Is that what this is about? I ask because our good friends at postbourgie point out that not only would John McCain like an extension, history be damned, on this Friday’s debate, but he’s hoping to shift that tilt into the slot that was previously reserved for the vice presidential debate, which, as CNN reports, “would be rescheduled for a date yet to be determined.” As G.D. says, “GTFOHWTBS.”
So here’s my question: how does this end? Public polling suggests the electorate isn’t impressed with this latest bit of mavericky performance art; David Letterman will be mocking McCain tonight for his inability to walk and chew gum at the same time; Harry Reid has already asked the candidates to keep clear of Washington, lest politics sully the otherwise pristine process of crafting bailout legislation. But wait, there’s good news for McCain: Newt Gingrich says his decision to forgo debating Obama is “the greatest single act of responsibility ever taken by a presidential candidate”. And Newt Gingrich knows about responsibility! Kidding aside, what’s McCain’s next move? Is Barack Obama going to debate an empty chair on Friday?
9 comments
September 24, 2008 at 4:40 pm
leapsecond
Just when I thought the McCain campaign couldn’t look any worse…
September 24, 2008 at 5:10 pm
Ahistoricality
As I said over at PH, we’ve had presidential campaigns in wartime before (Civil, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam), in the midst of the original Great Depression (wasn’t there a wave of bank failures in ’32?), but we can’t have a campaign when Wall Street sneezes?
I realize the financial meltdown is serious — we’ve been living in a house of cards for at least a decade — but so’s the election.
September 24, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Jeremy Young
Here’s what Obama should do, though I don’t know that he will: invite Barr and Nader to the debate.
Politically, it would be a masterstroke. If McCain doesn’t show up, they get to recreate the Reagan-Anderson debate and bash McCain all night. If McCain does bother to come, it’ll still raise Barr’s and Nader’s profiles — and that can’t be anything but good for Obama.
September 24, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Jeremy Young
Ari, looks like I got stuck in moderation…
September 24, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Charlieford
I’m just feeling so grateful to be alive to see this selfless act of national service! I’m telling my grandkids!
September 24, 2008 at 6:55 pm
We really are down the rabbit hole. « The Edge of the American West
[…] haven’t blogged about Gov. Palin in some time, but the news that the McCain camp is hoping to postpone indefinitely the vice presidential debate piqued my interest in tonight’s Katie Couric interview with Palin. I’m not sure what to […]
September 24, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Fats McCainston
Look, my friends, John McCain understands suspending operations. Why he once had to suspend all operations except eating, sleeping, urinating, and defecating for five-and-a-half years.
September 24, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Vance
Did you see the list of principles that McCain wouldn’t sign onto? What principles do they think should govern the bailout?
September 25, 2008 at 12:04 am
andrew
Didn’t “suspends campaign” have a different meaning just recently? Search for the following phrases:
“Clinton suspends”
“Huckabee suspends”
“Romney suspends”
“Edwards suspends”
So when is the concession speech?