Chicken
Category: Politics
Posted on: September 24, 2008 8:56 PM, by PZ Myers
Unbelievable—John McCain runs away and begs for the imminent presidential debate to be delayed, citing the need to address the financial crisis, as if he actually matters and has a plan other than to do whatever the Bush administration orders.
I smell fear.
I was sent a great suggestion: if McCain is going to be curled up in a foetal position somewhere, perhaps they should have the vice-presidential debate instead. She's ready, right?
I could add my thoughts. However, he says enough. From his comment thread:
#1
Posted by: genesgalore | September 24, 2008 8:59 PM
he can't chew gum and walk at the same time. so whatelse is new???
#2
Posted by: Tim | September 24, 2008 9:03 PM
He's passed his sell-by date, actual decomposition any time now.
#3
Posted by: Kel | September 24, 2008 9:05 PM
Doesn't McCain admit he knows nothing about the economy? What can he really do to help other than to provide bi-partisan rhetoric (which means coerce democrats to vote with Dubya)?
#4
Posted by: Nichodeemous | September 24, 2008 9:05 PM
Maybe he will go ahead and do the debate but just demand that nobody ask questions about the economy, since that would hurt America and kill puppies.
I smell blood in the water from this one.
#6
Posted by: Epinephrine | September 24, 2008 9:09 PM
Well, the people want the debate. Only 10% think that the debate should be delayed, 50% think it should go on as scheduled, and 36% think it should be held with a focus on the economy. Yeah, that's right McCain - you'll have to talk and it may well be focused on the subject you most want to avoid.
http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReportUC.aspx?g=54d651a7-a62b-4420-bb32-9dd6b2df8c02
#19
Posted by: Molly, NYC | September 24, 2008 9:27 PM
It's sad. Few politicians enjoyed the kind of respect he used to have. But about 6 months from now, he's going to realize that he's turned his dearly-paid war experiences into a punchline, and that whatever professional or social value he's derived from being a war hero (which has basically been his career for the last 30 years) has been entirely spent in this campaign. And chickening out of the debate is part of that process.
#20
Posted by: CalGeorge | September 24, 2008 9:28 PM
McCain makes another unwise snap decision - probably trying to stop the V.P. debate from happening.
It's fun to watch his campaign implode.
#21
Posted by: Eleanor | September 24, 2008 9:29 PM
Another thing that strikes me about this gimmick/stunt/delusion/last desperate act is that it is incredibly arrogant--"Oh, it's not just that I think I ought to be present for debate and voting, it's that this problem literally cannot be solved unless I, John McCain, personally get involved in every single step of the process while completely ignoring this election that I'm involved in." Yeah, uh-huh. I'm liking the Obama reaction, for once--"Presidents have to deal with more than one thing at a time"? Uh YEAH they do.
#22
Posted by: Levi | September 24, 2008 9:29 PM
Better yet, have McCain send Palin out to debate Obama.
#23
Posted by: Chayanov | September 24, 2008 9:32 PM
It's a gimmick, that's for sure. No doubt he and his handlers think it will make him look decisive and self-sacrificing. Instead it makes him look like a coward who's using an excuse to get out of the debates.
I love Obama's response:
"I think that it is going to be part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once."
Oh, snap!
It is a fine thread on a fine blog. The comment stream IS comprehensive. Have a look.
________UPDATE_________
To keep the trolls off this post, I will point out the comment stream on the MSNBC thread which PZ Myers linked to, and in which the Obama supporters spoke first, noting McCain wants to appear "presidential" but seems unable to multitask.
Some comments were added later supportive of McCain, saying this "crisis" trumps partisanship.
Form your own opinion. Bush and Paulson sure made it partisan, sending up a Wall Street only package and indicating it was crucial but could be vetoed if it was not liked in the form Congress returned it.
McCain has a better hold on his image manipulation saying "crisis calls" instead of facing a debate.
He can issue releases and stage photo ops, this way.
Here is one snippet from midway through the comments, noting one quite interesting fact - McCain ties to Fannie & Freddie via his right hand man:
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Alec Martin - R u an idiot? Did you not read any papers this morning to see how the McCain is obviously running scared because Rick Davis is in bed with Fannie & Freddie!
Jim (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 3:23 PM)
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So McCain saw he was taking a whooping hit in he polls as a result of these economics issues and decides to suspend his campaign for the good of the country. he is also having his people work closely with Obama's people to come up with solutions tothe current crises.
Buy all the BS above if you like but the fact is McCain saw the handwriting on the wall that he was kicking his ass kicked. He didn't want to go into a debate and be questioned about his comment that our economy is fundamentally strong. He wants the issue resolved using Obama's people and their ideas, then will return to the campaign changing away fro mthe economy and back to personalities.
C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 3:23 PM)
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Considering all the negative stories about McCain and his Rick Davis' association with Freddie and Fannie, I can see why McCain would want to up his economic cred with a "big" move like this. It will divert attention from his current troubles.
I don't think I want either of them in the middle of this. Their agendas could be questioned. Are they there to score political points or are they there to really help?
While this bailout deal is important, sending both presidential candidates into the fray would create a distraction to those there that are trying to solve this as quickly as possible. I think both candidates would be wise to let their colleagues work this out without the distraction and media frenzy both of them in Washington would create. Besides, the election will still happen on Nov. 4th. The public deserves to see these debates. If anything, they should change the topic of Friday's debate to the Economy and Domestic Issues.
Linda, Chicago, Illinois (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 3:23 PM)
__________FURTHER UPDATE______________
Here and here. It appears both candidates are not wanting to exacerbate any partisan dimension to the financial crisis resolution, whatever its final form, and that the debate will not be ducked. Or that's how I read those two items.
Bush also is now on record acknowledging the situation is important enough for him to set aside time to caucus with the two candidates.
Given his handling so far it is quite a surprise Bush did not send Paulson to meet them. He's not been Trumanesque about the thing, as Truman was with a potential steel workers' strike - back then.
McCain's "I gotta be there - they can't get it done without me" thing reminds me of the old saying, "The graveyards are full of indispensable people."
The nation survived John Kennedy's assassination. It can solve a bank run -&- credit constipation situation without John McCain's being a part of DC policy making activity during the time he is expected to be in debate with Obama, each showing the nation who they are on a range of issues.
The world does not need John McCain in DC for this to be worked out. He's not that crucial a person at this point. He is a candidate. The world does need Bush to be more involved publicly and privately - Paulson is not President.