What does McCain think of Presidency?
Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/4qdzybIf you are not outraged by John McCain’s latest campaign adventure, you should be.
McCain announced Wednesday that he is suspending his campaign to return to Washington and focus on the crisis on Wall Street. Sounds noble? It does, until you take this news in context and with some questions:
- Obama leads John McCain by nine points in a Washington Post/ABC News poll. Clearly, McCain needs to do something to change the movement.
- John McCain says he would not appear for the debate on Friday unless the bailout bill is cleared in the congress. To compensate for that, he is asking to cancel the Vice Presidential debate.
- The bailout plan was in design for a long time, but was unveiled last week. So, John McCain took almost a week to realize the state of affairs? And he did so right after Barack Obama asked him to make a joint statement on the crisis.
- Right after McCain announced the suspension of his campaign to avert the crisis at Wall Street, he was recording an interview with Katie Couric of CBS News. Now, what kind of crisis is this where Mr. McCain would take time to record an interview but would not spend time to walk in a Presidential debate? Not to mention, a debate that is on a topic that is his forte - Foreign Policy. We forgive him for his gaffe on Spain
- Paulson had already agreeed to compromises in the bill even before John McCain declared the suspension. Is McCain even following what’s happening in DC?
- The McCain campaign had admitted earlier this month that this was the most expensive month for the campaign and the rate at which they are burning money might not be sustainable.
- John McCain’s campaign released a talking point memo right after his noble deed that talks about how McCain has put “Country First” by flying to DC.
Now, there are two possible explanations for John McCain’s not campaigning during the bill.
First explanation: He really thinks that he can help with the bill but he needs to be in DC to do that.
We don’t think that is the case. Even McCain does not know how to vote on this bill as he has admitted his lack of understanding on economic issues.
Even if this were true, what is the reason to cancel TV/Radio ads? Why can’t Sarah Palin campaign in place of Mr Maverick. Does he think campaigning at a time of crisis is somewhat unpatriotic? He might feel the same way about elections. Would he suspend the elections if there is another crisis or this crisis prolongs?
Campaigning is about making your message heard. And being physically present is only a part of it.
This is why Presidential debates are such an integral part of Presidential elections. A future President, who might have to deal with more than one crisis at a time, gets a chance to show himself to the country. Does McCain think one crisis is more important than the whole Presidency?
Second explanation: It is a political stunt.
It’s a political stunt that does him a lot of good:
- It saves him money.
- It saves Sarah Paling from the Vice Presidential debate.
- It gives him time to prepare for his own debate.
- His talking points memo claims to make him “Presidential” and “Country First”.
In our opinion it’s a lipstick being applied to a pig: a plot to hide from scrutiny, press and facts. One of the most cowardly acts by any Presidential campaign.


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