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If McCain Can't Debate, How Come He Can Appear At Clinton's Global Initiative?

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Elections 2008
Posted on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:03:39 PM EST
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This strikes me as just plain weird:

Mr. McCain said that after speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York on Thursday, he would return to Washington to work on the bailout package.

(Emphasis supplied.) Can someone explain to me how time is of the essence requiring cancellation of the Presidential debate but it does not require McCain to cancel his appearance at the Clinton Global Initiative?

In the scheme of things, it seems to me a discussion of the credit/mortgage crisis on Wall Street with his opponent to be the next President is a lot more important than his appearance at the Clinton Global Inititiative. Why isn't McCain going to be in Washington TONIGHT?!?? Why is he not going to be in Washington tomorrow?!?!?!

This makes no sense. Clearly this is a stunt by McCain.

By Big Tent Democrat, speaking for me only

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    If McCain Can't Debate, How Come He Can Appear At Clinton's Global Initiative? | 123 comments (123 topical)

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    McCainpalooza? (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:08:01 PM EST
    Will the Clinton confab concentrate on the economic crisis?  

    Anyhow, of course McCain will go to the Clinton conference.  He is still trolling for Hillary supporters.

    Actually (3.66 / 3) (#72)
    by Miserere mei on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:11:46 PM EST
    McCain was already scheduled for the Clinton Conference and announced he was going to DC AFTER he spoke late in the afternoon.

    This is a silly thing - why didn't he go right a way! There could be a lot of reasons. For instance what was already scheduled in the Senate today? Perhaps being in DC today would not have afforded him to meet with people who he wanted/needed to meet with. Perhaps tonight he will meet with people when the Senate is not in session because we all know that most things are worked out in private over dinner or at someones home. There could be a million reasons why he didn't go.

    Anyway in response to your post saying: "Anyhow, of course McCain will go to the Clinton conference."

    Uh, he already went, and his announcement was after the speech, not before.

    I'm not a McCain supporter but this false fabricated rage is nothing more than that - false fabricated rage.

    Let's face it McCain is beating Obama to the punch of leading on this issue to the point of suspending his own campaign. And to add insult to injury, according to the article the GOP is asking him to lead because many of them don't want to pony up 700 Billion. Meanwhile Obama wants to debate while Rome burns.

    Parent

    Put down the crack pipe (5.00 / 2) (#122)
    by Melchizedek on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 10:12:01 PM EST
    Barack Obama has been working on this issue over the last five days, talking with Paulson and Bernanke and Congressional leaders Chris Dodd has said "I haven't heard anything from McCain these last five days."  McCain hasn't "taken the lead" in anything. BTW, Prabhata, miss misery, et al., how'd you like Sarah Palin's wonderful "I'll get back to ya" on McCain mavericky financial regulations? Bet you think that's a winner too.  I check back in this place every so often to see if the sanity has spread from Jeralyn and BTD down into the comments, what with Obama taking the race by the reins.
    Sadly, no.

    Parent
    I noticed that, too. (none / 0) (#4)
    by rooge04 on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:09:15 PM EST
    That he mentioned "Clinton" rather strongly. What a fool.

    Parent
    Is Obama scheduled to attend the (none / 0) (#7)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:13:49 PM EST
    Clinton get-together?  Perhaps he and Bill and McCain can put their heads together and solve this mess or at least try.

    Parent
    Just let Bill fix it himself. ;) (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by rooge04 on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:22:08 PM EST


    Parent
    I believe Obama is addressing it by (none / 0) (#8)
    by JoeA on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:15:15 PM EST
    satellite.

    Parent
    Well 2 out of the 3 anyway (none / 0) (#9)
    by Molly Bloom on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:15:43 PM EST


    Parent
    I have been on McCainapalooza (none / 0) (#43)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:35:49 PM EST
    since Day One.

    Parent
    Tepidly. But, today--full on. (none / 0) (#50)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:40:14 PM EST


    Parent
    What is McCainapalooza? (none / 0) (#69)
    by litigatormom on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:06:50 PM EST
    And why are so many people here on board with it?

    ABC News confirms that McCain campaign wants the VP debate to be rescheduled to an "unspecified" date.

    McCain asked the Commission on Presidential Debates to postpone the debate.  The Commission said no. So what does McCain do now? Does he stay away from UMiss and let Obama have a free 90 minute campaign ad?  Or does he flip flop and drag his ass down to UMiss after all, complaining about being unable to contribute his legendary economic expertise to the negotiations?

    Did anyone see the Couric interview of McCain? Did he talk about this latest stunt?

    Parent

    HAH! (5.00 / 1) (#90)
    by lilburro on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:30:39 PM EST
    They said no to McCain?  Oh that is funny.

    Parent
    To me, "McCainpalooza" is (none / 0) (#73)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:12:15 PM EST
    letting McCain's moves influence Obama's.  Just my definition though.  

    Parent
    Niot my definition (4.00 / 4) (#83)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:18:44 PM EST
    My is concentrating all my fire on the fact that John McCain is a unscrupulous, unprincipled, lying blithering idiot unfit to be President.

    Parent
    did the dog eat their homework? (none / 0) (#96)
    by coigue on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:43:38 PM EST


    Parent
    If I do not err, doing the debates is one of the (none / 0) (#114)
    by Christy1947 on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 08:54:15 PM EST
    conditions of getting the Federal money he is so proud of taking when O opted out. What will happen to his funding if he skips this, if anyone knows?

    Parent
    Ha! (none / 0) (#118)
    by litigatormom on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 09:13:19 PM EST
    McCain's current position is that if there is no deal by Friday afternoon, he is not going to UMiss. He's just not going to show. No parent's note. No excuse.

    Does that mean he loses all his federal $$$$?

    Parent

    Obama should counteroffer - bring forward (5.00 / 2) (#44)
    by JoeA on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:35:54 PM EST
    the Biden Palin debate to Friday, and Obama and McCain can sequester themselves to fix the economy and conjure up their unity pony.

    Of course theres no way they would go for that as the McCain campaign haven't had time to fully program Palin yet.

    lol (none / 0) (#55)
    by Faust on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:46:31 PM EST
    the Biden Palin debate to Friday, and Obama and McCain can sequester themselves to fix the economy and conjure up their unity pony.

    This sounds fun!

    Parent

    Great idea!!!! (none / 0) (#103)
    by coigue on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:50:12 PM EST
    But then Biden would be urgently needed in Washington.

    Parent
    The obvious solution. (5.00 / 1) (#54)
    by LarryInNYC on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:44:43 PM EST
    If McCain isn't available to debate, he should send his stand in -- Sara Palin.

    I think this is going to go badly for McCain (5.00 / 1) (#56)
    by Faust on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:47:12 PM EST
    I don't see how anyone can be impressed by this.

    The risk I see is that Reid kind of baited him (none / 0) (#57)
    by Teresa on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:50:00 PM EST
    into showing "leadership" on this. What if McCain and his fellow Republicans negotiate a plan and it passes and things settle down a bit. Can't he claim he actually did something besides talk about it?

    If not, I agree with you.

    Parent

    IMO (5.00 / 2) (#64)
    by Steve M on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:00:50 PM EST
    the negotiations have been between the Democrats and the White House, and it seems they have mostly been productive.  Meanwhile the GOP has been playing at Main Street populism and doing a lot of screeching.

    It would be really difficult for McCain to step in and somehow seize credit for a deal that is almost complete at this point - not that that will keep him from trying, of course.

    Parent

    Correct. Remember him taking credit for (5.00 / 1) (#116)
    by Christy1947 on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 09:08:34 PM EST
    the Webb veterans' bill.

    Parent
    Maybe, (5.00 / 2) (#66)
    by Faust on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:02:48 PM EST
    I see what you are saying and that sounds plausible. It would, however, require significant media buy in and I do not think he will get it when they will view his absconding from the debate as yet another assault on their rightful turf.

    If they ignore whatever spin he throws up and focus on the fact that "he ran like a coward" form the debate and was "unable to juggle different tasks" during a crisis, I think he will fail badly.

    Parent

    Well, Dana Bash is on CNN trying to help (none / 0) (#70)
    by Teresa on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:07:21 PM EST
    him out with his media spin right now.

    Parent
    heh (none / 0) (#104)
    by Faust on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:59:07 PM EST
    we'll see what narrative set in. I predict it will go badly.

    Parent
    I think she is auditioning to be the next (none / 0) (#106)
    by Teresa on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 08:02:30 PM EST
    Dana spokeswoman of the White House.

    Parent
    sometimes I think they all take their turn (5.00 / 1) (#110)
    by Faust on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 08:21:24 PM EST


    Parent
    At first I was worried (5.00 / 1) (#65)
    by kempis on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:02:28 PM EST
    that McCain might actually pull the wool over people's eyes and get away with this stunt. Increasingly, though, it's just looking bizarro. He can't claim to rush to DC and not go there.

    According to this (and it's via Drudge, so take it with a grain of salt), McCain pissed off Letterman. He said he had to cancel his appearance on Letterman to--say it with me--rush back to Washington. But Letterman found out instead that he was next door doing an interview with Katie Couric.

    Letterman then went over to see him, asking him "Hey Senator, can I give you a ride home?"

    And then it gets funnier. (I'm sure Drudge didn't invent the funny parts.)

    link

    McCain's "suspended" campaign (5.00 / 1) (#119)
    by cannondaddy on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 09:19:19 PM EST
    Just got their talking points memo leaked.

    Leadership (3.66 / 3) (#78)
    by Prabhata on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:15:06 PM EST
    McCain must have gotten the goods about the situation that Wall Street is facing, but apparently Obama is not yet aware that the situation is dire.  There is a reason that Hillary was pushing for a resolution of the problem since March 2007, she understands economic issues better than any other candidate in the primaries.  That Reid and Pelosi played games by also sitting on their hands is not debatable.  It's clear that Bush was kicking the can, but now he can't, but for Reid and Pelosi to play the game that it's all Bush's fault it's a hard sell.

    You gotta be sht*tting me (none / 0) (#81)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:16:18 PM EST
    You can not be serious.

    Parent
    You know. . . (none / 0) (#85)
    by LarryInNYC on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:20:15 PM EST
    I went through what you're going through now about two months ago.  As I recall, you weren't too sympathetic at the time. . .

    Do you remember Jesse Jackson's "Jesse Can't Swim" story?

    Parent

    Good God! (none / 0) (#86)
    by LarryInNYC on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:21:47 PM EST
    You know, Clinton has been out stumping for Obama during the crisis -- so if McCain suddenly understands an important fact then neither Clinton nor Obama seem to have gotten the memo.

    Parent
    simple answer (none / 0) (#1)
    by Salo on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:07:18 PM EST
    Mccain may be elaborately lowering his expections for the first debate.

    "oh, McCain he's a bloody coward. 'fraid of Obama Esq 'e is... Stone the crows though he just got the rum cove to accept that the contemprary moribund economic system of capitalism is the best possible system and well all just have to tighten our collective belts and shut up out yaps about changing the economic fundamentals. Sly old geezer just won the debate."

    Just thinking out loud here, but maybe McCain's (none / 0) (#3)
    by Angel on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:08:12 PM EST
    real gambit is not to delay the debate but to change the format or the topic of the debate.  I've been at work all day so I haven't heard or read too much about this, but that was my first thought.  Don't be too hard on me, please......

    or to delay the VP debate for Palin. (5.00 / 4) (#12)
    by JoeA on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:17:02 PM EST
    The McCain proposal to push the 1st presidential debate back into the VP debate slot,  and then reschedule the VP debate for a yet to be determined date (probably 2 weeks after the inauguration).

    Maybe the debate prep isnt going well for Sarah Palin?  They certainly aren't happy to let her interact with the media just now.

    Parent

    Oh man, you are going to (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:18:15 PM EST
    set Jeralyn off something fierce.

    Parent
    her interview with katie Couric was pretty bad. (5.00 / 1) (#98)
    by coigue on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:44:57 PM EST


    Parent
    I just read some (none / 0) (#20)
    by rooge04 on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:20:35 PM EST
    news report saying exactly that. If they cancel this debate McCain wants it rescheduled to the Oct 2 VP debate.   Wow.

    Parent
    Link (none / 0) (#27)
    by rooge04 on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:25:06 PM EST
    http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/24/mccain-camp-to-propose-postponing-vp-debate/

     McCain supporter Sen. Lindsey Graham tells CNN the McCain campaign is proposing to the Presidential Debate Commission and the Obama camp that if there's no bailout deal by Friday, the first presidential debate should take the place of the VP debate, currently scheduled for next Thursday, October 2 in St. Louis.

    In this scenario, the vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin would be rescheduled for a date yet to be determined, and take place in Oxford, Mississippi, currently slated to be the site of the first presidential faceoff this Friday.



    Parent
    The University of Mississippi (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by CoralGables on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:29:24 PM EST
    has already issued a release that they plan on moving forward Friday night and will lose upwards to 5 million dollars if McCain cancels. Also that they would make no commitment to being involved at all if the debate is canceled this Friday. They are none too happy with the McCain antics.

    Parent
    McCain might finally turn Mississippi Blue (none / 0) (#47)
    by byteb on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:37:50 PM EST


    Parent
    Umm (none / 0) (#75)
    by cal1942 on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:12:38 PM EST
    McCain might finally turn Mississippi Blue

    Don't hold your breath.

    Parent

    troo many, uh, how do you say (none / 0) (#105)
    by of1000Kings on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 08:00:40 PM EST
    'nascar dads'

    to put it nicely...

    Parent

    The Couric Effect (5.00 / 1) (#88)
    by MTSINAIMAMA on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:28:56 PM EST
    Maybe McCain wants to cancel, uh, postpone after getting a load of Palin's performance with Katie.
    Can you say numbskull? No wonder they don't want to let her speak!

    Parent
    What if there is no deal on October 2? (none / 0) (#42)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:34:55 PM EST


    Parent
    I dunno. I guess keep delaying (5.00 / 2) (#49)
    by rooge04 on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:39:33 PM EST
    until Nov 4? LOL.

    IMO, this makes McCain look SO bad. Completely un-presidential. He's gambling on looking patriotic and like he cares. But I think it will blow up in his face. Good.

    Obama looked very good talking about it today.  Especially reminding everyone that a President must be able to handle more than one thing at a time.

    Parent

    someone suggested he's (none / 0) (#10)
    by Salo on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:15:47 PM EST
    deliberately making himself look like a random coward.  In order to lower expectations.

    Dramatic possibility if true. Palinapoolza was a daramtic masterstroke on his part though....so I wouldn't put it passed him.

    Parent

    By this kind of reasoning, Obama would do well (5.00 / 4) (#28)
    by Don in Seattle on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:25:14 PM EST
    to drool helplessly and babble incoherently from now until the first debate. You know, to lower expectations.

    Curse that McCain! Always one step ahead.

    Parent

    chuckle!!! (none / 0) (#97)
    by coigue on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:44:16 PM EST


    Parent
    If he really believes that people decide on (5.00 / 1) (#115)
    by Christy1947 on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 08:59:12 PM EST
    character and not on policy, this does not help him, and makes him look voluntarily weak and confused. People will look at this and think about that because it looks like he's ducking, esp. when he goes to th Clinton event, and cancels Letterman but stays and does a Couric interview, goes to this, and a few other things. Some cancellation.

    Confused he may well be, as Dodd said on tV tonight that he has heard from O and not McC all this week. It's a self inflicted wound. And Bush stole his thunder by inviting both to DC tomorrow, and O has said he will be there. And at the debate as well. Not a good day for McC.

    Parent

    As the "someone" in question (1.00 / 1) (#112)
    by BrianJ on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 08:27:14 PM EST
    I would say that this fits a pattern for McCain and Obama that has tended to favor McCain.

    Obama gives his supposedly historic speech on race-  and McCain gains in the polls.

    Obama bills himself as giving a historic Berlin address-  and McCain benefits.

    Obama laughs at Palin's appointment as McCain's VP-  but it's Joe Biden who could appear on the side of a milk carton.

    Obama seems to be compelled to make every action historic and promoted to the high heavens.  As for the effectiveness of this tack, well, do you actually remember anything he SAID during any of those historic speeches?  Me neither.

    McCain just goes about his business, and while he certainly promotes himself, he doesn't feel the need to set expectations as high as Obama's.  Thus he doesn't lose ground when he's merely good instead of spectacular.  Obama does.

    It's too late for Obama to change tactics now, and he probably wouldn't if he could, but it's a trait that will probably lose him the election.

    Parent

    have you seen the polls recently (none / 0) (#113)
    by of1000Kings on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 08:36:27 PM EST
    what's your definition of 'working'?

    Parent
    Yes, someone suggested that, in comment #1 on this (none / 0) (#123)
    by Don in Seattle on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 10:27:42 PM EST
    thread.

    That someone was you, Salo.

    Do you frequently cite your own comments, Salo? Or perhaps you are cleverly reducing our expectations of you?

    Parent

    tomorrow is Thursday BTD. (none / 0) (#5)
    by Teresa on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:11:30 PM EST


    ... and you have a point, I suppose. But I confess (1.00 / 2) (#15)
    by Don in Seattle on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:18:21 PM EST
    I am too dim to see what it is.

    Parent
    Whatever. I have never been a smart as* (5.00 / 3) (#23)
    by Teresa on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:22:18 PM EST
    to anyone on this blog so don't start on me.

    Parent
    On occasion you have (none / 0) (#39)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:33:45 PM EST
    but in a nice way.

    Parent
    lol, I take that as a compliment coming from (none / 0) (#45)
    by Teresa on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:36:42 PM EST
    you BTD. (I really don't remember being a smart as*, though. Maybe sarcastic?)

    Parent
    You're nice enough, Teresa. (5.00 / 4) (#77)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:14:11 PM EST


    Parent
    The line is (5.00 / 1) (#82)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:17:23 PM EST
    "likeable enough."

    Parent
    Chipped in stone? (5.00 / 1) (#84)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:18:55 PM EST


    Parent
    LOL (5.00 / 1) (#99)
    by coigue on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:45:35 PM EST


    Parent
    lol, I honestly spit tea on that one oculus. (none / 0) (#79)
    by Teresa on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:15:53 PM EST


    Parent
    at least it wasn't in Latin. (5.00 / 1) (#87)
    by Salo on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:24:58 PM EST


    Parent
    Salo, you undoubtedly (5.00 / 1) (#101)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:47:33 PM EST
    already know this, but: Babelfish doesn't offer English to Latin translations.  

    Parent
    And? (none / 0) (#11)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:16:09 PM EST
    He; be in NY tomorrow before he goes to Washington.

    Not following your point.

    Parent

    You said (none / 0) (#21)
    by Teresa on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:20:40 PM EST
    Why is he not going to be in Washington tomorrow?!?!?!

    and I thought you thought tomorrow was Wed. Sorry.

    Parent

    Not going to be in Washington (5.00 / 1) (#41)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:34:30 PM EST
    tommorow morning while he is at the Clinton Global Initiative.

    Parent
    Maybe it's a non-political event? (none / 0) (#6)
    by EL seattle on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:13:13 PM EST
    That's the idea I get from this story about the event, anyway.

    but if the Bailout is this huuuge crisis that (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by JoeA on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:18:25 PM EST
    requires McCain's immediate presence in Washington so he can sort everything out . . . then the fact that he can't be bothered going to Washington until Friday undermines that argument.  The cynical might argue it's a stunt even!

    Parent
    He's addressing the event in the AM (2.00 / 1) (#18)
    by nycstray on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:19:25 PM EST
    and then going down to DC.

    Parent
    What's wrong with working tonight (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:23:42 PM EST
    and tomorrow morning?

    Parent
    Don't know (3.66 / 3) (#34)
    by nycstray on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:29:14 PM EST
    maybe he's working via telecommute tonight

    he speaks at 9AM tomorrow.

    Personally, I think they should both be there. One of them is going to have to live with this, so they should be standing strong with those they agree with, imo, and getting what they want in/out of it. Otherwise I suspect we'll just hear excuses next year when we are still having problems. Obama can "strongly recommend" all he wants, but I would like to see him there actively participating in mtgs and hearings.

    Parent

    Telecommute? (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:32:30 PM EST
    Is that too sophisticated for Mississippi?

    Parent
    According to the Obama ad (5.00 / 1) (#52)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:43:16 PM EST
    Biden dissed, telecommute is too sophisticated for McCain.  

    P.S.  In CA, it is now called "telework"!

    Parent

    yes! (none / 0) (#51)
    by andgarden on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:40:21 PM EST


    Parent
    As they say in Alabama, (5.00 / 3) (#61)
    by Teresa on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:57:48 PM EST
    Thank God for Mississippi! (I can say that, you can't.)

    Parent
    No clue (none / 0) (#125)
    by nycstray on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 11:58:21 PM EST
    was just trying to throw out an option.

    I haven't left my couch for a couple years on the work front. I think both candidates could keep in touch via tech. BUT, I think it would be better to see them in DC fighting for the people. And if the debate comes from there or goes to Old Miss with the focus redirected to the economy, all the better for us.

    Parent

    Beauty sleep, BTD. Duh. (none / 0) (#29)
    by rooge04 on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:25:50 PM EST


    Parent
    It's nice to speak at the Clinton (5.00 / 1) (#71)
    by litigatormom on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:11:23 PM EST
    Global Initiative, very interesting people there, everyone loves to hang with Bill, but as compared to appearing before millions of voters all over the country, and speaking to a few hundred people in NY, which would you cancel first if you thought that an emergency in DC required your immediate attention?

    Parent
    Bush invites Obama to WH (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by litigatormom on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:15:59 PM EST
    Apparently, Bush is trying to lend some sort of credibility to McCain's claim that they both need to be in DC working with Bush and the congressional leadership.

    Parent
    So he has time for non-political events during the (none / 0) (#13)
    by Molly Bloom on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:17:50 PM EST
    crises, but not political ones? Does this make sense to you? Either McSame is going all out to save the country in our time of dire need or not.

    Parent
    Does it really matter what his motives (3.50 / 2) (#19)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:19:27 PM EST
    are?  The effect seems to be about the same as choosing Palin for VP.  Throws the Dems. off-stride big time.

    Parent
    Not if it makes McCain look desperate. (5.00 / 1) (#24)
    by JoeA on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:23:03 PM EST
    The emerging narrative is not making McCain look good here.  

    Letterman -

    "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!"

    I agree with Barney Frank as well, he has a way with words here -

    It's the longest Hail Mary pass in the history of either football or Marys.


    Parent
    I don't think so. (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by Molly Bloom on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:24:01 PM EST
    I think Obama's response is about right - The President must be able to handle more than one task at a time. I don't think this stunt is a very smart one in the long run. It makes McCain look clueless, not statesmanlike.  

    Parent
    Didn't Obama cancel Letterman (5.00 / 4) (#32)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:27:58 PM EST
    appearance and campaigning due to Hurricane Ike?  

    I personally would rather see all the Congresspersons be at work if this crisis is the death of the U.S. economy as we know it.  If it isn't, just say so and go on campaigning and debating.  

    Parent

    This crisis (5.00 / 3) (#36)
    by CoralGables on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:31:55 PM EST
    is eight years in the making. Work on it through next January and present it to the new president. Eight years of Bush isn't going be solved by Friday. Indeed, any bailout forced through this week will just add to building Bush disaster.

    Parent
    Best line yet (5.00 / 4) (#102)
    by coigue on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:47:49 PM EST
    Eight years of Bush isn't going be solved by Friday.


    Parent
    I don't know, did he? (5.00 / 1) (#48)
    by Molly Bloom on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:39:11 PM EST
    If so McCain should have thought of Obama's response!

    I don't know if I want Obama and McCain to agree to anything right now, unless McCain capitulates completely. Hoover tried to get FDR to commit to his resolution to their banking crises (after the election, but before inauguration). FDR wisely said, you're still President and didn't take the bait and wasn't locked in to the Hoover plan. If possible, I'd rather ride it out just a bit more than give Phil Gramm a voice in this.

    Parent

    I agree with you. Barney Frank is on Dobbs' (5.00 / 1) (#53)
    by Teresa on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:44:39 PM EST
    show right now and Dobbs ask him why they have to do something right now. Frank said that they have been told that we are in danger of all loans being cut off immediately. No auto loans, no loans to stock inventory, etc. The millionaires on Wall St will be fine, it's the little guy that will be hurt.

    I'm not sure I believe that but I've always trusted Frank to be honest. Maybe they conned him into believing this.

    Parent

    I trust Frank more than most of them (5.00 / 2) (#58)
    by Molly Bloom on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:53:53 PM EST
     

    Parent
    Doesn't sound like Frank is (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:54:38 PM EST
    entirely convinced.  "We have been told."  Kinda weak.

    Parent
    Funny really (2.00 / 1) (#94)
    by Salo on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:41:52 PM EST
    Dobbs will interview Sanders and ask th eonly known socialist "why now?" and Sanders will offer the same sheepish reply.  "Capital will collapse"

    Parent
    Looks to me like... (none / 0) (#30)
    by CoralGables on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:26:20 PM EST
    he has off-strided himself right after today's national polls sent him into a stumble.

    Parent
    I feel pretty on stride myself (none / 0) (#38)
    by Big Tent Democrat on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:32:59 PM EST


    Parent
    But . . . but . . . but (none / 0) (#17)
    by nycstray on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:18:27 PM EST
    he canceled Letterman today  ;)

    What is he speaking about tomorrow? For some reason, I think it may involve the economy. Or my brain could just be scrambled.

    Letterman was p*ssed! (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by JoeA on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:27:03 PM EST
    He cancels saying he had to rush away to deal with the crisis,  but during the Letterman shoot he was actually just down the street being interviewed by Katie Couric.  I suspect he may have burned some bridges there and may get some tough treatment going forward.  Maybe there is a McCain themed top ten in the offing.  Top Ten reasons why John McCain cancelled Letterman,  or top ten reasons why John McCain wants to postpone the debate.

    I'm sure Lettermans writers could have some fun with that.

    Parent

    Is Letterman known as a McCain (none / 0) (#46)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:37:46 PM EST
    supporter?

    Parent
    No (5.00 / 1) (#74)
    by litigatormom on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:12:34 PM EST
    but most media people have generally liked him and treated him with respect.  Even Jon Stewart used to like him and treat him with respect. Not sure what he thinks now....

    Parent
    Don't think he can be touched on this... (none / 0) (#33)
    by outsider on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:28:16 PM EST
    ...because, since he and Obama are agreeing a joint statement, it makes it look like they have terms for a ceasefire, which implies there are terms about the appearances they can make without violating the truce.  So, if this appearance doesn't provoke a return to hostilities from the Obama campaign, it will seem as though it was sanctioned by them. Sneaky...

    Actually, this is rubbish (5.00 / 1) (#40)
    by outsider on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:33:56 PM EST
    I haven't been keeping up with the news on this. Only someone who hadn't heard Obama's response to McCain proposing a delay in the deabates would think this,  As I hadn't until I scrolled further down the TL front page...

    Parent
    It's all Obama's fault (5.00 / 3) (#76)
    by litigatormom on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:14:04 PM EST
    for not agreeing to all those town hall meetings across the country. First, he forced McCain to go negative on him and lie about him, Now, he's forcing McCain to not debate him. If Obama had done all those town hall meetings, he wouldn't need no stinkin' debates.

    Parent
    How about Obama gives (none / 0) (#60)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:56:08 PM EST
    the best speech ever on the current economic crisis and his proposed solutions?  

    /snark. Just helping you out with J. oculus. (none / 0) (#62)
    by Teresa on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:58:48 PM EST


    Parent
    Actually, I'm serious. (5.00 / 1) (#67)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:04:15 PM EST
    I think it would be most courageous and "Presidential" for him to straightforwardly address the issues.  Maybe even take a couple of questions.  

    Parent
    I agree (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by Rashomon66 on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:30:05 PM EST
    Obama could go to DC hang out all day with the Senators, hammer out a deal and then head to Ol' Miss in the late afternoon and talk to the American people that evening about what he will do while McCain hangs around eating dinner somewhere in DC.


    Parent
    No McCain? Debate Bob Barr. (none / 0) (#63)
    by Ben Masel on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 06:59:10 PM EST


    Nader's ready and willing. (none / 0) (#68)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:04:39 PM EST


    Parent
    It's a stunt alright, because McCain is chicken. (none / 0) (#91)
    by WillBFair on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:34:11 PM EST
    His voting and speech records are just too delicious. If Obama keeps the kind of straight talk he used in a recent speech, he should be able to shred McCain. I hope. I'd rather see Bill or Hillary take care of it, because they could do such the better job. But hopefully the Obamanator can step up.

    do not raise expectaions before a debate. (none / 0) (#93)
    by Salo on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:40:18 PM EST
    please.  It's a Kabuki dance.

    Parent
    Other tactical benefits for McCain (none / 0) (#92)
    by YesAndNo on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:36:56 PM EST
    McCain just wants to disturb Obama's prep.  He must think that, as the source of all Wisdom in foreign affairs, he cannot cram anymore.  So why not rattle Obama from his Florida intensive prep?  Plus if you get a delay, he could make Palin disappear from any serious debate and/or press availability through Nov. 5.

    Exactly. If the test may (none / 0) (#95)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:42:23 PM EST
    be postponed, perhaps I don't need to spend so much time studying.  And what if the subject of the test is different than what I'm prepping for.  Confusion.  

    Parent
    I did not have the time to read.... (none / 0) (#100)
    by Oje on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 07:46:44 PM EST
    all of the comments on these "debate" posts, but I just wanted to ask:

    1. Is McCain's motive more directly linked to the kind of outcome that Congress crafts? Is he trying to add to the fervor and the ultimatums that Bernanke and Paulson have created in their efforts to cram their proposal down Democrats throats? Is he gaming the policy, not the campaign by this maneuver?

    2. Is the McCain campaign - as Republicans have successfully done in the past two elections - looking to game the debates in some way with his proposal? What if the McCain campaign does not really want the debates canceled? What if there is a different narrative in the works that uses this gambit as a foundation for other campaign maneuvers?

    Apologies if addressed previously / elsewhere.

    I imagine there's one other consideration (5.00 / 1) (#111)
    by BrianJ on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 08:21:48 PM EST
    I haven't seen here-  McCain wants to be seen as running against the Congress, whose approval ratings make the Bush of today look like Bush in October 2001.

    If he can cut out Congress and work together with Bush and Obama to create a bailout bill, he humiliates Pelosi and Reid, gets seen as solving a crisis, and gets shown as a better leader than Obama (since he was the first to agree to said meeting) in one fell swoop.  That would probably be enough of a PR coup (and actual accomplishment) to win the election.

    Parent

    Can't do that. It is the Congress which must (none / 0) (#117)
    by Christy1947 on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 09:12:45 PM EST
    appropriate the money for this. Can't do it without them.

    McCain could be courting disaster here. At 10PM, there are only about forty Republs in the hosue for this, and the odds are not good that McCain can swing them or the Republs in the Senate who are also not fond of any bailout and would love to run against O on a bailout issue their voters don't like either. If he is there and the Repubs don't get on board, he has failed a leadership test in his own party, now that he is on the hook for bipartisan solutions.

    Parent

    Insane Logic from Bush (none / 0) (#108)
    by Doc Rock on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 08:13:54 PM EST
    The dire economic problems we are experiencing stemmed from huge foreign investments in our economy making cheap credit available.  The solution: borrow $700,000,000,000 from foreigners and inject it in our markets.

    Heh (none / 0) (#109)
    by Steve M on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 08:14:27 PM EST
    Your two arguments simply can't be reconciled with one another.

    No matter how hard you try, again and again, to make the case for McCain, you're not going to be able to this time.

    I think Obama (none / 0) (#120)
    by samtaylor2 on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 09:22:12 PM EST
    Has a winning line in McCain not being able to multi task.

    Just a thought, but (none / 0) (#124)
    by JavaCityPal on Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 11:09:33 PM EST
    Can someone explain to me how time is of the essence requiring cancellation of the Presidential debate but it does not require McCain to cancel his appearance at the Clinton Global Initiative?

    Maybe because the desire to call a couple of day suspension of this overly exhausting, repetitious campaign rhetoric includes a debate, and the Global Initative and the economic bailout are pretty important for the world at the moment. I, for one, would welcome a few days of focus on world events.

    If McCain Can't Debate, How Come He Can Appear At Clinton's Global Initiative? | 123 comments (123 topical)

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