This is, I think, a smart demonstration of leadership. McCain is suspending his campaign and seeking a postponement of the debate that is scheduled for this Friday.
Meanwhile, speaking of leadership, where's our incredible shrinking president, Mr. Bush?
UPDATE: Obama says that "there are times for politics and there are times to rise above politics and do what’s right," but now is not the time to cancel the debate. "This is exactly the time when people need to hear from the candidates." And: "Part of the president’s job is to deal with more than one thing at once. In my mind it’s more important than ever."
I suppose Obama couldn't very well follow McCain's lead. In fact, if McCain had really been serious about this, he should have worked it out with Obama in private, so that the two men could make a joint announcement. McCain went for political theatrics, and I guess he can use it against Obama now, which was probably the point, but Obama's reaction was so predictable that McCain's show of statesmanship was entirely bogus, so I will be impervious to that rhetoric.
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411 comments:
1 – 200 of 411 Newer› Newest»You mean the president with the MBA? Nope. Haven't seen him.
he'll be on tv tonite trying to do what fdr did in '29
I'd be inclined to say a smart display of gamesmanship rather than leadership, and Obama is probably cursing that he didn't think of it first. McCain will probably pull more stunts like this before Election Day.
The Dems see this crisis as an opportunity for the government to own the banks. That will spell the end of the United States as a free enterprise, free society. And that's what's at stake here.
It's that OODA loop thing again.
McCain can be much more agile, because unlike Obama, he doesn't haveto clear his words with axlerod first.
Biden on the other hand is very agile. Course he doesn't even clear his word with Joe first.
This is, I think, a smart demonstration of leadership.
Cruel neutrality indeed.
Painting a sick political game as smart leadership. How low can one go? Unbelievable.
Is there anything that is not part of the political game? This morning I heard about the 9-point Obama lead in a certain poll and my first reaction -when I heard the McCain announcement- was that it seems like the right thing to do, but it will probably be played as a change-the-subject kind of gimmick.
Is this a real crisis? and is McCain's reaction a chess move or a real answer to the crisis?
PS: Ms. Althouse, this thing that you do... you've got me hook! love you!
Yes, more cooks is certainly what is needed in Washington as the save-Wall-Street's-Ass broth is tended to.
I'll repeat my purple pod prose here: McCain and Obama are not on the Senate Banking Committee -- so why are they needed? I mean, it must be galling for a politician to know they're not part of the solution of something, but just suck it up.
Painting a sick political game as smart leadership.
No, little brain -- a smart demonstration of leadership. That doesn't preclude its also being a slick political maneuver. Obviously it is that as well.
Politicians talk all the time about the need to "focus on the issues". Obama, for example, does this every time he or an associate gets caught on tape saying something idiotic. Well, McCain just doubled down on "focusing on the issues" by opting to do so instead of traveling around America campaigning. Clever move, and you can bet your bottom dollar Obama's kicking himself for not thinking of it first. In fact, his campaign is trying to say they DID think of it first, sort of. :)
Neither Obama nor McCain can do anything much about this problem. If Obama had tried to postpone the debate, you wouldn't have approved, and most of your readers would have bashed him for it.
You ask where the President has been. The answer is, he knows there is nothing - literally, nothing - that he can say or do that will not be attacked by the leftists. Nothing. At. All. The left has so poisoned politics in this country that Bush probably sees no reason to get involved. Not matter what he says or does, he gets attacked, so why do anything? When he tried to fix social security he got boos from the dems, so why is this different?
Bush is human, too. The man has been attacked ceaselessly for the past 8 years. Much of it is of course undeserved, like for Katrian, for example, where smart people know it was a local failure. But he even gets attacked for stupid things like his pronounication of the word "nuclear". For such people Bush should make an effort? To hell with them, let someone else handle it.
Maybe a superman presdient would rise above it, but we have not had a superman for president in a quarter century.
It is fascinating that the press keeps setting the narrative up and McCain keeps swatting it upside down, like a gnat. It must be frustrating for these people.
Bush pronounces nuclear wrong on purpose, just as his father said "Sad-ham" all the time because it reportedly drove Saddam Hussein crazy.
I'm sure of it.
"Painting a sick political game as smart leadership. How low can one go? Unbelievable."
Is that a Haiku? It's lovely.
It is a sick political game to think that he should be doing his job at a time of crisis?
I guess that makes sense. Obama's camp has asserted that it is his experience as a candidate that makes him qualified to be President, so it only makes sense for him to keep doing his job (running a campaign) in this time of crisis.
Shame on McCain for suggesting that they take the time to try to solve the problem, when doing so might cause them to have to exhibit leadership and to take a stand that voters will be able to evaluate. Totally unfair of him!
McCain will probably pull more stunts like this before Election Day.
It's a stunt to do what you were elected to do? Legislate and represent your constituants in what is a history making financial crisis. Stunt?
Obviously, with important and catastrophic things happening to the US financial system, the best thing for the candidates for POTUS to do is not debate the issues in front of the public on Friday night.
...Obviously.
Drill Sgt:
"It's that OODA loop thing again. "
I love it. LOL
Thanks, I needed the laugh; I owe you.
Wow, didn't I just suggest that Obama do precisely this, including canceling debates? Why yes, yes I did.
So what's Obama doing? Nothing. Great leadership there.
(Ironically, I think doing nothing is precisely what government should be doing. However, there is an advantage in looking presidential doing exactly that. It's also a great opportunity for demagoguery.)
anatarajan said...
"If Obama had tried to postpone the debate, you wouldn't have approved, and most of your readers would have bashed him for it."
Depends why. If he was just trying to postpone the debate, sure. If he had to postpone the debate, for legitimate national or personal reasons, probably not.
"Not matter what he says or does, he gets attacked, so why do anything?"
You're right. Bush should just resign right now.
As for McCain's little stunt, "leadership"? How about "cowardly"? Why suspend today and not on Monday when debate over the bailout began? Why is he still delivering his speech to the Clinton Global Initiative? The Senate needs your "leadership," Sen. McCain!
Apparently Congress has managed to push through the pay limits for executives in bailed-out companies.
Here's a question for you: who here would go work for a failing company that offered substandard pay? Nobody? Guess what, CEOs feel the same way. The only folks willing to take a deal like that are ones who can't actually land a decent job. This sort of a deal guarantees that the companies will end up with the same incompetent leadership that led them into this mess, because they aren't going to be able to hire someone smart to replace that leadership.
Question for Seven Machos...
Ten days ago I posted on an Althouse thread titled "Some People Say America Wants Change..."
http://althouse.blogspot.com/2008/09/some-people-say-america-wants-change.html#comments
that this financial crisis "will surely be looked back on as being the most important story of the year."
Seven Machos wrote "Just like Enron, the story of the century -- bigger than 9/11 according to Paul Krugman. How did the country survive? How will we ever make it if Lehman Brothers can't pay its creditors? We're all doomed, Lee, because I can assure you that McCain will win."
Seven Machos do you still think this story is not important?
Is a debate like the fucking prom? Does McCain and Obama not now have time to pick out their dresses?
Fucking show up and debate for 2 god damn hours on a Friday night.
Maybe if Russia attacks Ukraine on Nov. 3rd McCain will ask to reschedule the election.
It seems like vintage McCain. The guy has a passion for meddling.
As pointed out above, neither McCain nor Obama can do much. This is mostly because no one has a clue, except to spend a ton of money, build in some oversight, and cull a few scapegoats from the flock.
That said, McCain and Obama do have a role that goes beyond the Senate Banking Committee. As the presidential candidates of their respective parties, they may be able to knock some heads in Congress and create a better deal (more oversight, more transparency, fewer gimics). No one in Congress wants to start off on the bad side of the next president.
What could move this beyond pure gamesmanship is that McCain and Obama have essentially voiced the same objections to the Paulson plan. One of them will have to deal with the bloody aftermath, so they would be well served to come to agreement on the solution.
he'll be on tv tonite trying to do what fdr did in '29
This is why I still read Althouse. Hilarious!
"Fucking show up and debate for 2 god damn hours on a Friday night."
LOL. "Debate". If either one of them actually tried to debate someone would call security.
Yes I agree, it's a smart demonstration of leadership.
I will be really proud if Senator McCain will have four more years in congress. :D
I would think Obama would be excited to postpone the debate and do some senate work.
Each week he spends in the senate he doubles his experience.
Obama can always fly to DC to vote "Present". Shouldn't take more than a couple hours.
The Weekly World News has the real story behind the debate delay.
1. We lefties criticize McCain for doing X.
2. Had Obama done X, you righties would criticize Obama.
The assumption here, obviously, is that X is bad.
Is it? If it is, why is McCain doing it willfully and in a very public way? That's not the way I generally go about doing things I think are bad.
Bush has been smart to stay in the background. Democrats have BDS so badly, that they would rather let us all die than let Bush do anything good for the country.
Letting Paulson be the face for the Administration at the moment at lease will help us get something done since they (the idiots) control Congress.
Revenant said...
Apparently Congress has managed to push through the pay limits for executives in bailed-out companies.
This sort of a deal guarantees that the companies will end up with the same incompetent leadership that led them into this mess, because they aren't going to be able to hire someone smart to replace that leadership.
With thoughts like these I will challenge you to an I.Q. test any day.
The incompetent folks that destroyed these companies were paid a fortune. Can't you even make a logical, cohesive point? You are really not thought out, and panicking.
I would think Obama would be excited to postpone the debate and do some senate work.
Each week he spends in the senate he doubles his experience.
Great stuff! It's funny because its so true.
Ha ha...nothing like trying to not politicize an issue by politicizing it! Can't do a debate and do your job in the senate at the same time? Not very presidential. Shouldn't a LEADER be able to multi-task?
Wonder if this has anything to do with Obama wiping the floor with McCain in every poll on economics?
McCain is a cynical joke. What he should've done was demanded to change the debate topic on Friday from foreign policy to the economy. But no, he goes for the cheap trick, as usual.
Another brilliant broadside on the USS Obama.
The more distance Bush keeps from McCain the better.
Obama can always fly to DC to vote "Present". Shouldn't take more than a couple hours.
ROTFL!
1a. Generally, the side that is cussing and making little sense, like UWS, is the side that is unhappy with the turn of events.
2a. Lee -- I've never said that the story of Lehman Brothers is not important. However, as I've explained, the key to credit crises is to pump money into the economy at the bank level, which has been done. The crisis is over. Anyone who has completed Macroeconomics 101 knows this. Instead of calling me out for past posts, dude, do something useful like learn primitive html.
"McCain is a cynical joke."
Obama is a knock-knock joke.
"Each week he spends in the senate he doubles his experience."
Great stuff! It's funny because its so true.
Althousian mathematics.
Obviously, with important and catastrophic things happening to the US financial system, the best thing for the candidates for POTUS to do is not debate the issues in front of the public on Friday night.
The Congressional hearings are open to the public, dumbass. This will be debated in front of the public no matter what happens. Congressional debates produce legislation and policy. Presidential debates produce soundbites.
Neither Barry nor Mac know much about banking, I want to see which one is smarter. Which one learned and absorbed the most in the last 5 days.
Which one has their shit together? Friday would tell us.
McCain is a cynical joke. What he should've done was demanded to change the debate topic on Friday from foreign policy to the economy. But no, he goes for the cheap trick, as usual.
Obama should be grateful for this delay. It will give him some time to watch more animal planet and meet with foreign leaders.
"With thoughts like these I will challenge you to an I.Q. test any day."
People who brag about test scores have small penises. FACT!
Congressional hearings are comprised of senate aids giving questions for senators to ask.
Doesn't tell us squat about what that senator understands.
BTW, utterly predictable response from zach. Obama is the only playing cynical games by not returning to D.C.
Palladian, I challenge you to an I.Q. duel to the death!
dumbass...
"Which one has their shit together? Friday would tell us."
No, the topic Friday is (was?) foreign policy.
Oh my GOD! McCain is politicizing an issue. Bastard.
(Meanwhile, Obama is acting like a total tool by asking for joint statements with McCain. Unfortunately, neither of these birdbrains has the courage to stand up and tell Wall Street and their pal Paulson to go fuck themselves.)
UWS guy said...
Congressional hearings are comprised of senate aids giving questions for senators to ask.
Doesn't tell us squat about what that senator understands.
3:16 PM
Sounding quite panicky, aren't you? You know how bad it appears that Obama keeps campaigning while McCain is helping to fix the crisis. Your guy has his head stuck so far up his rear end he doesn't know which side is which anymore
"Palladian, I challenge you to an I.Q. duel to the death!"
Or we could just slap each other with our big dicks. That's a lot more fun than an I.Q. test, trust me.
Congressional hearings are comprised of senate aids giving questions for senators to ask.
Well, this isn't true at all, especially for Joe Biden who doesn't ask any questions at all but speaks. And speaks. And speaks. And speaks. Then, he leaves, none the wiser for the effort.
Revenant wrote: This sort of a deal guarantees that the companies will end up with the same incompetent leadership that led them into this mess
I don't think it was leadership that created the mess. I think it was the nature of the business.
A slice of the financial sector based its business on risky debt. The volatility of the economy overwhelmed their risk assessments. The problem was not with bad forecasting, bad forecasts are inevitable; the problem was that these business became too big to be allowed to fail.
Perhaps the leadership was too competent.
Yes, clearly the candidate that begs for the debate to be canceled is the one who is not in a state of panic.
clearly.
Congressional hearings are comprised of senate aids giving questions for senators to ask.
Presidential "debates" are comprised of candidate aids prepping their candidate with answers to predictable questions.
I told my mother that McCain was cancelling the debate and suspending the campaign because he is going back to Washington. She misheard and asked "because he is out of oxygen?'
Can't do a debate and do your job in the senate at the same time?
True leaders know how to exist in Washington DC and Oxford Mississippi simultaneously.
Barack Obama, being the born True Leader that he is, knows exactly how to do such a thing, but has (sadly) sworn never to use his teleportation powers for personal gain. :)
Obama should be grateful for this delay
This is going to be very bad for McCain. Big time backfire. What is McCain going to do in the senate, put on his superman costume and save the economy? Lameness. Anyone who falls for this is out of their mind.
Not that Obama can fix any of this either, mind you.
"This is going to be very bad for McCain. Big time backfire."
Didn't you say the same thing about Sarah Palin?
This is going to be very bad for McCain. Big time backfire. What is McCain going to do in the senate, put on his superman costume and save the economy? Lameness. Anyone who falls for this is out of their mind.
Not that Obama can fix any of this either, mind you.
3:21 PM
Yeah McCain should really take advice from a flaming leftist. We're so touched about your concern for the McCain campaign.
Its funny that Obama called McCain and informed him of his intent to do this and asked McCain to join him, and 6 hours later McCain returns his call and agrees to do so, but the he takes credit for coming up with the idea. McCain is a snake in the grass, and America is the mouse....RUN!
Anyone who falls for this is out of their mind.
Right. Like hopeyness and changiness. About how we're all going to unite and circle jerk around the godlike, ridiculously far-left messiah candidate.
Or do you mean falling for in a different kind of way, Zach?
How grouchy will McCain look at the debate when Obama says no?
Joe said...
Unfortunately, neither of these birdbrains has the courage to stand up and tell Wall Street and their pal Paulson to go fuck themselves.
I concur, they need to find their balls.
Seven Machos who said last week there is no crisis this week says "The crisis is over." Good one Seven. You are one funny guy.
Obama should be grateful for this delay. He will need the extra time to locate his desk in the Senate so he can vote present on the bail out bill.
Congressional hearings are comprised of senate aids giving questions for senators to ask.
Doesn't tell us squat about what that senator understands.
You've obviously never watched one. They make it painfully clear which Senators know what they're talking about and which don't. This is not only because the hearings are even more adversarial than a Presidential debate, but also because there are usually people involved (the folks testifying, at least) who actually DO know what they're talking about.
It swiftly becomes apparent which Senators are letting other people do their thinking for them -- and which Senators aren't bothering to think at all. The latter is usually Joe Biden. :)
Ok, time out for the liberal children. This is a brilliant move by McCain to take the real high road. If Obama shows up to debate an empty podium on Friday - he looks like a complete chump.
The Drill SGT.It's that OODA loop thing again.
Exactly, there stands Bambi caught in the McCain headlight; again.
or
It's 3:00 AM and Obama hit the hold button.
Take your pick of cheesy metaphor.
"Palladian, I challenge you to an I.Q. duel to the death!"
Or we could just slap each other with our big dicks. That's a lot more fun than an I.Q. test, trust me.
That is what they term a cockfight dear boy, you must be a Mexican to attend one I fear.
I am calling on the president to convene a meeting with the leadership from both houses of Congress..."
The "leadership" of congress needs to let those in congress who understand banking to figure this shit out. Nancy Pelosi and John McCain can help by going to the library and start learning how the financial system works and stop grandstanding.
Revenant said...
Apparently Congress has managed to push through the pay limits for executives in bailed-out companies.
Only the bailed out companies? It could be worse, I heard that the Des were loking to both limit salaries and get equity in firms on either side of the financial instrument auctions. Those that sold the bad paper to the feds and those that bought it from the feds to quote:
"ensure that the taxpayers ultimately benefited from the increase in value"
which would only ensure that bankrupt firms soldpaper and that nobody would buy it except at recycling centers.
the problem was that these business became too big to be allowed to fail
No, they became to big for politicians to allow them to fail. Big difference.
Good grief, even Bernake got up and said that if we don't do anything we risk a recession. Wow, a crisis so huge, so monumental, so mind shattering that we RISK a RECESSION.
I am still waiting to see video of FDR's famous televised speech right after the 1929 crash. Maybe Obama will provide it on his website next to his position on coal mining.
Again, I am amazed at how deceitfully McCain can slither into a new method of finding votes. In my opinion, the fact that McCain stepped out of the campaign rink and suggested that Obama do the same is nothing more than another ploy to make himself look like the bigger man. I am impressed that Obama was not bullied into the shenanigans thrown at him and I am sure that both presidential candidates could manage to attend necessary discussions as well as Friday's debate if they so desired.
uws:
The "leadership" of congress needs to let those in congress who understand banking to figure this shit out. Nancy Pelosi and John McCain can help by going to the library and start learning how the financial system works and stop grandstanding.
My god, you are so full of fear!
Lee -- So I guess you aren't taking this valuable opportunity to learn basic html? Oh well.
I'm sure you are right about the crisis. That explains why you are sitting on the Internet typing (primitively) and not hording food. I hope there will be an Internet cafe in the Bushvilles for you.
jenny said...
Again, I am amazed at how deceitfully McCain can slither into a new method of finding votes. In my opinion, the fact that McCain stepped out of the campaign rink and suggested that Obama do the same is nothing more than another ploy to make himself look like the bigger man. I am impressed that Obama was not bullied into the shenanigans thrown at him and I am sure that both presidential candidates could manage to attend necessary discussions as well as Friday's debate if they so desired.
3:27 PM
Aren't we a fearful one today? LOL.
Interesting---he's canceling all advertising, too.
Quicker Jenny: stick to the narrative role we assigned you, McCain, so you can lose!
We do remember here that the first debate was suppose to be about Foreign Affairs. So why didn't McCain simply insist it remain that? Some economics was going to bleed in so Obama would have been happy. Plus he could have repeated "I voted against Iraq war and the surge was bad!".
Of course Old Grumpy may just have Palin brought down from the tower. Think how 53% of the electorate watches when her opening remark is "I thank John McCain for having the guts to allow me to stand in for him tonight. Us women, we know most men seem to have a problem with that. Right Senator?" She only needs to score a draw. That OODA loop...
Yes, more cooks is certainly what is needed in Washington as the save-Wall-Street's-Ass broth is tended to.
Heh, heh. I misread that as, "Yes, more crooks is certainly what is needed....
I wonder what would happen if McCain sent Palin in his place to debate Obama on Friday.
mcg:
But Palin will still be out there. The secret weapon.
Perhaps Congressman Rangel could help with the tax ramifications. Or at least get the campaign bus a good parking space.
bob - the American people could hardly care less about foreign policy ATM. It's 100% attention on the economy right now and any candidate who ignores that at his own peril.
Shouldn't a LEADER be able to multi-task?
Or maybe they need to prioritize, more than multi-task. Debates can be rescheduled. Sheesh.
“Mr. President, there is a bomb coming for the USA!”
“Hang on, let me finish this memo on my plan to rename the airport first.”
LEADERSHIP!
"I am impressed that Obama was not bullied into the shenanigans thrown at him"
OK, you're the third hopenchangybot that I've heard use the word "shenanigans" in regard to McCain's decision. It's wonderful that they're inserting these "tracer" words into their talking points so we can always figure out at which lefty blog the Jennys of the world got fed their orders.
Canceling advertising? McCain is starting to sound like a wackjob. He cancels the first day of the Republican National Convention because of a Hurricane.
So...When we have national crisis McCain's first response is to cancel the trapings of Democracy...
Cancel conventions, cancel campaigns, cancel elections...
shanna - Obama continues campaigning at his own peril. Maybe his hubris is so high.
This is McCain unofficially conceeding.
What is McCain going to do in the senate, put on his superman costume and save the economy?
McCain has an advantage here. He's on the Commerce committee. Obama isn't; in fact, Obama isn't on any committee that will play a role in this crisis. This means that John McCain has the opportunity to be involved in putting together whatever solution Congress comes up with; Obama doesn't. In other words, Americans will see McCain interrogating captains of industry and hammering out a plan to avert the crisis. Obama will be stuck giving speeches about what he WOULD do, if he was in a position to do something.
Is McCain going to avert the crisis? Of course he isn't. If the crisis is averted it will be due to a mix of blind luck and group effort. But Americans generally aren't informed enough to understand that the economy doesn't get fixed by Great Leadership. That's why political commercials where candidates promise to improve the economy are taken seriously, rather than being met by the laughter they so richly deserve. :)
Jason wrote: Its funny that Obama called McCain and informed him of his intent to do this and asked McCain to join him, and 6 hours later McCain returns his call and agrees to do so, but the he takes credit for coming up with the idea.
Actually, Obama suggested a joint statement, and McCain one-upped him. It is gamesmanship, but not void of reason as I wrote above.
Interestingly, Obama's response wsa to make a statement; McCain's response was to opt into the thick of the debate. One candidate seeks to declare a grand principle; the other wants a piece of the action.
And yes, there's gamesmanship on McCain's part. It contrasts sharply with Obama's inclination to play referee.
It frames their characters pretty well.
It's the same with McCain Feingold. Problem with money in politics? Let's cancel money in politics.
Jeremy Shockey was and is an injured pussy! Saints. Giants. Doesn't matter. Pussy.
And if Mort were here, he'd say I was racist for not calling Amani Toomer a pussy.
uws - your fear and panic is showing. It's quite unbecoming.
UWS Guy, and then on to canceling you.
Just because that's the way he rolls.
"He cancels the first day of the Republican National Convention because of a Hurricane.
So...When we have national crisis McCain's first response is to cancel the trapings of Democracy..."
Yes, a political convention and a TV debate are certainly essential instruments of Democracy. Help, help. What shall we do. The convention is postponed a day. Egads. It's a police state.
Shenanigans! Hilarious. I wish they could work in kerfuffle.
The "leadership" of congress needs to let those in congress who understand banking to figure this shit out.
Yeah, but the Republicans are in the minority now and I don't see Pelosi and Reid handing over authority. :)
From NPR: The Obama campaign said the Democrat initiated the talks, but McCain beat Obama to the punch with the first public statement calling for the two to rise above politics in a time of crisis.
----
You'd think the Obama campaign would have learned by now that whining doesn't pay.
This is McCain unofficially conceeding.
I'm sure yur rite.
Jenny--
Of course McCain's move is a ploy. It's called seizing the initiative.
That's what leaders do--they make sudden shifts, reversals, charges, head fakes, feints, thrusts, whether at war, in business, or politics.
A leader takes his opponent by surprise and forces him to react.
McCain took a chance, as he did with Palin. He seized the moment. He's in the spotlight. Obama plays catch up.
He's like his grandfather, John, who commanded a Fast Carrier Task Force in the Pacific in World War II. Upon learning of an attack on US ships by superior Japanese forces, without receiving orders, he launched his fighters to attack at extreme range, and as a result of his initiative, the Japanese withdrew, giving us victory in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
The man has leadership in his blood.
Concerned Citizen:
That's because McCain has military training and has flown combat missions. What initiative has Obama ever shown other then ordering the Styrofoam pillars?
I see. So, according to some, it's OK for Obama to make political hay out of a problem that he would have made worse, if he had been in the Senate long enough to have any influence - but when McCain takes action we're supposed to deride it as political gamesmanship?
the problem was that these business became too big to be allowed to fail
No, they became to big for politicians to allow them to fail. Big difference.
Good grief, even Bernake got up and said that if we don't do anything we risk a recession. Wow, a crisis so huge, so monumental, so mind shattering that we RISK a RECESSION.
Ok, here's my guarantee. If McCain is part of a successful bill and Obama continues campaigning, McCain WILL win this election. 100%. We'll know in a few days.
This is, I think, a smart demonstration of leadership
LOL.
Obama isn't on any committee that will play a role in this crisis.
If Obama was on a committee, what chance is there that he would know what to do?
You see what the left doesn't get is that this is not a desperation move by McCain. I honestly believe in his heart believes he's doing the right thing by going back to oversee a GOOD bailout bill. At least as good as it can be made. That there are political benefits to him are besides the point. REAL leadership on display. Way to go, John McCain.
when McCain takes action we're supposed to deride it as political gamesmanship?
Absolutely. That's the narrative. We're also supposed to call it McCain's actions shenanigans. Please fall in line. Thank you.
Blogger garage mahal said...
This is, I think, a smart demonstration of leadership
LOL.
3:42 PM
LOL, the stink of fear.
So has anyone actually asked McCain what he expects to accomplish in DC? What he brings to the table that can help the other bureaucrats hammer out some kind of expensive rescue?
His statement reads as if both parties aren't coming together to solve this. That's nonsense: of course they already are. Listen to what Senators Dodd and Shelby have said in the past week.
I think McCain is treading a very fine line here, especially if the White House agrees too much with this breathtakingly courageous call for a meeting. (Oooh! A Meeting!) If McCain and the White House start sounding too in-cahootsy, well, good bye to his chances. The sitting party does not do very well in times of Economic upheaval (Curious that all the statements of the past 6 months from some right-leaning members of this commentariat that the economy is just swell are somehow mising now). McCain has done a fair job of running away from the Republicans in charge. He now risks re-tethering himself to them.
I don't like Shenanigans. I prefer cahoots.
McCain is in cahoots with a bipartsian group in congress to avoid a financial meltdown.
Senator Obama votes present.
>Ok, here's my guarantee. If McCain is part of a successful bill and Obama continues campaigning, McCain WILL win this election. 100%. We'll know in a few days.
In the end, no matter what, it will be unpopular. Some will see it as a bailout of big business, others as too little too late, and in any event, the GOP will be tagged with allowing it to get to this point (and while I think there is lots of blame to go around, Bush could have done things administratively to slow down Fannie and Freddie and the whole market).
I am a fervent McCain supporter. I volunteered on his 2000 campaign and gave the maximum to him this time (the first time I ever did that). The election is no longer about Iraq or foriegn policy, it is now about the economy. I hate to say it, but he just conceeded the election, in an honorable way.
I have to say this is brilliant jujitsu move by McCain-san. He took what was potentially lethal issue and turned it around on Obama in a stunning virtuoso move. It will be studied for decades in political science classes for sure.
>If Obama was on a committee, what chance is there that he would know what to do?
Didn't Obama claim in Israel he was on the Banking Committee?
anthony - you are way too pessimistic? How has he conceded? Running for election isn't all about stump speeches. You should stop reading the Daily Kos.
Ok, here's my guarantee. If McCain is part of a successful bill and Obama continues campaigning, McCain WILL win this election. 100%. We'll know in a few days.
I'm sure Obama will be off fund raising during the crisis. Since he has no influence in the Senate or doesn't know anyone there, why should he be there in the first place. Maybe Obama can go back and lobby for the Illinois state bailout bill.
Wow, a crisis so huge, so monumental, so mind shattering that we RISK a RECESSION.
We risk seeing our GDP shrink by trillions of dollars and our unemployment rate climb well into double digits. There is very real danger here of a financial catastrophe that will make the Great Depression look like a picnic. Quite literally our entire economy relies on the ability to borrow money over the short or long term. You can't let that system collapse without doing crippling damage to the economy -- damage that will take years, if not decades, to recover from.
Does Sen. McCain want to postpone the election and inauguration? We need debate and discussion now more than ever.
No one would concede an election that is close. No one would do it before the debates. No one would do it publicly.
Whatever you think of what is happening, it is reasonable to see it as a willful concession.
We need debate and discussion now more than ever.
Sad that we're not having it. When's good for you?
Armani Toomer is a gamer not a pussy.
Plaxico Buress was missing for two days this week. We suspect pussy was involved.
jenny whined:
Again, I am amazed at how deceitfully McCain can slither into a new method of finding votes. In my opinion, the fact that McCain stepped out of the campaign rink and suggested that Obama do the same is nothing more than another ploy to make himself look like the bigger man.
-----
McCain needs no ploy to make himself look like the bigger man. He is the bigger man.
This issue is a good illustration: McCain announces that it is his higher obligation to suspend his campaign and take care of his responsibilities as a senator.
Instead of being big enough and decisive enough to agree and suspend his own campaign, Obama whines that it was his idea. Real men don't whine, Jenny.
>No one would concede an election that is close. No one would do it before the debates. No one would do it publicly.
It is not that close anymore -- this has pushed Obama up by about 10 points. And I cannot see that getting any better, especially with the press running breathless reports about CRISIS!
I think this is simply an honorable and dignified way of accepting reality.
Seven Machos said...
No one would concede an election that is close. No one would do it before the debates. No one would do it publicly.
Whatever you think of what is happening, it is reasonable to see it as a willful concession.
3:48 PM
Please explain, you think McCain has conceded the election?
It's obviously not reasonable to see McCain's actions as a concession.
Alex, I am the one that sees this as a concession.
Didn't Obama claim in Israel he was on the Banking Committee?
Was that in the speech where he said he supported the Israeli's having Jerusalem at a group of Israelis or the speech where he supporting giving the Palestinians to Jerusalem in front of a group of Palestinians.
It's so hard to figure out Obama's positions. He is like the Yassir Arafat of American Politics.
McCain hasn't found the time to be around for a single Senate vote since April 8. He himself admits he needs to be 'educated' on economics. What exactly would he be able to add to the people already feverishly working on a package.
This week and last, he's been campaigning nonstop. Obama took several days off from the campaign trail for debate prep.
It's pretty clear what's going on. McCain is unprepared for the debate and like a student who hasn't cracked the books until two days before the big exam, he seeks a postponement so he can catch up. Obama should point out McCain's absence from the Senate since April 8, issue a very firm, "no" and go ahead with the debate anyway.
anthony - how so? If the political realities dictate that American people want action on this issue and could care less about the foreign policy debate, why should McCain do the stupid thing? I suspect you are a chicken little type.
Curious that all the statements of the past 6 months from some right-leaning members of this commentariat that the economy is just swell are somehow mising now).
Madison, if you keep saying "the economy sucks", you will eventually be right. Congrats on finally being right. This does not mean that Democratic bleating about the economy for the last, oh, every year a Republican has been in office ever, was actually correct.
It is like Obama's calls for withdrawing troops from Iraq. Iraq's now in a position where we can consider doing that in a responsible manner. That does not retroactively make his calls to yank all our troops out and let the country collapse something other than idiotic.
This was initially Obama's idea. You need to post the whole story. Wow, you people really do live in bubbles.
"I think this is simply an honorable and dignified way of accepting reality."
Yes, because who could possibly compete with Obama's experience in economic matters?
eli - keep dreaming. The political realities and strategy are so above your head - don't even bother. Leave it to adults.
Since one of these guys will be President in 4 months, shouldn't they both be heavily involved in any negotiations on this bill?
It won't be enough to blame W. anymore
It is not that close anymore -- this has pushed Obama up by about 10 points. And I cannot see that getting any better, especially with the press running breathless reports about CRISIS!
Heh HA
Obama leading in the polls over at the Washington Post company isn't going to help him win in states like Ohio and Pennsylvania. Especially when Obama would rather campaign than try to solve the credit crisis.
jonathan - American don't like whiners. Obama better get with the program, or risk being left behind with at the little kids table. Meanwhile McCain is actually fixing problems with the adults.
I tend to disagree that the problem is as huge as everyone believes it is.
I hate to go out on this limb because I risk looking ridiculous, but that's what I think.
If I'm right, even breathless Big Media cannot fan nonflames for five weeks. If I'm wrong, well, October is historically when the shit hits the fan.
The narrative will emerge from this:
"McCain did the honorable thing and helped to fix the credit crisis while Obama cynically kept campaigning and playing the blame game. Not ready to lead."
Ka-ching!!!
We risk seeing our GDP shrink by trillions of dollars and our unemployment rate climb well into double digits. There is very real danger here of a financial catastrophe that will make the Great Depression look like a picnic.
We risk all sorts of things. We have a fiat currency and daily risk everyone on the planet decides the dollar is worthless. There's a worse case for just about everything Wall Street does.
I simply don't think the risk here is as bad as is being claimed and neither, apparently, does Ben Bernake. Furthermore, since government has proven time and time again that their are incompetent, it's logical to assume that a government bailout would just make things worse--that it would extend to financial difficulties over a long period of time AND end up sending us into an extended recession.
This was initially Obama's idea.
Maybe it came to him during his meetings with Iranian leaders?
"This was initially Obama's idea. You need to post the whole story. Wow, you people really do live in bubbles."
Haha, now Senator Hopenchange has gone from silence to defiance to whining: Old man stole my idea! Whaaa!!!
This was initially Obama's idea.
Isn't everything?
BTW, whose fault is it that Obama is not on the Commerce committee? Gee, maybe he should have paid more attention to his JOB instead of immediately campaigning for President? Not ready to lead.
>Yes, because who could possibly compete with Obama's experience in economic matters?
Obama has experience in nothing, which is funny when his campaign talks about Palin's inexperience.
But the fact is, he is the next president.
The only issue is considering Bush's screw ups, Iraq and the general level of discontent why it remained so close so long (mostly because John McCain is a far better man and in a rational world, would have been elected 8 years ago).
shanna - Obama continues campaigning at his own peril. Maybe his hubris is so high.
Actually, now that I think about it, wasn't Obama supposed to be fundraising this week? If so, he's going to look even worse ignoring his current job to try to raise money from rich people.
Wouldn't it be a conflict of interest for Obama to vote on this bill considering all the money he took from Fannie and Freddie, the major reasons for this economic disaster.
"But the fact is, he is the next president."
So how long have you been a David Axelrod professional astro-turfer?
Is there still a war in Iraq? I never hear about it. Is it going well?
>So how long have you been a David Axelrod professional astro-turfer?
Take a look at my blog and you will see.
Idiot.
Bush signs the bailout bill with McCain watching. Then he goes out on the campaign trail with a stunning victory in hand proving that he has what it takes to deal with economic crises and Obama doesn't. Game, set and match in Wisconsin and PA. Very desperate times in Obamaland right now. The stench of fear permeates his Chicago HQ.
Palladian said...
"Haha, now Senator Hopenchange has gone from silence to defiance to whining: Old man stole my idea! Whaaa!!!"
Like I said in May - "Candidates sometimes get lumbered with an image not of their choosing. Gore was wooden. Kerry was a waffler. Obama, it has become apparent, is a whiner."
I suspect the same thing, Palladian. Anthony has voted Republican all his life yet he comes here to inform us of his considered decision that there is no possible way that McCain can win now.
Fuck you, Anthony.
Didn't Obama complain that McCain had stolen his idea about "change"... the guy doesn't stop. Not ready to lead.
anthony - but you are a chicken little. That has been proven.
Anthony just took a break from writing a letter to Andrew Sullivan:
Dear Andrew,
I am a lifelong Republican and a huge McCain supporter but in the past few days I've become increasingly aware that Obama is actually the truest conservative in this race...
McCains chief strategist has been getting 15k dollars a month from Fannie Mae for a no show job.
so...spare us the "Obama took 100k dollars from Lobyists".
Let's review what happened today:
A) New polls show dramatic swings away from McCain following his bizarre responses to economic news.
B) Obama PRIVATELY approaches McCain to see if they can some up with joint principles to move things forward.
C) McCain takes things public, unilaterally calling for cancellation/delay of a debate.
D) Senate Leader Harry Reid calls for them to keep on with the debate and not turn the bailout talks into a Presidential campaign circus.
In all seriousness I see no "leadership" in McCain's action, just a candidate ducking a debate he's not ready for.
If McCain were doing the for alturistic reasons - putting country first, he could have gone to Obama and privately suggested this - then announced as a joint decision, with no one taking credit and plans for a reschedule. Instead, he makes a political play. It's nothing short of self-serving. Country first? I think not. McCain first? You got it.
>Is there still a war in Iraq? I never hear about it. Is it going well?
Funny how that happened.
A few weeks ago I was sitting next to a junior officer just back from Iraq. I asked him a simply question -- "Did Petreus really pull this off?"
He went on for about 30 minutes without stop about how Petreus is the greatest man to wear the US uniform since George Washington (OK, I exagerate a little, but onoy a little).
That is why this is no longer an issue (though McCain almost gave it back to Obama).
"B) Obama PRIVATELY approaches McCain to see if they can some up with joint principles to move things forward."
Shorter AlphaLiberal: Stole Obama's idea!! Whaaaaaaa!!!
laura - if that helps you sleep at night. McCain is a sneaky bastard, isn't he? But sneaky bastards win elections, which is all I care about.
Stunt.
Are you serious? What is this, Bolivia? We don't suspend presidential campaigns in the United States because the economy turns south. What if McCain and Obama suspend their campaigns and find they can't fix all the world's woes by November 4th? What do we suspend then?
Excercise of leadership, my ass. It's a pathetic Hail Mary, and he should be roasted on it.
It is not that close anymore -- this has pushed Obama up by about 10 points.
And if the President was elected by the popular vote, it would matter that Obama is ahead by 10 points. What actually matters is the electoral college. Obama has a solid lead in states numbering 198 votes; McCain, 184. The remaining 156 votes are still in play, with McCain and Obama within a couple of percentage points of each other.
If the election were held today, and states went to the people they're currently leaning towards, McCain would indeed lose, 282 to 256. I think it is very *likely* that he will lose. But the notion that the election's over and Obama's got it in the bag is complete and utter nonsense. The numbers just don't support that belief at all. For example, if just over 1% of Pennsylvanians switch from Obama to McCain and the other states stay as they are, suddenly McCain wins 277 to 261.
So why would McCain "concede"? That makes no damned sense at all. What he's doing is gambling that he'll gain more from being seen as "doing something" than he'd gain from giving stump speeches. Stump speeches don't seem to be budging the voters one way or the other, so that's probably a gamble worth taking.
In all seriousness I see no "leadership" in McCain's action, just a candidate ducking a debate he's not ready for.
The only thing is, this is the foreign policy debate, and McCain can do that in his sleep. Honestly, if it were about the economy you might have a stronger argument.
ZOMG. I was over by the other blogpost commenting. Wondered where you guys were.
I tend to disagree that the problem is as huge as everyone believes it is.
It's bigger. Much bigger.
"Instead, he makes a political play. It's nothing short of self-serving. Country first? I think not. McCain first? You got it."
I know! Imagine such behavior from a politician participating in a Presidential campaign! The nerve!
Anthony -- I did look at your website and I am sorry for saying fuck you. Really sorry.
However, your knee-jerk reacting here is a little odd. McCain has been destined to lose this race since forever. Remember the situation before the celebrity ads? It was dire. There is no reason to count the man out now. His political instincts have failed him miserably once, in South Carolina.
"Joseph said...
Stunt."
Palladian said...
Cunt.
The only thing is, this is the foreign policy debate, and McCain can do that in his sleep. Honestly, if it were about the economy you might have a stronger argument.
If I were McCain, I'd say very well, let's debate on Friday as scheduled, but let it be 100% on the economy.
Not his strongsuit, but then, it's not Obama's either.
He would freak.
Obama PRIVATELY approaches McCain to see if they can some up with joint principles to move things forward.
How could this have happened. I don't recall McCain being at any of Obama's hollywood fundraisers?
mcg - if the leftists want to delude themselves that's their malfunction. It certainly makes victory more possible.
And here come the leftist weirdos.
Weird shenanigans today.
Victoria - now is not the time for more debates, but ACTION. McCain knows it.
Well said steambadger.
Althouse and McCain are off their rockers on this one. McCain and Obama (and Hillary and Biden!) duking this out in Washington would be a circus.
It's bigger. Much bigger.
My mother had a very depressing talk with her broker today.
We're trying to get through to her sister and brother-in-law, who are both economists at the World Bank.
What if McCain and Obama suspend their campaigns and find they can't fix all the world's woes by November 4th? What do we suspend then?
We vote for who's on the ballot, not for who has an active political campaign. Even if McCain said "screw it, I'm going to Bora Bora for the next five weeks", his name would still appear on the ballot in November.
If I were McCain, I'd say very well, let's debate on Friday as scheduled, but let it be 100% on the economy.
another 9g turn inside the mig.
maverick goes to guns. Watch our rear arah and find me the next one :)
Oh, I also forgot to mention that this follows on the heel of news that McCain's campaign manager has been getting lobbying money as recently as last month from Fannie Mae, to influence McCain.
So he wants to change the subject, sure, that's understandable.
But we have an election to hold. And we cannot suspend democracy. if McCain couldn't be Senator and run for President, now is not the time to make that call.
haha Vspurs was next door at the wrong party!
trooper york had it exactly right:
Senator Obama votes present.
It's brilliant politics on the McCain side.
If Obama agrees, then McCain took the initiative [a joint statement is not suspending a campaign - Obama can whine all he wants, but he was outmaneuvered.] and Obama followed his lead.
If Obama doesn't, then he metaphorically "voted present" on the crisis while others did the heavy lifting.
If Obama insists on not moving the debate, then McCain can show up and remind people that Obama thinks campaigning is more important than actually getting involved. It also ensures a larger audience for that debate on foreign policy which is universally acknowledged as McCain's strong suit and Obama's weakest.
The Leftist commenters with the "shenanigans" talking points are witness to the hissy fit that Axelrod must be throwing right now at having been flanked on an issue that they thought they would be able to own.
The brilliant minds at the Obama spin shop/war room couldn't come up with a better talking point key word than "shenanigans"? That tells you just how flatfooted Obama and his people were caught. Kind of like when McCain named Palin...
McCain has flipped from reactive to pro-active in a single step on the key issue of the moment, and now Obama is playing defense...And we all know how he tends to lash out when he's working off his back foot...Look for a whole lot of unrestrained anger from the Obama campaign in the next 24 hours. The more angry they are, the more we know just how off-balance they are.
Shorter AlphaLiberal: Stole Obama's idea!! Whaaaaaaa!!!
Nooooo..... Obama is not in favor of suspending the electoral process. That is not what he proposed.
My mother had a very depressing talk with her broker today.
I can imagine. Just think how her broker feels having to have that depressing talk over and over and over. I'm taking a distracting break by posting here inbetween calling clients and sending out letters to clients. :-(
IMHO it doesn't matter who we elect as President if we can't get this nuclear melt down of the world's capital markets under some sort of slow down. We are all royally screwed. Enjoy spending $20.00 for a loaf of bread....if you can find any bread that is.
I love the leftie narrative that's emerging here:
"This is a cynical political ploy that serves no useful purpose at all and will only end up hurting the guy who's doing it. And besides, Obama thought of it first and McCain took the credit".
alpha -
Talk about changing the subject....
Your little NYT/Axelrod-inspired talking point about the Fannie money and Rick Davis has already been debunked. You know that, because you already tried peddling that crap in another thread and were summarily shot down there. But here you are again repeating what you know is a lie.
How bad is it for your candidate that all you have left to give as a reason to vote for him are already discredited lies?
What Jim said (brilliantly).
Catch you later for the Palin interview guys.
Cheers,
Victoria
Obama never called for a suspension of the campaign. Unless someone can back up that claim...
And, news flash: Suspending a campaign is not the same as issuing joint statement.
If you can't see this, back to the sandbox with you!
jim:
None of the Obama machine lies/smears will matter after this bailout bill is signed by President Bush. The narrative will be "real leadership on the economy by McCain and Obama voted present"
The panic over Obama possibly winning is a PISSER! I love/hate Althouse. Today I love.
Oh, I also forgot to mention that this follows on the heel of news that McCain's campaign manager has been getting lobbying money as recently as last month from Fannie Mae, to influence McCain.
Wow, did you get that from the NY Times. If so it must be true! Tomorrow the Times will tell us about how McCain gave birth to his daughters child.
Get serious dude. The Times stopped telling the truth about this election long ago.
McCain just went on offense regarding the economy. That is the best place to be.
Hang in there, DBQ. Just to give you a little smile, remember those who are closest to a problem often see it larger than it is.
Although in this case, it really is...
*hugs*
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