’ll benefit from this move. It was very presidential.

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:23 pm 17. TomJW:

jane:
Apparently Obama thinks the debate is more important than fixing the financial situation. does that mean he debates an empty chair?
Sep 24, 2008 – 12:49 pm

A debate the ‘zero’ can win!

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:25 pm 18. jbb:

Obama just turned down the idea to delay the debate.

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:26 pm 19. Red Blooded American:

Fact:

Obama contacted McCain this morning to propose issuing a joint statement of support and common principles regarding the financial crisis.

Fact:

Six hours later, McCain agreed with Obamas proposal. Then he decides he needs to cancel a debate scheduled for two days in the future on a Friday evening when all world markets are closed.

Fact:

McCain’s campaign manager Rick Davis has received over $2 Million from Freddie Mac over the past five years and lobbied for less regulation on them. The last payment was last month. McCain also vehemently claims that Obama has the Freddie and Fannie problem, while being completely silent on the issue of Rick Davis and the $2 Million and counting he has received from Freddie.

Opinion:

McCain is grandstanding and desperately trying to exploit the financial crisis to divert attention from his failing campaign.

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:31 pm 20. breeze:

GOPukes at work again.
Someone asked, “What’s next, martial law?”

YES. Clear enough?

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:32 pm 21. Michael:

Now McLame says he wants to “suspend” the campaign and delay the debates, and wants Obama to join him to address the economic crisis. Options –

1) Obama agrees and it looks like McCain is the leader

2) Obama does not agree and it makes McCain look like he puts the country ahead of the election (the Maverick!)

This is just another election ploy, we don’t need him.

I say he says no thanks, we do not need to work with Bush and the party responsible for this disaster. I have my own plan to undo the damage the Republican Party did to America.

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:32 pm 22. Deus:

Just keep fumbling. The public knows he’s playing with stupid games. Flip-flopper. The Bush mess is abysmal. Now he hides. What a leader! Wall Street baling out Wall Street and screwing the taxpayers. How moral! Pack of rats.

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:33 pm 23. Lola Sanderman:

McCain can’t do the debate AND find a solution to this problem? Isn’t he running for President? Doesn’t the president have work with MULTIPLE CRISIS(es)? Seriously. Why can’t they do BOTH?

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:35 pm 24. Elsa:

A competent president is *expected* to be able to handle several issues at the same time. I’d say, debate for 90 minutes and work on the bailout. Move the debate to D.C.! This is a desperation move by McSame. He’s running out of money and the latest polls shows he’s tanking. He’s trying change the dynamics of the race and raise smoke and mirrors on his retreat. Pathetic to say the least. Obama and America can see this latest stunt for what it is: a pathetic 11th hour ploy. McCain has already lost the election and is now only delaying the inevitable. Can you say President Obama?

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:38 pm 25. tomw:

Nice move Obama. Yes, we’ll work together, no let the debate go on as scheduled.

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:39 pm 26. Flopping Aces » Blog Archive » McCain Putting Country Before Power:

[...] Richard Miniter: In a shrewd move, Senator McCain has just proposed delaying Friday’s first presidential debate–in order to convene a meeting with Obama, President Bush and other decision-makers from both parties to sort out the financial mess. [...]

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:45 pm 27. trainer:

As a concerned Christian conservative I…

Fill in any of the moonbat opinions above.

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:52 pm 28. idov:

McCain has a lot to lose here since he’s going to be accused of trying to get a time out while falling in the polls. That could cost him with independents. But if you look back when he was in the primaries he was running on winning the war when it was a stinkbomb and also sticking to his guns on his equally unpopular approach to illegal immigration. He was running behind Guiliani, Romney, and Huckabee and then Thompson jumped in. That’s McCain. He does what he thinks is right. If the doomsayers are right, and some bill doesn’t pass, the world is heading back to the 1930s. He always puts his country before narrow self interest, no matter what the stakes.

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:53 pm 29. CALIndie:

Mark Rinzel – “Sad. All of you.The old man is scared, and it’s obvious to any of us not in the tank for him.”

You think this is some kind of game Rinzel? You think this financial crisis is just another fabrication for political gain? You think your willingness to delay a solution for this crisis is in the best interest of my family and my finances? You think America will be best served by the Democrat leadership on Capitol Hill pontificating about how they saw this coming and how the Republicans wouldn’t let them do anhything about it?

I’m so sick of people like you standing around whistling your political tune while watching American families trapped in a burning car! You make me sick! Your panzy a**ed “leaders” like Obama, Biden, Carter, Kerry, Gore et al wouldn’t know true leadership if it slapped them in the face.

It’s time for John McCain’s leadership and action not more of Obama’s lofty rhetoric and political maneuvering. This financial crisis is comparable to 9/11 in scope and impact on American society. If you’re not willing to support a bi-partisan consensus and a swift solution for this crisis, don’t stand in the way of those who will.

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:56 pm 30. Tom H:

Michael et al – I know it is an inconvenient fact, but the financial mess is a direct result of Demo ineptness (feel- good mortgages) and Congressional inaction, actually action on the wrong kind of bill – look it up bud

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:58 pm 31. Mike Shuster:

This kind of seems like a pointless symbolic gesture. (Even leaving aside the fact that McCain has missed more Senate votes than Obama over the past term– in fact I think he has been the most absent Senator).

I almost feel like it would be more useful for the country for the two candidates to essentially recuse themselves from the deliberations– since the both obviously have so much at stake personally, and are engaged in such a close election, and actually, there seem to be senators and congressmen on both sides of the aisle who are actively finding a solution. Obviously, that wouldn’t look ‘presidential’ on either of their parts, but I think it would lead to a swifter and better piece of legislation.

Also, just a side note, Presidents often have to deal with more than one issue/crisis simultaneously, so I think they both ought to be able to handle the debate prep and Senate work simultaneously. I mean, move the debate to DC if that makes things easier, but otherwise this just seems like (another) silly gesture on McCain’s part.

Sep 24, 2008 - 1:58 pm 32. Bill Bradley:

Watch my forthcoming column on the reality of this move …

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:00 pm 33. Robert Hurley:

I am not sure what this can accomplish since the reports I have read say that the deal is 90% done and Bush is speaking tonight. Doesn’t this run the risk of politicising an already difficult process. What can either of them bring to the table at this moment. You would have to question his motive.

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:03 pm 34. The Sadim Touch:

Obama spends 3 days preparing for a debate that may be postponed…

John McCain today announced a suspension of his campaign, inviting Obama to join him back in Washington to debate the bailout plans for Wall Street. He has requested a postponement of the debate tthat was to occur with Obama on Friday night. This comes…

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:05 pm 35. Stephanos:

@Mark Rinzel

Actually, you are demonstrably wrong when you attribute McCain’s actions to fear. Having watched him for a number of years, I would say that fear is the one thing that McCain seems quite far beyond. He’s known the real thing and, I suspect, not much else since has measured up – certainly not the prospect of losing this current race. His past experiences have put him in a place where few have been and few currently are. This has made him a difficult person work with or even fathom by your typical denizen of Washington/New York in terms of ordinary metrics for politics in this country.

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:09 pm 36. It’s Obama’s Move Now « Count Us Out:

[...] It’s Obama’s Move Now McCain’s Bet [...]

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:10 pm 37. Robert Hurley:

KLo had this to say from the National Review:

[Kathryn Jean Lopez]

Obama is on TV right now.

Some of this is a lot of nonsense, but if I’m just getting home from work and I only pay casual attention to these debates, Obama sounds reasonable and less gimmicky than McCain.

He says that there is no reason why we can’t do more than one thing at once. Obama says it is “more important than ever” to have a debate.

Obama says he called McCain this morning and announced that he wanted to do a no-politics-as-usual joint statement about addressing the market mess. He says that McCain wanted to insist on meeting with the president and congressional leaders too. Obama says Obama said: Let’s do the statement, go from there. Obama says he thought McCain was thinking about the joint statement, working on with staff, when McCain went on TV. So now Obama is on TV.

Obama says he’s told Pelosi, Reid, and Paulson that “if I can be helpful, I am prepared to be [in dc] anytime” but I don’t want to infuse presidential politics on the hill and goes on about how presidents need to be able to multitask.

Obama may win this campaign moment yet. If McCain protests, he looks petty.

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:10 pm 38. CR:

A Senator going to Washington to actually do his job? Image that! Obama should take that as an example of what to do but he won’t since he’s proven himself to be incapable of doing his job. At best, he’ll go to the Senate to cast his vote for “present”, as he’s done so many times in the past. Or perhaps he’ll go and actually cast a vote, then claim some time later that he hit the wrong button, again.

This is a no-win situation for Obama. If he attends the summit, he won’t be allowed to bring his teleprompter so his “ideas” will consist mainly of “um”, “uh”, and “that’s above my pay grade”.

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:15 pm 39. CALIndie:

Mike Shuster: “This kind of seems like a pointless symbolic gesture.”

How many days of indecision and lack of leadership will it take for this crisis to result in bank runs? You’re so smart, why don’t you tell us. Why don’t you tell us how we can just do business as usual, keep campaigning, do more than one thing at a time (as Presidents do) and this will all blow over in due time.

Why don’t you tell us Mike Shuster how this crisis really isn’t a crisis at all. Why don’t you tell us your plan for protecting the financial future of all Americans while you and Obama are out multi-tasking on the campaign trail. I can’t wait to hear your answer.

Should I go withdraw all my money from my bank while your multi-tasking in your response?

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:18 pm 40. tomw:

CALIndie, you seem to be missing the point. Obama IS willing work on a by partisan solution. He just doesn’t see a need to postpone the debate.

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:26 pm 41. goodcharacter.:

We have a crisis and Obama seems too elitist to even go render his “present” vote.

We are looking at the BARACKIE that can’t come up with 20 dollars for his brother George that lives on a dollar a month in Kenya.

Obama worked as a “community Organizer / trainer for ACORN. He taught how to fill out fraudulent loan applications and get 100% mortgages. Now these mortgages are being taken into forclosure. No wonder he wants to rap about foreign policy Friday night. Obama also was connected to a bank in chicago that folded with 500 million dollars loos on sub prime loans. Obama is connected with the original problems.

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:28 pm 42. Mike Shuster:

CALIndie:

There’s no reason for your insulting tone, but here’s my answer:

I do think this is a crisis. I do not think it will be solved faster by either McCain or Obama being involved in crafting the responsive legislation. I think the other 97 senators (and the House) are asking the right questions. I think if the administration had not proposed a bill which was so far-reaching in denying the House and Senate the appropriate oversight, and which sideskirted the fairly obvious executive compensation issue, we’d have a solution faster. I don’t think we’re seeing ‘indecision’ as you suggest. We’re seeing deliberation. And I think everyone’s aware of the urgency.

If I had actually heard one useful thing about this crisis out of McCain or Obama’s mouth over the past week, I might think differently.

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:33 pm 43. Mike Shuster:

(I said ‘97′ senators because I also think Biden has not and wil not be useful)

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:33 pm 44. Aaron:

“does that mean [Obama] debates an empty chair?”

That would be appropriate: an empty chair vs. and empty suit.

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:34 pm 45. Stephanos:

Oh, the debate will now go on and I’m sure that McCain’s team gamed out a refusal to suspend by the Obama camp. The question ought to be, “What follows?” I thought I understood that the debate on Friday is to be about foreign policy, however, I now wonder if it will be a bit more open ended. Might be interesting.

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:35 pm 46. Marc Malone:

What McCain should do is simply no-show the debate, and go to the Senate floor and bash some heads. He is a Senator, for heaven’s sake. He did call for reform 3 years ago. He was unrightfully dinged for the Keating S&L mess, and was there at the cleanup. I’m sure his input would be very valuable.

No debate is necessary, when you’re actually fixing the problems. Let Obama continue to prep for the debates while McCain goes to work. “It’s the economy, Stupid!”

Don’t even tell Obama the debate’s off; just no-show it. Obama’ll be stuck and have to go off teleprompter to respond to reporters’ questions. Even they might toss some hardball questions, as they smell the all the juicy blood in the water….

BWAHAHAHAHA!

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:41 pm 47. Cowcup:

I can’t believe it. The final count down is now.

McCain is playing wild. And Obama is playing wild too. Palin suddenly becomes irrelevant to this election.

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:46 pm 48. Concerned One:

Don’t bet on Obama showing up in Washington to help craft a solution. He’d have to take a stand instead of saying: “Present.”

It’s much easier to impugn McCain’s motives (as many of you have in your postings)than to try and solve a problem with a solution that may alienate some of your supporters. Better to bury your head in the sand. Last time I looked, he was a United States Senator – maybe it’s time he acted like one.

For someone who says he wants to bring the country together and get the political parties to work together, he has a strange way of doing it.

For McCain – Point, Set and Match.

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:55 pm 49. vagunner:

OF COURSE;AS SOON AS McCAIN PROPOSED THE OFFER
THE B.HUSEIN OBAMA CAMP WAS SCRAMBLING TO COME UP WITH THE BEST STRATEGIC MOVE.
OBVIOUSLY,THEY COULDN’T THINK FAST ENOUGH
(ALL 375 OF THEM)AND THEY BLEW IT AGAIN.IF
YOU READ B.HUSIEN’S RESPONSE CAREFULLY YOU CAN SEE THAT HE COULD GIVE A RAT’S A** ABOUT THE ECONOMIC CRISIS.AFTER ALL,HE’S GOT ALL OF HIS MONEY COMMING IN WITH GUSTO.HE IS ONLY CONCERNED WITH WINNING AT ANY COST!!!!

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:57 pm 50. Chris in Toronto:

Empty suit versus empty chair.
The chair wins. It has legs to stand on!

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:58 pm 51. harveydawabbitt:

oslobba wont go back to d.c. for a national crisis?
what does that say about him as a potential leader of the free world?
that man is shameless.

Sep 24, 2008 - 2:58 pm 52. William of Orange:

Aaron writes:

“‘does that mean [Obama] debates an empty chair?’ That would be appropriate: an empty chair vs. and empty suit.”

..heaven help him if he loses!

Sep 24, 2008 - 3:01 pm 53. CALIndie:

Mike Shuster and tomw – This is a crisis of which we have no historic equivalence. The crash of the American economy today will make the crash of the “great” depression look infinitesimal in comparison.

Every American today feels the strain of our weak economy, increased unemployment, high fuel costs and increased commodity prices. The strain is a ticking time bomb that must be defused. You people want to just chalk this catastrophe up as another day at the office of multi-tasking. If that is an insulting tone, then so be it.

Here’s a question for you two economic geniuses; How many companies will it take, that can’t borrow money to make payroll, before the bank runs start across this country. I’ll ask it another way. If all the employees of Sears or Micron or Canon USA don’t get a paycheck on Friday how long will our economy hold up? Long enough for Senator Obama to finish his campaign swing with a debate tossed in for good measure while multi-tasking on O-force One!

I’m not willing to wait for that answer and John McCain is clear he is not willing to wait either. I’m glad someone is showing leadership here and the issue should be as political as possible. We should all be seeing the politics of “CHANGE” that Obama so easily touts but doesn’t deliver. John McCain said “Change is Coming” and he means it.

Sep 24, 2008 - 3:03 pm 54. Matt:

Ah, yes. Another “brilliant” move from Senator McRove. The same man who brought us the Palin Factor. How’d that one do?

I imagine we’ll be seeing an endless stream of Hail Marys such as this one until November. It’s called throwing spaghetti at a wall and seeing what sticks.

What amazes me is that you people convince yourselves these moves are politically savvy. I suppose I’d be hearing the same if McCain ran down the streets naked, screaming, “Look at me! Look at me!”

Sep 24, 2008 - 3:09 pm 55. Postliberal:

McCain’s move is brilliant. All it does is switch the campaign from commercials to the Senate. He and Obama both have jobs: they’re senators. Why shouldn’t McCain go back to Washington to do his job? Especially since he’s good at it. Obama? That’s where he’s weakest. What McCain did was call Obama’s bluff: you say you’re a senator? Show us.

Proposing that the debate be postponed was a no-loss proposition for McCain. If Obama agreed, then McCain got credit for proposing it first. If Obama disagreed (as we now know he has), McCain shows up for the debate anyway and comfortably discusses foreign policy. He doesn’t need prep to answer questions about U.S. foreign policy.

I also think McCain was wise to find an excuse to suspend his TV ads. He’s right to hit Obama, but he’s hitting with the wrong stuff. Obama’s weakness is not in his associates, suspicious though they are, or the bills he supported in the Illinois legislature. It’s that he has *no record of accomplishment whatsoever*. This was the deadly point that Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin made at the Republican Convention, and this is the point that needs to be stressed. If the McCain campaign has to exploit things like the sex-ed bill, the point should be “does he even know what’s in the bills he supports?” The public is not going to be convinced that Obama is perverted or evil. Just remind them that he’s an untalented, spineless Democratic politician who does what he’s supposed to without even knowing all the details. That’s bad enough, and it’s the truth.

Sep 24, 2008 - 3:12 pm 56. Chris in Toronto:

Obama: “I don’t want to inject partisan politics on the Hill…”

That is THE most ridiculous statement ever. What the hell does he think? The Hill is somehow removed from the partisan politics of a presidential election?

And it’s now the talking point along with the multi-tasking meme. Stupid. Obviously any discussions will be LONG. There are only so many hours in the day. Multitask, shmultitask. Regardless of what people think, a person can work only on one thing at a time. I know, I’m a major multitasker and can work on multiple projects during the same time period (eg a week or a day) but I, like everybody else on this rock, can only do one thing at a time. Especially if it involves speaking, listening and thinking. And make no mistake, resolving this situation will require a lot of speaking, listening and very hard thinking.

Fools.

Sep 24, 2008 - 3:14 pm 57. Cap'n Rusty:

Another point: Hank Paulson isn’t going to get all that money spent before January 20, 2009.
Either Obama or McCain will appoint the Treasury Secretary who will be signing the checks. Ya think they ought to both have a say in the plan?

Sep 24, 2008 - 3:14 pm 58. Dave:

Red Blooded American,

“Face- Rick Davis got millions from Freddie up til last month” is a load of crap.

Rick Davis has recieved no compensation in any form from his company regarding Freddie since 2005. This is easily researchable for people not spouting Dem talking points. Rick Davis has deliberately isolated himself financially from any gains in any form coming to him through lobbying. The company may well be doing the work and getting paid for it but Davis is most certainly NOT, and the NYT is WRONG.

Obama, though, is second on the list of received campaign donations from Fannie Mae over the past ten years, which is an achievement considering he’s only been in the Senate less than THREE years. Chris Dodd is #1.

So who is getting money from these people to block reform for them?

Jim Johnson made over $100 million from FNMA, he’s an Obama advisor. Franklin Raines made over $100 million from FNMA, he’s an Obama advisor. Obama is armpit-deep in this scam, and McCain has been trying to get reform through since 2001.

Sep 24, 2008 - 3:18 pm 59. HRPKathy:

For all those who are claiming Obama’s multitasking is enough, keep in mind he is only planning to vote “present” which is precisely what his current position is.

McCain aims to be part of the solution, Obama is fine being part of the problem.

Country first.

Sep 24, 2008 - 3:19 pm 60. proud elitist:

Well, it does appear to be the CW that this McCain maneuver is a stunt… Especially the fact that McCain doing this grandstanding appears to be a politicization.

But hey, if it shows more Americans how ineffectual he is – rock on McCain!

So far the CDP regarding the U of Miss debate says it is on!

Heck, even Kathryn Jean Lopez isn’t pro-McCain on this one (From NRO’s “The Corner”)

The Debate Debate [Kathryn Jean Lopez]

Obama is on TV right now.

Some of this is a lot of nonsense, but if I’m just getting home from work and I only pay casual attention to these debates, Obama sounds reasonable and less gimmicky than McCain.

He says that there is no reason why we can’t do more than one thing at once. Obama says it is “more important than ever” to have a debate.

Obama says he called McCain this morning and announced that he wanted to do a no-politics-as-usual joint statement about addressing the market mess. He says that McCain wanted to insist on meeting with the president and congressional leaders too. Obama says Obama said: Let’s do the statement, go from there. Obama says he thought McCain was thinking about the joint statement, working on with staff, when McCain went on TV. So now Obama is on TV.

Obama says he’s told Pelosi, Reid, and Paulson that “if I can be helpful, I am prepared to be [in dc] anytime” but I don’t want to infuse presidential politics on the hill and goes on about how presidents need to be able to multitask.

Obama may win this campaign moment yet. If McCain protests, he looks petty.

Sep 24, 2008 - 3:25 pm 61. misanthropicus:

Good move, and I hope most people have the same feeling when examining McCain’s and Obama’s positions:
McCain – statemanship
Obama – self-centered politician, hedging ’till things are almost over, then claiming credit for what he didn’t do

And since here, if there still is one around suspecting PBS of objectivity, this week’s two-parts presentation of the candidates was done on the lines:
McCain – impulsive, reckless, unpleasant
Obama – deliberate, thoughtful, nuanced (even his remarkable “present” record in the Illinois legislature was a positive fact)

Sep 24, 2008 - 3:26 pm 62. Pinkie Con:

Sure maybe McCain is trying to score some political points with this, but for him and his message it does make sense. Obama’s reaction to it though really confused me, but the more I think about the more this makes a lot of sense. Obama has no juice in the Senate. John McCain has been there for years and is without doubt a mover and a shaker, but Obama’s been there for maybe four and has spent at least half that time on the road shaking hands, kissing babies and tossing former supporters under whatever bus happens to come along. It’s not at all clear to me that if he went back to Washington to help deal with this crisis he would actually have anything to do. He doesn’t have relationships to call on and doesn’t have favors or chips to call in. Heck, he might not even remember where his office is.

Sep 24, 2008 - 3:37 pm 63. tomw:

CALIndie:

That’s called fear mongoring, and you do it well. Seriously, that is soooo republican. So are you saying that if they don’t debate, then the paychecks will get cashed? The business will survive, there won’t be a run on the banks?

I would be more convinced of McCain’s desire to address this issue seriously if he hadn’t just yesterday admit to not even had read the bill.

In an exclusive interview [McCain] told Tom Beres,”I have not had a chance to see it in writing. I have to examine it.”

Watch the video:
http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=97180&catid=45

Sep 24, 2008 - 3:38 pm 64. SheilaCA:

To the finger pointers Michael & Deus, what can I say except: Grow Up.
You pointing fingers is a very easy, simplistic ideology and it probably helps you sleep at night, but it doesn’t solve any thing and it is also not even accurate.

Victor Davis Hanson says it best:

“In the sudden rush to blame the crooks in DC and on Wall Street, we should first take a long look in the mirror. For two decades, we — as in we Americans — expected to buy homes, flip them, and walk away with thousands — without much thought about what might happen to the johnny-come-lately at the bottom of the pyramid when the game was finally up and housing prices cooled or crashed. Walking away from a mortgage on a house with negative equity was “smart;” putting someone in one who had no ability to come up with a down payment, monthly payments, taxes, and maintenance was “fair”; borrowing unduly against equity for cash expenditures was “understandable.”

We deified the masters of hedge funds, derivatives, and subprime mortgages, forgetting that passé oil production, mining, farming, manufacturing, engineering and construction were the real sources of our material wealth.

We assumed mega-returns on our portfolios, without a thought what Wall Street did to get them, or the effect on others who needed to borrow at such high interest to run their businessess.

Ours became a culture that wanted larger cars but less drilling to fuel them, more stuff and more credit from — and more anger at — the Chinese; less taxes but even more government hand-outs; ever more electricity, but fewer icky coal and nuclear plants — and always more health-care, education-care, prescription drug-care, housing-care, and always less care how to pay for it.

So by all means let us prosecute the lawbreakers, finger-point at the enablers, lecture the stupid, but at least spare us the sanctimonious “they” did this to poor “us.” If there were not a Senate Banking Chairman like Chris Dodd without shame cozing up to the creeps at Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, or a Richard Fuld playing casino roulette with someone else’s money, we would have had to invent them.

We should argue over the course of Paulson’s unpleasant chemotherapy to deal with these symptoms of a metastasizing disease, but let us at least consider what were the catalysts for that deeper cancer.”

Sep 24, 2008 - 3:44 pm 65. Kay B. Day:

McCain is needed in Washington. He studied the Fannie/Freddie fiasco when he tried to help get the bill through in 2006. He is one of the only senators who doesn’t stuff pork, and this bailout, considering the time crunch and the size of the situation, certainly makes taxpayers vulnerable. Whether you’re voting for McCain or Obama, the Arizona senator’s experience will work to the advantage of those of us who pay taxes. That’s why Harry Reid doesn’t want McCain there. Remember Reid’s $30 million earmark for crickets? That should tell you something.

McCain would not postpone his campaign if he didn’t feel his country needed him. That may sound foreign to some, but it’s the way he’s served since I can remember.

Sep 24, 2008 - 3:48 pm 66. CALIndie:

tomw – You still have not answered the most important question of this whole debate. How long can we wait to get a consensus and bi-partisan solution? Which begs the question, what if our economy collapses while we’re waiting for a solution? And you’re going to tell me it can’t happen. If I’m fearful, you’re in denial.

Fear mongoring? Who the hell are you to tell me and millions of Americans like me that we can’t be concerned, yes, even fearful about our financial future. This has consistently been my point here on this post. You, tomw, don’t take this crisis serious enough for my liking. John McCain does.

If John McCain loses the debate on Friday and loses the election in November but he is instrumental in saving our economy from imminent collapse then that’s O.K. in my book. The Republicans need hands on leadership and the Democrats need political pressure to form consensus in the most urgent issue before them since 9/11.

Barack Obama can do it all over the phone while practicing his debate talking points and multi-tasking. If you’re cool with that I can’t change your mind. I’m not cool with that and I’m glad that John McCain is risking his political neck to be counted among the leaders on saving our economy. He asked Barack Obama to postpone the debate for a few days and meet him on Capitol Hill to solve this problem. Barack feels this is just not acceptable. Obama is weak, very weak, consistently weak!

Sep 24, 2008 - 4:05 pm 67. vagunner:

LET’S ALL TAKE A DEEP BREATH……
KEEP FOCUSED ON THE CANIDATES!!AND REMEMBER WHO SAID”STRIVE TO SERVE A PURPOSE GREATER THAN OURSELVES”.

Sep 24, 2008 - 4:09 pm 68. tomw:

CALindie: Did you view the video? As of yesterday, McCain admitted he hadn’t read the bill, and now today he needs to stop the campaign and postpone the debate?
I get it, this is serious. But what is stopping the campaign and postponing the debate going to do? How much do you really think McCain and Obama can do themselves to fix this.

You try to make it sound as if companies are going to fail tomorrow. Well they’re not. If they were, we’d hear about it as we did with AIG, ML and Lehman, and we’d be dealing with it individually as the others were. The purpose of the bill is simply to make this process easier for future, not yet to be determined, bailouts.

Sep 24, 2008 - 4:20 pm 69. tomw:

Oh, this is rich. Dave Letterman on McCain for canceling his taping. Be sure to watch tonight (or tivo it).
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/24/john-mccain-cancels-lette_n_128998.html
“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, Sarah 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!”

Sep 24, 2008 - 4:28 pm 70. Joshua II:

I can’t help but thinking McCain may be walking into a trap here. Suppose (as is quite likely) that the bailout package that ultimately ends up before the Senate is laden with pork. McCain would be screwed no matter whether he votes for the bailout (in which case he’d quickly find himself accused of abandoning his anti-pork stance) or against it (in which case he’d just as quickly find himself accused of being willing to let the economy crash over some relatively trivial concern like pork). That, in a nutshell, is why campaigning against pork-barrel spending is such a dangerous proposition for any politician, let alone a presidential candidate.

Sep 24, 2008 - 4:28 pm 71. GayPatriot » On McCain’s Campaign Suspension:

[...] willingness to make politics and partisanship a secondary concern.”  Rich Miniter agrees: It makes McCain look engaged in solving the number one issue on the minds of Americans, right now. [...]

Sep 24, 2008 - 4:29 pm 72. proud elitist:

CALindie:

He was instrumental in being a proponent of deregulation.

He has stated as of very recently that the economy is not his strong point AND just a few days ago, the “economy was sound.”

Oh, and you should ask the American people who they trust in an economic crisis…polls trend towards Obama and the Democrats.

Instead of postponing the debates, the American people NEED to hear our Presidential candidates talking about the economy and their plans for recovery.

Not grandstanding.

Advantage: Obama.

Sep 24, 2008 - 4:34 pm 73. proud elitist:

Just in case you need to see a poll:

SurveyUSA has just completed a snap poll on response to John McCain’s request to cancel or postpone the presidential debate.

Several questions. But two key ones.

What to do about debates?

Hold as Scheduled 50%
Hold with Econ Focus 36%
Postpone 10%

Suspend Campaigns?

Suspend 14%
Continue 31%
Refocus on Fin. Crisis 48%

Would canceling the debates be good for America? 14% say yes.

—-

Oh, and instead of McCain focusing on America this morning, he was with Lady Lynn Forester de Rothschild. You know, the one who can’t vote for Obama the elitist…

Priorities, of course.

Sep 24, 2008 - 4:40 pm 74. CALIndie:

tomw – “You try to make it sound as if companies are going to fail tomorrow.”

Maybe you havn’t noticed, and I’m tired of trying to tell you, the financial institutions that support these companies are collapsing all aroung us! You don’t get it? We need leadership, face to face leadership. McCain and Obama were ELECTED by “we the people” to do THIS JOB, RIGHT NOW, NOT NEXT WEEK. Why is it O.K. with you that Obama doesn’t do the job he was elected to do?

If you want to view the biggest financial crisis in the history of the United States through rose colored glasses so be it. Just don’t try and convince pragmatic people like me and John McCain to just stay on the bus and shake hands and kiss babies while all hell breaks loose in our economy.

Let me guess, you are probably one of those guys giving the government and George Bush hell for not acting fast enough with Hurricane Katrina (even though it was Gov. Blanco’s job)! Well this ain’t Hurricane Katrina pal, this is Hurricane Dark Ages! You obviously don’t get it, so just take your tripe somewhere else!

Sep 24, 2008 - 4:41 pm 75. Bill Bradley:

Oh, yeah, brilliant.

Get a bonus on this one.

Sep 24, 2008 - 4:44 pm 76. Bill Bradley:

… In advance, I mean.

As your financial advisor …

Sep 24, 2008 - 4:46 pm 77. Deus:

SheilaCA (A confused Republican?) 3:44 pm:

You said the same thing I said plus a thousand words with a slanted view.

The financial people caused this mess. Plus the greedy and the liars.

Sep 24, 2008 - 4:47 pm 78. Rose Storey:

It is called being responsible to those who elected you to lead. I like what Sen McCain is doing and am not surprised. Let Sen Obama stay in Florida, he has nothing to add to the real debate on the Senate floor where it means something. Let him prepare for the fake debate with his media buddies. Real men do real work–so do real women. I suspect Sen Clinton will be more than “present” in trying to come up with a solution to this problem!

Sep 24, 2008 - 4:48 pm 79. CALIndie:

proud elitist – “He was instrumental in being a proponent of deregulation.”

Be specific. What regulation did John McCain sign to create this mess? Since 2006, at the first signs of corruption by Fannie and Freddie John McCain sponsored legislation for oversight of these institutions. The Democrats stopped all efforts for reform because they knew the American taxpayer would bail them out and their rich friends who had invested heavily in this ponzi scheme.

“…the “economy was sound.”

The economy is as sound as the American worker you idiot, because of the PEOPLE… the PEOPLE that create the economy. John McCain knows this fact. The economy is as strong as the American worker… period! Why do I have to explain this to you? If you want communism go to China, Venezuela, Russia and enjoy!

Oh yea, let’s multi-task and keep campaiging and kiss more babies while our financial institutions are collapsing like dominoes. When the bi-partisan solution is implemented by John McCain in his elected role in the U.S. Senate we will get to the bottom of the criminal acts perpetrated by leading Democrats in rejecting reasonable reform of Fannie and Freddie. Take your tripe somewhere else!

Sep 24, 2008 - 4:55 pm 80. Mary Beth:

Red Blooded American…

Sorry…but two separate McCain folks clarified that McCain was in a meeting regarding the financial issues when Obama called at 8:30 am. Obama did not pass on the purpose of his call when he left a message.

After the meeting, McCain realized that the likelihood of a solution was getting less and less and chose to do his job.

Rather than pontificate about the economy, he put it before personal gain and made the proposal that both parties do this and resolve this problem together.

Obama, who has run like a scaredy cat all summer from the 10 town hall debates he agreed to do with McCain originally, is now insisting on this debate and that he’ll go to Washington and do his job if he’s asked.

So now we see how each would respond to that 3 am call. McCain chooses action, and Obama says “I’ll get back to you.”

Sep 24, 2008 - 5:00 pm 81. RV:

McCain believes in country first! That is why he has been in D.C. since last week helping to solve this crisis! Oh that’s right, he didn’t even think there was a problem last week. McCain and Obama are running for (arguably) the highest position on planet Earth. These debates must happen, and no reason can be given for them not to happen at the appointed times. Yes we are in a crisis. Yes, the Senate will come up with something. Yes, they are 100% fully capable of doing this without Obama or McCain. Not to mention the fact that you do not need to be in the same room to provide leadership. I know McCain is a little behind the times, but someone needs to educate him on current communication technologies.

Sep 24, 2008 - 5:08 pm 82. CALIndie:

tomw – Hey Tom! This announce today: Bill Heard Chevrolet, the largest Chevrolet dealer in America is closing it’s doors forever.

Another one bites the dust! Another American institution in business for an entire century and a true American success story gone, down the drain.

Why? They can’t get credit you big dope! We are so close to complete collapse it’s not even funny. I find a small amount of relief in the fact that John McCain would put country first. Obama? Not so much!

Why can’t you be an American instead of a partisan hack? It’s not attractive!

Sep 24, 2008 - 5:14 pm 83. Terry Gain:

“The financial people caused this mess. Plus the greedy and the liars.”

You get an F.

The financial people didn’t force The federal mortgage companies to make high risk loans. Liberal politicians did. This is Carter’s socialist CRA coming home to roost.

Sep 24, 2008 - 5:24 pm 84. Mike Shuster:

I don’t really think the CRA had much to do with the current crisis. This is a pretty interesting piece: http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=did_liberals_cause_the_subprime_crisis

And most of the statistics I’ve seen suggest that most of the foreclosures we’re seeing now are from non-CRA related mortgages.

Sep 24, 2008 - 5:31 pm 85. proud elitist:

CALindie:

Try during his tenure in the US Senate pre-2005… Keating Five Senator.

Or in 2008, such as:

“I Don’t Think Anyone Who Wants To Increase The Burden Of Government Regulation And Higher Taxes Has Any Real Understanding Of Economics.” During a McCain Town Hall in Inez, Kentucky, John McCain said, “When we come out of this recession and we will because I believe that the fundamentals of our economy are good … Sen. Clinton wants the government to make the decisions for you on your health care, I want the families to make the decisions on their health care. I don’t think anyone who wants to increase the burden of government regulation and higher taxes has any real understanding of economics and the economy and what is needed in order to ensure the future of this country.” [McCain Town Hall in Inez, Kentucky, 4/23/08]

Or this site in general: http://progressiveaccountability.org/2008/09/17/john-mccain-the-deregulator/

And, again, for all to read, the legislation that McCain supported in 2005 regarding regulation was also supported by Freddie and Fannie.

OH, and the entire Republican Platform 2008:
We do not support government bailouts of private institutions. Government interference in the markets exacerbates problems in the marketplace and causes the free market to take longer to correct itself.

Sep 24, 2008 - 5:35 pm 86. JustPassingThrough:

I think Obama’s advisers had a very easy time convincing him that his decision is win/win. He might be able to continue postponing a debate with McCain. Even if it turns out they do the first debate, unlikely at this point, Obama has been convinced his position late today makes him appear ‘presidential’. Today’s Q&A on what people think about that doesn’t say much. It has to sink in a bit. We’ll see if it his decision appears ‘presidential’ after this evenings news cycle. If McCain can accent the other obvious interpretation occurring to people – that it is not about multitasking but about prioritizing – Obama will have a lot of spinning to do in the next few days. If not, then Obama might make some hay out of this.

Sep 24, 2008 - 5:35 pm 87. FDR:

Obama said the debate must go on because one of them will take over in “40 days.” He can’t wait until January?

Sep 24, 2008 - 5:44 pm 88. Richard:

The election is still a long ways away. People will vote how they feel about things the first of November. (That’s my only hope, ’cause I think McCain is going to lose this gamble. Where’s the honor in losing?)
I do wonder if Bush isn”t being pressured by his Saudi friends on this. They’re the only ones he jumps for.
The whole thing STINKS!

Sep 24, 2008 - 5:46 pm 89. CALIndie:

proud elitist – Good luck for you and your Democrat socialist friends in the hearings after John McCain wins the election. Your party is going down in flames. Not because we’re out to get you, but instead, because your Democrat political leaders can not sustain the cloak of piracy they have enjoyed to this point! It is simply impossible.

Redarding deregulation and free markets, we have the Second Ammendment to protect us from socialists and politicians alike!

P.S. If we were out to get you, we would have gotten you by now!

Sep 24, 2008 - 5:48 pm 90. Depression?:

Some of you say “Just let Wall St. and the McSame crooks go down, maybe a recession or depression would be good for the country. – WRONG-. It sounds like
Most, or all of you have never lived in a depression.
Go back to 1929- 65 percent of the USA lived or worked on farms. Agriculture was Job 1. Banks failed, 30% un-employment, no money. But people didn’t starve. Now we have 5 percent working farms with Hispanic labors. Millions of people will starve, and break into your homes and businesses to steal your food supplies. Remember Indonesia just a couple of years ago? McCain is old enough to remember his parents talking about the Great Depression, and smart enough to do something about it. Obama could care less if you starve or not.

Sep 24, 2008 - 6:00 pm 91. proud elitist:

Are you stable, CALindie? Because you’re throwing down regarding the Second Amendment…

I guess, after giving you an example or six of McCain, Republicans and an entire viewpoint of deregulation, plus mentioning the “*” factor of McCain, Fannie/Freddie and 2005-2006, plus recent comments McCain has made about regulation/deregulation/economy and now flip-flopped on…

Well, what’s a Republican to do?

Man, you have serious issues with socialism, don’t you? Do you know what socialism is? Populism?

I mean, in actual, real terms. Not FauxNews terms…

And what makes your *ss any more American than mine, than tomw, than RV, etc.?

And, for your information regarding “the economy is sound/workforce” that is not what he INITIALLY said. He backtracked later and added the “American workforce” caveat.

Just because he’s an old fuddyduddy who is totally out of touch with the economy, has surrendered his honor and shown outstanding executive skills such as picking Palin (so much for the “Country First” meme), doesn’t mean you can’t vote for him.

If you are from California (based upon the CAL) in your name, it won’t matter anyway. Its popular and electoral college votes will go to Obama.

Sep 24, 2008 - 6:00 pm 92. mina:

First off McCain is not down by 9 points as the WP published this morning. Rasmussen still has a give or take 3 points, essentially a tie. Secondly it appears the big dog is saying to the little dog, “just watch this is how you lead the pack”. McCain is by far the shrewdest of the bunch. All Obama could do to save face was plead for a joint statement “rhetoric’ while McCain heads back to Washington. the GOP still has tons of money to combat Obama’s pocket “change”, and is willing to use it legally.Obama will look pretty simple if he insists on gabbing while there is serious work to be done. Ole “McNasty” has got “OB one cannot b” in a choke hold and has once again dominated the mat.

Sep 24, 2008 - 6:03 pm 93. Depression?:

Obama will look pretty simple if he insists on gabbing while there is serious work to be done. Ole “McNasty” has got “OB one cannot b” in a choke hold and has once again dominated the mat.
Sep 24, 2008 – 6:03 pm

rof

Sep 24, 2008 - 6:11 pm 94. CALIndie:

proud elitist – “And what makes your *ss any more American than mine, than tomw, than RV, etc.?”

I’m glad you caught the Second Ammendment “throwdown.” What makes me more American than you, well let me tell you.

My family has fought and died for your sorry a** since the French and Indian war. Yes, that’s before the American Revolution. So unless your pathtetic heritage has established an equal lineage, that makes me disticntly more American than you.

By the way, do you know why they called them “Minutemen” during the Revolution? You probably don’t, so let me tell you. My family invented the powder flask that allowed our American patriots to load our weapons efficiently in less than a minute. So bring on your socialist propoganda at your own risk. Yes, that is another Second Ammendment throwdown. Good luck!

P.S. If our economy fails and there is a run on banks, “don’t come sneakin’ round my back door” (Gordon Lightfoot) ’cause you won’t be welcome, to put it nicely! Take your elitist pride down to the inner-city and see where your socialism will get you with that crowd! I’ll listen to the mayhem of your demise on shortwave radio!

Sep 24, 2008 - 6:28 pm 95. Nunya:

McCain was Presidential, decisive, and correct to work on an actual national crisis. There’s 6 more weeks to campaign; the market needs attention now and this situation is our chance to see him (again) in action.

Obama might as well keep campaigning since he’s been pretty much useless as a senator.

I say let McCain do what he does best in fixing the problem that Obama and his cronies CAUSED, and let Palin step in for the boss and debate the O. She’ll not only mop the floor with him, but also prove she’s more qualified than the top of the Dem ticket.

Sep 24, 2008 - 6:34 pm 96. Wire Dog:

Obama should Cowboy up and get to DC and earn his pay instead of campaigning. He should also try and grow a pair and vote something other than “Present”.

Nunya, I like your idea of having Gov. Palin debate O. She is is much more qualified.

Sep 24, 2008 - 6:43 pm 97. nlcatter:

they are not on the banking committees

there is nothing for them to do but talk
to Bush which takes 20 minutes

hanoi must have beat his brain to mush
he cant multitask

Sep 24, 2008 - 6:58 pm 98. Marc Malone:

Upon further review (and as new info comes in, natch)….

I’ve decided that McCain’s decision was not just a stunt. Make no mistake about it, he played it to make the most possible political hay (unless simply showing up to the meetings without prior announcement would’ve done better). However, it was the proper thing to do as well. He’s in a campaign Nothing wrong with getting some play out of going back to work in a crisis.

Can they play a role? He and Obama are the heads of their respective parties right now. Someone posted that you can lead without being there. Dude, not during a crisis. When they both show up, a deal WILL get done. No one, I mean NO ONE wants to get on the wrong side of the guy is possibly the next POTUS at this juncture. All the candidate would have to do at this point is single you out for public “consumption”.

Further, I think their presence will make the deal very transparent. Pork will be avoided. Again, or else…. This is where they should’ve been yesterday. Each of them at this point can bust some heads, if necessary, to keep a deal from stalling at the last moment.

So, not “just a stunt”. ‘Sfunny, but because there’s a big election around the corner, it’s amazing how responsive Congress is suddenly being to people’s feedback, and how quickly this’ll get done with the main actors there. Reid said he didn’t want the candidates there “politicizing” it. Yeah, I just bet he didn’t want them there!

Sep 24, 2008 - 7:07 pm 99. Chris:

In 2007 appropriated $320 billion policy to resolve the “credit crunch” – Injecting
additional liquidity into the economy” is nothing less than confiscation of funds
deposited by all investors in banks and/or other institutions. Now, they are asking for
an additional $700 billion dollars. This is over ONE TRILLION dollars in one year
period! The man correctly stated, “go ahead do whatever you want, and you can
count on the good old FED to bail out”! It is clear, why there is no “Gold System
standard” or other commodity to preserve the value of the currency.
Tissue paper by a printing press are substitute for real lost value.
Corruption, confiscation, “POWER without check is tyranny” “to do whatever you
want”!
“Power without check, in any hands, is tyranny; and such powers, in the hands of even good men, so infatuating is the nature of it, will probably be wantonly, if not tyrannically exercised . . . . there ought to be at least an express reservation of certain inherent unalienable rights, which it would be equally sacrilegious for the people to give away, as for the government to invade.”
The inspector general stated a year ago, there is a “TSUNAMY in MAKING” and the
“Dysfunctional Government, The Senate And Congress did not do anything”.
They should kill the proposal and report themselves to the “WORLD COURT”!

Sep 24, 2008 - 7:27 pm 100. LisaP:

Postliberal nailed it: McCain called Baroque Insane Oblahma’s bluff, i.e., “You say you’re a US Senator–prove it!” But Barry’s priorities aren’t about America, you see, it’s all about B. Hussein O. himself.

Sep 24, 2008 - 7:30 pm 101. ic:

Does it mean McCain had neutralized Obama’s advantage in solving economic problems?

Does it mean Obama is a Bush clone agreeing to the Bush “summit” called by McCain?

Both candidates have to lay out their diagnosis of the economy, what ails it, how to fix it. Obama cannot blame everything on the Republican president, and rely on his “hope” to “change” without stating what his “change” is going to be.

Sep 24, 2008 - 7:58 pm 102. nlcatter:

Obama taking questions from press
out in the open, not hidden away!

That reminds me of some thing, but I cant quite place it, should be um, plain – as day.

Sep 24, 2008 - 8:13 pm 103. Stephanos:

Meaning? Ah, yes meaning. Well, perhaps within the narrow confines of the campaign this means that McCain’s team is controlling the dynamics of the campaign just as it has for a few weeks now. Look at this thread if you need further evidence for that.

Oh, and I suppose if Obama and McCain are actually involved in the upcoming Washington meetings on the deal being hammered out – and that will be fairly easy to see from the coverage – then preps for Friday’s debates are now complete for all intents and purposes. You goes with what you gots now. And again, is everyone certain that Friday’s debate, assuming it takes place, will now just be about foreign policy?

Sep 24, 2008 - 8:23 pm 104. Jules NP:

McCains a genius! Another brilliant strategy. Totally took the Nobamians by surprise again! Face it- McCain’s older and smarter than Jr. Senator! Who’s being the leader here?

Sep 24, 2008 - 8:33 pm 105. JustPassingThrough:

I think Obama’s gamble about being a ‘presidential’ multitasker just got blown out of the water by GWB emphasis on dealing prioritizing.

McCain played this beautifully I think, Letterman notwithstanding. Sometime today, after the joint press release, McCain got a heads up that GWB would call in the nominees, laid a trap for Obama, and Obama fell into it. Now Obama once more looks like he’s behind the curve.

McCain gets to do what I believe is his prime motivator here, attend to his job as a Senator. With ridiculous ease, was able to get the side benefit of contrasting himself with Obama as the guy with his priorities straight, and will very likely get an added bonus when Obama has to waffle again.

Sep 24, 2008 - 8:51 pm 106. JustPassingThrough:

‘Meaning? Ah, yes meaning. Well, perhaps within the narrow confines of the campaign this means that McCain’s team is controlling the dynamics of the campaign just as it has for a few weeks now. Look at this thread if you need further evidence for that.’

Exactly. It is the undecided independents that matter in the few keys states that will decide the election. They just got another dose of how an Obama centric Obama presidency would operate courtesy of McCain.

Sep 24, 2008 - 8:58 pm 107. nlcatter:

behind what curve you fucking MORON

Sep 24, 2008 - 9:04 pm 108. JustPassingThrough:

Ah…hits a nerve does it? Your reaction is mild compared to what’s being bandied about on the nutroot sites this evening. Raging away that their pathfinder was out maneuvered again. One recurring theme is that GWB and crew is at it again.

And they’re right.

Sep 24, 2008 - 9:12 pm 109. Ex-fetus:

“behind what curve you fucking MORON”

Learning curve. Boyd cycle. OODA loop.

Terms of use say “Fucking” is a no no. Try ‘fuking or fukkin.
Meanwhile, with apologies to Winnie;
“Never in Human history has so much been stolen from so many by so few.”
Paying the Dane never gets rid of the Dane. It was 700 BILLION this month, how much next month?

Sep 24, 2008 - 9:19 pm 110. tomw:

CALIndie – You really think you’re a better American than us? Because of your great great great grand daddy? Pathetic. Whose the elitist here? You think because of your lineage you are innately better? You do realize you’re talking about 10 generation ago right? Do you understand what percentage of your blood line that is?

A car dealership? LOL!! Oh my, you are really desperate to make a point aren’t you? That’s hillarious. I googled that name, 3500 employees. OK, that sucks, but do you think they would have been bailed out? Are you serious?

Oh, Obama and McCain are going to meet with Bush tomorrow. Wow, looky there they can get things done and they don’t have to stop the campaign or postpone the debate and can still save the economy. Amazing!!!

Sep 24, 2008 - 9:20 pm 111. Ex-fetus:

Apparently Obama thinks the debate is more important than fixing the financial situation. does that mean he debates an empty chair?

Congress created this mess. All they can do now is make it worse. The mess can only be fixed by the voters voting out EVERY incumbent congress critter. That ain’t gonna happen, so we are stuck with it. Besides, the new critters might be as bad as the old critters or even worse. No, it’s time for a revolution of some sort. Obama is more of the same, despite his claims otherwise. McCain is McCain. He might nudge it a little, but that is all. Saracuda might be able to change things, if she starts channeling Joan of Arc. But that won’t be until 2012 at best.
And as far as Ohhhhh…..BAAM debating an empty chair, he still might lose. Those long silences will rack up the pressure.

Sep 24, 2008 - 9:27 pm 112. nlcatter:

they dont FIX the mess by going to DC

Sep 24, 2008 - 9:32 pm 113. john from cinncinati:

i guess Mccain, is a better politician, than Obama. the Palin effect was a good one too. wait for Palin to reemerge in the coming weeks. you know once the flak dies down about her and then they start it up again,they’re gonna sound bad. well they already sound bad. i think it was a good idea to protect her from all the mudslinging. hmmm sounds like the ol man is running a military campaign. if he is so old why does he keep sneakin up on the obombers. they gotta react don’t they.

Sep 24, 2008 - 9:49 pm 114. Dane:

I can’t say how representative it is of national opinion (plural of anecdote and all that), but all of the undecideds I’ve personally spoken with about this have agreed it’s a poor decision and it makes McCain look weak. I’m inclined to agree.

Sep 24, 2008 - 10:15 pm 115. Brian:

Just my opinion but politics it seems can be a gamble.Mccain i believe is making a good move since he isnt strong on economics.But this opportunity gives him a chance to shore up his own economic knowledge.Yes it can backfire if it doesnt work but what choice do we really have?Allow the economy to go down the drain?No not an option.
Now is a really good time for Republicans to be honest about this issue.If it works,Mccain will win the election as the economic issue will be answered.He still beats Obama on leadership hands down.

Sep 24, 2008 - 10:30 pm 116. Brian:

Furthermore since its the taxpayer bailing these rich guys out,they forfeit the company and get no severence.Sorry you messed up you pay for it.Just like we the people do.Those companies belong to americans now.I think they would say your fired.For putting more burden on me and my kids and millions of other families across the country.

Sep 24, 2008 - 10:52 pm 117. William of Orange:

JustPassingThrough writes:

“McCain played this beautifully I think, Letterman notwithstanding. Sometime today, after the joint press release, McCain got a heads up that GWB would call in the nominees, laid a trap for Obama, and Obama fell into it. Now Obama once more looks like he’s behind the curve.”

JPT: While I agree with your post (and similar ones here) what I find incredibly maddening is the dead-from-the-neck-up, American-Idol public who just don’t get it.

It is an easy matter to connect the Democrats to this problem and, to be fair, Republicans in Congress are not blameless. But “the polls” say that the public (the great unwashed, their samples, whomever) feel Obama is more capable of fixing this.

Huh?

..forgive me, I am having a Bob Dole “where’s the outrage?” moment.

Sep 24, 2008 - 11:03 pm 118. Bookem Dano:

John McCain no longer has my respect. He has proven himself a coward. He saw the writing on the wall, and declared, “I don’t want to play anymore.” This has everything to do with the fact that McCain has now been outed as having lobbyist links to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It’s no coincidence that McCain’s campaign runners blew a gasket at the New York Times right after it reported this fact, and it’s no coincidence that two days later McCain “suspended” his campaign. He looked at the poll numbers, and saw defeat. This was not a shrewd move – it was a desperate one.

Sep 24, 2008 - 11:28 pm 119. old war horse:

The Obasma blogs are toxic this early morning.

They expected the gifted one to stare down McSame at the Friday night three ring circus and show him and the Republicans they are losers on the economy.
Well the Old Man tossed in another napalm bomb and blew away their sweet dreams of glory. Obasma jr. doesn’t know what hit him.
I just love the sweet smell of napalm and burnt Demorats in the morning.

Sep 24, 2008 - 11:57 pm 120. Terrence:

McCain’s not putting the country first — he’s grandstanding, probably out of fear. We don’t need a president who panics and throws hail marys whenever the going gets rough. Act like a president, John, or you’ll never be one.

Sep 25, 2008 - 12:20 am 121. Confused in Virginia:

I am somewhat confused by some people’s reactions. I hope that my statements will be taken in the spirit in which they are given – meaning that I’m not trying to say anything bad about anyone who has commented, so please don’t respond negatively.

It seems to me that with this being the worst crisis we will face so far in my lifetime, every Senator should be involved in trying to protect the taxpayers in the deal that is going to be approved. Does it not then follow that both Senators Obama and McCain go back to Washington to be involved? Do they not get paid by tax dollars to protect us during a crisis such as this?

And, what benefit would it be to us to put off dealing this issue to have a debate on foreign policy?

I think they should both go back to Washington until this situation is handled, and then they can get back to the debate at a later time.

Sep 25, 2008 - 12:34 am 122. chrisa798:

Only a moron would think McCain is afraid. He doesn’t need to be President to be a success. Obama does. That’s why McCain (to my repeated consternation) does what he thinks is best, and Obama has to try to figure out how he should present himself before he answers simple questions.

This situation may or may not help McCain politically, but I really don’t think McCain gives a shit.

Biden thinks FDR was President in ‘29 and on TV. And Obama thinks power over the 57 states transfers on election day. But the Repubs are the stupid ones. If only we had a press within a day’s drive of concern for truth…

Sep 25, 2008 - 3:07 am 123. Deus:

old war horse 11:57 pm:

Enjoy your napalm on yourself, criminal-minded loser. McBush can’t handle the race or the Presidency. If he’s so busy, why doesn’t he send his VP to the debate?

The republicans messed the last 8 years and this campaign. As time passes, the voters are finally waking up and seeing through the dirty gimmicks and the wrong philosophies.

A good leader knows how to multitask or to delegate when required. McBush keeps shooting from the hip before asking questions. I bet his handlers are just about to put the napalm on him . . .

Sep 25, 2008 - 3:40 am 124. michael:

I’m interested in how this suspension impacts on the US public and the polls.
The polls are changing on a daily basis and it can be difficult to keep up with them.
I use a widget to keep track of the progression of polls. The widget shows the election polls by strength of states.
In addition to other different graphical visualizations of data, this one displays the progression of votes over time.
Hereby you can see how/if the states have moved!

It gives a great overview and it is updated as the polls come in!

http://www.youcalc.com/apps/1221747067033

… and its easy to put on your blog and fits in your sidebar!

Make a difference, keep on voting!

Sep 25, 2008 - 3:47 am 125. BlueMax372:

The debate on Friday will be very interesting: An empty suit debating an empty chair.

Sep 25, 2008 - 3:57 am 126. ncgma:

Why can’t some of you understand that what Mr. McCain did yesterday, is what he has done for his entire life. He has always put his country first before his self, beginning with being a POW, and refusing to be released early.
He has always stood by doing the right thing vs doing what is good for ones career, even if it means losing some political campaign points.
Mr. McCain understands the dire straits that our country is in at the moment, and how important it is that Congress work together to save what is left of our economy.
I would rather that both of our Senators be in Washington doing their job rather than debating foreign policy.
It’s a shame that Mr. Obama waited until Mr. Bush had to call him to Washington to do his job. What kind of leadership is “Call me if you need me”?

Sep 25, 2008 - 4:29 am 127. JustPassingThrough:

William of Orange wrote:

…I find incredibly maddening is the dead-from-the-neck-up, American-Idol public who just don’t get it.

They won’t decide the election. Most if not all are already factored in. That goes for people enamored of Palin for the wrong reasons (there’s plenty of right reasons) and voting the McCain ticket as a result. It goes both ways in effect if not by numbers.

Independents in the half dozen or so states still in play will decide the election. I thought yesterday that McCain would gain from his decision, was even more convinced of that after GWB gamed him last night, and utterly convinced after seeing the reaction of the nutroots and knowing how that will filter up.

Bad day for team Obama and fans. The rather disparate attempts to hold to the meme that Obama ploy showed him to be the presidential’ candiate in the series of comments just above this one is telling. Especially the nonsense accusing a guy that commanded in the military of not being able to multitask. Babes in the woods.

Sep 25, 2008 - 4:51 am 128. JustPassingThrough:

Deus wrote:

A good leader knows how to multitask or to delegate when required.

No. Good leadership knows how to prioritize and then delegates with that in mind. That’s true all the way down to keeping a household running. And people will pick up on the contrast between Obama’s take on leadership being about what’s important to him and McCains take on it being about what’s important to the the people you lead.

Sep 25, 2008 - 4:59 am 129. Yori Yanover:

Goodness, you folks are in such a panic, it warms my socialist heart. You’re stuck 12 points behind in key states and your only horse is a semi-literate Alaskan bushwoman and an elderly war hero who starts looking like he can barely feed himself. I’m so glad a friend has emailed me this URL. I used to shep naches from listening to Limbaugh writhing in pain, having to endorse a man he despised with every fiber in his $400 million body. But that’s nothing compared to your pain. I think I’ll keep coming back here just to watch you sink slowly into the mud… Man, this is so much fun, it almost makes up for 2000…

Sep 25, 2008 - 5:20 am 130. RV:

You see, I would like to believe that this was good leadership on McCain’s part, but I just can’t. He waited a week to show this kind of leadership? People knew last week that this was bad, really really bad. And then there is the public announcement from his campaign, when, in my opinion, simply showing up in D.C., going to the hill, and taking control, without fanfare, would have shown much, much more leadership quality, especially from someone who is a Christian. That would have hurt Obama as well, McCainshowing up in D.C. But, we have this spectacle, and now a huge debate, and people are becoming even more divided.

I truly beleive that McCain “puts country first”, however, this desicion is easily shown to be all about politics. No reason can be given for wy he cannot do both.

Sep 25, 2008 - 5:37 am 131. Bill:

I thought Henry Paulson was a Democrat…….
just something to think about….

Sep 25, 2008 - 6:18 am 132. 888:

Michael & Deus — what morons you two are. Blaming Bush and the Republicans for this mortgage/financial mess. Did Bush and the Republicans make homebuyers take on mortgage loans they can’t afford? Did Bush and the Republicans tell speculators to buy their 2nd and 3rd vacation or rental investment homes that they can’t afford? Did Bush and the Republicans tell people to refinance 2 or 3 times and lose all the equity in their homes? Did Bush and the Republicans tell mortgage lenders to offer risky loans to uncreditworthy people? You don’t have any clue, so you blame the guy who’s trying to fix the problems started by greedy homebuyers, greedy mortgage lenders, greedy banks and stupid Greenspan who kept interest rates dangerously low so more people would borrow and go into bigger debt.

Sep 25, 2008 - 6:48 am 133. Deborah:

It’s a bold move. But it isn’t really anything else.

Nothing changed in the financial situation, which actually seemed to be drawing toward a resolution; all that happened Wednesday were some bad polls and Palin’s bad interview. Meanwhile, all the jokers who wrote “ha ha I’ll bet he tries to get Palin out of her debate next” had to rewrite their jokes when that was the campaign’s next move.

Elect McCain! He’ll do random, yet bold, stuff!

Sep 25, 2008 - 6:54 am 134. 888:

Both John McCain and Barak Obama are elected federal government officials. As such, going to Congress to discharge their senatorial responsibilities and obligations during an American and global crisis is what they were elected to do. One senator did just that on behalf of the Americans he serves, and the other senator stayed back so he can practice for a debate. The crisis is an urgent matter; the debate is not. The debate can be delayed; solving the crisis cannot be delayed. Bottom line up front: one thinks of his country, and the other thinks of himself. This is a matter of judgment and leadership.

Sep 25, 2008 - 6:55 am 135. Matt:

Hello. I am a blind Republican talking points robot.

John McCain is not desperate. He is a statesman maverick who puts country first.

Sarah Palin is not a know-nothing, walking catastrophe. She is a woman of the people refreshing maverick pitbull with lipstick.

Barack Obama is a Muslim. And he’s sexist. And an empty suit. And other bad things.

He is not leading in the polls. He is not leading in the polls. He is not leading in the polls. He is not leading in the polls. He is not leading in the polls. He is not leading in the polls. He is not leading in the polls.

*BOOM!*

[Robot explodes trying to parse illogical statements.]

Sep 25, 2008 - 7:05 am 136. William of Orange:

realitycheq writes:

“Another desperate move by a desperate man who sees his last chance for the Presidency slip sliding away in the most recent polls. He looks like a fool and a crazy one at that.”

Mr Cheq, I respectfully disagree and do so based on his track record. He truly does want to put his country first. It’s been mentioned here and on other blogs, but to repeat: McCain backed the surge when it was unpopular and faced the prospect of an moribund primary campaign. In the former situation, he said he would rather be lose an election than have his country lose the war against Al Queda and the Islamofascists. In the latter situation, he sucked it up and won the race against overwhelming odds.

I know much has been made of his being a POW for five years and folks with your views may be tired of hearing it, but you must admit that his enduring five years of unspeakably harsh imprisonment without breaking does give an indication of his tenacity and principles.

Usual conservative disclaimer: I was not a fan of John McCain prior to his becoming our nominee, but after coming to know him, watching him conduct himself, and watching his campaign play out, I deeply respect him as a man of both principles and strategy.

If the great unwashed do not see these traits in this man, then he may not win this election and that is a pity, because, more and more, I believe that he and Palin are exactly what we need to effect the change that is desperately needed in our federal government.

To be fair, Obama is a man of incredible talent as well. As a Republican, I dislike what he stands for and the ilk that he hangs out with. But I do have to admit that he has talent and he used this talent to get himself this far. He is young and brash; with more experience, he could become a formidable statesman instead of a hack politician.

(Please note I am trying to establish a polite dialog here; we gain nothing by the left and right screaming at each other.)

Sep 25, 2008 - 7:33 am 137. McCain vs Obama; Leadership vs Rhetoric « The Barton Bulletin:

[...] As Richard Miniter points out, [...]

Sep 25, 2008 - 8:01 am 138. nlcatter:

you all dont even know how a bill is fashioned?

ROFLMGO

main body of senate does not EVEN work on it

it starts in Hsoue of repersentatives
thats why Frank is point.

BUsh submarined Mccains attmept by oint meeting
and the Debate will go on despite Mccain tryig to gain time so he wont look bad by playing this card

Sep 25, 2008 - 8:05 am 139. Michael:

Wow, the Obamanites need to organize who jumps on which Talking Point their handlers are giving them.

Sep 25, 2008 - 8:23 am 140. Stephanos:

@nlcatter

Actually, on major legislation, it’s not uncommon for both the House and Senate to work simultaneously.

Quiz to one and all: Is any ol’ bill passed by the House a “law”? If not, what is?

Sep 25, 2008 - 8:53 am 141. McCain right. Me wrong. | The Anchoress:

[...] a nobody, but I’ll say it anyway; I was wrong. I’ve come to the conclusion that Senator McCain was correct, mature and statesmanlike to suspend his campaign, put off the debate and head to Washington, to do the job he’s been [...]

Sep 25, 2008 - 9:10 am 142. nlcatter:

Legally there is nothing to work on until a bill is created in committee.

people assigned to committtess work issues all the time before they are bills in the other house.

but Neither O and M are on banking committte.

Sep 25, 2008 - 9:21 am 143. RV:

Uh, aren’t they already having bipartisn meetings concerning this bailout today? An yet McMain is in NY. Did the pilot get Reagan and Kennedy confused?

Sep 25, 2008 - 9:28 am 144. Sandy Salt:

I’ve said it before and I will say it again, this “crisis” is of our own making and thinking Washington is going to fix it is seriously demented. Since when has government involvement solved a single thing? Every time government gets involved in business they bring the country to its knees. The people that in the pocket of big business (all of Congress) scream that we must save their rich benefactors or else. I say live by the sword die by the sword. They say what about all the little people, but I find this incredibly interesting since those same little people are still going to be hurt regardless of this bailout because they are living in homes they never could afford to begin with.

This is just another way of shifting blame and forcing the hard working people of this country to pick up after the greedy, lazy, and stupid. I don’t give a rat’s a$$ if McCain or Obama get elected because Washington is still going to be the same cesspool that it always has, since the public is generally too stupid to remove the corrupt politicians because they get nice gifts from the Federal Government. Why are we funding earmarks for corn research? That is so some small time farmer in Iowa can feel good re-electing a criminal to Congress. The sad thing about it is the money isn’t going to that small farmer but to some huge agra-business putting that same farmer out of business.

You want to fix the crisis then let the greedy pay with their businesses, seizing their collective assets, and put the CEOs in jail. Use the seized assets to pay for the stupid ones mortgages that bought way more house than they could afford and leave the rest of us out of it. I reality you would only need to paydown the mortgages to the point they could afford them, but this will of course cause everyone of the stupid, lazy and greedy to keep putting their paws out for more because we will never learn.

Sep 25, 2008 - 10:12 am 145. Vodkapundit » Handicapping:

[...] accused McCain of having become “a national and international joke.” But “a shrewd move” is Richard Miniter’s take. HolyCoast is “appalled.” Dave Mataconis awards [...]

Sep 25, 2008 - 10:15 am 146. Stephanos:

@nlcatter

But after the Banking Committee of the House has its say then later the whole House; but that is not enough. There’s the Senate and its process on a parallel track to produce a parallel bill; but that’s not enough. Then the two proposed bills, i.e. laws, go to a conference committee during which the sausage is remade and presented freshly cooked to all the expectant diners in both houses for their approval. That committee bill is what “may” become law. Bernie’s show is only a part of our little drama.

Sep 25, 2008 - 10:16 am 147. proud elitist:

Fun facts:

1) Crises have occurred during US Presidential Campaigns and candidates did not seek to either suspend their campaigns nor postpone debates.

Examples:

1960 Election
Crises: Multiple bombings including recent in NY Times Square
Candidates: Kennedy and Nixon

1980 Election
Crisis: Iranian Hostage Crisis
Candidates: Reagan and Carter

2000 Election
Crisis: Recent USS Cole Bombing
Candidates: Gore and GWBush

2) McCain nor Obama are on the Banking Committees where the legislation is hammered out.

3) We are always in a crisis because we are fighting at least twowars.

4) Palin had a disasterous interview with Katie Couric yesterday (24th)

5) McCain ads are airing in states today despite his affirmation yesterday of suspending campaign.

6) Political stunt by McRove to deflect negative Palin interview and negative McCain association with deregulation.

7) Obama is the one acting presidential.

Sep 25, 2008 - 10:21 am 148. Donnie Mac Leod:

McCain is going to congress for one reason. To beat the snot out of Republicans in his own party that don’t recognize or are so market driven by the hope of Capitalism that they refuse to see the gravity of the situation. Bush needs McCain to solidify the Republican vote. What are the democrats doing??? Looking for Add On. Anybody watch Obama at the Clinton Global Initiative this morning?? He was going through money like it was water pouring into New Orleans and his name was Katrina Obama. Someone should have tapped him on the shoulder and given him a word of advice .Words like; “We can not afford that multi billion dollar universal plan. As a nation we are already billions in debt and now you want to increase funding to countries that don’t even like you.” No problem to big for the Democrats to throw your money at.

Strange how nobody is picking up on the the people giving Obama financial advice are the same ones that walked away after bankrupting Wall Street. Bill Gates is another example of a staunch Obama supporter and he has outsourced more jobs overseas then the American Military. MSN, Micro Soft & Texas Instruments are in the call centers of India where Bill sucks up the money to avoid North American wages even though he depends upon us to buy his computers and services though he is cutting our JOBS!!!!!!!

http://www.ti.com/asia/docs/india/

“TI India rewrites the rules of the game.

In the dynamic world of semiconductors, Texas Instruments has been hailed a world leader for decades, holding a beacon that proclaims superior technology, products and a skilled and motivated workforce.

TI India which commenced operations in 1985 now employs about 1200 engineers. ”

And you wonder what happened to Wall Street.

Sep 25, 2008 - 10:25 am 149. Evan:

I think McCain is obviously trying to take advantage of the issue that is on most Americans’ minds at the moment. The truth of the matter is that delaying the debate won’t make the slightest difference for the economy, or anything else for that matter. In fact, continuing the debates would be far more beneficial to this country as it will give both candidates the opportunity to throw ideas off and at each other, forcing them to discover solutions to this crisis.

http://www.beyondrace.com

Sep 25, 2008 - 10:25 am 150. Stephanos:

P.S. I should have added that it appears that the process described above is being “streamlined” in that the traditional work of a conference committee apparently is being folded into the ongoing construction of “a” bill. That’s why certain Senators are also getting top billing at the moment. Remember, the proclaimed goal is to present a clean bill to both houses for passage within a week. A rather ambitious goal for our political process, to say the least, under any circumstances.

Sep 25, 2008 - 10:26 am 151. tomw:

Looks like McCain’s call to action was a bit late. Sounds like an agreement will be forthcoming today.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080925/ap_on_bi_ge/financial_meltdown

So lets look at the timeline of events, shall we?

Friday: Bush and Paulson propose their $700B bailout.

Tuesday: McCain still hasn’t read it http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=97180&catid=45

Wednesday: He “suspends” campaign and postpones the debate. Later that day: He goes on CBS with Katie Couric.

Thursday: Deal is reached http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080925/ap_on_bi_ge/financial_meltdown

McCains net contribution to the final proposal: 0.0
BTW, He gave a speech in NY this morning. He still hasn’t left for Washington yet.

Straight Talk? How about All Talk, no action.

Sep 25, 2008 - 10:56 am 152. Robert Hurley:

Events seem to overtaken McCain again

Sep 25, 2008 - 11:26 am 153. Robert Burns:

Shrewd? It makes McSame look like a high school flunky too afraid to meet Obama in a debate, NOT like he is taking on anything of merit or substance. How can someone who, “Doesn’t know much about economics” and says, “The economy is fundamentally sound,” fix ANYTHING? He and his tundra-trash Veep are idiot and need to go quit their campaign entirely. They are burnt toast. Obama is in.

Sep 25, 2008 - 11:26 am 154. AA in California:

Obama looks like a fool now, planning to “debate on foreign policy” when our entire economic house is on fire. Clearly one is a talker and the other one is a doer. I always look at what a man does not at what he says; can this be any clearer?

Sep 25, 2008 - 11:28 am 155. James Buchanan:

I think BO can debate himself. Have you ever noticed that he can take both sides of any issue…especially while pandering?

Sep 25, 2008 - 11:48 am 156. FreedomFries:

I love the way these Republicans are talking this move up, as if it really was a sensible thing to do (90 per cent of Americans say not…). Looks like they’ve perfected the art of putting lipstick on a…oh hang on…. I think we can all see that it’s not the move of a genius, so let’s not pretend it is.

Sep 25, 2008 - 12:20 pm 157. tomw:

Boy, it sure got quiet in here…. LOL…

Sep 25, 2008 - 12:20 pm 158. proud elitist:

Check out National Journal’s John Mercurio’s article titled McCain’s Gambit Gambit: It’s Been One Dramatic Move After Another For The Republican Nominee

Money quote:
Politics is, of course, a game of perception, one in which gambits like these can play a prominent and sometimes legitimate role. Candidates stage them because they work and, in desperate times, they can work miracles. But McCain’s “red cell” strategy is a particularly peculiar one; his entire campaign is based on the argument that strong character, stability and experience should trump the hocus-pocus hooey of hope that Obama is trying to sell. The stunts undermine his ability to advance his own argument.

http://www.nationaljournal.com/njonline/ps_20080925_3471.php

Oh, and last I heard, National Journal isn’t in the tank for Obama…

Sep 25, 2008 - 12:23 pm 159. proud elitist:

Wowza. Check out McCain circa 2000:

With new polls showing his campaign dead in the water among California Republicans, Arizona Sen. John McCain has pulled out of a long-scheduled debate with Texas Gov. George Bush, set for Thursday in Los Angeles.

McCain campaign officials tried desperately yesterday to put the best face on their withdrawal, even as a new Field Poll showed Bush far ahead among likely Republican voters in the winner-take-all race for the state’s 162 GOP delegates. [...]

The bait and switch on the debate left the Arizona senator — whose favorite campaign line is “I’ll always tell you the truth” — wide open to blistering criticism from his rivals.

“Clearly, this is more double-talk from the McCain campaign,” said Alixe Mattingly, a spokeswoman for Bush. “Pulling out of this debate at the last minute is an indication that they’re pulling out of California, where McCain’s antagonistic message clearly isn’t working.”

—-

When the going gets tough, McCain gets a runnin’

Sep 25, 2008 - 12:34 pm 160. Huan:

Zogby now has McCain up by 2 as opposed to down by 3 last week.
Gallup now has McCain even with Obama after being down by 6 last week.

Are these response to
McCain’s maneuver?
Uncertainty with Obama?

Regardless, it suggests that there is room for McCain to maneuver when it comes to the economy.

Sep 25, 2008 - 12:44 pm 161. Believer:

CBS’ Bob Schiffer (no conservative leaning there) confirms McCain was called to Washington to get the Republicans on board — too many were balking.

This is a crisis that requires leadership. I can see why BO is dragging his feet.

BO is used to being untroubled as things crumble – even when he’s had a hand in it: Chicago’s been in turmoil for decades.

Sep 25, 2008 - 1:27 pm 162. proud elitist:

Believer — have you read further as to why they were balking? It’s a truly pathetic story…

Sep 25, 2008 - 1:29 pm 163. Krusty:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npUMUASwaec&eurl=http://thinkprogress.org/

If this was my response, I would end, not suspend my campaign.

Sep 25, 2008 - 1:40 pm 164. Believer:

More pathetic than Chicago and the “change” BO and pals have brought to that paradise?

Sep 25, 2008 - 2:04 pm 165. proud elitist:

diversions, Believer, diversions.

Sep 25, 2008 - 2:13 pm 166. Donnie Mac Leod:

So the major crime ,poverty and lack of financial stability within Chicago are diversions even though it is a completely Democrat bastion . Go figure how that makes Obama look like Presidential material.

Sep 25, 2008 - 2:41 pm 167. 888:

Terrorist Ayers, Reverend Wright, Tony Rezko, hidden transcripts, 130 ‘Present’ votes, hidden birth certificate, small towns clinging to guns and religion, 1st term senator 19 months campaigning, ignored injured soldiers to go work out at gym, 2nd highest recipient of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac donations, southside Chicago still cesspool of crime and poverty after $160 million of his Chicago Annenberg Challenge, voted most liberal senator in Washington, refused to wear US flag on lapel, refused to put hand over heart during National Anthem, criticized America in Berlin world tour, would not admit surge success, has not written one legislation since becoming US senator, supported and pressed for death of livebirth infants, cannot say when life begins – above his paygrade, against oil drilling, says he’s more qualified than Palin because of his campaign experience, supports increased taxes for middle class and small business owners, Fannie Mae’s Franklin Raines advises him on housing issues, Fannie Mae chair Jim Johnson who received millions in bonuses is currently working for his campaign, no foreign policy experience except world tour, no executive experience except sham Chicago Annenberg Challenge, injected race into campaign (funny name, funny face on dollar bill), dissed Jews during anti-Iran president rally, at 3:00 AM, will call Biden first, etc., etc., etc. This is a matter of judgment and leadership.

Sep 25, 2008 - 3:17 pm 168. tomw:

888: “Change the subject! Change the subject! We’re losing the argument! We’re losing the argument! Quick, think of something else to talk about.

McCain is big ol’ hairy you know what for pulling this stunt and it is backfiring big time. So why don’t you scroll on up to the top of this page and re-read the article title to remind yourself what the topic is being discussed in here.

McCain: “I’m not an expert on the economy”
McCain: “the fundamentals of the economy are strong”
McCain: “I have not had a chance to see it in writing. I have to examine it.”

Please, anyone. Explain how postponing the debate helps our current economic crisis.

Sep 25, 2008 - 3:30 pm 169. JustPassingThrough:

‘McCain is big ol’ hairy you know what for pulling this stunt and it is backfiring big time.’

No, it’s not. Quite the opposite in fact. Net gain for the week is McCain’s. You aren’t paying attention to the reactions that matter – and Letterman’s doesn’t – or you’re whistling past the graveyard.

‘Please, anyone. Explain how postponing the debate helps our current economic crisis.’

Not the point. Not at all. The point is the the perception of how the two candidates appear to the undecided voters. One confuses multitasking – what one looks for in a good personal secretary – with leadership. The other bluntly says that the priority is dealing with the credit crisis. Whether the undecided voter feels the bailout is right or not, he wants it addressed.

Can either McCain or Obama directly effect the response to the crisis? By the usual business of the Senate, no. They aren’t plugged into the particular committee loops that usually address that sort of issue. By the rules of Washington when dealing with two Senators one of whom will be the next president, they have a lot of clout. And voters who are not so blind as some posters here know it and know Obama wanted to take a by on it.

Sep 25, 2008 - 4:29 pm 170. thegr8 1:

This was our first real life 3 AM phone call. McCain answered and ran to Washington to try to help, Barack said call me if you need me and went back to sleep.

Barack’s new theme song starts “Call me if you need me” and is Ain’t no mountain high enough” from the movie Stepmom.

Sep 25, 2008 - 4:51 pm 171. thegr8 1:

Our first 3AM phone call. McCain answered and went to Washington and Barack said call me if you need me and went back to sleep. Thank you Hillary for your great ad.

Sep 25, 2008 - 4:52 pm 172. Notice:

CALIndie:

Mark Rinzel – “Sad. All of you.The old man is scared, and it’s obvious to any of us not in the tank for him.”

You think this is some kind of game Rinzel? You think this financial crisis is just another fabrication for political gain? You think your willingness to delay a solution for this crisis is in the best interest of my family and my finances? You think America will be best served by the Democrat leadership on Capitol Hill pontificating about how they saw this coming and how the Republicans wouldn’t let them do anhything about it?

I’m so sick of people like you standing around whistling your political tune while watching American families trapped in a burning car! You make me sick! Your panzy a**ed “leaders” like Obama, Biden, Carter, Kerry, Gore et al wouldn’t know true leadership if it slapped them in the face.

It’s time for John McCain’s leadership and action not more of Obama’s lofty rhetoric and political maneuvering. This financial crisis is comparable to 9/11 in scope and impact on American society. If you’re not willing to support a bi-partisan consensus and a swift solution for this crisis, don’t stand in the way of those who will.
Sep 24, 2008 – 1:56 pm

your not very smart are you Calindie.

So its the 2 democratic Administrations in the past 50 years that have screwed the country up. And it can’t be the 9 republican admins.

where do you get your info? McCain took a nap in the hearings today. He had no input.

We are all worried about our families. grow up.

Sep 25, 2008 - 6:05 pm 173. proud elitist:

Oy…the actual perception of the American people is that the debates should go on and focus on the economy.

If this move by McCain was so groundbreaking and awesome, why is it being panned right and left?

Why is it that only the KoolAid drinkers are spinning this than anything other than a stunt? What does McCain have to contribute?

Economy is not McCain’s strongest suit and he (presumably) has capable surrogates to review, investigate and report back. I mean,t his was the guy who had not even read PAULSON’s proposal (3pgs or so) as of Tuesday evening…

Party Unity? Maybe as many of the R’s are holding their nose over their own nominee…

Sep 25, 2008 - 6:08 pm 174. proud elitist:

And, shock of all shocks!

The fact is that Boehner doesn’t have 100 votes from his conference — 100 votes that Nancy Pelosi really wants. And that’s not McCain’s fault. But Boehner and the White House — and McCain — if they want to get something passed — do have the responsibility to persuade these Republicans to support the bailout. After all, if not to get these recalcitrant Republicans on board, why did McCain go to Washington in the first place? –Marc Ambinder

It IS about politics because the R’s won’t go along with it and so McCain must show face as the de facto party head. But “suspend the campaign” and “focus on the economy” is a load of crap as the ads have been airing today, as McCain surrogates have been all over teh place, as at least 15 McCain campaign headquarters in various battleground states did not suspend their operations, as McCain will be on the big 3 networks tonight, etc.

And after McCain and Bush made an appearance, the deal was toast. Thanks for the help, JohnnyPOWMac!

Sep 25, 2008 - 6:29 pm 175. RV:

“If this move by McCain was so groundbreaking and awesome, why is it being panned right and left?”

A better question might be, “Why didn’t McCain do this over the weekend, right after the bailout was announced?” Oh that’s right, fewer people tune into the news on the weekend, and he wouldn’t have had enough of an audience to brag about his country first attitude.

I will freely admit that Obama is not high up on the leadership front, but for a man to continually say country first, and then wait 5 days before displaying that leadership, for the sole person of ensuring that as many people heard him as possible? If he really did believe country first, he would have flow in Saturday, heck even Sunday morning, and got right to work bring the republicans in line, no media announcement, no fanfare.

Sep 25, 2008 - 6:29 pm 176. nimby:

Country First!

A CA Bay Area Democrat voting for John McCain

Sep 25, 2008 - 6:40 pm 177. Believer:

proud elitist:

From the start, BO’s run his campaign on “change,” “judgment” and his ability “bring people together.”

He’s shown us he’s a failure at all three. And McCain has proven he’s a success at all three. Who’d a thunk?

It’s really quite amazing that McCain – just in being who he is naturally – epitomizes the very attributes his phony opponent claims to have. At this very moment, he’s working to “bring people together.” He was called in specifically to do just that.

You could even say BO is a “McCain Wannabe.” Hurts, doesn’t it?

Hardly a distraction. It goes to the heart of his fraudulent campaign.

Sep 25, 2008 - 7:04 pm 178. MA:

I admire the shrew; JMc has the right stuff: he’s a leader, a fighter, a winner. He’s got substance vs. Mr. celebrity, who looks like he was created by Disney. An empty suit who has spent 400 million running his campaign, as if that doesn’t show weakness in managing money. JMc has such a compelling biography, that he can dance around OB. We should all recognize a talented man with a history of action that speaks volumes over a smooth talker any day. That’s how everyone should look at a candidate, not putting their party above their common sense.

Sep 25, 2008 - 7:21 pm 179. tomw:

JustPassingThrough: Thank for for admitting the truth, that suspending the campaign has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CRISES and that this is nothing more than perception.

FACT: McCain hasn’t SUSPENDED ANYTHING. He gave an interview yesterday after supposedly suspending it, and a speech this morning. McCain hasn’t DONE ANYTHING. He showed up today for a few minutes and LEFT. The deal has already been worked out. This bill was proposed last Friday, and he didn’t read it until Tuesday. THAT’s NOT LEADERSHIP. THAT’s REACTING TO POLLS. Face it, your man is losing and getting desperate. You better hope your October surprise is really good.

Sep 25, 2008 - 7:22 pm 180. JustPassingThrough:

“If this move by McCain was so groundbreaking and awesome, why is it being panned right and left?”

Much of the big media is panning it, but their shilling for Obama has already captured everyone who lets big media make up their mind.

In the 2004 election cycle, some media nabob – CNN I think but I forget who for sure though one can search it, it is true – bragged that the mainstream media could deliver 15% to their favored candidate. In that cycle, it was Kerry. In this cycle, the MSM reached for more. Right now the public confidence in their impartiality reporting on the election indicates that backfired. They may be able to deliver their 15-20%, but a lot of people aren’t going to forget their actions.

That aside, the point is that Obama already has that 15-20%. It might be enough, but he’s not going to get much more edge from the media. If it isn’t enough, he’s going to have to get the majority of the undecided, mostly independents, who aren’t susceptible to media shilling. And do it on his own. Defining leadership as multi-tasking over prioritizing isn’t the way to do that.

Someone up thread said McCain has been controlling the dynamics for a few weeks now. Based on the relative sense of calm in the McCain campaign opposed to Obama’s campaign increasing shrillness, I’d say that the internal polls of both campaigns support that. Obama was set up and fell for it hard yesterday. It must be particularly satisfying to McCain that it was such a minimal effort side benefit to what McCain would have done anyway – his job.

“Oy…the actual perception of the American people is that the debates should go on and focus on the economy.”

Obama better hope they don’t focus on the economy. Not the first one anyway. He’s been boning up on the intended subject – foreign affairs. There’s no time for him to memorize responses to all the angles on the economy. He’s going to get slaughtered without a teleprompter. McCain is not the best public speaker but people KNOW that. He hasn’t built his campaign on delivery, but substance. Obama is all delivery and if he tries to go with an ear piece, McCain’s crew will catch him – they’ll be looking for it.

BTW: The continuing claims that McCain did this to duck the debate aren’t going to get any traction either. Obama has been ducking a one on one with McCain since they locked up their nominations. And for good reason.

Sep 25, 2008 - 7:44 pm 181. JustPassingThrough:

‘JustPassingThrough: Thank for for admitting the truth, that suspending the campaign has NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CRISES and that this is nothing more than perception.’

Well, no, I didn’t say that upthread. Read a little closer. Paraphrasing, I said getting Obama to shoot himself in the foot once again was a SIDE benefit to McCain’s decision to prioritize. Obama could have done the right thing on his own. He chose to posture instead. And when Bush in effect requested he knock off the nonsense and pay attention, he had no choice but to do so. Which must be particularly galling to Obama. First that it was Bush requesting it, and second that he had no choice but to agree, which makes his spin about being the more ‘presidential’…well, let’s be kind here…rather ethereal.

You guys aren’t getting it. Obama ceded the week to McCain because Obama tried to make it all about Obama. McCain made it all about the country. And since Obama has always been all about Obama and isn’t going to change, it’ll happen at least a couple more times before the election.

Sep 25, 2008 - 8:03 pm 182. Deus:

888 moroncito 9/24 6:48 am:

You may be right that Bush and the Reps didn’t tell people to get greedy and the banks to be stupid, but they ALLOWED the whole situation with their no regulations approach. Now they want to regulate after realizing what deep sh*t they are in. In the end, we all will pay for it one way or the other.

Obama showed today what kind of person we want in the White House and McCain looked like a clown. See you at the debate . . .

Sep 25, 2008 - 9:06 pm 183. nlcatter:

mccain tried a PAlin stunt again

and it did not work

stauts of the first stunt – conservatives are raking her Couric interview as Palin Pathetic

Sep 25, 2008 - 9:13 pm 184. Marc Malone:

So much partisan misunderstanding. Sen. Reid on Monday talked to the press asking for McCain’s help in delivering the Repubs on this bill. If McCain steps forward and endorses it, the ‘Pubs get CYA benefit. The Dems do, too. They have the votes to pass whatever they want, but if they pass this without the ‘Pubs, then they get killed in the elections for the “$800B Bailout of Wall St.”. This wasn’t smart of Reid, because it seems like he was expecting McCain to rubber stamp. Shya’right! McCain. Rubberstamp. Jeez, but Reid is dumb!

On Tue., the ‘Pubs appeal to Paulson. They only have 4 guys on board out of 100! They need McCain’s cover. Paulson agrees to get McCain to show. McCain has not yet seen the bailout plan, because his position in the Senate does not have him in the loop (only a few are).

On Wed., they call McCain to please come in and help to close the deal. After much discussion with his economic advisors, and a talk with Paulson, he suspends his campaign and goes in. What’s significant is that NO ONE DECIDED BARRY WAS NEEDED OR WANTED. Reid specifically did not want him there, and they’re of the same party! After McCain made his unilateral announcement, then they asked for Barry, to give the Dems cover (or the election would be OVER), and they had Bush make the call.

The meme that day was that they were close to a deal, 90% done. Bull! That’s why they called McCain; to wrangle the ‘Pubs. Normally, McCain wouldn’t have a seat at the table (nor would Obama). That’s how you know it’s bogus. If the deal were near done, they wouldn’t allow the candidates at the table at all.

Thur., McCain flies to NY, takes care of a couple obligations, then heads for D.C. (Ads keep running, because the deals for those ads were made days in advance and contracts must be honored.) They sit in the meeting all afternoon. Do the candidates have to do or say anything? No. But if a deal is to be made, the Dems need the ‘Pubs, and the ‘Pubs need McCain. Barry’s window dressing. The Dems don’t need him. He’s there to protect his campaign. Sucks to be him. The deal right now is a no-go. Surprise, surprise, all lard-y, to the tune of another $100 Billion. Be glad McCain’s there to prevent the piling of the pork.

Now, they’ll work into the night. McCain may have to talk to his people about other options. If he can come up with something palatable to the ‘Pubs, it’s game over. They present it, make a few concessions, and the deal is done. Dems must go along or be vilified. Barry says, “Me, too.”

For my money, the bailout plan is dead, and instead we’ll see some loans, etc…. It all comes down to this. If McCain can make a deal, the election’s basically over. It’ll be a massive victory. If nothing happens, McCain can blame the Dems and still salvage something, and Obama can blame McCain. But in reality, we probably all lose at that point.

Sep 25, 2008 - 11:31 pm 185. Deus:

Marc Malone 11:31 pm:

Interesting!

Is that how it happened or are you making this up?

The news didn’t reflect what you wrote.

Sep 26, 2008 - 3:40 am 186. nlcatter:

almost good UNTIL you lied

“If the deal were near done, they wouldn’t allow the candidates at the table at all.”

Bush invited him, MORON! not he moronic ‘Pubs

Sep 26, 2008 - 8:41 am 187. nlcatter:

HE LOST!!

bye

Sep 26, 2008 - 10:21 am 188. 888:

Deus, you’re too stupid to understand that NO ONE and NOTHING can regulate greed, except one’s conscience and one’s belief in right and wrong. Besides, there are several regulations already in place — Sarbanes-Oxley, for one, which was enacted as a result of Enron — and local and state predatory lending laws, but those didn’t stop mortgage lenders from offering the ‘pre-approved with no down payment’ loans.

If the federal government started checking (what you call regulating) what homeowners, first time home buyers and mortgage lenders were doing (if there was even a way to do that), you and your MoveOn.org elitist friends would be jumping up and down about how the government’s infringing on people’s privacy…that’s big government getting involved in people’s personal business.

You people are amazing.

Sep 26, 2008 - 5:11 pm 189. Deus:

888:

Yes, Sarbanes-Oxley was created, but wasn’t enforced.

When the gov’t is involved, if they do it right, it’ll be OK, just like everything else . . . .

And, yes, people will keep on lying and cheating, even the good, faithful Christians.

Sep 26, 2008 - 10:57 pm 190. 888:

Oh sure, a lot of people lie and cheat…ACORN and fraudulent votes; terrorist Ayers — “he’s just a guy in my neighborhood”; declaring over $10K in contributions to the Congressional Black Caucus as charitable donation in tax returns; total misrepresentation of Dr. Kissinger’s words during debate; says he didn’t say will sit down and negotiate without precondition; total fabrication in Obama ad about McCain being against equal pay for women; saying he was a professor when he was actually an adjunct part-time instructor, lying to Spanish-speaking audience about both Limbaugh and McCain’s position on immigration, etc., etc. Too many to mention of Obama lies, distortions, fabrications, exaggerations, manipulations, unfounded personal attacks, hypocrisy, etc., etc., etc.

Sep 27, 2008 - 2:04 pm 191. Elizabeth:

“In a shrewd move, Senator McCain has just proposed delaying Friday’s first presidential debate–in order to convene a meeting with Obama, President Bush and other decision-makers from both parties to sort out the financial mess.”

hahahahaha

And you folks ate it up.

George Bush, God bless him, was right :
“You can fool some of the people all the time, and those are the ones you want to concentrate on.”

Sep 27, 2008 - 11:55 pm 192. Sadly,No!:

Swing…and a miss.

Sep 28, 2008 - 7:02 pm 193. Deus:

888:

Now it’s your turn to list McCain’s “lies, distortions, fabrications, exaggerations, manipulations, unfounded personal attacks, hypocrisy, etc., etc., etc.”

Sep 29, 2008 - 3:58 am

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