In a post two hours ago, I broke posted news about John McCain suspending his campaign — and calling upon Barack Obama to do the same — in order to work on perhaps the greatest economic crisis ever to face the United States. Now I wonder whether or not the Republican presidential nominee might have committed political suicide by putting his country first.
I raise this question after hearing the Obama camp’s response to McCain’s surprise move. Senior Obama campaign officials, according to Fox News Channel’s Shepard Smith, said they believe the debate can still be held and the economic issues still be addressed. In other words, Obama didn’t bite on McCain’s bait.
Further, I raise this question after hearing the University of Mississippi’s Dr. Gloria Kellum tell FNC’s Smith via phone that her university — and members of the Commission on Presidential Debates with whom she was meeting this afternoon — is moving forward with plans to hold the debate as scheduled.
As the day’s news cycle approaches the five o’clock hour, Americans will soon be bombarded with messages from members of the liberal media that confirm, yes indeed, that McCain is a maverick, but add the jab that his move today was simply intended to give his lagging campaign a boost.
First to pile on was the Washington Post:
The move is an obvious attempt by McCain and his campaign to paint the Arizona senator as above politics, willing to put aside his campaign for the good of the country.
It comes as two new national polls — including one conducted by the Washington Post — show McCain slipping in the head to head matchup against Barack Obama due in large part to voters’ willingness to trust the Illinois Senator to solve the financial problems of the country.
MSNBC joined the fray by ending an online article this way:
(McCain) Advisors also say this is not a response to sliding poll numbers and insist this is “an even race.”
According to Bloomberg, White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said President George W. Bush* welcomed McCain’s move by saying, “Bipartisan support from Senators McCain and Obama would be helpful in driving to a conclusion.”
Sadly, with members of the liberal news media, the academic establishment and the debate commission siding against him, I suspect McCain will take the fall for having placed country first on this weighty matter of national well-being.
*Note: The president will address the nation on the financial crisis at 8 p.m. Central.
* * *
UPDATE 9/24/08 3:54 p.m Central: As I was concluding this post, Obama was holding a news conference where he sounded very statesmanlike while offering little or no substantial details regarding his position on solving the economic crisis. Obama also made it clear that he plans to participate in the first presidential debate in Oxford, Miss., Friday night.
SEE ALSO: Atlas Shrugs, Gateway Pundit,
18 responses so far ↓
1 BA // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:08 pm
It’s an important matter, and Europeans – and others – are nervous, very nervous. Obama is not helping at all.
2 Don Bistrow // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:22 pm
This is “bait” for Obama and if he doesn’t take it he may continue to look self-centered and selfish. Afterall, he has little record in the Senate, why start now when the Presidency awaits “The One.”
However, the news from WaPo is not news. A close examination of the ABC/WaPo poll (Obama up 9) shows an “intentional” skewing of polling data. Real Clear Politics should throw it and other news organizations out of their poll average, including FOX. Wa/Po coming to Obama’s defense is nothing but campaign work.
Then we have Bloomberg, home of Al Hunt, the WSJ Leftist reject. HO-HUM! If we begin to listen or read anything in that rag then we should go to Alaska dressed as a moose.
Mr. McCain will debate if the debate is on but he stepped forward first and left Obama to gasp, er, uh, oh, one-minute….we’ll get back to you one more time. Indeed!
3 KeithH // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:22 pm
He didn’t sound statesmanlike to me. Sounded like he was annoyed and wanted everyone to know he called McCain first. Also seemed to forget he still collects a paycheck as a senator. But at least he was offereing to issue a joint statement… that’ll solve it.
4 hotoffthepress2 // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Thanks, Don!
5 Paul Zannucci // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I’m not sure I would consider that you broke the story, but I agree that it’s a very dangerous move on McCain’s part.
6 Sherrip // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:25 pm
I guess Harry Reid doesn’t care if his hypocrisy is showing. Today he says it will not be helpful to have the candidates in Washington, but he didn’t feel that way when Obama came back in July.
Reid’s statement from July, when Obama showed up for a vote but not McCain (quoted in The Washington Post):
“I should mention how glad my fellow Democrats and I were to have our nominee for president here to vote on these important bills. Senator Obama has come to work and taken tough stands. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Senator McCain,” Reid said. “Perhaps taking tough stands on important issues is not part of Senator McCain’s campaign strategy. Perhaps he’s just too busy on the campaign trail to do his day job.”
Guess Obama is just too busy on the campaign trail to do his day job.
7 hotoffthepress2 // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:25 pm
Keith — Perhaps my use of the word, statesmanlike, was improper. I should have used “empty suit politician” to describe him in that he spoke well but didn’t say a thing. I stand corrected.
8 hotoffthepress2 // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Paul — I do believe mine was the first substantive story about the topic to be posted in the blogosphere.
9 Paul Zannucci // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:28 pm
That’s not what breaking the news means. You can’t break the news while watching it on FoxNews channel.
10 hotoffthepress2 // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Paul — I think I know what “breaking news” means as I have a degree in journalism and more than 20 years working in and around the news biz. As Steve Martin often use to say, “Exxxcuuuussseee me!!!!”
11 Paul Zannucci // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I’m not trying to be snarky. I’m just making an observation, which probably should have been left unsaid.
12 hotoffthepress2 // Sep 24, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Paul — No harm no foul. I don’t get many chances to use that Steve Martin line, so I seized upon it.
13 locomotivebreath1901 // Sep 24, 2008 at 4:01 pm
BHO will follow suit.
But then J.M. will throw him another curve ball.
~Lucianne says it’s the perfect opening for Palin to mano-a-mano with BHO!
14 hotoffthepress2 // Sep 24, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Locomotive — Oooh, that’s a tantalizing possibilitiy!
15 Wayne // Sep 24, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Can I be the first to say, Exsqueeze me?
16 hotoffthepress2 // Sep 24, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Wayne — “I’m not worthy!”
17 Justin Moore // Sep 25, 2008 at 5:28 am
Any one who emphasizes Barack’s middle name is a racist. Americans aren’t stupid. A white man name Timothy McVey bombed the oklahoma buildings in the mid 90′s, so does that mean everyone with the last name McVey is a bad person?? This site is a phony and you give our Republican Party a black eye!! Barack has no association with Sadaam and John and Barack are great americans who have done wonderful things for this country.
18 hotoffthepress2 // Sep 25, 2008 at 5:43 am
Justin — Puh-leeeeeze. It’s called full disclosure. Why don’t you crawl back into your mom’s basement and stay there until you have a point to make. As for “our Republican Party,” I don’t believe we share that in common.
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