I did that already, but a poll by volunteer inclusion is, by its obvious nature, completely meaningless.

It's 50% yes, 49% no right now.

McCain just announced that he is suspending his campaign and returning to Washington to work on the economic crisis. He is asking Obama to do the same and asking to reschedule Friday's debate.

Reaction 1: He needs more time to study.

Reaction 2: It's the president's job to handle more than one thing at a time. If that's too much for McCain, he needs to let the American people know.

I thought you were joking. You're not.

The snark in me says this is another deflection. I mean, many other important things have been going on in Washington in all the time McCain has been campaigning (and not voting) and I am sure is the same for Obama (I'm just saying, I've not looked for verification for either).

Again, the snark in me thinks McCain wants some debate practice time! 3894 beat me to it, great minds think alike?;)

Hey, Snowflake - do you smell blood? I bet the Obama team does.

I'll bet you are right!

I read this differently (duh). It doesn't speak kindly of McCain either, but I don't think it is a lack of ability to mutlitask or debate. McCain has been begging Obama for face to face stuff in townhall settings and Obama has refused. It also isn't like McCain is nursing a lead he wants to protect, which is often times what poll leaders do.

This is definitely a political calculation, and not a bad one either. If Obama says no, then the obvious response is that Obama doesn't want to put his current business as a Senator in front of campaigning. Can't really campaign and be on the floor of the Senate at the same time. If Obama says yes, McCain is setting the agenda and this moves makes McCain "look like the bigger person" (even though I recognize he isn't - this is a political move).

On the left, the spin will definitely be on the McCain sucks side. No doubt. However, I think the scheduled debate topics were Foreign Policy and with that in mind, I think this plays well to the undecideds and independents.

Again, just so everyone knows I am saying this, it is a political move. I just think it's a pretty good one.

Perhaps this is an attempt to show that McCain is "strong on the economy," since Obama appears to have an edge in people voting on that issue?

I can see the logic to wanting to set aside time for working on Senate issues, but this just seems like a political maneuver.

I think this is less "needs more debate practice" than "I thought of this first so I find the economy more important than you do". Will be interesting to see how Camp Obama reacts.