# I call bullshit on John McCain's purely political "suspension" tactic. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 24, 2008, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046 "2008-09-24T19:32:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/41 "2008-09-24T21:06:01Z")
Like I said in the GD thread, it’s not entirely a campaign move by McCain. It’s also part of a larger theatrical production by the GOP intended to boost the idea that we have to pass a bill RIGHT THIS SECOND. See also Bush’s prime-time address tonight. More pressure means a better chance of pushing through a bill that gives the store away to the Wall Street cronies with a minimum of oversight, regulation, or reciprocity. It also means that Democrats who think it’s worth taking a few days to craft a strong bill can be labeled as obstructionists. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/42 "2008-09-24T21:06:50Z")
> [@Noelq](#): > > The financial situation is very complex, and I believe that having these two influential men in the center of the political debate, in PERSON, best serves the needs of the country right now. It is complex. That’s why we don’t need the grandstanding political circus right in the middle of it. ---
**Author:** ![Noelq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noelq/32/16438_2.png) [@Noelq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noelq)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/43 "2008-09-24T21:08:09Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > You shit eating scum sucking fucking worthless moron. He decided to put his senatorial duties on hold when he decided to run for president. He is the nominee his fucking job is to make his case for why he should be president. Part of that job is to present his views and debate the other contender so the people can make an informed decision as to who should lead this country through the fucking quagmire that the republican party has gotten us into. What the fuck, you think the hundreds of other senators congressmen and various other officials can’t get along without John McCain pounding his chest screaming “country First”. You fucking weasily apologist worthless motherfuckers make me want to move to South America and join the revolution against this retarded country full of morons like you. Oh, bloody hell! I’m in the PIT. I do apologize. I thought I was on another section of the board. Dammit, I didn’t mean to be here. I’ll remove myself immediately, and I apologize for getting caught in this discussion here. And Askeptic? Please, try decaf. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/44 "2008-09-24T21:10:04Z")
His gimmickery is backfiring on him. Turns out Obama initiated the idea of a joint statement of principle this morning at 8:00. McCain returned his call around 2:30. He agreed to the joint statement, and asked Obama if he wanted to postpone the debate. Obama said they could discuss that later, but to go ahead and put out the joint statement first. Then, suddenly, McCain made his announcement, framing it as though he had initiated some great thing and calling on Obama to follow him. He is a royal dick, and now anyone with a brain knows it. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/45 "2008-09-24T21:13:02Z")
The statement I’d like to see from Obama: "What’s this suspension shit? What’s this bullshit? I don’t fuckin’ care. It don’t matter to Barack. You don’t fool me, man–you might fool the FUCKS down at the Commission on Presidential Debates, but you don’t fool Barack. This is bush-league psych-out stuff. Laughable, man! HA HAAAA! I would have fucked you in the ass Friday–I’ll fuck you in the ass next Wednesday instead. You got a date Wednesday, baby!" ---
**Author:** ![Darwins\_Finch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darwins_finch/32/20304_2.png) [@Darwins\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darwins_Finch)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/46 "2008-09-24T21:19:59Z")
[Obama declines](http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/24/campaign.wrap/index.html): > [@](#): > > Democratic rival Sen. Barack Obama in a news conference later Wednesday said that he and McCain had spoken by phone and had agreed to issue a joint statement about shared principles in the approach to resolving the economic crisis. > > But he disagreed with McCain’s call for postponing Friday’s first presidential debate in Oxford, Mississippi. > > “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.” > > Regarding McCain’s call to join him in Washington to help participate in the debate over the economic recovery plan, Obama said: “I will be anywhere at any time,” he said. “If you need us I’ll be there.” ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/47 "2008-09-24T21:20:11Z")
Aaand Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid tells McCain [“Thanks, but we can handle this just fine, y’all go along and debate, 'k?”](http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0908/Reid_McCain_return_would_not_be_helpful.html) > [@](#): > > This is a critical time for our country. While I appreciate that both candidates have signaled their willingness to help, Congress and the Administration have a process in place to reach a solution to this unprecedented financial crisis. > > I understand that the candidates are putting together a joint statement at Senator Obama’s suggestion. But it would not be helpful at this time to have them come back during these negotiations and risk injecting presidential politics into this process or distract important talks about the future of our nation’s economy. If that changes, we will call upon them. We need leadership; not a campaign photo op. > > If there were ever a time for both candidates to hold a debate before the American people about this serious challenge, it is now. Thanks, Harry! Y’all rock and shit… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/48 "2008-09-24T21:22:53Z")
> [@Darwins\_Finch](#): > > [Obama declines](http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/24/campaign.wrap/index.html): > > > [@](#): > > > > “…It is going to be part of the president’s job to deal with more than one thing at once…” I was about to say this exact thing. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/49 "2008-09-24T21:24:30Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > It’s also part of a larger theatrical production by the GOP intended to boost the idea that we have to pass a bill RIGHT THIS SECOND. Exactly. Kind of reminds me of the rush to invade Iraq. Should we send in some more UN inspectors, maybe get an international consensus first? NO, NO, NO, MUST GO RIGHT THIS SECOND! ---
**Author:** ![Sattua](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sattua/32/11906_2.png) [@Sattua](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sattua)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/50 "2008-09-24T21:29:38Z")
“I’m sick of this motherfucking grandstanding on my motherfucking campaign”. How about that? ---
**Author:** ![askeptic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@askeptic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/askeptic)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/51 "2008-09-24T21:30:16Z")
> [@Liberal](#): > > His gimmickery is backfiring on him. Turns out Obama initiated the idea of a joint statement of principle this morning at 8:00. McCain returned his call around 2:30. He agreed to the joint statement, and asked Obama if he wanted to postpone the debate. Obama said they could discuss that later, but to go ahead and put out the joint statement first. Then, suddenly, McCain made his announcement, framing it as though he had initiated some great thing and calling on Obama to follow him. > > He is a royal dick, and now anyone with a brain knows it. McCain’s version differs slightly. [QUOTE=McCain Spokesperson] Senator Obama phoned Senator McCain at 8:30 am this morning but did not reach him. The topic of Senator Obama’s call to Senator McCain was never discussed. Senator McCain was meeting with economic advisers and talking to leaders in Congress throughout the day prior to calling Senator Obama. At 2:30 pm, Senator McCain phoned Senator Obama and expressed deep concern that the plan on the table would not pass as it currently stands. He asked Senator Obama to join him in returning to Washington to lead a bipartisan effort to solve this problem. [/QUOTE] Many people will actually believe this version. ---
**Author:** ![FallenAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@FallenAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallenAngel)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/52 "2008-09-24T21:30:18Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > You shit eating scum sucking fucking worthless moron. He decided to put his senatorial duties on hold when he decided to run for president. He is the nominee his fucking job is to make his case for why he should be president. Part of that job is to present his views and debate the other contender so the people can make an informed decision as to who should lead this country through the fucking quagmire that the republican party has gotten us into. What the fuck, you think the hundreds of other senators congressmen and various other officials can’t get along without John McCain pounding his chest screaming “country First”. You fucking weasily apologist worthless motherfuckers make me want to move to South America and join the revolution against this retarded country full of morons like you. Wow. Hate-filled much?:rolleyes: Both McCain and Obama are sitting Senators. The bailout bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation to be considered since the debacle that is the Patriot Act. Neither Senator has a particularly stellar record of attending hearings or casting votes. I think it would make all manner of sense for both of them to actually go back to Washington for a few days and get up to speed on one of the major issues one or the other of them will be inheriting come January 20. ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/53 "2008-09-24T21:31:47Z")
He also doesn’t miss a chance to hammer Obama about not agreeing to “town hall” formats or traveling to the place together (which I thought was the stupidest idea I’d ever heard). ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/54 "2008-09-24T21:44:44Z")
> [@](#): > > McCain Spokesperson > Senator Obama phoned Senator McCain at 8:30 am this morning but did not reach him. The topic of Senator Obama’s call to Senator McCain was never discussed. Senator McCain was meeting with economic advisers and talking to leaders in Congress throughout the day prior to calling Senator Obama. At 2:30 pm, Senator McCain phoned Senator Obama and expressed deep concern that the plan on the table would not pass as it currently stands. He asked Senator Obama to join him in returning to Washington to lead a bipartisan effort to solve this problem. Maybe he should have tried calling him at 3:00 a.m.. That way he could have answered two questions at once. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/55 "2008-09-24T21:46:59Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > Exactly. Kind of reminds me of the rush to invade Iraq. > Should we send in some more UN inspectors, maybe get an international consensus first? > NO, NO, NO, MUST GO RIGHT THIS SECOND! Fool me once… I like Schumer’s suggestion. How about we put out $150 billion, so we can buy time to figure this massive complicated problem out, then bring it up again in a few months. ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/56 "2008-09-24T21:48:57Z")
It’s a cold day in Hell when I agree with **Dio** , but, yeah, it’s a gimmick. I can’t get too outraged about it, but it’s a gimmick. ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/57 "2008-09-24T22:12:26Z")
> [@askeptic](#): > > McCain’s version differs slightly. > > Many people will actually believe this version. A snap poll in GD is showing that for the time being, many people are not believing McCain, unfortunately his “scorched earth” policy against the media is not helping remove the impression that many people have now that McCain is being less fair or truthful with his campaign edicts. ---
**Author:** ![SmartAleq](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smartaleq/32/163_2.png) [@SmartAleq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmartAleq)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/58 "2008-09-24T22:16:27Z")
> [@FallenAngel](#): > > Both McCain and Obama are sitting Senators. The bailout bill is one of the most important pieces of legislation to be considered since the debacle that is the Patriot Act. Neither Senator has a particularly stellar record of attending hearings or casting votes. > > I think it would make all manner of sense for both of them to actually go back to Washington for a few days and get up to speed on one of the major issues one or the other of them will be inheriting come January 20. Couple of issues here–one is that neither McCain nor Obama are on committees that would have oversight of this bill anyway. Two–both of them are getting WAY more briefing on this issue than any other Senator not on the Banking Committee right now–they have advisors for this sort of thing, after all. Third, the Majority Leader has made it clear that they really prefer to get banging on this without the parade and sideshow element of bringing two campaigns for pres into the Senate–they’d just be a distraction, and an unwelcome one. Both McCain and Obama have phones and aides in case anybody needs their input, they don’t have to be physically in the building. Fourth, and to my mind most important, is that it’s disingenous for McCain to be sounding this “back to work” clarion call when he hasn’t set foot in the Senate since April, ducking out on all kinds of important legislation such as a major Iraq war appropriation bill and the GI Bill as well. Obama’s made it back for important votes, and is running about a 45% missed vote tally to McCain’s 64%. This is a gimmick, and not a very good one, on McCain’s part. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/59 "2008-09-24T22:35:20Z")
Gee Senator McCain, do you think that maybe the candidates should communicate with the public about the crisis, perhaps in the form of a debate? Do you think that might be more helpful than either Senator who is not on any relevant committee going around the halls with press in tow stirring things up? Haven’t you already admitted you don’t know squat about the economy? I hope the press follows the bastard around constantly showing what he is doing. The best he can do is hole up in his office. This is pure bullshit, and it isn’t going to work. I hope that Obama conducts a 90 minute press conference in the hallways of Congress while McCain is holed up in his office pretending to study. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046/60 "2008-09-24T22:40:10Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > I hope the press follows the bastard around constantly showing what he is doing. The best he can do is hole up in his office. What [McCain was doing today:](http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0908/A_nonemergency_meeting.html) > [@](#): > > The McCain campaign’s new urgency about the financial crisis didn’t entirely clear his schedule this morning. > > My colleague Amie Parnes reports that he made it to his scheduled morning meeting with Lady Lynn de Rothschild, a Clinton backer who recently came out in support of him. > > All while Obama was waiting by the phone for a returned call. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-call-bullshit-on-john-mccains-purely-political-suspension-tactic/465046.md?page=4)