Breaking: McCain To Attend Debate
John McCain will attend the debate. From his campaign:
Senator McCain has spent the morning talking to members of the Administration, members of the Senate, and members of the House. He is optimistic that there has been significant progress toward a bipartisan agreement now that there is a framework for all parties to be represented in negotiations, including Representative Blunt as a designated negotiator for House Republicans. The McCain campaign is resuming all activities and the Senator will travel to the debate this afternoon. Following the debate, he will return to Washington to ensure that all voices and interests are represented in the final agreement, especially those of taxpayers and homeowners.
The justification: There has been "significant progress" and there is now a "framework" for all the parties to be represented at the negotiating table. Also: The campaign suspension that never actually happened is now over.
Full McCain statement after the jump.
John McCain's decision to suspend his campaign was made in the hopes that politics could be set aside to address our economic crisis.
In response, Americans saw a familiar spectacle in Washington. At a moment of crisis that threatened the economic security of American families, Washington played the blame game rather than work together to find a solution that would avert a collapse of financial markets without squandering hundreds of billions of taxpayers' money to bailout bankers and brokers who bet their fortunes on unsafe lending practices.
Both parties in both houses of Congress and the administration needed to come together to find a solution that would deserve the trust of the American people. And while there were attempts to do that, much of yesterday was spent fighting over who would get the credit for a deal and who would get the blame for failure. There was no deal or offer yesterday that had a majority of support in Congress. There was no deal yesterday that included adequate protections for the taxpayers. It is not enough to cut deals behind closed doors and then try to force it on the rest of Congress -- especially when it amounts to thousands of dollars for every American family.
The difference between Barack Obama and John McCain was apparent during the White House meeting yesterday where Barack Obama's priority was political posturing in his opening monologue defending the package as it stands. John McCain listened to all sides so he could help focus the debate on finding a bipartisan resolution that is in the interest of taxpayers and homeowners. The Democratic interests stood together in opposition to an agreement that would accommodate additional taxpayer protections.
Senator McCain has spent the morning talking to members of the Administration, members of the Senate, and members of the House. He is optimistic that there has been significant progress toward a bipartisan agreement now that there is a framework for all parties to be represented in negotiations, including Representative Blunt as a designated negotiator for House Republicans. The McCain campaign is resuming all activities and the Senator will travel to the debate this afternoon. Following the debate, he will return to Washington to ensure that all voices and interests are represented in the final agreement, especially those of taxpayers and homeowners.
So, who bitch-slapped whom?
September 26, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
Again, the term is "He-Bitch man-slap". Sorry, it's just one of those things.
September 26, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not bad!
September 26, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
McClown just He-Bitch Man-Slapped Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and anyone else who ever had a sincere belief America was something worth believing in and sacrificing for. With a rubber chicken. And for good measure, he spritzed them in the eye with the big daisy on his lapel. Then he honked that giant bicycle horn he carries around and shuffled off to Mississippi for his next gig. Aaaaand awaaaay weee goooooooooo ... !
Honk Honk
September 26, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Alright, I see it's a movie quote. Serves me right for thinking I could find original humor here!
September 26, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Shaq was heard rapping:
"How my ass taste?"
September 26, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just another gigantic LIE to ad to the republican ticket.
September 26, 2008 3:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gosh. He's going to grace the country with his televised presence. Let us bow our heads in gratitude that he's got the valuable time.
September 26, 2008 11:30 AM | Reply | Permalink
He's become nothing but a Parody! A parody of epic failure.
Titanic Failure.
Trying to take the Ship of State down with him!
September 26, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's it!
O thank you - this is why you are a therapist, no? You just really cleared it up for me. I've called the campaign a Potemkin Campaign, a circus, a joke - which was close. You just parted the clouds - it's a damn Parody. It really is!
September 26, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, but you have to drink every time McCain deflects economics by saying this debate is supposed to be about foreign policy.
September 26, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
"spent five years not talking about the economy in a certain infamous hotel"
"POW"
"fight pilot"
September 26, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
And the Heavens will open and a great big beam of light will come down!
September 26, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
Perhaps Sarah will pray over him before the debate.
That should do it!
September 26, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
Will there be laying on of hands? Because I do not want to see that.
September 26, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
"We step on the python spirit of debates..."
September 26, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
I guess that means his left eye is functioning adequately this morning.
September 26, 2008 11:31 AM | Reply | Permalink
What a fucking surprise.
September 26, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
He's been forced to tuck his tail and limp down to Mississippi. What an embarrassment. So much for John's word that he wouldn't attend until a deal is reached.
Pufferfish
September 26, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
I hope McCain can take his thumb out of his mouth long enough to actually debate.
September 26, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good one.
September 26, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
No problem. He'll just stick it up the other end. He's gotten very comfortable with that.
September 26, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
Not enough room, what with his head, Salter's head and his economic plan stuck there already.
September 26, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Good image, Worthless, "I hope McCain can take his thumb out of his mouth long enough to actually debate."
But may I paraphrase for effect...
Fill in the blanks.
I hope McCain can take his -blank- out of his -blank- long enough to actually debate.
September 26, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Cue Fogu2 to come now and explain how this shows that McCain is winning the media narrative and Obama is totally irrelevant...
September 26, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
He was crowing about how McCain was responsible for the "deal" yesterday afternoon. Is he also responsible for the deal falling apart?
September 26, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
You don't need Fog2...Dick Morris will explain it for you...uh, unless he's a "moonie" too...
http://www.vote.com/mmp_printerfriendly.php?id=1108
September 26, 2008 12:54 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know if he's a moonie or not, but I can tell you that he's an idiot.
If he's sure that it's been a success for McCain, then I'm pretty confident that Obama's going to come out well ahead in this thing.
September 26, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thank you for posting Dick Morris' take. Now, if I just pick the position that's diametrically opposite to his, I'll automatically be on the right side of the issue.
September 26, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Dick Morris is sooooooo retarded!
September 26, 2008 1:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
THIS IS EXCELLENT NEWS!! FOR MCCAIN!!!
September 26, 2008 11:32 AM | Reply | Permalink
It always is. :)
September 26, 2008 11:33 AM | Reply | Permalink
Anyone think the public is buying this? I doubt it.
September 26, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's my slant on this non-news press release. McShame was always going to attend tonight's debate and the fact that he is optimistic is a bad sign for the bailout bill...I hope this slime fucker gets his due tonight and his antics are exposed for what they are..games..games that a junior high student would be playing...
May he and palin play in their slime and AMERICANS send them away for good!
September 26, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
My Avatar has the real math. There will be no tax on the capital gains made by McCain for this shrewd move.
September 26, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
So he jumped into his fighter jet, parachuted into the White House, saved the day and is now jetting down to the debate. What a sham.
Also, doesn't the concept of "resuming" something presupposed that it had been stopped or actually suspended?
September 26, 2008 11:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
Once a hotdog, always a hotdog.
Here's hoping he crashes his campaign the same way he crashed all those Navy planes. He sure seems to be trying hard to.
September 26, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Will Jim Lehrer ask McCain to explain, in detail, what he contributed with his stunt?
September 26, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, if Sen. McCain "jumped into his fighter jet [and] parachuted into the White House" it's more than "a sham," it's grand theft!! Remember, McCain was NOT a fighter pilot, he was a jet bomber pilot -- big difference, with the latter being low man on the aircraft carrier pilots' totem pole. (McCain never managed the skills to fly jet fighter.) So, if he jumped into a fighter jet, he was jumping into someone else's plane; and, if he parachuted, that's yet another plane lost under his command.
September 26, 2008 1:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, if Sen. McCain "jumped into his fighter jet [and] parachuted into the White House" it's more than "a sham," it's grand theft!! Remember, McCain was NOT a fighter pilot, he was a jet bomber pilot -- big difference, with the latter being low man on the aircraft carrier pilots' totem pole. (McCain never managed the skills to fly jet fighter.) So, if he jumped into a fighter jet, he was jumping into someone else's plane; and, if he parachuted, that's yet another plane lost under his command.
September 26, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
A real man of his words.
September 26, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, you stole my avatar!
September 26, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
As any "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" fan would know, the difference between the avatars is obvious.
September 26, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Heh, that is the perfect mix of snark and Star Trek!
September 26, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Senator McCain came to Washington and stepped on the python spirits."
September 26, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply | Permalink
And this is McCain NOT "playing the blame game"??
September 26, 2008 11:36 AM | Reply | Permalink
IOKIYAR
September 26, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe I shouldn't be taking this personally. Aw hell, screw that, this is my son and daughters' futures here. I am taking it personally.
John McCain can resume the position and continue f*cking himself.
I'm sick of his bullshit and hope the landslide begins tonite and runs all the way through the election. I'd love to see some of those battleground states go staunchly blue and prove to this right-wing machine it's over.
This has been a moment with Vader. Thank you, Carry on.
September 26, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am taking personally now. After WaMu crashed and burned while McLame was fiddling around trying to look Mavericky and heroic, I started getting really fucking mad.
I didn't lose anything when WaMu went under, but a lot of people did and I've had all of this stupid Kick the Can that I can take with shit happening like this.
September 26, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Why is WaMu still sending me credit offers? Seriously, I have so fucking many in my mail box each day I'm considering filing a restraining order...
September 26, 2008 12:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
John McCain behaving like a petulant child holding Obama and American voters hostage to his whim is incredibly disrespectful.
And if he doesn't show at this late date, the networks owe it to Obama and the voters who did bother to show up to provide Obama with a chance to speak. McCain violated his committment.
September 26, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey there- new here, but moved to participate. What a total circus McCain is making of this campaign. I'm blown away by the ego.
September 26, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Welcome to the circus, James.
September 26, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
PLEEEZE! This is a zoo, not a circus.
September 26, 2008 12:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
Too bad you weren't here yesterday. The comments on Palin's interview at CBS were just priceless. I laughed all afternoon long.
And everyone else? I'm still President of Ontario, and don't you forget it!
September 26, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
All Hail The President, dontcha know...
Please accept an offering of this can of Labatt's and these here beer nuts...
September 26, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hey cat - I'm in New Hampshire. Can I be Queen of Quebec?
September 26, 2008 12:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Your Majesty, President Putin of Germany will be arriving today for a diplomatic visit.
September 26, 2008 1:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
and so it ends. good. What a joke, what a stunt. The debate was never off, just the baby didnt want to go, now he has to because barack has balls.
September 26, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Who cares about the old troll
September 26, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
I was thinking more like he should take it out of his ass.
September 26, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
O could that statement stink any more of shit?
O my god - I hope Obama makes him erupt like Krakatoa and spew venom all over the stage while his human disguise cracks and falls away to reveal the goddamn cockroach underneath.
September 26, 2008 11:37 AM | Reply | Permalink
Here's what I'm hoping for:
1. McCain makes some self-serving statement about how he got the process moving again and saved the day.
2. Obama rebuts with 'No, Senator. You sat in the meeting for close to an hour and said nothing, and when you finally did decide to say something, you chose to bring up a plan that was irrelevant to what other members of Congress had been working on for a week and was guaranteed to derail the process. I was there, Senator, and I witnessed what you did with my own eyes.'
That would effectively cripple the 'McCain as savior' meme in a matter of seconds.
September 26, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Much as we would all like Obama to rip McCain a new one, it ain't gonna happen. Obama either lacks a killer instinct, or has determined that it's beneath him to dispatch the ignoble old warrior and will leave that messy job to someone else (Biden, perhaps, if he can get his foot extricated from his mouth and seize the corporate media's attention). Either way, McCain will get to limp on to further ignominy which will go unremarked by the less attentive.
September 26, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
So, even in spite of every possible indication that Obama's current strategy - which now has even conservative commentators favoring him for his steady, calm demeanor - is winning, you still complain that he's not doing what he should be doing.
I apologize, but that's just goofy reasoning. Obama can't go attack the same way McCain can - and by not doing so, he comes off as more Presidential in the bargain.
The only way your critique would work is if the MSM gave McCain a pass on his histrionics. Does that look like what's happening out there?
September 26, 2008 1:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
If you're going to words in my mouth, would you at least please have the decency to preface it with "Open wide! Bullshit incoming!"? My observation, not complaint, is that Obama isn't the agressive type of politician who "brings a gun to a knife fight." Stranger was hoping for some stern treatment of McCain at Obama's hand. I don't think that's going to happen and apparently, neither do you.
The corporate media has yet to poke hard at McCain. The deference they show him and his lunacy is nauseating. When I hear a fool like Blitzer actually say something truly critical (i.e. judgmental) about McCain's inability to run a coherent campaign, then perhaps I'll yield you the point. Until then, I'm not holding my breath.
September 26, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was replying quickly while at work, and it didn't read to me that you weren't in agreement with Stranger. My apologies.
As for the MSM thing, that worm started turning last week. They're not going to go as far as you want them to go. But they don't have to. McCain's "maverick" cred is pretty much gone now. Even Fox News has criticized McCain regularly the last few days.
When they talk about Obama now, they're all saying he seems steady, calm, and poised while addressing various issues. Those are NOT the adjectives used for McCain. And they're doing a better job tying Palin to McCain than any of us could. I watched ABC, NBC and CBS last night, and Morning Joe this morning. Every single one mentioned the Couric interview, and a couple played one or more clips that are just deadly to McCain.
Reality has a liberal bias. If the MSM just presents the stark, unedited truth, Obama wins. No spin required.
September 26, 2008 2:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain was in and will be again in "Washington to ensure that all voices and interests" of the conservative fundamentalists and socially primitive terrorists of the party.
September 26, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
flailing, erratic, inconsistent.
these are qualities we need to lead our country through a crisis.
only one candidate... lol
September 26, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
Laughable.
His campaign is laughable.
Totally laughable.
I cannot emphasize that enough. The Democrats, for once, seemed to have sandbagged the Republicans yesterday. Obama provided some leadership at that meeting, and McCain was silent.
And everyone in Washington knows that.
This is laughable.
That big dramatic country first gesture Wednesday is now completely reversed, and there's no deal in place. Whatta joke.
My bet? Tomorrow, we're going to hear about why Palin won't be able to debate next week. There's going to be a "family emergency" that she will urgently need to attend to. Anyone wanna take my bet?
September 26, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
I hope they do call it off. St Louis is very much looking forward to hosting it, so that would be worth a point or two in the Missouri margins if it looks like McCain/Palin are to blame.
September 26, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Good point! But, I want the country to see how much of a joke candidate she is. Has the Couric interview been seen (last nite)yet? What were the ratings?
September 26, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
The Palin Train and the Straight talk Express are about to have a mighty collision. And train/bus wrecks are an awful thing to behold.
If they give Biden even 60 seconds with her, McCain's campiagn will have a fork sticking out of it.
Along with all the other forks protruding, this McCain campaign looks like a fork porcupine these days.
September 26, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
In lieu of "Palin Train", may I propose "No Talk Express"?
September 26, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
you are right CT Voter....they will find a way to her out of the debate...the question is..how creative will they be in the reasons or execuses!
September 26, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
My optimistic Avatar says Putin will rear up and she'll be needed to watch Alaskan airspace.
September 26, 2008 12:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Nope. I'll believe her debating Biden when I actually *see her there*.
September 26, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yep.
Every single indication from the McLame Campaign to date is that they will not bring her out of her soundproof booth and let her debate. McLame is having a breakdown, IMO, solely on the basis of Palin.
I do believe that - he is trying to run away from what he's done to himself with her.
September 26, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
Well put. They gambled and they lost and now they are flailing about trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces. I am skeptical that this state of affairs can keep up for another month and eight days, but it does afford us a fine opportunity to build support in swing states while it lasts. Meanwhile, who knows; maybe we will get lucky and McCain's floundering really will last all the way through early November. In that case we could be looking at even the states like GA, TX, MT, ND coming back on the table.
September 26, 2008 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
You really know the way to my heart.
I don't know why I have this stupid loyalty to my fellow Texans - god knows they've let me down and god knows I really don't like the place - I don't like it so much I give up 5 months of time with my husband every year to get the hell away from it. I do miss him.
Anyway - Texas fell off the radar in this election right after the primaries and that makes me kind of mad - the party did this to us in '04 and we managed to turn every damn major city blue except Houston, I think. In '06, with no help to speak of, we turned the counties around those cities.
Nobody talks about Texas - it's like a lost cause. That's a goddamn self-fulfilling prophecy for a political party.
September 26, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
You are right as ever. With two major cites,+ Austin and El Paso, urban areas ought to be able to carry the state.
East Texas used to be Democratic-don't know if thats still the case tho'...
September 26, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
O LBJ's brain - think!
East Texas voting for an African American for president? I don't know the demographic breakdown in East Texas, but I do know what white East Texans are like and man, they are throwbacks to the 1850s. It may be that the rural population of East Texas is more heavily AA than I'm aware - I don't go to East Texas. lol!
September 26, 2008 12:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, Dallas County's also been going blue, and the Valley is likely to go blue as well. I too am surprised they gave up on Texas so early. I imagine it's the sheer amount of resources it takes to campaign here. But it's frustrating that the best hope we really have is to call/go to nearby battleground states, which are probably much cheaper to campaign in. I mean, sure, there are a bunch of crazies in Texas, but I'm surprised how few McCain signs/bumper stickers I'm seeing in my rather red county.
September 26, 2008 1:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah, well, come and visit Kansas some day. Thomas Frank's book was called "What's the Matter with Kansas" for good reason.
The abject self-destruction of these loyal Kansas Republicans is about as frustrating as politics can get. Never have so many voted so badly for the sake of so few.
There are some silver linings, like Sebelius, but the dark clouds still dominate.
I lived in Dallas at one time, and on South Padre years ago, so I know Texas and love the REAL Texans I met.
Unfortunately, we all know about carpet-bagging Bushes moving south to buy the state with Kennebunkport money.
That's "what's the matter with with Texas."
September 26, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
that damn near brought tears to my eyes -
;)
September 26, 2008 12:42 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, I'm sure there's still a bunch of us making calls and canvassing for Obama. Plus, we do still have a senate race and some house races. Sort of. I'm fairly new to Texas politics, so it's hard for me to tell how much of a chance the Democratic challengers have.
September 26, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Outside of the population centers? Not much I would imagine. Deeply conservative state-even when it was "Democratic" but that was more of a *southern* Dixiecrat mentality? Yet, its not really the "old South" either...
September 26, 2008 12:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, just for example, Tom Daley's challenging Sam Johnson for the third congressional district:
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/findyourreps.xpd?state=TX&district=3
Lots of richie-riches, but lots of working class people, too. And a mix of city, sprawl, and fields waiting to become Tom Thumbs.
September 26, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
My inner Karl tells me that if First Dude succeeds in cessession in Alaska, we Texans need to restore the Republic and take over Mexico before they take over us.
September 26, 2008 12:44 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well good luck with that. I'll mount a campaign from Taos to take El Paso back - it rightly belongs to New Mexico.
The Spanish government that was kicked out of Santa Fe in the Pueblo revolt of 1680, decamped down the Rio Grande to El Paso del Norte, which was one fucking shed. The exiled Santa Feans built the first core of what would become El Paso. Texas took it during the American war with Mexico that netted the US the entire southwest. Texas was sneaky - they marched in and took El Paso from Mexico and then just scooped it right into the state.
September 26, 2008 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
John McCain is full on batshit lying bastard crazy.
If you look up into the sky this evening between Washington and Oxford, you will see the delicate arch of the fresh contrail of smoke left behind by his smoldering britches.
September 26, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
So how will this work then? Will Palin's plane break down in Alaska on Thursday? Maybe she'll get the flu or something. Because they just lost their "out", and after seeing her interview with Katie Couric, I'm quite certain they don't want her out in public making a complete ass of herself on Thursday.
Perhaps she'll have a run-in with a moose. Or maybe Russia will attack Wasilla and she'll need to stay up there and direct the Alaska National Guard's response.
September 26, 2008 11:38 AM | Reply | Permalink
The McCain folks will say Palin won't be able to debate because of all those big bad Democrats and media types who have been harrassing both her and her family, and by the way, she is going to "suspend" her campaigning for a undetermined period of time until she is treated with the deference and respect she deserves.
September 26, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
Watch for Trig to need extra care next week.
September 26, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Right before the debate they'll announce she's 9 months pregnant and her water broke, so she has to fly back to Alaska.
September 26, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think she's pregnant again.
September 26, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe she will go into labor and have another baby.
September 26, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
hrebendorf;
Did I see your cat, sans-hat, on Huffpost this AM?
September 26, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
The baby is sick excuse comes to mind.
September 26, 2008 12:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Well, that was entertaining side show.
September 26, 2008 11:39 AM | Reply | Permalink
She'll asked to be excused from the ticket so she can spend more time with her family.
September 26, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
...when does moose season start?
September 26, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the thumb was actually somewhere else, and he wouldn't want it in his mouth afte that.
September 26, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
Your imagination just isn't dirty enough - Sanchez. (har har har!)
September 26, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
So he'll attack Obama as a tax and spend liberal for defending the $700 billion bailout plan, and talk about how Obama would raise taxes on American families. "That's change we can't afford to have!"
This is a set-up, and it's clear from the McCain statement.
September 26, 2008 11:40 AM | Reply | Permalink
I do not think that's going to work, flufferwink. Too many people were at that meeting for this to really work.
September 26, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
From POlitico:
September 26, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
Now McCain is busy trying to get tied to the rogue House GOP (and thus labeled as being very very partisan) amongst other things.
September 26, 2008 11:58 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think the McCain camp is clearly hoping for this, but the Obama folks have had plenty of time to work out a canned response. They should really be able to anticipate this maneuver easily, even long before McCain's statement today. They should also be able to anticipate that McCain is going to use this as a way to distance himself from Bush.
I'm confident Obama will have a good attack against point 1, mainly because it is so easy. Obama has never endorsed the Paulson plan and was closely following and contributing to the bipartisan negotiations, which were moving along until yesterday. If, as McCain stated on Wednesday, it is so important to do something, then he too should agree that helping those negotiations is a good idea. But, if, as he said last Monday, the fundamentals of the economy are strong, then no wonder he is reticent to commit to anything. So, which is Senator McCain: is the economy in danger of another Great Depression, or is it fundamentally strong?
As for point 2, McCain separating himself from Bush, Obama should simply say: "I'm glad that after 8 years of this presidency, you finally have come to see its many flaws." McCain is relying on Obama's inability to let go of the McCain=3rd term of Bush card. But it's a card that Obama doesn't need after the past two weeks' tantrums from McCain.
September 26, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree that this is clearly what they are hoping to pull. I tend to be skeptical that it will work, however. Whether it is fair or not, the Republicans are facing a stiff headwind this year. They have been in charge for the last 8 years, so it is really hard for them not to take the blame for the economic mess. McCain clearly wants to be able to pin this on Obama and the democrats generally, but such a meme is a tough sell to all but those already on board with McCain. Even the wing-nuts themselves ruefully admit as much.
September 26, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree Obama has plenty of room to maneuver here.
But I'd phrase it as "I'm glad that after 8 years of Republican rule, you finally have come to see the bankruptcy of the conservative philosophy."
In other words, pivot from "third Bush term" to "continuation of failed conservative Republican philosophy."
Second verse, same as the first.
September 26, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
It was never in doubt. The only variable was how much drama McCane could create. Unfortunately, the drama isn't what he wanted. He expected the deal to pass without any opposition and he'd show up at the debate as the Triumphant Leader. Instead, it's fallen apart in partisan bickering and Obama should take him to task for injecting himself into a process that may have otherwise gone smoothly.
September 26, 2008 11:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain is pulling this shit in Washington and he has yet to even introduce his soulmate to Warshington, Ms. Palin.
Imagine that duo! This shit has to stop! America cannot handle more of this! McCain/Palin has no redeeming qualities that could benefit America as a whole.
I pray Obama absolutely steamrolls McCain tonight, just purely obliterates him on all topics. McCain has been stressed, he hasn't got his naps, he is walking in with a tail between his legs, he needs to be put in his place, the place he called for, time out.
September 26, 2008 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
Clown.
Someone buy him the big shoes.
September 26, 2008 11:42 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain puts "McCain first".
September 26, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
And now McCain will spin expectations by saying that Obama was being coached for the debate while he was in Washington ensuring that the financial crisis got resolved...
September 26, 2008 11:43 AM | Reply | Permalink
Didn't he sit their silently in the meeting?
Obama asked questions to Boehner and Paulson.
McCain brought a campaign staffer with him and Obama brought a legislative aide.
Fuck you. GoBama: http://tinyurl.com/6xr3b7
September 26, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Don't you know that McCain has already won the debate?
McCain Wins Debate
September 26, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Gasp....
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
September 26, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
The online ad buyer for the McCain campaign appears to be trying to torpedo their own candidate.
September 26, 2008 11:49 AM | Reply | Permalink
Yeah - and emails meant for one list go out to another accidentally - Jesus people, if I didn't know better, I'd think McLame's campaign hires are trying to signal SOS to us!
LOL!!!
September 26, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually, Tena, that may not be as snarky as you intended... Thnik about it; even on a subconscious level, if not overtly, there has GOT to be some McCain ops who are reeling in the wake of this wild-west campaign.
How many eye-rolls and double-takes have the more-noble McCain campers shared since Schmidt grabbed the steering wheel? And how many of them had palpitations when "Lightnin'" Palin came in to defibrilate (Electra-fy) McCain?
Here's hoping someone close to the top has clear-lighted and will one day expose the whole sordid story, the sooner the better.
September 26, 2008 12:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now that would have looked pretty damned silly if he had skipped the debate, wouldn't it? Obviously, he never intended to do that; the whole thing was, as the front page said, a head fake.
What an asshole.
September 26, 2008 12:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
It might look silly, but he's done it before.
He dropped out of his debate with Bush in California in 2000.
September 26, 2008 12:50 PM | Reply | Permalink
Maybe to jump start the economic recovery, McCain will announce during the debate that he and his wife will donate a few of their surplus homes to homeless disabled veterans?
September 26, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
Mission Accomplished!
September 26, 2008 11:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
So does this mean that McCain simply "declared victory" and evacuated?
September 26, 2008 11:45 AM | Reply | Permalink
cut & run?
September 26, 2008 11:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
To be fair to McSame, he did follow the instructions: Hold the saline solution inside until the urge to evacuate is strong.
September 26, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
The only evacuation going on today will be McCain's bowels during the debate tonight.
Imagine a chorus of boos from the Ole Miss faithful when McCain is introduced.
September 26, 2008 2:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain's latest stunt = Epic Fail.
September 26, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
John McCain is full of shit, and I hope the average American who's barely paying attention realizes that.
September 26, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
Hang him upside down next to David Blain in Central Park! "Don't worry John, we'll check back with you..."
September 26, 2008 11:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
The best thing about this is not tonight's debate, but that the VP debate is back on. I think they were really using this sideshow to try to get the Palin-Biden debate - ahem - "re-scheduled". The media narrative will be a wash for tonight's debate no matter how much BO dances circles around JM, but the VP debate has become the Rs worst nightmare...
September 26, 2008 11:47 AM | Reply | Permalink
I will posit that if Obama lights it up tonight and McCain flounders, the media overall will pounce on McCain. Blood in the water plus the way he has treated the media lately, plus his stunt using our economic crisis, adds up to everyone from CNN to David Letterman doing a dogpile on McCain.
September 26, 2008 11:51 AM | Reply | Permalink
I think losing Letterman is more damaging than all the conservative commentariat that has left him combined. It sets a narrative that may as well be chiseled in rock.
September 26, 2008 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
I hoped Obama would win this election. The past couple weeks have proven to me that he will win.
But, yes -- keep working as if he's behind. Make it a LANDSLIDE!!!
September 26, 2008 12:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree completely with this. And Letterman probably isn't going to let up.
September 26, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Letterman let up? When has he ever let up on anything? Dave does overkill very well - that's practically his entire schtick.
The thing I like the most about this is that Dave actually has acquired gravitas over the years. It really was suicidal for McLame to diss Dave like that - to go over to another studio and be interviewed by Couric. That's titanic rudeness and it's also titanic stupidity.
September 26, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's like the GOP thinks it's still the primaries and "no one" is watching (though clearly people were). The disconnection from reality is as breathtaking as the arrogance with which he believes he'll get away with it.
September 26, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think McLame had a mini-breakdown this week.
;)
It's a precursor to the full breakdown.
September 26, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree, Letterman was all over him again last night!
BTW, great photo online in the NYT of Giuliani & McCain, two elderly cheaters, getting on the plane with their mistresses, er, wives.
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/debate-is-on/#comment-573553
September 26, 2008 2:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think you're right in that they will if Obama really smokes him, but if the subject really does center on foreign policy I think McCain will likely come off well enough in terms of media narrative that it will be seen as a draw, as this is JM's perceived strength. But yes, if he falls flat on his face then it will be picked up...
September 26, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama: "Sen. McCain has no need to be fearful about a debate..."
Is it me, or does it seem like we're dealing with a scared puppy in McCain? I want to say (to McCain using my best baby-talk voice): "C'mon little guy it's okay, we won't hurt you. Whooooo's a cute little boy, I've got a treat for you! Want your belly rubbed?! C'mon, it's okay"
September 26, 2008 11:50 AM | Reply | Permalink
Fearful is a very effective way to paint McSame.
September 26, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
So does this mean we'll be seeing him on Letterman soon?
September 26, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
The jokes Obama can make tonight practically write themselves. If he doesn't start one of his answers with, "Well, one thing I won't do is suspend my presidency until the problem is solved," I'll be really disappointed.
September 26, 2008 11:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
He can start just by thanking McCain for making it to the debate.
That should get him seething right out of the gate.
September 26, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
I hope you're right.
McCain made a MASSIVe tactical blunder by "suspending" his campaign and is not left to attend tonight's debate with his tail between his legs with no bailout deal reached.
McCain is like Foreman after he had punched himself tired, Obama simply needs to back up, take aim and throw one or two really good punches to knock him out.
September 26, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Chris Dodd was practically spitting blood on Imus this morning, he was so opening pissed off at McCain. After reading this statement, he's probably a walking poster child for restricting handguns in DC.
September 26, 2008 11:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
And after he returns to Washington to finalize the deal he'll drop his pants, bend over and whistle the Andy Griffith theme song out his ass.
September 26, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
So if McCain is showing up for the debate tonight, how is McCain going to get Palin out of next week's debate? What can they possibly think of?
September 26, 2008 11:54 AM | Reply | Permalink
In an ideal world, it would be the threat of jail for ignoring a legally issued subpeona.
The Alaska AG wants them all thrown out on the grounds the legislature does not have the power to subpeona. This is what he is telling a judge.
Never mind hundreds of years of legislatures doing exactly that.
I hope she shows up. It's really for the best.
She will return to Alaska to face the same charges that impeached Clinton. Troopergate will not be going away.
September 26, 2008 11:59 AM | Reply | Permalink
So if McCain is showing up for the debate tonight, how is he going to get Palin out of next week's debate? What can they possibly think of?
September 26, 2008 12:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
5...4...3...2...1...the villager Mark Halperin will say that McCain won the week.
September 26, 2008 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Just saw something that shows McCain did the SAME thing in 2000 when he was up against W..:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2000/02/28/MN62687.DTL&hw=mccain+opinsky&sn=001&sc=1000
Not pretty.
September 26, 2008 11:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
It's official: He's now John McCave.
September 26, 2008 11:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
Speaking of Palin;
I did a back to back viewing of the Gibson and Couric interviews last nite and her demeanor is quite different between the two. Whereas with Gibson she is spitting winger fire, with Couric she is much more mellow. On purpose? Is she getting tired of the whole affair?
September 26, 2008 12:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've thought the same thing. She's tired of the abuse, she's knows she's not qualified, and she'd probably prefer to forget the whole thing ever happened.
September 26, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
I noticed the same thing, the direct result of shoving 10 pounds of shit into a five-pound bag.
September 26, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
She's less coherent than she was with Gibson. The result of trying to cram too much stuff, as you so eloquently phrase it.
September 26, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
My disgust I reserve for McLiar foisting this on the country. I am just sick to death of Amaterur Hour, and we'll see more of it tonight.
September 26, 2008 12:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is it me, or did Couric have an incredulous look on her face for parts of that interview. She seemed to have a "who is this unqualified tart and why the hell is she even being considered for this position..." look on her face?
September 26, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
My oh my, this just keeps getting better and better! You know your VP pick is in deep shit when the National Review is calling on you to drop out of the race. Even they're saying she's out of her league. In fact, "Out of Her League" is part of the headline!
http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MDZiMDhjYTU1NmI5Y2MwZjg2MWNiMWMyYTUxZDkwNTE=
September 26, 2008 12:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now if you'll all excuse me, I'm going to go perform some self-love to the new Rassmussen VA poll!
Looking out my office window here in Arlington, VA I can see 4 Obama volunteers currently canvassing the Courthouse Metro Station.
I'm in such a good mood!
September 26, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
The look on Couric's face was "Gee I thought I got off the Today Show to escape interviewing space cadets to boost sagging ratings."
September 26, 2008 12:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have gotten a hint of that from her lately, myself.
I imagine her ambition and her everything else are having one hell of a war because if I read her correctly, and I think I do, she's not someone who wants to have to work for something. She's been handed most of what she's gotten, I think - she started out a beauty queen and she's taken that about as far as it could plausibly take anyone.
It would not surprise me if Sarah cut and run on her own initiative - and I wonder, too, how much her husband really wants his family under this microscope.
September 26, 2008 12:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
Like acamus replied to me last nite:
"How how can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?" She's all about the pudding.
September 26, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think she was intimidated by Couric, if you can imagine such a thing.
With Gibson and Hannity, she was all flirty and coquettish (remember that wink in Churlee's direction?), and she didn't have those particular tools at her disposal while talking to another woman.
Hiking your skirt and poking out your tongue may work on morons like Hannity, but if you take away Palin's opportunities to flirt her way through an interview she's completely lost.
September 26, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
I agree Stranger. She knows she can bullshit a guy, but can't bullshit another woman. I've known women like that my entire life. Feminist my ass.
September 26, 2008 12:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Co-sign!
September 26, 2008 1:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Did anyone hear Tucker Bounds on MSNBC this morning referring to Gibson, Hannity, and Couric as three "extremely tough interviewers"? I almost choked on my coffee!!
September 26, 2008 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Last night on CNN, Ed Rollins commented that she seems to have lost all of her confidence. I think she's coming to the conclusion that this is a lot harder than just getting up and giving a prepared speech to a bunch of supporters. I think she's wishing now that she would've blinked when she had the opportunity.
September 26, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think we're missing the important point: It is On like Donkey Kong.
McCain's inability to weasel out of the debate, despite the fact that he is known to have not prepared for it and despite the fact that he spent the last few days sputtering and grandstanding instead of preparing, almost guarantees that Obama will wipe the floor with him tonight. If Barack can just avoid sounding testy or superior a la Al Gore, then McCain will be pitifully easy to trounce - and on the one issue (foreign policy) that he's supposed to be strong on.
So tonight I'm popping up some popcorn, cracking a brew, and waiting cheerfully for the mayhem to begin. Anyone else in?
September 26, 2008 12:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Yesterday, Pat Buchanan offered to clear the air on why McLiar does not want to debate by applying Occam's Razor:
He doesn't want to debate because he doesn't want to debate.
September 26, 2008 12:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Seconded.
September 26, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
As a lifelong slacker of exemplary proportions, I can only say that I see in McCain's strategy some of my own youthful obfuscations and avoidances.
Escept, I never expected it would lead to anything.
It's like McCain is expecting his own slacker strategies will result in some sort of victory...
"My dog ate my homework and crapped out a thesis..."
September 26, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Just how does he stand the smell????
His head is so far up his ass.
September 26, 2008 12:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Following the debate, he will return to Washington to ensure that all voices and interests are represented in the final agreement, especially those of taxpayers and homeowners."
In a desperate attempt to mitigate anticipated poor debate performance.
September 26, 2008 12:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is a great time to make phone calls, canvas, etc. Get people to pay attention to what's really going on. Dedicate some time tomorrow.
September 26, 2008 12:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's 7 points I'm looking for in the debate.
Will Obama run the table?
Free Trade
Iraq
Iran
Afghanistan
Pakistan
Russia
Darfur
September 26, 2008 12:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Really, you expect Darfur to make an appearance in the questions? I would be delighted to be wrong about this, but I have a hard time envisioning that. This country is so fixated on matters economic right now that I am hard pressed to believe that the moderators will want to risk the backlash of petulant self-pity if they try to make their viewers think of people who are really suffering from poverty right now.
September 26, 2008 12:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have a better one for John.
"How do you plan to pay for all this aggressive crap?"
September 26, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
"With the oil we take from our adversaries!"
September 26, 2008 1:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin on the take from day one, just like Ted Stevens, according to The Washington Post.
Read all the details of Sarah's petty graft, to the tune of more than 25 thousand for her first twenty months in office. Jewelry, Free trips, etc.
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/09/palin-on-the-take-just-like-te.php
September 26, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
So that little pony show is over now, McCain? Good. Can we get back to reality for a day or two?
September 26, 2008 12:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
You must be a dreamer full of hope.
Reality? Reality is McCain's worse enemy now (think the two biggest agreements he has with wildly unpopular Bush, Iraq and the economy) -- hence all the nutty distractions.
I've been wondering what camp grandpa has up their sleeve for the debate. Will we get another, "There you go again," or something like that? I have no doubt that the hullabaloo of the last few days was somehow part of the debate strategy (distract Obama from prepping, have mccain seem more important player in economy going into debate, something).
Ah, yes, there is more gimmickry in store for us as camp grampie tries to distract us, day by day, all the way until election day.
September 26, 2008 1:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
Wow. Reading that statement makes one thing clear. They are completely and totally psychotic. They live in a fantasy world of their own construction. They need medication now!
September 26, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Who is running his campaign?
Have you seen the 527 ad that shows all his cancer scars while doctors calmly describe what it means for a 72 year old to survive mellanoma 4 times, concluding with an appeal to see his medical records. No music, nothing sinister.
The eye flap suggests the sides of his brain are having difficulty communicating. These campaigns are rough on people half his age. I predict he'll enter the hospital 'ere the election.
September 26, 2008 12:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Surge, Surge, Surge... That is what we will hear from McCain tonight. The question is whether Obama's plan requires him jujitsuing McCain on the surge or if he's found that there is not advanatge in discussing the issue with McCain?
Again, I'm not expecting Obama to be too combative. There is too much risk in being reckless and going for a knock out. My guess is that he will ultimately be very happy to make this a an unmemorable evening insuring that come Monday America is still talking economy and not foreign policy.
September 26, 2008 12:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I hope they'll keep the debate largely on foreign policy. It makes no sense to talk about the economic crisis now -- everyone will know so much more in a couple of weeks, why not wait 'til then? Talking about it now, when a deal hasn't been made, just leads to demagoguery.
September 26, 2008 12:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
IT WAS OVER BEFORE IT STARTED... according to the ass-backwards-managed McCain campaign:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/09/mccain_wins_debate.html
September 26, 2008 12:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even as an Obama supporter I may switch based on the Country First selfless leadership of John McCain. He should open by saying: "Given the upset last night of USC, the SEC is now poised to take over leadership in the college polls and therefore the SEC Chaiman no longer needs to be fired and the crisis is over. That is why I am is very happy to be in the heart of SEC country at OleMiss tonight, and that even though the Rebs are having an up and down season, so has their flag for over a century." But what do I know.
September 26, 2008 12:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
that cracked my shit up totally! LMAO!
September 26, 2008 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
MsX, when you stop acronyming your buttuski, I heard that at the non-suspended Texas Obama HQ they have a phone bank up seeking Texas volunteers to invade New Mexico. I know old Sam Houston wanted to invade Old Mexico, but he's buried in east Texas or living with First Dude's relatives in Alaska listening to Elvis or something, so think about it.
September 26, 2008 1:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
Speaking of the Couric interview
Scarborough said:
Did anybody watch Morning Joe? Was he joking when he said this, or was he being serious?
September 26, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
He was as serious as a heart attack followed by a stroke in a terminal cancer patient. Left me in disbelief. Reality's liberal bias even gets through Morning D'oh!
September 26, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know Harry Whittington. Harry Whittington is a friend of mine. Shooting Harry Whittington was not a bad thing. A violation of Alaskan airspace maybe. But not a bad thing. Do the correct math.
September 26, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
By fortune or design, this worked out pretty well. Announce an agreement before McCain even arrives in DC (22 hours after he "suspends" his campaign). Then announce that the deal fell apart because of McCain's injection of presidential politics. Call his bluff on his threat not to debate until a deal has been reached, forcing him to head to MS with no deal in hand. Next step is to announce a deal while he is away. Media will play it that McCain was the obstacle to the deal, not the facilitator he claimed he would be.
Only one problem: what if the voters don't like the deal?
September 26, 2008 12:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
wtf?
September 26, 2008 12:57 PM | Reply | Permalink
September 26, 2008 1:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
"spent five years not talking about the economy in a certain infamous hotel"
"POW"
"fight pilot"
September 26, 2008 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Actually it could have been worse. Her respoonse could have been "The worst thing Dick Cheney did was not making her pregnant daughter marry thew father of his grandchild."
September 26, 2008 1:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Given the fact that McCain has announced at his campaign site, noted above, that "McCain wins Debate",,,,,, it's only fair to step into the future from Obama's side and announce a remark picked up on a left open micraphone after the debate. "That white man is crazy!",,,,, with a tip of the hat to comic genius Richard Pryor.
Serious comment,,,,, if Barack is facile with the DSM4 he will have no trouble playing McCain like the yo-yo he is.
September 26, 2008 1:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
You got that right. It's all in the book.
September 26, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
What the...??
The difference between Barack Obama and John McCain was apparent during the White House meeting yesterday where Barack Obama's priority was political posturing in his opening monologue defending the package as it stands. John McCain listened to all sides so he could help focus the debate on finding a bipartisan resolution that is in the interest of taxpayers and homeowners. The Democratic interests stood together in opposition to an agreement that would accommodate additional taxpayer protections.
Wasn't it the other way around?
September 26, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not if you have access to the real math. If you add things correctly you will find this whole crisis was caused by Democrats who believe black people whould own their own homes.
September 26, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ah, the Michele Bachmann approach. There's leadership we can believe in.
September 26, 2008 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I cant' wait to see grampy get his ass handed to him tonight!
September 26, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
Check out this great tool - You can sign up to rate the debate/s the media has a chance to spin them:
http://freepress.net/debates
Spread the word!
September 26, 2008 1:31 PM | Reply | Permalink
that should be... debates before the media has a chance to spin them.
September 26, 2008 1:33 PM | Reply | Permalink
Here's a screenshot from the future I saw on an article in Huff.
September 26, 2008 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Palin: From my home in Alaska I can see Mccain's debate Victory in Russian water.
September 26, 2008 1:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
You got to wonder what time McCain has to be back at the nursing home. There may not be time for a debate after all.
September 26, 2008 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
** . . . let’s do some real (modeled) election stats **
Projected winner: Obama takes all with at least 293/538 on 9/26/2008
Ignorance is no excuse. Stop hyperventilating Dems. Stop bloviating GOP. These are numbers McCain and Obama know about, so should you.
Polls from a single source are too biased. National polls are meaningless. Only state polls matter -- but not beyond 50%+1 vote. In a Presidential election, only votes in the Electoral College count.
Estimates of Electoral College votes just don’t show the kind of dramatic swings that make for breathless faux news. What to do? Go to these sites. They show outcomes from statistical models. If the election were held today, Obama would win.
http://www.fivethirtyeight.com where on 9/26/2008: estimated 308 electoral votes for Obama.
http://election.princeton.edu/history-of-electoral-votes-for-obama/ where on 9/26/2008: estimated 293 electoral votes for Obama. (Obama declared winner-of-the-day ever since mid-June.)
September 26, 2008 2:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is quite clear to me that McCain's campaign is now the definition of political satire.
September 26, 2008 2:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
This BS will soon be over....
September 26, 2008 2:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
I was writing on two different websites at once, and misread yours as being in agreement with Stranger's wishes. That's my fault.
However, I don't get what you mean about the MSM giving McCain a free pass recently. I'm afraid that doesn't wash with what I've seen. Fixed...er...Fox News has even been critical of McCain recently. And they're not the only right-wingers who've been slapping McCain around this last week or so. (Last night, even Pat Buchanan on MSNBC stopped trying to contort himself explaining McCain.)
Look at the treatment McCain's getting in the papers. Even the WSJ appears to have turned on him. He's getting trashed at National Review.
The leads on the morning and evening news the last few days have included, among other things, clips of David Letterman. I don't think they were showing his interview with Chandra Wilson.
The right-wingers are even turning on each other - a reflection of the fact that John McCain and House Republicans appear to be in a standoff with the Bush Administration and Senate Republicans. Meanwhile, Democrats are actually united, and showing strength in solidarity. When was the last time you heard THAT in a Presidential election?
I'd say the worm has turned in the MSM. Nowadays, they're not saying "POW" or "surge". They're saying "Palin" and "72".
September 26, 2008 2:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
So at what point this weekend will Palin start trying to get her debate canceled?
September 26, 2008 2:49 PM | Reply | Permalink
Spread the word...McSame has ALREADY won the debate since his campaign has released an official ad with Rick Davis commentary saying he performed great and he clearly won.
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/26/mccain-camp-releases-ad-claiming-debate-victory/
September 26, 2008 3:15 PM | Reply | Permalink
I don't know if anyone is still reading these comments...I really liked this from the Newsweek Stumper:
http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/09/26/the-bull-leaves-the-china-shop.aspx
Also, don't forget to spread this awesome image of Putin 'rearing his head': http://www.boingboing.net/images/x_2008/putinrearshishead.jpg
September 26, 2008 3:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks to Chuck Todd and friends McCain now has his strategy for tonight laid out----
From NBC’s Chuck Todd, Mark Murray and Domenico Montanaro:
"So what if McCain shows up and tonight and says, "I'm sorry I couldn't sign on to this Washington-Wall Street plan that I worried was putting an even bigger burden on taxpayers than this mess already has. Now, Sen. Obama, I understand that you are confident in these folks in Washington and New York who have everyone convinced this is the only plan. And I respect that, but I am hearing from people all over the country who don't get this plan and don't understand how it will work. And why should they trust a group of folks in Washington and New York who broke this system to fix it?"
"McCain is not winning this political battle right now as the media elite do believe the White House, Wall Street and Congressional Democrats on this. It's a pretty strong united front for us not to believe this. That said, McCain and House Republicans are channeling their inner populist, something the Republican Party hasn't done in quite some time. Don't write off this McCain strategy just yet if Obama appears too cozy with Washington and New York elites, and it's McCain who is the one looking like the outsider.
"And there might be an immigration analogy here. Has McCain learned a lesson from that first battle that almost sunk his campaign and decided to listen to the base on this? This whole fight looks a bit like immigration with media, political elites on one side and “conservative populists” on the other."
September 26, 2008 3:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
"Senator McCain has spent the morning talking to members of the Administration, members of the Senate, and members of the House."
Is that referring to this morning or yesterday morning? Because the Times reported: "At the bipartisan White House meeting that Mr. McCain had called for a day earlier, he sat silently for more than 40 minutes, more observer than leader"
September 26, 2008 3:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Joe Conason nails it:
http://www.salon.com/opinion/conason/2008/09/26/bailout/
September 26, 2008 4:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's because McCain was getting a beating in the polls for bowing out.
September 26, 2008 4:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Initial pride in the fact that my state would be host to the first presidential debate of this historic campaign has turned to absolute disgust and outrage. The Mississippi White Knights also plan to attend.
September 26, 2008 4:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
So the tough guy blinks...... hahahahaha
September 26, 2008 4:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey - Has the report from McShame's "9/11 Commission for the Economy" come out yet? Did I miss it?
September 26, 2008 5:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
One assumes that Haley Barbour has made sure that the 'whites only' and 'colored' signs have not reappeared in the airport terminal. The Republican Party in those parts is just the old segregationist democrats with a tad more finesse.
Don't be unduly embarrased by the Kluxers, Indiana has just as many if not more,,, it isn't just Mississippi.
September 26, 2008 5:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
Appointment in Mississippi.
Fighter pilot McCain, facing death in September with Obama polling up, up and away, drops chaff at the convention in the form of 'shiny object' Palin to distract voter's attention, then as the Palin glitter fades, abruptly abandons formation to swoop low over Washington on a bombing run. Sensing the folly of this maneuver, he suspends his suspension, ignites his afterburners, heading for the wild blue skies of Mississippi to do battle, where Obama awaits, surprised after all the political maneuvering to finally see him appear in his gunsights at the appointed hour.
September 26, 2008 8:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
McCain looks ridiculous going to Washington and expecting to be a bipartisan "leader" at the tail end of a Presidential campaign. He looks ridiculous not only because he injected politics into the debate but because he grandstanded and turn a very serious issue into theater.
Neither approach (his or Obama's) was "more" right - the difference was temperament.
Obama was calm, which is what one should do in a "financial crisis", rule #1 DON'T PANIC.
McCain looked like chicken with his head cut off, very much the drama queen control freak.
September 26, 2008 8:33 PM | Reply | Permalink