All About McCain

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

McCain is weasel. I like how the importance of Senate business wasn't important enough for either one to not seek the job of President, but suddenly is when McCain knows he's going to be trounced in debates that are likely to be largely about the very economic disaster that his role as a Senator has contributed to and that he would be hard pressed to explain away.

I don't think McCain thought he was going to get trounced. Particularly if the debate Friday was scheduled to be on froeign policy, as I've heard it was to be. Also, as noted by press releases and columns from the McCain campaign, they have at least a decent shield considering his expressed concern and proposed legislation 3 years ago on Fannie and Freddie.

I also believe that normal day to day business of the senate is probably not vitally important be present for every second of. A national emergency is somewhat different and their presence I believe is more important than usual.

That being said, I still agree this is a political consideration. I don't think the level of importance of senate business really comes into play as a good argument here as this is definitely more important than 99.9% of the issues debated on a day to day basis.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

That being said, I still agree this is a political consideration. I don't think the level of importance of senate business really comes into play as a good argument here as this is definitely more important than 99.9% of the issues debated on a day to day basis.

It's the melodramatic call by McCain to "suspend the campaign" that invites that argument. They go in for Senate business during the campaign regularly. Being on the Senate floor is being on the Senate floor, whether it's to vote for free pizza on Friday or to vote to further screw our economy. Do they "suspend their campaign" every time they show up to their job to vote on something, or go to sleep, or make a personal phone call, or run to 7-11?

As you've pointed out, it's a PR move and I think it's perfectly valid to point out the reality that it shouldn't require this silly bit of theatrics just to go and do part of your job.

[Moonliner]

Obama is speaking now.

In short, in regards to the debates, he is saying that now more than ever the American people need to hear from their prospective leaders. He wants to have the debate as planned.

[Gemini Cricket]

"It's my belief that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person will be the next president," Obama said. "It is going to be part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once. It's more important than ever to present ourselves to the American people."

Good response.