McCain tries to weasel out of debate

In one of the most startling developments of the 2008 presidential campaign, John McCain this afternoon said he wants the first presidential debate delayed so Congress can hunker down and finish the bailout bill before the markets open next Monday.

This interesting news comes on the heels of the latest ABC-Washington Post poll showing that McCain - who admits the economy is a mystery to him - now trails Barack Obama by 9 percent overall and by double-digit margins on the economy. (Independents now give Obama a whopping 21-point lead when asked which candidate is best equipped to deal with the economy.

The financial crisis was more than a decade in the making. We all need to wonder: What's the rush? And also: What does this say about John McCain's ability to handle multiple demands on his energy?

Update: The Obama campaign says the debate is still on. Rahm Emanuel, Obama's chief debate negotiator, told MSNBC that "we can handle both."

Update, Thursday morning: It became clear yesterday that Barack Obama, not John McCain, was the one who first suggested some sort of joint statement on the economy. From the Los Angeles Times: "The day's head-spinning events began about 8:30 a.m. on the East Coast, when Obama, who was campaigning in Florida, called McCain in New York to suggest that the two rivals reach agreement on a joint statement of principles for any Wall Street bailout." (More here.)

Meanwhile, the two candidates will go to the White House later today and meet with President Bush and Congressional leaders. As of 9 a.m. MST, Congress is reportedly nearing a deal that would include more protections for taxpayers than originally proposed in the Bush-Paulson plan. McCain is still maintaining today that he'll skip Friday's debate if a deal hasn't been hammered out.

Comments

[Irwin Horowitz]

I wonder if McCain will remember how to get around DC when he returns, since he hasn't been around there to perform his duties as a Senator and vote for nearly six months!

He had the GOP nomination locked up back in March and didn't start the general campaign until summer, but he still failed to appear for any vote in DC since April 08. Obama has also missed a number of votes, but he at least has done his job a few times since the last time McCain did his job.

[ReggieH]

thismodernworld.com/4484

[Irwin Horowitz]

DailyKos front-pager Hunter has posted a diary on McCain's recent voting record in the Senate:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/24/16146/9377/154/609039

I hope he can still find the Capitol building.

[Irwin Horowitz]

Hey, if McCain doesn't want to show up Friday night, maybe the networks will give Obama two hours of unfettered access during prime time to make his case to the public for the economy and health care and Iraq and energy policy and ...

I can dream, can't I?

[Julie in Boise]

Sign this petition:

http://www.demandthedebate2008.com/

[Julie in Boise]

Reggie, that's funny! And thanks for letting me know about the Facebook group, too. I think three of the first five members were from Idaho, and now it's up to 100 members about an hour later. w00t!

[theresa]

Well I think it needs to be reported that one of the candidates who hopes to be the leader of the country, believes in his ability to handle more then one thing at a time. (obama)

The other, believes that he can really only focus on one thing at a time. (mcsame)

One candidate understands he is applying for a high pressure job, that will provide him with more then one thing at a time; and will not be convenient. (obama)

The other thinks it might be more important to tell America that he is going to go think about what is best, and doesn't have time for the process of the people he wants to represent. (mcsame)

So AGAIN there is a huge difference in the two people that vie for one position. Clearly out there for everyone to see.

Change in the white house? (obama)
or more of the same? (mcsame)

t