HuskyCaucasian

seems like McCain didnt REALLY suspend his campaign:

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Sep 25, 2008 -> 06:34 AM) Not sure if this was already mentioned in here: Maybe the main objective in all of this is to stall for Palin and give her more time to learn on the job. This is becoming a joke. Postponing the VP debate is F'in ridiculous. Now his real motives have become clear.

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ Sep 25, 2008 -> 12:49 AM) Prediction: McCain will arrive in DC tomorrow, after the framework of a deal has been done by Congress. and take credit for passing the bailout like he did with the GI Bill.

QUOTE (lostfan @ Sep 24, 2008 -> 03:52 PM) I probably would've preferred if Obama just missed the FISA vote too. But at least he had the nuts to stand up and vote. McCain dodged FISA and when the GI bill came around, he issued a very oddly worded statement where he said he agreed with some parts, but hated others. He never said "Id' have voted for that" or "I'd have voted against it". He played politics and took both sides.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Sep 24, 2008 -> 03:37 PM) At this point, all we have are rumors. There are other rumors saying other things, like there's a plan 98% completed. Well, i think it's both. The higher ups in congress are the ones who have this at 98%, but they have to convince the rest of the house and senate to support it and THAT is where the problem lies. Remember, this isnt 500+ people all working on this. It's a select few from both sides who then have to sell it. And the GOP is having a hard time selling it.

For the record, McCain hasnt cast a single vote since April. Where was he during FISA and the GI Bill? No where. Shouting at a distance.

It took me an hour to wrap my head around this, but this is a 100% political move, and here is way. If this is TRULY all about the Bailout, an honorable man would have done this: He would have called Obama sometime between 2:25 and 2:45 and said "At 3PM, I am going to hold a press conference where I will suspend my campaigning, pull all my ads, call for a postponement of the debate, and head to Washington. I'd like you to join me. If you like, we'll issue a joint statement laying out that we are both putting our campaigns on hold and the debate will be postponed a few days. Neither of us will take credit for this. It's in the best interest of America that we do this. If you choose to not go along, then so be it." Here's what John McCain did: He told Obama he was thinking about suspending his campaign and asking for the debate to be pushed back. Hangs up the phone, a few hours later... Obama hears McCain's plan for the first time on TV in his hotel room.

Chuck Todd on MSNBC is saying that this bailout is being held up because of infighting in the Republican house caucus.

QUOTE (PlaySumFnJurny @ Sep 24, 2008 -> 04:02 PM) Strategically, I think Obama has to say damn the torpedos, full speed ahead. It would be too damn Dem of him to let McCain unilaterally alter a presidential campaign in this historic, unprecedented way when there is no clear and present danger at hand. He promised to run a different campaign than Kerry, Dukakis, et al. (i.e., have balls), so do it. Offer to fly in to Oxford from DC together, debate for 90 minutes, and fly back to Washington right after. He can promise to teach McCain how to use his Blackberry to stay in touch with Congress on the plane. He can tell him he's willing to skip meals and legislate all night if you have to, taking full advantage of his youth and vigor. Obama will look weak if he capitulates. In all serious, Obama should be 100% positive right now. No attacks on McCain. Go after Bush, but dont hit the man who isnt fighting back. He can really run with this only if he stays positive, in my opinion.

Rep. Barney Frank told a group of reporters outside the House chamber: "It's the longest Hail Mary pass in the history of either football or Marys."

Reid calls McCain: A Democratic source says Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid just called John McCain, and told him on the phone that it "wouldn't be helpful" for him to return to Washington.

Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer: Obama reached out to McCain in bi-partisanship. McCain played politics and unilaterally called for an end to the campaigns.

Obama Speaks: Lays out his general vision of what the plan should look like. Has talked to Paulson twice today and daily all this week. Obama and McCain agreed to a joint statement. McCain never firmly told him of his plans to suspend the campaign. This is EXACTLY the time to debate and hear from the candidates. "It's more important than ever." Says McCain told him he was thinking about asking to postpon the debates, but never said firmly they should (McCain blindsided Obama by going public with his demand). We need to be careful not to infuse Capital Hill and this crisis with presidential politics. Presidents need to deal with multiple things at the same time. There's no need to suspend everything (a hint he will continue to campaign?) Says he doesnt want to get in the way. (Politically getting in the way I assume) He'll be there if capital hill wants him there. But now is not the time to get in the way Sounds more and more like he'll keep campaigning while also working to make the bailout deal. Brushed off a question about pulling his ads. Sounds like he is pressing forward. Said he has agreed to do what he and McCain agreed to do (is the Joint Statement). (once again, insulating McCain didn't say anything about his plans? this is a political move?) Says he told McCain they should get the joint statement out first then talk further about suspending campaigns. (McCain jumped the gun and played politics.) He's going to get hit by the GOP for not caring about the bailout.

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/219410.php

Great title on Digg: McCain "Cuts & Runs" from debate with Obama.

Obama's camp has put out their version of events and now McCain spokesman Brian Rogers sends over the Crysal City tick-tock: Senator Obama phoned Senator McCain at 8:30 am this morning but did not reach him. The topic of Senator Obama’s call to Senator McCain was never discussed. Senator McCain was meeting with economic advisers and talking to leaders in Congress throughout the day prior to calling Senator Obama. At 2:30 pm, Senator McCain phoned Senator Obama and expressed deep concern that the plan on the table would not pass as it currently stands. He asked Senator Obama to join him in returning to Washington to lead a bipartisan effort to solve this problem.

QUOTE (DukeNukeEm @ Sep 24, 2008 -> 03:28 PM) I cant wait to read 538 this evening, its going to be glorious. 538? what is that?

Me = Obama... here's what I do. Go to Washington. Work on the bailout. Work WITH McCain. Cancel all public events Thursday and Friday. Keep running ads, but NO attack ads. Debate Friday. Demand it be on the economy. Back to work on Saturday.

From the "McCain's Trying to Hide Bad Polls" Crowd: CNN Polls: CO - Obama +4 MI - Obama +5 PA - Obama +9 WV - McCain +4!!! MT - McCain +11

QUOTE (Reddy @ Sep 24, 2008 -> 03:15 PM) Cafferty calling him out - essentially calling it political posturing and asserting that this is the EXACT time we should HEAR a debate about the candidates ideas and solutions to the problem of our economy. and I agree. And I know they have been prepping for Foreign Policy, but NOW is the time to debate the economy. Scrap the planning. An "unprepared" debate will truly show who is the most ready to lead.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Sep 24, 2008 -> 03:05 PM) Reid's statement: "We need leadership; not a campaign photo op." Actually, of all the times for them to go back to Washington, NOW is the time. Show leadership. Be the president.

QUOTE (Reddy @ Sep 24, 2008 -> 03:10 PM) McCain getting reamed on CNN how so?

I think the observation that McCain is trying to stall and table the debates is very accurate.

QUOTE (fathom @ Sep 24, 2008 -> 02:03 PM) It's a very difficult decision for Obama. I assume the Republicans will claim that he cares more about becoming president than actually helping out the citizens of the United States. EXACTLY why McCain is doing this. It's not about America, it's about playing politics.

QUOTE (Rex Kicka** @ Sep 24, 2008 -> 01:50 PM) Obama is currently saying No to delaying debates. U of Miss just said the debate is still on.