By Andrew Zajac
Using the 'suspending the campaign and returning to Washington' trope normally reserved for deaths of high government officials or movie melodrama, Sen. John McCain this afternoon announced he's, well, suspending his campaign and returning to Washington, to deal with the mammoth financial meltdown -- and perhaps boost his flagging electoral fortunes by locking himself and Barack Obama in a statesmanlike duet for a few days.
McCain's move is similar to a yellow caution flag coming out in NASCAR races. The caution allows the guy in second place, which according to the most recent polls would be McCain, to close any gap and climb up onto the bumper of the race leader.
The difference is that in NASCAR the caution flag gets thrown as a result of external circumstance, like a wreck or debris on the track, and not by a race participant.
The early reaction to McCain's announcement has been underwhelming. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Congress doesn't need either McCain or Obama in the capital at the moment.
But the McCain campaign marching orders issued this afternoon call for the troops to emphasize the patriotism and high-mindedness of a rush back to Washington. Later this afternoon, Obama said that the debate should go forward as scheduled.
Here's a copy of talking points on the issue for McCain campaign surrogates.







Comments
Yellow is an appropriate color...
Posted by: cta | September 24, 2008 5:32 PM
No Use of Obama going back , he is empty suited on the issue any way, no experience-
Posted by: LOAM | September 24, 2008 5:38 PM
Obviously he is delirious..I didn't say senile altho this is absurd...The crisis is being handled by professionals and have said if they need the candidates they would contact them. Therefore this is more posturing from McSame/Palin the cheerleader camp........
Posted by: Randolph | September 24, 2008 5:47 PM
'Suspending the campaign' sounds like he's decided he doesn't want to run anymore. Which I wouldn't, if I were him--he helped create this mess.
Posted by: Cheryl Hussein | September 24, 2008 6:00 PM
So, let's get this straight. The press is reporting that a consensus is emerging, and McCain unilaterally suspends his campaign, so he can go claim credit for something he hasn't been involved in?
Very presidential...
Posted by: spud | September 24, 2008 6:37 PM
WELL, he's already gone ahead and talked to the people in charge of the debates and will try to get them to agree to suspend it until the week of Palins debate and push Palin's after his.
Hey, they postponed the campaign for a tribute to 9/11 several years after that event, so I think a crisis such as this could warrent at least that.
Posted by: MORE NEWS | September 24, 2008 6:37 PM
The guy who says "I don't understand it" in reference to the economy, suddenly wants to insert himself into a Washington debate?? And you thought epicking Palin was pandering....Hey everybody- look a me!!!
Posted by: karl | September 24, 2008 6:52 PM
McCain is the difference between a statesman and someone who votes "present".
Posted by: Mike | September 24, 2008 7:08 PM
Hmmm, wonder what's coming down the pike?
I heard that he wants to reschedule the Pres debate for the time already scheduled for Palin-Biden. Guess somebody isn't ready to go!
Posted by: athena | September 24, 2008 7:20 PM
In China, yellow dogs of capitalism! No wonder Paulson has wanted to weaken the dollar against the RMB.
McCain, go back to the Senate!
http://www.boppoll.com
Obama '08
Posted by: Yellow dogs of Capitalism! | September 24, 2008 7:45 PM
So, let's get this straight...the two parties were talking in Congress, starting to hammer out some compromises that might save our economy, and our erstwhile combat pilot decides to fly in (even Orrin Hatch says he hasn't seen McCain since April) and save the day...
Now, of course, the Republicans will have to harden their position, which means the Democrats will as well.
The last depression was caused by Republicans (Herbert Hoover, remember him?) and it looks like they're trying to drive us into the next one as well.
Or maybe it's God's will...
Posted by: tact | September 24, 2008 7:49 PM
I'm sorry but as Senators they both should be doing their jobs first before worrying about themselves. It is obivious that Sen McCain is an adult and does put his country first rather than the empty suit who only thinks of himself first. Obama is just afraid that McCain will be seated at the imprtant table while he knows zero about the economy of this country. Hero vs Zero you know!
Posted by: cccc | September 24, 2008 8:02 PM
OMG! McCain camp accidentally sent his talking points memo to press
http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct=:ePkh8BM9EwLbwQq0w4AFYgubEFNqDoRTAreoGGKbrpamW36Fgl9qebGCQlZ-dmqxQmJSfmmJQmJxMRBl5iWWZOalK_gnJeYmGrAKqWkppQGV54GU41CdD7QX5v5fbECbATSTJyc/0-0&fp=48da91270bb073b1&ei=FNfaSPfONaDw-AHm_6n9Aw&url=http%3A//washingtonindependent.com/7396/colo-mccain-staffer-accidentally-leaks-talking-points-to-reporters&cid=1250284031&sig2=F4z4kqz9M39ceJJuva1iJA&usg=AFQjCNFuUX1xS24Y1XCYfVJjTqNsT5S3Dg
Posted by: mjk22 | September 24, 2008 8:15 PM
"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Congress doesn't need either McCain or Obama in the capital at the moment."
Harry Reid. What an arrogant little pipsqueak.
If there is ONE Senator who is not needed, Mr. Reed, it's yourself.
Posted by: K.Connell | September 24, 2008 8:19 PM
The poor old guy just can't take it.
But don't worry; President Palin is ready to step in.
Posted by: C. Morris | September 24, 2008 9:59 PM
Obama doesn't perform his duty as a Senator even though he gets paid every month for it. Obama should know that the tax payers didn't pay him to campaign. Here is a message to Obama: Get back to work immediately. We need all hands on deck. If you don't, you'll be fired when you're up for reelection.
Posted by: Ryan | September 25, 2008 12:05 AM
So, because there’s a financial crisis, Senator McCain cannot take 90 minutes to address how he will face challenges around the world, including how and when he will send American troops to fight, and possibly die.
Wow. Troops would sure love that luxury.
Unfortunately, though, insurgents in Iraq don’t stop shooting at us, or setting IEDs, because our Commander in Chief needs a breather to figure out Wall Street.
Al Qaeda in the Afghanistan/Pakistan border region don’t send our troops notes that read, “Hey, I hear you guys are tied up with Wall Street. Your President needs to concentrate on other things, so we’ll give you a break. So, to make things easier on you, here’s our coordinates.”
Posted by: tried and true American | September 25, 2008 12:12 AM
"McCain reaches for yellow flag"...maybe he should reach for a white flag?
Posted by: DD | September 25, 2008 12:55 AM
I'm sorry but as Senators they both should be doing their jobs first before worrying about themselves. It is obivious that Sen McCain is an adult and does put his country first rather than the empty suit who only thinks of himself first. Obama is just afraid that McCain will be seated at the imprtant table while he knows zero about the economy of this country. Hero vs Zero you know!
Posted by: cccc | September 24, 2008 8:02 PM
Yes! Check out Zero Hero's great concern for the American people just two days ago. Keep up the hard work, Senator.
http://tv.popcrunch.com/john-mccain-cindy-mccain-rachael-ray-september-22-video/
Posted by: DD | September 25, 2008 12:59 AM
Now that Obama had to come back to the table to work out this crisis, he won't be leaving until there is an agreement made and that means NO SOLO DEBATE FOR HIM.
McCain gave 5 components that he wants to see accomplished and COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY will be the one that delays the debate I bet.
Posted by: TRANSPARENCY WILL BE THE SNAG | September 25, 2008 11:56 AM
I'm confused...why is McSame saying we need "all hands on deck" if "the fundamentals of the economy are strong"?
Posted by: karl | September 25, 2008 2:00 PM