McCain's bailout: Bush to the rescue

Schoen is right on the button:

From:
Head of State
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/09/mccain-trailing-in-polls-continues.html

Wednesday, September 24, 2008
McCain, Trailing in Polls, Continues Campaign By "Suspending" It

John McCain, trailing by 9 points in national polls, has announced that he is "suspending" his campaign.

Having lost significant ground to Obama on the issue of the economy, and facing a potentially defining and withering debate on Friday where he would be confronted on his statements on the economy that have led to this sharp decline, McCain has attempted to change the rules of the game, to erase many past errors through a putatively "unpolitical" move--something we have seen before.

A simple question: Under the same economic conditions, if McCain had been leading, does anyone believe that McCain would have "suspended" his campaign?

This is the ultimate in cynicism--using the current conditions in order to attempt to blunt a sharp decline and try to control the media dialogue, through a political act designed to avoid a potential political debacle. He is continuing his campaign--which was leading to loss in all directions--by "suspending" it. It is an attempt to silence media criticism and questions--and to prevent a debate on these issues that for him is sharply unfavorable. As such, it is impulsivity masked as statesmanship, as well as an attempt to control the media dialogue, as we saw yesterday at the U.N.,-- factors we have seen all along. He wants to attempt to force media to avoid covering openly his flailing campaign, the cynically political masked as the unpolitical, as we saw in the VP pick. Don't be fooled.

McCain is attempting to avoid the debate in the face of this decline, through the type of evasion and lack of press access and communication that has characterized his campaign. It shows an extraordinary willingness to use difficult conditions to erase and avoid political errors, and serve political needs.

He surely would like to put off the debate, and attempt to create more favorable conditions for it.

This is just the time for a debate. We can work on solutions at the same time. Don't be cowed.

Cite:
Head of State
http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/09/mccain-trailing-in-polls-continues.html

Could McCain be having a senior moment or is he just too overwhelmed by this crisis to debate?

Or, is McCain really being dirty and underhanded, trying to pull the wool out from under Barack's feet, when he reached out to him early Wedensday morning in a bi-partisan moment, so together they could show solidarity and release a Joint Statement, however, McCain did not like that idea and decidied to bring politics into an already unsteady situation in an attempt to aid his political career, pretending that it was he who reached out to Barack and not the otherway around! However, that was not good enough, he must one-up him and cancel the campaign all together, the crisis is so great, a sudden change of heart that makes McCain look phony and untrustworthy. That is not putting Country first, but we already know that by his Pallin pick!

And, of course, the debates should not be cancelled. A President has to be able to multi-task, big time! McCain's cancelling looks more like a senior moment or that he is too overwhelmed and distraught to be albe to explain to the country just what he would do to address this problem.

McCain the Wizard of Oz now pretends he has a heart, brain and courage! If so, its not working very well. His wall of lies and deceipt are closing in on him and soon there will be no place to hide, not even in the Senate. McCain you can run, you can lie, but you cannot hide.

How about quoting some more in-depth analysis from David Letterman?

We can't get this incompetent out of office soon enough:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/25/opinion/25thu1.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Let's just have the vote today. This thing is over. What is McCain thinking? Now I hear he wants to suspend the VP debates too. Next he will want to suspend the election.

Obama doesn't even have to try now. McCain is toast.

http://www.boppoll.com

McCain's own team should be Bopping him now to get a little frustration out. 70,000 and he breaks 1,000,000. Who cares!

This notion that McCain is afraid of debating Obama is ridiculous. He suggested debating ten times. Obama denied. I think people will be surprised at how well McCain looks in the debates.

Wow, Mark! And I thought I was cynical this morning. (See my earlier post.)

I'm not sure McCain was just reacting to the polls. But judging from what most people seem to be posting, his reaction does appear to be a "bailout," not a stand for "country before party."

This won't matter in a couple of weeks, anyway. Either a deal will have been done and the nation saved or, to hear GW tell it, "the lights will go out in Georgia."

If a deal ISN'T done and the lights don't go out in Georgia, this too might work against the Republicans whose bluff will have been called.

Either way, it's probably the worst time ever taking over the reigns of a presidency. At least in '32 the Depression was already under way. Next January, the soup lines might just be forming. So the next president might not just inherit a mess, he might get blamed for some of it.

When the going gets tough, John McCain asks for a timeout?

LMAO.

These "debates" are little more than well rehearsed, scripted joint press conferences. The audiences are packed with campaign workers who wildly cheer each and every vacuous slogan and unoriginal one-liner. Personally I can do without them in their current form. I'd love to see actual debates, though.
.
I understand that theater has always been a part of politics (I would guess from the dawn of civilization) and that televised "debates" indeed matter in terms of political theater. But let's not pretend that there are exchanges of ideas in them, OK?

Sarah Palin to the rescue. Senator McCain should debate so all of America can hear his wisdom. In his stead he should send his choice for potential President, Ms Palin, to Washington to handle this international crisis. That way, all the world could see her wisdom in action in a world crisis. That might be more telling than a debate!

I wish the Trib would stop presenting opinionated commentary from the Swamp as "news" on the front page. It's misleading...but you already knew that, didn't you?

Just a shame that they can use this as a political toy. If its so serious then why all the "Showmanship"...
Oh that's right, hes the one who also has to remind us hes a hero...
Thanks but is it us that's forgetting or you Mr. McCain..?

Suspension of the debates will cost the college 5.5 million...will McCain reimburse the school for these costs out of his campaign funds?

McChicken!!
McChicken!!
McChicken!!

just plain weird.
Everyone agrees. Even McCains own troops are off balance defending him.

So many of americans are disappointed in McCain, we thought of him as a honest and trustworty man. Now we know him to be a shallow anything to get elected man. Many of us knew nothing of the company he keeps exp; Phil Gramm. We did not know he wanted power so much he would lie to get it

Is McCain for real?!! Our perceptions of the candidates are honed at the debates and it would be suicide to run from the first one between them.
He wants to stop EVERYTHING to help cram another 700 Billion dollars of debt down our throats without properly checking it out first. "Hurry, Hurry, Stop Thinking, Just do what I say Now!" has always been the Bush administration's way of doing things,......Why is it so imperative to act immediately? This screw up has taken time to develop, so think about what it is and the long term effects of ALL of the solutions before jumping blindly into it like Bush and friends would have us do. His guidance hasn't been exactly stellar so far has it? But McCain's already on the bus and honking the horn.

Remember,...If it smells like Bovine Feces,...........

SLOW DOWN AMERICA!

Where's Sarah? Why was it necessary to suspend campaign? Isn't Sarah ready to take over as VP candidate and campaign?

So many of americans are disappointed in McCain, we thought of him as a honest and trustworty man. Now we know him to be a shallow anything to get elected man. Many of us knew nothing of the company he keeps exp; Phil Gramm. We did not know he wanted power so much he would lie to get it

U.S. NATIONAL DEBT CLOCK
The Outstanding Public Debt as of 25 Sep 2008 at 10:48:48 AM GMT is:
$9,794,900,102,976.55
The estimated population of the United States is 304,791,490
so each citizen's share of this debt is $32,136.40.
If Bushs proposal goes ahead to bail out $700 bil using US Taxpayers money this will increase EACH citizens debt (Man, Womaan and Child) by $2,444 (min), so each Citizens share of this debt will now raised to $34,280.40
Of the $9.2Trillion in total Federal government debt outstanding at the end of CY 2007, approximately $5.1 Trillion was owed to the public (foreign and domestic) in the form of treasury bonds and T-bills. Of that $5.1 trillion, nearly half, $2.4 Trillion, was owed to foreign interests.
Foreign parties controlled 46% ($2.4 trillion) of $5.1 trillion of outstanding Treasury bond and T-Bill dominated debt - at the end of 2007.
This means each man, woman and child (2007) owed $7,973 in federal debt to foreign interests. A family of 4 owed $31,893 in this regard - - 25% of the total is owed to Japanese interests, 20% to China.

This is a rapidly rising trend since 1992, as the share of foreign holdings more than tripled.
Who was the idiot that said about debt, 'We owe it to ourselves, so its no big deal if debt goes up.' This proves Americans owe a huge amount to foreign interests - - and that's a very ,very serious situation to be in ......... .

Hey Mark, McCain, Obama, and Biden are all US Senators. The economy is in trouble and Congress has been charged (right or wrong) to fix it. McCain is doing the right thing. Is this how Obama is going to run a presidency? Ummm, hey guys, this is crisis but let me get in my photo ops, campaign stops, and otherwise continue business as usual. And, oh, call me if something develops. If another 9/11 were to occur, I could see Obama doing his rounds on SNL or The View. What a snotty punk.

Gee I wonder who Mark Silva is voting for. Maybe Obama should take a que from McCain and show up for something important and actually try and resolve an issue. His flippant response of "I'll show up if they need me" is very irritating. He is still being paid as a Senator. I suppose he doesn't want to fly all the way back to Washingington just to vote "Present"

This bailout is sounding more like approving an exotic, hybrid, subprime loan to Borrowers the Lenders know won't be able to pay back. Oh, we have the American taxpayers as the security to fund this bailout. I have been calling it "Welfare Banks".

This is the Hug Sequel 2 for McCain and Bush. So now Presidential politics is thrown into the mix everyone can thank McCain/Bush for this. Schmidt and Rove must be gloating in their war room right now.

Democrats and Republicans if Bush was really serious about fixing Wall Street he would have done it a few years ago. This is Bush's last scare tactic don't fall for it. Notice Bush will not be held accountable for this. This is his last power grab.

Jon McCain should bail out for good period.
A debate between McCain and Obama gives Obama more advantage than a bail out.
At 9 point ahead we can believe they will become 14 after the debate and John MCCain knows that.....

I'm wondering when someone will trot out the savings and loan scandal of the 80s. McCain escaped that one but didn't look too good.

The Liberty Bell Rang for Liberty and Equality - Does Obama? It is hard to tell given the media’s role in obfuscating his life.
http://zachjonesishome.wordpress.com/2008/09/24/obama-the-liberty-bell-rang-for-liberty-and-equality-larry-sinclair/

My first thought was....yet, another maverick move by McCain. It's manipulation of the press, the campaign and most of all--all of us countryfolk.

Amazing that Google news has this "Commentary" as the top "News Story" on their page.

Nothing to see hear, move along....

My first thought was....yet, another maverick move by McCain. It's manipulation of the press, the campaign and most of all--all of us countryfolk.

Bush told the rather-be-campaigning SENATOR to "get yer butt back here and do your job."

Gee...why should we expect an elected official to actually perform the duties that he was elected to do.

Oh...that's right...Obama IS doing what he was elected to do: Nothing (except run for another office).

"The Swamp" is a fitting name for this Obama rah-rah fest. Could you be any MORE far-left?

Obama should not cancel the debate, if he does, it will appear that he caved in to presidential and GOP pressure.

If Obama shows up and McCain does not, the advantage will be Obama's, as McCain will be seen as "chickening out" at the last minute.

McCain is in a panic. After he said the "fundamentals of the economy are strong" a week ago, all of a sudden there's an economic meltdown because he and his unregulated free market robber baron buddies on Wall Street put profits before the good of the people and the country. Now, they come with hat in hand to the government asking for a socialized taxpayer bailout. I say no, hell no to the criminals on Wall Street. Give help to homeowners facing foreclosure and the unemployed and fund a massive public works program to develop alternative energy and rebuild our dilapidated infrastructure.

McCain is simply making excuses.. Is there any difference between that and the last 8 years!?

From what I've heard, the Post Poll isn't a fair judge of where the country stands. It was skewed toward Dems and African Americans and had a small Rep component...

For a guy who has missed 64% of the votes in the Senate, Mccain picks an interesting time to start working on his "other" job. I think he's a scared rabbit and is afraid to debate Obama! He can barely speak in front of a friendly crowd, my friends.

I feel the same orchestrated pressure on the back of my neck that i felt when the Bush admin. was pushing for the war on Iraq's 'weapons of mass distraction'. This is the time to make the Bush Admin. pay for the lies; and include in the bail-outs mortgage relief; And!, bankruptcy court leniencies for average citizens. Because I smell more
"Weapons-of-Mass-DISTRACTION"

Don't agree with you, Mark. Frankly, there won't be many people talking about the Friday debate on Monday if we wake up to a crashed stock market. As far as I'm concerned, the entire election can be put on hold to deal with this potential disaster of historic proportions. Not a time to talk, Mark. It is a time to act. And that isn't going to be very effective from a hotel room in Mississippi.

it seems Mr. Silva is all excited because of a small faux pas regarding a matter of little importance...but of couse, the left leaning press will use it to create a problem where one didn't exist. where were you Mr. Siva when Mr. McCain asked the Dem. nominee to town hall meetings and he pushed it off. Is it because he couldn't use his teleprompter...my, my ...I remember several elections in recent history in which the press used phony polls. They lost...be what may Mr. Obama's weaknesses are too glaring.

And so another round of "scare" tactics from the bush regime. Why cant the American people see through this? If it isnt terrorists, which that card has been played to death, now it's the economy.
This unacceptable.

No, Mr. McCain did not make a mistake. They need to go back to Washington and work on people's business, not personal political gains.

Its funny how the all-of-a-sudden Shock Crisis has Hit America, and Americans. This has been brewing for years now, and some people started seeing this about 2 years ago. Republicans continually DENIED the economy was going into a recession, now they scramble and want America for follow their leadership (or Lack of it) and have faith they will be responsible. too bad we have seen over and over and over again the last 8 years how competent they are.

So now as America is waking up, McCain scrambles!!!

You missed the most amazing part of Letterman's rant. While McCain was supposedly rushing back to Washington to save the country, he stopped in New York to give an interview to Katie Couric. So where was the urgency?

I feel the same orchestrated pressure on the back of my neck that i felt when the Bush admin. was pushing for the war on Iraq's 'weapons of mass distraction'. This is the time to make the Bush Admin. pay for the lies; and include in the bail-outs mortgage relief; And!, bankruptcy court leniencies for average citizens. Because I smell more
"Weapons-of-Mass-DISTRACTION"

McCain is desperate to look like he's in control, engaged and presidential. Unfortunately, he just looks desperate.

From what I've heard, the Post Poll isn't a fair judge of where the country stands. It was skewed toward Dems and African Americans and had a small Rep component...

Here we go, look at Bush slowing the whole process down by not wanting to cut the rich CEO's profits when they leave the failed institutions. They are leaving with 50 million or so and the tax payers are chipping in. It's just wrong. McCain tried to pull a quick one. He admitted himself, in the race for candidacy that he doesn't know much about the economy. He couldn't face being in a debate with this chaos on Wall Street unsettled. He thought his maneuver might make him look like a man who runs to Washington, or warshington as he puts it, first. He is a coward who runs away. I pray that Obama wins. Obama is our only hope. Please everyone, look at what Bush has done to our country. McCain will be just continuing on the same path if he is allowed. Everyone, please pay attention. I know so many people who just identify with Republicans. It is time to open your minds and see the reality of the mess we are in. Obama can put this country on track. My child will be able to go to college and I will be able to afford health insurance. Right now my salary is barely paying food and heating costs. We need Obama!

Does the author hold that senators running for re-election or higher office are exempt from their senatorial duties? Isn't Mr Obama's dismissal of a suggestion to do so perplexing? Isn't an imminent collapse of a national economy and the need to put up a rescue mission more pressing than an immediate public debate? Can't the debate be postponed for a week or so without hurting Mr. Obama's sensitivities?

I believe that both candidates should do their jobs as US Senators by addressing the serious financial crisis before they consider debating. Postpone the debate until we are back on track with the economy.

And so another round of "scare" tactics from the bush regime. Why cant the American people see through this? If it isnt terrorists, which that card has been played to death, now it's the economy.
This is unacceptable.
the country needs a leader not a guy who jumps from behind a curtain to scare people. The old fart mcsame is not the guy to lead this nation.

Call it what it is gramps is scared he will open his mouth and remove all doubt that he is a fool so he is trying to stay silent and sneak into the presidency just like they are doing with the lipsticked up pig. However it is not going to work. if you want to be pres (or VP) you will at some point have to show some skills other than "I was a POW"

Can't imagine why anyone would believe that a freshman Senator who has accomplished nothing more than writing 2 books about himself and being a good speaker while getting large amounts of money for his own house deal with a crominal seller and large amounts of ear marks resulting in his own wife getting a raise to $300K per year would be seen as able to solve this ecconomic crisis. I would bet my money on McCain being far more capeable of handling this crisis and averting the foreign relations issues that have hurt this ecconomy. Liberal media will be the death of all of our finances if people are misled into voting Obama. As Bill Clinton said the rich will survive either of these men being elected but I will disagree with Clinton on the idea that Obama would be better for middle and low income groups because if business owners suffer higher taxes in this ecconomy then they will; cut jobs resulting in lower wages for the workers and less hours .....that is how Obama's tax increase on the rich effects most people.....they will pay less tax because they will have less income. McCain is the only choice here.

Nice Tactic pulled by Republicans. Any sane person would see through this one?

Let the debates begin.

This column is your own analysis of what's going on behind the curtain but how sure are you about it? You seem to be so sure-footed in your statements, not giving any benefit of doubt on the true intentions of John McCain.

Could it be possible, regardless of who did it, McCain or Obama, that there truly is a sublime reason to put the affairs of the country first before anything else? Before politics? Before the debate?

Geez! Losing a few days before we could all watch these political gladiators clash verbally in a televised debate is inconsequential compared to the urgency of addressing the economic crisis in a bipartisan manner. Who cares who wins the debate? I am more interested in making these elected leaders work to get the economy straightened out before America descends into a devastating depression.

I think McCain made a strategic move here that gives him an unusual opportunity. McCain did not just suspend his own campaign but also requested in a public forum that Obama suspend his as well. That puts Obama in a very uncomfortable position.

On one hand, Obama could ignore McCain's request. If so, this could give the impression to some Americans that he just doesn't care about the economic state of the country versus his own Presidential race.

On the other hand, Obama could comply with McCain leaving the impression that McCain somehow gained controlling leadership over Obama which makes Obama look more like a follower than a leader.

I'm not sure the meeting is necessary - the economy is in the state that it's in due to gross mishandling by the leaders of financial institutions and the administration as well as global factors out of direct control of the American public (such as improving education systems in foreign countries where labor is less costly). But even if it isn't, this certainly was a demonstration of McCain taking the high road.

Sarah Palin's woefully inadequate interview with Katie Couric is yet another reason for McCain to desperately try to move the spotlight.

McCain has had a disasterous week of bad news, no wonder he is willing to gamble with this debate stunt. Will voters be disgusted by his antics? Quite possibly.

Does the author hold that senators running for re-election or higher office are exempt from their senatorial duties? Isn't Mr Obama's dismissal of a suggestion to do so perplexing? Isn't an imminent collapse of a national economy and the need to put up a rescue mission more pressing than an immediate public debate? Can't the debate be postponed for a week or so without hurting Mr. Obama's sensitivities?

Bold Leadership. Country First. "I would rather lose the election than lose a war".

Barack - "The economy is collapsing. I'm running for President, call me if you need me."

McCain/Palin '08
Ready to Lead

Obama/Biden
Ready to Spin

As a Coloradeo news editor said today, if Winston Churchill could leave London in December 1941 and travel to America to address a joint session of Congress even as British troops in the Far East were reeling under Japanese attacks, somehow we think John McCain can make his way down to Oxford, Miss., for a debate Friday evening without imperiling the future of America. In this case, Barack Obama is right

You are right on target. Listening to two guys tell us what they think we want to hear is much more important than the nation's financial crisis. Bully for you on another job well done.

Campaign first McBush plays the American people. Who does this remind you of.........BUSH. 4 more years!

I see the "bail-out" of McCain by Mr. Bush somewhat differently. Without the meeting at the White House you have McCain in Washington on his own with all the photo-ops to himself. If, on his own, Obama appears in Washington, he's just following McCain's lead.

However, Mr. Bush, by hosting the meeting and inviting both candidates, provides the needed cover for Obama to go to DC.

You're twisted political opinon is truly inflamatory and does nothing but disregard the serious nature of the current financial crisis in our midst.

Although I hope Obama wins by 10%, I don't fault McCain for what he or his advisors thought might work...
This politics science 101 - GET ELECTED!

I found it interesting that McCain invoked September 11 in his statement to reporters. It's as if he's comparing the two national catastrophes as similar and beyond our control. In reality, the economic crisis could have been prevented easily by stronger regulation...in fact, the necessary laws were in place until 2005, when Senator Phil Gramm and the Republican Congress overturned them.

On September 11 we had a hostile foreign power attacking us. Today we have a small core of reckless and greedy Americans who are taking this country down.

He postponed the debate. He did not cancel it. But, if Obama will not cancel to try and save this country from what they are saying would be financial ruin then McCain needs to be there also. Obama says he wants to lower the middle classes taxes but can't if we have to bail out these financial industries. So congress needs to put their noses to the grindstone and do what is best for our country as a whole, that will help all the people. Not just the rich, not just the poor, and that will not break the backs of the working class.

how about letting Ralph Nader into the Debates.
why are they so afraid of him?

Wasn't it McCain who pushed for all the debates? Now he wants out? If the guy can't debate and work on the bail-out at the same time, he does NOT DESERVE the Presidency nor is he competent enough to handle the job. Even Bush can chew gum and pat his stomach at the same time, although not very well.

What an obamanation!. Have you bumped your head on something lately? I'll use small words and write slowly so you can understand.

Friday's debate is on Foreign Policy. Foreign Policy is McCain's STRENGTH and 'South Side' Barry can't form a complete sentence without a tele-prompter. McCain has no reason to 'bail'.

What you're witnessing is classic John McCain. It's called leadership. The problem is, those of you on the Left don't understand commitment to anything greater than yourselves. Loaded polls...those you understand.

Mr. Bush didn't get McCain out of trouble. He had to drag a bumbling Barack to Washington by the scruff of the neck. THAT'S who he saved!

nobody really cares about the debates anyway. Barely anyone will watch a Friday night debate either. It is all grandstanding by both sides. We all know where each candidate stands.
Let;s do what we can to get the economy on the right track, or any election won't mean a thing.

Gee, your opinion contrasts sharply with Dick Morris. I think Mr. Morris has more insight and is more accurate than yours so I will just read yours and understand that there is a hidden bias in your view. Personally, I would rather see the presidential candidates say what Senator McCain said than what Senator Obama said. The problem with multi-tasking is that the results are not as good as concentrating on one thing at a time. Maybe Senator Obama was concerned about how this bailout will not help him out since he was the #2 recipient of campaign money from Freddie and Fannie. Or what about Congressman Frank? Oh, he was a big recipient as well. Sure this mess was caused by "crony capitalism" by both parties, but at least Senator McCain was trying to do something about it for quite awhile. Senator Obama, well he did his usual "present".

Bush is doing his "best"
(Saving Private McCain). I really hope American voters are not stupid enough to follow them.

What a disgrace for a McCain, and what a trap for Obama.

Let me get this straight; McCain suspends his campaign, and both he and Obama are invited to the White House? Give me a break. He suspends his campaign, what is he going to do if there is another "crisis" and he happens to be the President? Suspend his presidency? John McCain wanted to postpone the debate because he is an inept fool and not prepared for anything, much less a presidency.

The presidential debate should go on and be turned into a debate about the bailout. The Wall Street criminals that looted our economy should be punished. The members of Congress that allowed this major embarrassment to happen to our nation should be identified and asked to resign their committee positions. Now we know why seniority in Congress does not work well and there should be term limits.

Both McCain and Obama should be taking some part in crafting this bailout because one of them will be dealing with the results of it in a little more than three months from now. At least McCain is willing to take the chance that he may have to vote on this really important issue while he's in Washington. Mark my words, Obama will not go back to Washington for the vote. He will say he knew there were enough Democrats there to get the vote, and he will hide on the campaign trail. He will play it safe so he won't be accountable if the bailout doesn't work. This will fall right in line with his voting record in Illinois of dodging the vote on controversial issues by saying present. Yesterday a reporter asked him if he will go to vote. His answer was, "Because of the delicate nature of negotiations that it may be necessary for both of us to be present to send a strong message that we need to get something done." It is ironic that he used the word present in his answer.

If McCain needs to stay in Washington Friday night he ought to send his running mate to sub for him, just as she might have to do if they were elected. How about a Palin-Obama debate?

It appears that McCain is not too adept at multitasking, especially on serious economic issues and knows in his heart that he will get clobbered in this important first debate. It will be hard to counter his years of a deregulation stance when there is all the noise about our need for better regulation & oversight of our financial system. And there is the "Keating Five" history and lobbyists on the payroll.

Well written interesting article, but please turn off "centering" and use paragraphs, Mr. Silva. Thanks.

There is a difference in jumping ship to avoid duties onboard and in jumping in for a rescue mission. Amazing how the Dems never miss an opportunity to see something that is sincere as a bailout. But Obama on the other hand, with his "let the show go on" comment is seen as for the good of the country rather than a personal spotlight issue? Amazing indeed. Let's see, what is more important, the economic crisis right now that could send an empire crashing along with the likes of the Roman Empire of old or let's meet on the field and hash it out (since America does not know already where they stand). It does not take a rocket scientist to figure out which is the smartest thing to do. McCain was giving up the opportunity to "shine," but Obama, well, he never misses the chance to let it shine on him. So wonder which candidate would be better for our country? One who genuinely cares about America and shows it, or one that is only out to make himself look good. I think McCain's decision was gutsy and admirable, no matter for which side one pulls. Let's call it as it is. For once let the Dems and media see something as what it really is instead of an opportunity to bail out. This was not a bail out. Geez, Louise, let it go!

Your use of words is very poor and misleading. Using the "bail out" has the meaning of a coward and McCain is the opposite of a coward. I would never endorse your slanted publication. I think you need to be fair and look at what is honestly happening with the candidates.

McCain has already raised questions about his judgement in taking such drastic action. Suspending a campaign and postponing a debate was, not only unnecessary, but inconsequential to the outcome of the congressional vote. McCain's jesture was clearly political. I believe that the perception of "his statesmanship", he tried to communicate was highly exaggerated.

I for one am glad that McCain's becoming more and more transparent to the press, along with everyone else who reads their articles...It's more than mere coincidence that the day that McCain sees his numbers plummet in the polls he decides to postpone the debate, which would have two potential outcomes, both beneficial; he could either paint Obama as heartless and uncaring about the economic situation, or he could get his campaign back on its' feet and ready for when the debate would have been postponed to. This attempt was fruitless, and now leaves McCain floating alone.

Your article ( not journalism) is so political it should not be allowed on anything but a political brochure.
Do you actually believe the misleading "facts" presented as news ?
Your politics are so obvious you fail to see the nations need.
Yet , I am sure you will espouse the 2d amendment without utilizing objectivity !

As usual...your report is totally biased....BHO changed his mind AGAIN about going to Washington.....(call me if you need me)....is this how he would run our country?.....why is it so hard for this guy to do the job he was hired to do?.....why do you people slam McCain for doing HIS job?.......he just proved to me that he truly believes in his COUNTRY FIRST.....Go McCain!

"John McCain had just made one of the riskiest, and perhaps costliest, moves of his presidential campaign"... Yeah, sure. McCain simply has shown the voters that when you have been elected to perform the duties of a United States Senator and represent those that elected you to office, you have to do your job. There are greater priorities than trying to get your next job promotion.

"Barack Obama... had no intention of forgoing the first debate..." I recall that it was Obama who agreed to debate McCain in weekly town-hall meetings all across the nation. So who flaked on that commitment?

If Obama still has this burning need to debate, I'm sure that Bob Barr would be happy to accommodate him. Especially since unlike the two senators running for highest office in the land, Presidential Candidate Bob Barr doesn’t have any ancillary obligations to the constituents that elected them to their existing office.

It seems to me that the Senators were both elected to do a job. That job is to take put America's interests first and take care of the business at hand. If it is true, as Barak Obama has stated, that America is facing the most dire economic issue in history since the depression, then it is the responsibility of both Senators to return to Washington DC and take care of this mess.

Imagine, if you will, what would happen if a regular person went to their boss and said "I want 6 months off with pay to look for a better job. Oh, and by the way, when the company gets in trouble don't come asking me to help straighten out the mess." What would happen to our jobs? If Obama wants to run around the country and see see the President's job instead of taking care of America's business then he should resign and return his paycheck from the last 6 months to the US Treasury. Now that would be patriotic Mr. Biden!

It appears that the GOP pulled off a well orchestrated, politically motivated ploy that was intended to make Sen. McCain look like a decisive and attentive leader. I came away from it feeling like I'd just witnessed political satire. Imagine, a president who can only handle one crisis at a time.

Rather than canceling the debate at exactly the time when the country needs reassurance and visible leadership, perhaps the proposed topic should be updated: rather than foreign policy this Friday night let's hear the candidates present their positions and answer questions on the economy, the origins of the current crisis, the bailout, and what they will do to prevent this happening again.

For the candidates to address these issues head-on, in the midst of the crisis, and without weeks of targeted preparation, might show us who is truly ready to lead.

This is horrible reporting. Why don't you just report the facts, rather than assign your own motives and political pot shots?

I would much rather my elected representatives actually do something, than talk about what they are going to do. I think McCain did the right thing - if nothing else, if the polls were nosediving as you suggest (as though they wouldn't rebound as they have before after campaign events like debates), at least the American people will get to see some real leadership before "The Unaccomplished One" assends to his thrown and is unable to deliver any of the social programs he was going to bestow upon us poor minions.

When is the press going to learn that we, your readers and the American public, get to decide if this was the right move or not - and that all the talking heads, polsters, pundits, commentators, and blog reporters are as irrelevant as Obama is making himself.

Let the debate go on! There is absolutely no reason to cancel, and all the reason in the world to let Americans hear from the candidates during this crucial time in our nation's history.

I don't know about anywhere else, but the water cooler talk around my workplace is that McCain has made a grave strategic blunder with his call to postpone the debate.

McCain takes the political low road again. He tried to wrestle this issue, that the public rightly concedes would be most competently handled by an Obama administration, back to his Maverick logo.

This guy is desperate and I fear for the country if a similar situation came about while he was President.

He's not ready to have a debate about the economy or foreign policy. Iraq polls against him with the general public and swing voters. It only polls with him with his base. Unfortunately for him, everyone watches the debates.

Palin's star is dimming and it's fourth and long again. The ball is in the air.

Obama and McCain should have the debate. They can fly from Washington to Mississippi for the debate and then go back to Washington. Presidents will need to multi-multi-multi task!!!

Hey mark, you forgot to include a few facts in your article. First the huge swing you are talking about in the polls; that swing couldnt have been because the ratio of people who participated in it were, #1 3:2 democrat :republican
and #2 Overwhelmingly african american could it?
Secondly you failed to mention the fact that McCain has been pleading for Obama to join him in debating at all the town hall speeches that have been going on for the last few months, which Obama has repeatedly refused to attend for no apparent reason. So I think the fact that McCain has proposed to put off (not cancel) the debate on friday until our nations econmic crisis is handeled, really isnt that big of a deal. Is It? The Bias of the drive by media is really out of control.

This is more sleight- of -hand by Bush and McCain. There is absolutely no reason to postpone the debate, and there is nothing in this bail -out bill that is so urgent that it cannot wait a day or two. It’s the same kind of ginned up hysteria that Bush used to get the Iraq War resolution and the Patriot Bill enacted. According to Bush, they both had to be enacted IMMEDIATELY. Congress fell for it once, but they are not going to be bullied into passing a trillion dollar enactment without careful deliberation. Even members of his own party are against such reckless action. Who can blame them when Henry Paulson wanted powers that placed his unilateral decisions even above the Supreme Court – an ambitious play for power that would have made Hitler and Stalin envious!

What's more inportatnt?

The debates or the American economy?

Good Grief!

Anyone who thinks four more years of Republican "leadership" on economic issues is a good choice: I'd like to know what drugs you are taking because those must be pretty good drugs. It is unbelievable that anyone could think McCain will be able to do anything on the economy. The Republicans did not think there was a problem until their rich friends started poking them. The rest of us making less than "$5 million" a year (McCain's definition of rich) and owning just one house (instead of 7 or was it 8?) have known there was a problem for about a year. Get out of here already. McCain is a joke. We will pay dearly if we elect him.

Um, no. McCain and Obama, as leaders of their parties are needed to do a bipartisan push to get this bill through Congress. It is ludicrous to suggest that the next President of the United States isn't needed when deciding the biggest piece of economic legislation that is going to fall into their laps.

McCain is the one who had the advantage when it came to debating about foreign policy which was decided as the topic of the debate.

Even the Democratic majority leader of the house was blasting McCain saying that they needed to know how he felt about this bill. When McCain responded by coming back to Washington (which no one thought he would do because he is actually putting country first and his campaign in risk), the guy changed his tune - basically saying, oh, we don't want you to get in the way.

I am proud of Senator McCain for doing his job as a Senator. I would be very wary if he didn't go back to ground zero (as such) to hear the concerns raised by congress before making a blanket statement about "how he feels" we should fix the economy. Obama says that is what the American people want right now. Yes, we like to hear what our next President has to say on these key issues. But what we need right now is leadership and action.

Personally, I don't care if it was a political move or not. It was the right thing to do.

Good luck to both parties and whoever can fix the mess that both the Republican AND Democratic parties have let pile up until now.

This has the be the biggests stunt McCain has pulled so far. I just do not understand how incompentence, in this case McCain's, can be confused with caring for the economy. What can he possibly contribute to the bail-out talk when on Monday he declared the economy was fundamentally strong!!!!!!!!! he needs to do the country a favor and keep the campaign suspended indefinitely

I'm really trying to get this: In a national crisis, and tripping in the race, Sen. McCain's wants to fire folks, scream about greed, and avoid democratic debate? In the most important election in years, Sen. McCain melodramatically suspends the essence of democracy for self-indulgent grandstanding, and then brazenly claims to be above the political fray. Wow! What guts! What dishonest, grandiose, impulsive, manipulative, self-serving, reckless arrogance! But then, perhaps the carefully cloistered Gov. Palin now channels God to Senator McCain, who will this weekend pass the infinite wisdom on to the Masters of the Universe and financial overseers on the Hill. And patrician Sen. McCain, who can't count his houses, will cut us commoners a square deal. Who does he think he is? And how naive does he think we are? Fit to lead? Enough already!