Breaking: McCain suspends campaign over bailout, wants debate postponed; Poll question added: What do you think?; Obama camp responds

By Michelle Malkin  •  September 24, 2008 02:56 PM

Scroll down for poll…what do you think of McCain’s move?…Obama camp responds…upshot: We can walk and chew gum at the same time…4:44pm Eastern…Obama speaking…gives a shout-out to GOP Sen. Tom Coburn…recounts negotiations over joint statement with McCain…staffs still working on joint statement…re. debates: “This is exactly the time when the American people need to hear” from [us]…

John McCain has asked the presidential debate commission to suspend this Friday’s debate so he can return to Washington to vote on the Mother of All Bailouts.

Your move, Barry O.

Lead, follow, or…

McCain is also asking President Bush to convene a “leadership” meeting, whatever that means.

More:

Republican John McCain says he’s directing his staff to work with Barack Obama’s campaign and the debate commission to delay Friday’s debate because of the economic crisis.

In a statement, McCain says he will stop campaigning after addressing former President Bill Clinton’s Global Initiative session on Thursday and return to Washington to focus on the nation’s financial problems.

McCain also said he wants President Bush to convene a leadership meeting in Washington. Both he and Obama would attend the session.

And more from FNC.

***

What say you?

What do you think of McCain’s campaign suspension?
Great chess move. He’s outflanked Obama.
I don’t get it. He should do the debate.
FAIL.
Don’t care. We’re screwed.

  
Free polls from Pollhost.com

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Posted in: Subprime crisis

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Comments


  1. #301
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:03 pm, bloodhound said:

    I love this one. Quote from Thomas Sowell:

    “we don’t look to arsonists to put out fires that they’ve created; neither should we look to Congress to solve the problems they’ve created.”

  2. #302
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:03 pm, cicerokid said:

    Credit? I don’t need no stinkin’ credit. Bought my property on land contract. A market crash is probaly the correction our economy needs.

  3. #303
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:03 pm, BlameAmericaLast said:

    Oh, and for a reality check? The stock market tumbled in 2000 — amount lost that year? $800 billion.

    Reality check.

    And we didn’t bail out the Internet companies now, did we?

  4. #304
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:07 pm, iamsaved said:

    Where’s the leadership in Congress from either house? All Harry Reid can say is we will not pass this bill unless the Republicans (namely John McCain) vote for it too. Always playing politics and never leading and making any decisions.

    What a failed congress.

  5. #305
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:07 pm, ajmontana said:

    We’ve been hearing from the Obama campaign that the fact that he is a junior senator does not mean that he cannot lead a country. Let’s see him lead his party in the Senate. If he cannot lead 48 Democrats, how will he lead 300 million Americans?

    bingo salt…..

  6. #306
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:08 pm, navywife91 said:

    On September 24th, 2008 at 5:46 pm, Ilovemycountry said:
    So it turns out that cancelling the debate was Obamas idea and McCain now McCain wants credit for this idea – so here’s the question:

    Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. As usual.

    Why does John follow Barack is it because John hates America?

    No, but you obviously hate America. Your swoop and poop is getting old. If you can’t respond to the questions asked in response to your posts, just go away.

  7. #307
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:09 pm, ajmontana said:

    iamsaved…..
    reid said “noboby know’s what to do”

    he’s the biggest loser in Washington.

  8. #308
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:11 pm, 7thson said:

    bloodhound said:
    “we don’t look to arsonists to put out fires that they’ve created; neither should we look to Congress to solve the problems they’ve created.”

    This sums it up nicely…

  9. #309
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:11 pm, markr said:

    Let Maverick be Maverick. I realize this
    would be quite a throw of the dice, but
    send Sarah to Oxford and watch everybody’s head explode.

  10. #310
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:12 pm, unseen said:

    sonofdy

    the road actually is to the new ferry that Palin went with instead of the bridge.

  11. #311
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:14 pm, zorro said:

    Socialism is on the march. NO BAILOUT.

  12. #312
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:15 pm, ajmontana said:

    The Dems are stuck on the Bridge to Nowhere, actually it goes off the deep end without a net.

    It’s Killin em and
    I Love it!!!

    McCain/Palin 08′

  13. #313
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:19 pm, freeus said:

    The FBI is supposed to be investigating this as well. IF people do their jobs Democrats will be “INVITED” to jail. Wonder if they do not want McCain around to 1) tear out their earmarks and 2) CYA so they are not invited to jail?

    This is going to backfire on THE ONE MANCHILD COMMUNITY ORGANIZER! And speaking of Community Organizers- has it not been touted by the Dems and THE ONE that he wanted to get down into the streets and work FOR the people? You know those people who needed help or to have their voices heard! What about those people in IL voices that need to be heard? What about all Americans voices that need to be represented? What about all those communities that could collapse if nothing is done and done soon? Insert elitist, racial crickets chirping sounds here!

  14. #314
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:21 pm, TanyaB said:

    I saw on Fox a few minutes ago, that McCain phoned Reid, and said he was going to come to Washington to be of some help. reid said “We don’t need a photo shop, we need leadership.”

    Pot calling Kettle?

  15. #315
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:22 pm, emjem24 said:

    Irish Rose said:
    Wow, this thread is bringing all the Obama shills to the yard.

    IR:

    I think it’s even worse than that. It’s been a tough week for Republicans. Our dear “leaders” are fiddling while the US balances on the edge. Of what? I don’t know.

    I think people on here are generally teed off and pessimistic about the future of this country. I guess I’m one of them. There are many who will perceive McCain’s move as not the right one (include those on this blog).

    I’ll be honest and say that neither party has the answers. If they did, they wouldn’t be in a rush to pass this bailout but get down to the actual causes of the sub-prime mess. I think that actually frightens both the parties and some Americans more. That when people are done pointing fingers at one another they’re all gonna realize (if human nature allows) that all Americans are to blame, whether they’re corrupt lenders, banks, homeowners who knowingly bought homes they couldn’t afford, or the average American citizen who voted for these pinheads who do nothing.

    I think, in the end, all the rats will return to their sewers unless there’s a big shake up and both parties take responsibility. They were both complicit. They both, even McCain and Obummer, took money from all the major players of the economic crisis, the FM’s, Lehman Brothers, CitiGroup, etc.

    I think Americans themselves don’t know what to make of this as well. They just know that (the 2/3 of them that is) that bailing out irresponsible people with our tax dollars smells to high heaven. A majority of Americans are instinctually recoiling.

  16. #316
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:22 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    On September 24th, 2008 at 5:50 pm, atheling said:

    It’s idiotic for Americans to think that the Dems are “better” with the economy than Republicans are.

    Not when one looks at historical data.

  17. #317
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:23 pm, ajmontana said:

    Obama couldn’t organize a panty raid. :shock:

  18. #318
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:24 pm, Southpaw said:

    Getting back to the subject at hand:
    Rightly, or not, this could be seen as a political stunt by McCain and has the potential to backfire.

    “Suspend the Presidential campaign”? What does that mean? What happens when your opponent doesn’t agree to suspend his campaign? I don’t like this move…risky.

  19. #319
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:27 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:24 pm, Southpaw said:
    Getting back to the subject at hand:
    Rightly, or not, this could be seen as a political stunt by McCain and has the potential to backfire.

    Especially in light of the fact that he still had time to sit down with Katie Couric and Lady Lynn de Rothschild

  20. #320
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:29 pm, shooter said:

    vsatt said: Has anyone else seen this suggestion from Dave Ramsey?
    I like Dave’s idea. Best outcome for the lowest price. Thought out like an entrepeneur(sic) instead of a beauracrat(sic).

    Dave brings up some great points. As he notes, part of the problem is in this;
    “They can’t sell this stuff, but accounting-wise, they’ve had to mark it down to market and it’s frozen the marketplace.”
    “they’ve had to mark it down to market” which is zero to 22%. Thats WAY TOO CHEAP in real life. I’d buy a house or two at 22%. Warren Buffet just did spend 5 Billion at a discount. Dave goes on to say that these homes have value. The mortgages are way to high and there is no equity in these houses BUT they’re not worthless.
    A couple million homes that lost value during this ‘crisis’ plus because of their own deceit, were mortgaged at at least 125% of appraised (ha-the appraisers were getting paid off also) value and buyers had no way to pay for them as their incomes weren’t even close to enough….Many were illegal aliens where we have no real recourse.

    What are they worth? How do you find out?
    Someone has to look at each mortgage and each property to find out. Only then will anyone know how bad this is.
    That is the problem at face.
    Dave says:
    “Tell them to change the mark-to-market accounting law and to extend insurance but extend no loans.”
    That works for the future, for the present and past debt he says:
    “…if we change that one rule and don’t force them to mark down to market value and just let them hold on to all the stuff, and say just on sub-primes for this period of time you can change that rule — a temporary change — that’ll free the market up. It’s seized right now; it’s frozen. This will thaw it out and get it going again. He says that’ll solve 60% of the problem … and I think he’s right.”
    Then you don’t have a trillion dollar of assets like AIG being sold to the govt for 85 billion plus all bad debt.($1.3 trillion?)
    It might give some companies time while it can free up CASH/ liquidity in markets that completely froze.

    I still don’t know enough and they wont tell me, but this is a start.
    We cant let our govt ‘buy out’ all of the lending companies and insurance companies and auto’s and banks and you get the idea.
    That is socialism and marxist in fact. Put Pelosi, Reid and Obama as leaders of that and ????? HEAVEN HELP US!

    We need McCain to bring as much to the public as possible so we can see what they’re doing.
    No illegals bailed out, no car loans, no past due pizza bills, no islamic schools bailed out, NOTHING ELSE even discussed.

  21. #321
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:33 pm, atheling said:

    Maybe we need a Great Depression.

    Maybe that will teach us to save, instead of spend.

    Maybe that will teach us to become more self reliant, than to depend on government.

    Maybe that will teach us to eschew the frivolities and work for only what is necessary. (I sure would like to see Hollywood go down the drain because no one will pay to see their garbage anymore).

    I don’t know. But I wonder if we need a lesson here – and only those with the wherewithal for self reliance will survive. (Who wouldn’t love to see Sean Penn and Barbra Streisand digging ditches to get by?)

  22. #322
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:39 pm, nativeaz08 said:

    Hmmm. I don’t think we need a depression. How, as a single mom with a small business, will I be able to keep our home, feed my child, pay bills, etc.?

  23. #323
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:43 pm, jhn1 said:

    I would suspect that the day before a debate is mostly spent on last minute “cramming”. Details, got ya’s, best spins on probable questions,
    And so forth.
    Attendance in the Senate would preclude that preparation, while allowing your opponent the preparation he would be skipping himself.
    Think of skipping the last minute study for a TEST THAT IS GRADED ON A CURVE.

    That said, unlike the “D” ticket, the “R” ticket has one participant who is not a sitting Senator, and has no Congressional authority and thus responsibility for the potential solution.
    If Sen. B.O. doesn’t call a similar halt, then Sen. J.Mc. should unleash Sarahacuda (who has no responsibility to learn and debate in real-time this problem)

  24. #324
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:45 pm, AlohaGuy said:

    Let’s see him lead his party in the Senate.

    This is the election in a nutshell. If he were a leader, he’d be leading. As it is he looks every bit the Junior Senator…

  25. #325
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:46 pm, gco said:

    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:33 pm, atheling said:
    Maybe we need a Great Depression.

    Maybe that will teach us to save, instead of spend.

    Maybe that will teach us to become more self reliant, than to depend on government.

    The Great Depression served as the rationale for massive government expansion, and led to most Americans thinking that Social Security (for all), Medicare (for all), and Income Tax (for all) were necessary, instead of limited government, hard work, self-reliance, saving, and planning ahead. If we have another Great Depression, what will seem necessary then? Suspension of elections? Press censorship? Martial law? Obama ’08: Change that fuels your nightmares.

  26. #326
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:47 pm, emjem24 said:

    atheling said:
    Maybe we need a Great Depression.

    Now, atheling, you’e being an alarmist. ;-)

    Maybe that will teach us to save, instead of spend.

    Most of us do live within our means. It’s the minority of Americans who are economic children.

    Maybe that will teach us to become more self reliant, than to depend on government.

    I’ve always been pretty self-reliant. My parents taught me that. I’ve always found a way to survive. I come from two farming families. There’s always something greater at work than government, such as Mother Nature. My father was a little boy during the tail end of the Great Depression and always encouraged me to save. We, as a nation, have forgotten how bad things can get because we’ve grown fat and selfish.

    Maybe that will teach us to eschew the frivolities and work for only what is necessary. (I sure would like to see Hollywood go down the drain because no one will pay to see their garbage anymore).

    I don’t even go to movies anymore. There’s so much available out there to do like read a book or watch educational programing like Science, History, Discovery channels. Many Americans have lost what little respect they ever had for Hollywood.

    I don’t know. But I wonder if we need a lesson here – and only those with the wherewithal for self reliance will survive. (Who wouldn’t love to see Sean Penn and Barbra Streisand digging ditches to get by?)

    Even Hollywood A-listers have their Golden Parachutes. You know, their compensation for their movie roles where it takes little time or talent to make a movie these days. If I had to grow my own food or cut back even more (which I do now), I can do it. There’s been times I never had much but I always had wits and my determination to survive. That’s what makes the human race such a strong species in some respects.

    I do think that America needs to reexamine its priorities and how much her citizens are willing to sell their souls to live for today instead of planning for the future or a rainy day. The future (and that rainy day) is sooner than the young (and even the kids I used to teach) seem to think.

  27. #327
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:48 pm, mikefln said:

    On September 24th, 2008 at 5:11 pm, Irish Rose said:
    Both candidates have a choice, here. They are not compelled to stay and debate.
    McCain is willing to be “present” and put his vote on record, five weeks before the election. No fear.
    Obamas’ choice? “absent”.
    Ask yourself why.

    VERY well said. You are definitely one of my favorite posters here.

    And then there’s this knucklehead:

    On September 24th, 2008 at 5:46 pm, Ilovemycountry said:
    So it turns out that cancelling the debate was Obamas idea and McCain now McCain wants credit for this idea – so here’s the question:

    Wow. Somebody opened a big bag of Troll Chow™ in this thread.

  28. #328
    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:54 pm, davenp35 said:

    Another poll to vote in.

  29. #329
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:00 pm, atheling said:

    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:47 pm, emjem24 said:
    Most of us do live within our means. It’s the minority of Americans who are economic children.

    I don’t think so. If that were the case, why so many bankruptcies, and why did the bankruptcy laws change during Pres. Bush’s administration?

    Nope. Americans live FAR past their means. Credit card debt is astronomical. I’d say you are in the minority (and kudos to you for it!)

  30. #330
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:04 pm, reutersrutter said:

    There seem to be a lot of Allahpundits here, (pessimists). Call everything off, lock up all those elected progressive fraud artists and get General Petreus to run Washington for a month! Nuff said. If not Canada could use a few more real, Conservatives.

  31. #331
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:07 pm, RetFireman said:

    The Tarnished Bovine made the statement that he thinks that, “This is the time when I feel it is most important for the American people to hear what the person who will fix this crisis has to say”.

    Sorry…McCain has it correct.

    Now is not the time to stand around talking and arguing about it. Now is when the American people want the person who is to run this country to take charge and DO SOMETHING about it, not just talk.

    Obmama: Stand around, do nothing and talk about it while it continues to grow.

    McCain: Get in there, take control and get the problem fixed THEN stand around and talk about it.

    Who is the one who is best to lead?

    If you have to ask now, after this prime example, then maybe you should stay home in Nov. 4th and “talk” about who you should vote for, rather than do it.

    When a building is on fire, you don’t stand around and talk about it. You pull the tank line, mask up and make entry.

  32. #332
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:08 pm, PercyJ said:

    Seriously!!! Has Obama even given a hint at what to do to solve this crisis. His pathetic attempt to say that a President has to be able to multi-task is ridiculous and makes him sound like even more of an idiot. The Debate is SO important that it must be performed. I expect a president to drop the little things that have NO bearing on anything and take care of the business that needs to be done.

    Why does he always sound like someone who has never managed anything in his life.

  33. #333
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:12 pm, purplepeep said:

    Misscheryl said:
    Barak is leading in the polls right now due to this economic crises.

    I wouldn’t put a great deal of stock in polls, most aren’t done right or have a built in bias. For example, the latest WaPo/ABC Poll has Obama leading by 9. But they polled 10% more Dems than Reps.

    Even NPR suggests keeping a salt shaker handy when looking at polls:
    Why NPR And ABC Presidential Polls Contradict

    Most polls, when they’re sorted out, show a horse race. And they aren;t even factoring the undecided vote which (oddly enough,lol) will be the “deciding vote”. I expect that bloc to lean heavily toward McCain.

    Besides those are generic national polls; Looking at the state polls shows it’s up for grabs at this point.

    However, what better way to prove this wrong by doing what McCain is doing and having Dopey respond “I’ll go to Washington if they need me.?”

    PLAYING.INTO.MCCAINS.HANDS.

    Yeah, I couldn’t believe Obama actually said that! It’s like when you’re a kid and you wanna help the grownups with something or other, but you’re actually only just getting in their way. The adults send the kids to the movies or sumthin’ and tell them “we’ll come get you at the theatre when we need you.”

    It was soooo funny!

  34. #334
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:17 pm, RetFireman said:

    Obama wants to stand around talking. McCain wants to go and do what he was elected to do and solve the crisis. Obama will go if, as he said, the leaders of his party need him. McCain shows he is a leader.

    If Obama feels his own Party does not need him, why does he or anyone else think that this country does?

  35. #335
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:31 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:17 pm, RetFireman said:
    McCain wants to go and do what he was elected to do and solve the crisis.

    What about the 410 out of 643 votes he missed in the current session…NONE since April 8th? Was he not elected for those votes too?

    Wake up this is purely a facade by McCain. I mean a compromised bailout plan is about 98% done already. My opinion, he’s looking to delay Palin’s debate. She’s been in a press vacuum for 40 plus days now while she has been cramming on all of the issues…we saw the Gibson debacle, she needs more time before her debate.

  36. #336
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:41 pm, madchef said:

    Obama has spent so little time in the Senate since he was elected, he has probably forgot where it is. The people of Illinios expect their junior senator to represent them.

  37. #337
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:42 pm, RetFireman said:

    I think you need to change your bong water dude.

  38. #338
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:43 pm, PercyJ said:

    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:31 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    Wake up this is purely a facade by McCain. I mean a compromised bailout plan is about 98% done already. My opinion, he’s looking to delay Palin’s debate. She’s been in a press vacuum for 40 plus days now while she has been cramming on all of the issues…we saw the Gibson debacle, she needs more time before her debate.

    As opposed to Biden who thinks FDR was president in 1929….and Television existed. WHO needs more time?

  39. #339
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:44 pm, nlebou said:

    Obama has spent more time campaigning than he has spent on the senate floor.

  40. #340
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:46 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:42 pm, RetFireman said:
    I think you need to change your bong water dude.

    What an intellectual retort.

  41. #341
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:50 pm, nativeaz08 said:

    What about the 410 out of 643 votes he missed in the current session…NONE since April 8th? Was he not elected for those votes too?

    Where’d you pull that out of?

    Barack Obama missed 306 (24%) of 1287 votes since Jan 6, 2005.

    John McCain missed 738 (18%) of 4104 votes since Feb 4, 1993.

    http://www.govtrack.us/

  42. #342
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:50 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:43 pm, PercyJ said:

    As opposed to Biden who thinks FDR was president in 1929….and Television existed. WHO needs more time?

    If Palin is so ready and Biden is not as you suggest, it would be foolish for the McCain camp to try and postpone there debate. Unless of course, the McCain camp has a more informed sense of her readiness than you. Maybe that is why they are keeping her hidden from the media.

  43. #343
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:53 pm, Roland said:

    Why does he always sound like someone who has never managed anything in his life.

    There’s a set up.

    Because he never has! Ba-da BOOM!

    And don’t you love how Democrats like Bayh are saying rather than “inject presidential politics” into the bailout, we should go ahead with the debate ……. and debate the issues of the bailout?

    Do Democrats and Republicans even speak the same language? Sure doesn’t seem like it. Nothing they say ever seems to make sense.

  44. #344
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:54 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:50 pm, nativeaz08 said:

    Where’d you pull that out of?

    Look at the current session of Congress…then compare the 2.

  45. #345
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:55 pm, Rob said:

    McAmnesty is not at all interested in what is best for this country. He is only doing this as a stunt. That being said, what ever the old goat has to do to keep the dope with hope out of the White House, he should do…

    McAmnesty is the lesser of two great evils…

  46. #346
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:56 pm, nlebou said:

    it would be foolish for the McCain camp to try and postpone there debate

    That is correct…McCain is going to DC to do his job. Not to postpone the debate.

  47. #347
    On September 24th, 2008 at 7:57 pm, moore.gg.comm said:

    McCain going to DC to work on the problem and wants to POSTPONE the debate. Barack ‘Hopenchange’ Obama wants to complain about the economy and do nothing that a Senator ought to do.

    So let’s compromise…

    McCain goes to DC and does the job a Senator is supposed to do and Gov. Palin goes and debates Mr. Hopenchange.

    I’d call that a win-win scenario…

  48. #348
    On September 24th, 2008 at 8:00 pm, nlebou said:

    Sounds good to me moore.gg.comm

  49. #349
    On September 24th, 2008 at 8:03 pm, CWinNY said:

    TOS,

    How about looking at this analysis of Democrat vs. Republican presidential economic performance:

    From the report: If you buy the 1-year-lag theory, something even more interesting pops out of the data. In looking at the trend over the last year of each term (the right-most column in the previous table), we see that every time an administration changed from Democrat to Republican, the trend was negative. That is, the Democrat left a decelerating economy for the Republican. Every single time: Truman to Eisenhower, LBJ to Nixon, Carter to Reagan, and Clinton to Bush 43.

    Conversely, every time an administration changed from Republican to Democrat, the trend was positive. That is, the Republican left an accelerating economy for the Democrat. Every single time: Eisenhower to JFK, Ford to Carter, and Bush 41 to Clinton.

  50. #350
    On September 24th, 2008 at 8:06 pm, beenthere said:

    I wish I could care. After tonight’s speech by Bush, stick a fork in McCain: he’s done. The only question remaining is how big Obama’s win will be. That and where our re-education camps will be located.

  51. #351
    On September 24th, 2008 at 8:14 pm, Rob said:

    After tonight’s speech by Bush, stick a fork in McCain

    Both of them are HORRIBLE anti-Americans. However, I still have hope that Palin will be president in short time after McAmnesty’s win.

  52. #352
    On September 24th, 2008 at 8:15 pm, CO2 Producer said:

    Screwed.

    I don’t know what the day-to-day schedules are like for Senators. Is there something about this vote that should be taking all of his attention? It’s not cut and dry? I think Obama’s mind has been made up about his vote, while McCain is giving his own some renewed attention. Maybe he’s listening.

    The drama is coming to a head over the next month and some-odd days. The timing of everything lately (including acts of nature) is astounding.

  53. #353
    On September 24th, 2008 at 8:17 pm, nlebou said:

    The timing of everything lately (including acts of nature) is astounding.

    Boy isn’t that the truth

  54. #354
    On September 24th, 2008 at 8:19 pm, zyzzyg said:

    Send Gov Palin to debate Sen Obama. Isn’t that what a VP is for? To step in when the president is unavailable?

    This could be the ultimate goal of the McCain campaign. Sen Obama is preparing to debate Sen McCain. What would Sen Obama do and how would he handle facing Gov Palin? It could take hm off his game, if he had one.

  55. #355
    On September 24th, 2008 at 8:22 pm, Mookie said:

    Obama and McCain heading to Washington tomorrow to meet with President Bush.

  56. #356
    On September 24th, 2008 at 8:22 pm, CO2 Producer said:

    I would like to add that I have a level of skepticism in me that says that this is just a political game of freeze tag.

  57. #357
    On September 24th, 2008 at 9:23 pm, RetFireman said:

    Anyone know if anyone needs the saviour yet? He has a plan you know…

  58. #358
    On September 24th, 2008 at 9:26 pm, RetFireman said:

    He said that he and McCain have large campaign planes that can get them out of Mississippi and back to Washington quickly.

    But that would be bad for the earth…and MichelleO’s children.

  59. #359
    On September 24th, 2008 at 9:30 pm, dominigan said:

    Sooooo… I have a suggestion regarding McCain and the debates…

    What if McCain suggested… “How about letting my VP stand in my place while I work on this very real problem? I have confidence in her ability to stand in my place and she’s going to prove this on Friday.”

    I imagine the D’s would jump at the chance to grill Palin. Obama would look cowardly if he tried to back down. Plus if she did well, it would make Obama look REALLY bad (that he couldn’t even debate the R’s VP). McCain could work on the problem and look like a leader, while demonstrating trust in his VP.

    It would be risky, but I think Palin would make a great Vice President. (Oops, did I really type that?)

    So, what do you think…?

  60. #360
    On September 24th, 2008 at 9:31 pm, dominigan said:

    On September 24th, 2008 at 8:19 pm, zyzzyg said

    ROFL! Great minds think alike!

  61. #361
    On September 24th, 2008 at 9:49 pm, ajmontana said:

    Only reason Odopey accepted the invite to the White House is because President Bush said he’d let him sit in the big chair for a couple seconds…. lmao

  62. #362
    On September 24th, 2008 at 9:51 pm, secondsight said:

    Obama was planning on hunkering down for a three day debate prep. Going to Washington for a photo op wasn’t in his plans. Wonder if his uh quotient will spike in Washington or in the debate or both?

  63. #363
    On September 24th, 2008 at 10:25 pm, sandyb said:

    On September 24th, 2008 at 8:14 pm, Rob said:
    After tonight’s speech by Bush, stick a fork in McCain
    Both of them are HORRIBLE anti-Americans. However, I still have hope that Palin will be president in short time after McAmnesty’s win.

    I think a lot of people are thinking that — just being too polite to say it. Then again, my husband will outright say something “untoward” when asked who he’s voting for.

  64. #364
    On September 24th, 2008 at 10:29 pm, sandyb said:

    On September 24th, 2008 at 8:17 pm, nlebou said:
    The timing of everything lately (including acts of nature) is astounding.
    Boy isn’t that the truth

    Saw the former head of Shell Oil with Glenn Beck earlier. He said that since Russia’s economy is tanking — due to the low price/demand of oil — that they’re going to start acting up again to jack up the price. If economic issues benefit dems, look out for geopolitical/terrorist things to help out McSame.

  65. #365
    On September 24th, 2008 at 10:35 pm, WarEagle82 said:

    Why is this such a crisis? The US Money Supply (M2) was around $7.7 Trillion in September. $700 billion represents 9% of M2 or one out of 11 dollars.

    Of course, not all that money will disappear in an instant. And even if they could the government couldn’t dump $700 billion into the markets overnight. So lets say they plan to dump $350 billion into the markets in 6 months. That is only 5.5% of the money supply.

    Is somebody going to tell me that the US economy will go into a GREAT DEPRESSION over 5.5% of M2?

    What are they talking about! This makes no sense. 90% of stocks were hit in 1929. Now we are worried about 5.5% of the M2? This is NUTS. They are either lying to us or they are scamming us. There are no other options!

  66. #366
    On September 24th, 2008 at 11:38 pm, love2rumba said:

    Wake up this is purely a facade by McCain. I mean a compromised bailout plan is about 98% done already. My opinion, he’s looking to delay Palin’s debate. She’s been in a press vacuum for 40 plus days now while she has been cramming on all of the issues…we saw the Gibson debacle, she needs more time before her debate.

    Perhaps you are correct, TheOtherSide, but McCain’s move was tactically brilliant…it set McCain up as a doer and leader, with Obama looking like an unaware tag-along

  67. #367
    On September 24th, 2008 at 11:49 pm, shooter said:

    Barney Frank should be in jail.
    He’s still trying to blame all of this on lack of regulation.

    Barney, you’re nothin’ but a low-life crook.

  68. #368
    On September 25th, 2008 at 12:14 am, WarEagle82 said:

    Frankly, I don’t see how McCain gains from this.

    1. He backs Bush and he loses because he agrees with Bush.
    2. He doesn’t back Bush and he get’s sidelined by the Dem majority in the Senate and made to look powerless and inept.
    3. He reaches some kind of compromise and he get’s bashed by Obama and his friends in the MSM who will attack anything McCain agrees whether it might help or not.
    4. He reaches some agreement including Obama and thus elevates Obama to equal status as a partner. Obama’s stature grows relative to McCain and Obama’s allies in the MSM start leaking how Obama really provided the leadership that made it all possible.

    Can anyone point out a way that McCain comes out ahead in this?

  69. #369
    On September 25th, 2008 at 12:18 am, emjem24 said:

    atheling said:
    I don’t think so. If that were the case, why so many bankruptcies, and why did the bankruptcy laws change during Pres. Bush’s administration?

    Yes, perhaps I’m being a little optimistic in my approach about the number of Americans who actually live within their “means.” Ironically, I’m generally a pessimist about people and culture (since I’m a social scientist by profession).

    I was trying to reference the statistic where most people are at least paying their mortgages on time. I don’t know about the general number of people filing for bankruptcy and who makes up that group. What also disturbs me are the constant AARP commercials (though I don’t see them anymore funny enough) portraying people who had medical emergencies, couldn’t pay their medical bills and had to file for bankruptcy. Voila… universal healthcare for those who can’t budget or find adequate health care plans. That’s where the lack of saving really makes a difference. So your point is duly noted.

    Nope. Americans live FAR past their means. Credit card debt is astronomical. I’d say you are in the minority (and kudos to you for it!)

    I hear ya here too. I used to be in the majority. I’m on the right track now- FINALLY!!! My husband and I have much less credit card debt than we used to. I’m almost done paying my student loan and then there’s just a car loan. Perhaps, I’m still in the majority? I do have a rainy day fund, and put in a little every month for investments.

    I’m really quite a tightwad. I’d put Scrooge to shame (except for the charity donations per year). My husband is the spender- I’ve had to literally get him to tighten his financial belt and really take budgeting seriously. Amerca also needs such a lesson.

    Credit cards are like pacifiers. If you don’t stop using them as a crutch, you’ll never be able to know what it’s like without one.

  70. #370
    On September 25th, 2008 at 1:38 am, Digshot said:

    You’re actually going to defend this guy for trying to squirm out of a Presidential debate? Wasn’t McCain all over TV last week mocking Obama for not agreeing to all of his town hall debates?

    New low Republicans.

  71. #371
    On September 25th, 2008 at 8:00 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

    Digshot,

    You presume that McCain has something to fear with respect to debating Obama. That’s absolutely hilarious!

    Recall Saddleback and you libs shouting from the mountaintops – he wasn’t in the cone silence!!!! That was due to McCain mopping up the floor with Obama…and get this – it wasn’t even a debate. So, cool your heels. He isn’t squirming out of the debate. You can call this move many things – squirming out of a debate isn’t one of them.

    Lastly, Obama has been hold up in FL while his team prepares him for debating McCain. It seems the junior senator needs to practice, practice, practice.

    I like this move by McCain for a variety of reasons. One of which reminds me of football. The other team always calls a timeout just before the kicker is about to attempt a field goal. It’s a way to try to throw the kicker off his game. Sound familiar? McCain – 3
    Obama – 0… how fitting.

  72. #372
    On September 25th, 2008 at 9:33 am, Trop said:
  73. #373
    On September 25th, 2008 at 9:40 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

    Trop,

    I would only ask that you apply the same standards to Obama and Biden… if you can do so objectively. I’m not holding my breath.

  74. #374
    On September 25th, 2008 at 9:59 am, DBNinKY said:

    On September 25th, 2008 at 1:38 am, Digshot said:

    Is that how you felt when B Hussein Obama flaked out on SNL? I don’t think the people of Texas exactly required his prescient concern to be able to with stand Ike.

    On September 24th, 2008 at 6:22 pm, TheOtherSide said:

    Save your sourced indignation, TOS. If BHO had had the nerve to take this stance, instead of yielding it President McCain, you would have been one hundred percent behind it, and we all know it!

  75. #375
    On September 25th, 2008 at 10:12 am, Trop said:

    30 pieces, I am voting for Bob Barr. He’s the only one who cares about our constitution.

  76. #376
    On September 25th, 2008 at 10:21 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

    Trop, good on you.

  77. #377
    On September 25th, 2008 at 11:00 am, Misscheryl said:

    AJ – I can see Dumbo in the big chair, twirling ’round and ’round…getting sicker by the minute.Visuals, you gotta love them.

  78. #378
    On September 25th, 2008 at 11:01 am, Laree said:

    Time for Some Rattler Gator, Black Conservatives support “Country First” J.B. White is a wonderful writer. I highly recommend his blog. Obviously he is also a Gators Fan:)

    http://rattlergator.typepad.com/rattlergator/2008/09/operation-country-first-the-campaign-theme.html

  79. #379
    On September 25th, 2008 at 1:00 pm, Cosmo said:

    TanyaB said:

    I saw on Fox a few minutes ago, that McCain phoned Reid, and said he was going to come to Washington to be of some help. reid said “We don’t need a photo op, we need leadership.”

    Pot calling Kettle?

    I believe that’s what John’s proposing, Harry. Except that YOU are the photo op, and McCain is offering leadership.

    Wasn’t Reid’s original line–off the record–that they “couldn’t come to consensus without McCain?”

  80. #380
    On September 25th, 2008 at 1:16 pm, Ilovemycountry said:

    Looks like the old man needed a “time out” – none of our soldiers get a time out why should he?

  81. #381
    On September 25th, 2008 at 2:59 pm, DBNinKY said:

    On September 25th, 2008 at 1:14 pm, Ilovemycountry said:

    What’s the matter – afraid BHO will forget his lines?

  82. #382
    On September 25th, 2008 at 3:10 pm, DBNinKY said:

    On September 24th, 2008 at 4:17 pm, nyk said:

    I think they’re pretty funny:

    Kinda juvenile, dontcha think?

    T SHIRT 1:

    John McCain can’t multitask.

    Obama can.

    Oh yeah, those reliable voters over age sixty-five won’t be able to contain themselves (with laughter) when they read that little ditty. It’s a hoot!

    T Shirt 2:
    The Dog Ate My [History] Homework
    (John McCain’s Joe Biden’s face here)

    Much better!

  83. #383
    On September 25th, 2008 at 3:30 pm, Digshot said:

    Is that how you felt when B Hussein Obama flaked out on SNL? I don’t think the people of Texas exactly required his prescient concern to be able to with stand Ike.

    Not quite sure what you’re talking about, but it sounds like you’re comparing canceling on a dreadful sketch comedy show to scurrying away from a Presidential debate.

    Is that right?

  84. #384
    On September 25th, 2008 at 5:01 pm, purplepeep said:

    DBNinKY said:
    Is that how you felt when B Hussein Obama flaked out on SNL? I don’t think the people of Texas exactly required his prescient concern to be able to with stand Ike.

    LOL, DBN. And remember Barry’s abject, total cowardice when Philandering John Edwards ordered Obama to follow his lead (actually “retreat”) and run from the Fox debates?

    In time of crisis McCain chose duty to country, Obama choose to play in the sandbox instead. It seems people have noticed the stark contrast:

    Zogby Poll: McCain Recovers as Contest Takes Dramatic Turns; McCain 46% – Obama 44%

    No wonder the Obamites are in a frothing full-moonbat rage over this!

  85. #385
    On September 25th, 2008 at 7:05 pm, nyk said:

    Kinda juvenile, dontcha think?

    Do I think that creating t-shirts that call out McCain, using humor, for trying to dodge a debate when he’s not doing well is “juvenile?” Not really. Staging a publicity stunt to make yourself seem presidential? Seems pretty juvenile (where juvenile is a euphemism for pathetic) to me. Clearly, you disagree.

    The irony of this situation is that John McCain hasn’t suspended his campaign at all. To quote Kos — yes, Kos — because whatever you think about that site, if you’ve watched the news or been online today, all of this is easily confirmed:

    His surrogates are all over television, attacking Obama. His campaign ads are still running and his Internet fundraising is still operational. McCain’s press crew is fully operational. He spent the day with Rick Davis, his lobbyist campaign manager. And all of his campaign offices are still open and fully operational.

    And now comes word via Jonathan Martin at The Politico that McCain will spend the evening doing interviews on ABC, NBC, and CBS.

    The beauty of this is that he’s done this before:

    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.

    With McCain artfully dodging the hard questions and Sarah Palin having a really hard time answering even the easiest ones (see here and here),
    it’s shaping up to be quite an easy decision.

  86. #386
    On September 25th, 2008 at 7:14 pm, nyk said:

    Zogby Poll: McCain Recovers as Contest Takes Dramatic Turns; McCain 46% – Obama 44%

    By EVERY other estimate, Obama is leading by margins greater than ever before. Tool around to some of the other polling sites.

  87. #387
    On September 25th, 2008 at 9:20 pm, purplepeep said:

    nyk said:

    Zogby Poll: McCain Recovers as Contest Takes Dramatic Turns; McCain 46% – Obama 44%

    Tool around to some of the other polling sites

    .

    First off, I don’t get excited by polls no matter which way they go, laddie. Especially when they show sudden, wild swings, when they do such polls are term “outliers”. i.e. out of the norm.

    Second, when you look the outlier polls more carefully you see why you should have a full salt shaker handy.

    For example, you may cite the latest Wapo-ABC polls which claims a sudden 9 point lead for Obama. If you’re just taking it at face value, then I understand where you might think Obama should be picking out drapes for the Oval Office even though that lead is nowhere Dukakis’ 17 point one in 1988.

    To demonstrate the inherent problem with depending on such numbers, Pajamas Media looked at the methodology involved – here’s a quick excerpt, but it should give you an idea of why some skepticism is called for:

    what the news outlets failed to report in their coverage about the Washington Post-ABC poll was the fact that 38% of the individuals who made up the poll identified themselves as Democrats, while only 28% identified themselves as Republicans. (See poll question #901.) Not surprisingly, a poll of mostly Democrats revealed that most of them wanted Democrat Barack Obama to be president rather than Republican John McCain. (Last month, the same poll used a 13-point edge for the Democrats among likely voters to produce similar results heading into the conventions.) The heavily skewed partisan nature of the poll is the real story, not the bogus numbers produced as a result of what is essentially a “push poll.”

    Third, even if you accept that poll, it was before the items we’re talking about here – the economic melt-down and McCain’s choosing to “do his job” instead of playing politics as usual.

    Now, on the contrary, the numbers I cited reflect voters choices after all the economic and debate fuss. Hence the title “McCain Recovers as Contest Takes Dramatic Turns; McCain 46% – Obama 44%”.

    Forth, and finally, what you should be looking at are the “undecideds” and “independents”. I expect they will be the deciding factor and, as of now, both groups tilt moderately to heavy for McCain. The other thing to remember is the national vote – even if the polling could get it right – means diddly. There’s not 1 election for President, but 51. Just as with the “undecided voters”, the “undecided states” is the big, underlying story. How they will go is anybody’s guess and pretty much depends on how many voters got up on which side of their beds on Nov 4th.

    At any rate, if you have any other questions on all this, I refer you to Presidents Dewey and Dukakis.

  88. #388
    On September 25th, 2008 at 11:44 pm, nyk said:

    First off, I don’t get excited by polls no matter which way they go, laddie.

    Neither do I (it’s “lassie,” btw). But I was responding to one of your fellow conservatives, who apparently does think the polls matter. So much so that s/he dug up the lone poll (Zogby) that shows McCain ahead and said:

    No wonder the Obamites are in a frothing full-moonbat rage over this!

    I found it quite a stretch and, using the same criteria, refuted the argument.

    Fin.

  89. #389
    On September 26th, 2008 at 12:49 am, purplepeep said:

    nyk said:

    I was responding to one of your fellow conservatives, who apparently does think the polls matter. So much so that s/he dug up the lone poll (Zogby) that shows McCain ahead and said:

    Ah, so it’s a missy and not a lad? Ah well. But to further de-confuse you: I’m independent with some views that are conservative, middlin’ and some JFK/common-sense old-school democrat.
    Also, if you check, that was me to whom (“to who?” – eh, whatever, I’m tired) you responded.

    And I cited the only poll that shows the polling data POST-debate issue/economic emergency issue kerflufle, as I already highlighted. The others are old and do not reflect the voters reaction to McCain’s decision to tend to business first, as that one does. You’ll have to wait a few days for the dust to settle in other polls.

    “No wonder the Obamites are in a frothing full-moonbat rage over this!”

    Yup, that was me (again, just scroll up), McCain putting country first on the debate question put the Obama campaign in between a major rock & hard place. It was already in throes of PDS, so this just drove them into even more furious disarray. Not only did McCain do the right thing but he thrust Obama in a bigtime catch-22. A nice twofer.

    Fin.

    That’s “Fin” with me, too. ;)

  90. #390
    On September 26th, 2008 at 12:12 pm, Digshot said:

    So… McCain is going to debate now, and if you’ve spent the past few days suggesting that it would be some great example of leadership for him to not attend, or that he put Obama on the spot or whatever, then you should be pretty embarrassed for yourselves.

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