# McCain suspends campaign, asks Obama to do the same. What?! **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 24, 2008, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040 "2008-09-24T19:04:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/201 "2008-09-24T23:22:20Z")
From the CNN homepage: > [@](#): > > McCain also said he would not attend Friday night’s debate with Democratic rival Barack Obama unless an economic bailout deal is reached by then. Does he really want to play poker with Obama? Really? Honestly? I’d wager almost anything that he’ll show up, regardless. And subtly whine and kvetch about how they should be in Washington, working hard to move daddy’s sofa. Although I’d pay almost anything for Barack to just have the 90 minutes as an open forum. This is really pathetic from the McCain camp. We’ll whine and whine and pretend to give a shit until we get our way; and if we don’t get our way, then.. uh.. uh.. Iguesswe’llshowupFridaynightbutIwon’twearasmile. I wonder how Sarah Palin feels, knowing that she has such little confidence from her freaking running mate. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/202 "2008-09-24T23:24:05Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Letterman apparently kept cutting into McCain throughout the show Holy cats. McCain’s gonna get _destroyed_ on this. And, as I said either in another thread or a previous page of this one (hard to keep track of fast-breaking events), and will repeat because I think it’s significant, for McCain to suddenly squeal his tires back to D.C. like this is another Pearl Harbor does not well convey thoughtfulness and statesmanlike demeanor; instead, it sends the message that HOLY SHIT THE SKY IS FALLING THE ECONOMY IS GETTING NUKED and risks making things a fuck of a lot worse than they are. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/203 "2008-09-24T23:25:38Z")
> [@atomicbadgerrace](#): > > From the CNN homepage: > > Does he really want to play poker with Obama? Really? Honestly? > > I’d wager almost anything that he’ll show up, regardless. And subtly whine and kvetch about how they should be in Washington, working hard to move daddy’s sofa. > > Although I’d pay almost anything for Barack to just have the 90 minutes as an open forum. > > This is really pathetic from the McCain camp. We’ll whine and whine and pretend to give a shit until we get our way; and if we don’t get our way, then.. uh.. uh.. Iguesswe’llshowupFridaynightbutIwon’twearasmile. > > I wonder how Sarah Palin feels, knowing that she has such little confidence from her freaking running mate. Thursday to Friday morning, we should see sufficient “progress” on the bailout plan to permit McCain to break away for a short while, just long enough to attend the debate and then go back to work in Washington. Oh… and McCain will take credit for the “progress” even though McCain was really in the Capitol basement preparing for the debate the whole time. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/204 "2008-09-24T23:29:02Z")
> [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](#): > > I agree. While the president should be advised and informed about such things, these two are not the president, and therefore those who would advise and inform are already working on the problem (one would hope). It may be laziness, but I respect Bush for not pushing his nose into something he doesn’t understand. He is cheerleading, he’ll probably be using his access to the media to try to push the plan his advisers came up with, but he doesn’t seem to be trying to be another cook. Sometimes leadership and good management involves letting the experts who work for you do their job, and giving guidance and helping to sell the results. How the hell is McCain (or Obama) going to get involved without looking over their shoulders at the current poll numbers? We don’t need that. ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/205 "2008-09-24T23:31:45Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Holy cats. McCain’s gonna get _destroyed_ on this. > > And, as I said either in another thread or a previous page of this one (hard to keep track of fast-breaking events), and will repeat because I think it’s significant, for McCain to suddenly squeal his tires back to D.C. like this is another Pearl Harbor does not well convey thoughtfulness and statesmanlike demeanor; instead, it sends the message that HOLY SHIT THE SKY IS FALLING THE ECONOMY IS GETTING NUKED and risks making things a fuck of a lot worse than they are. Exactly what I said ealier as well. McCain is panicking when we the last thing we need is panicky. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/206 "2008-09-24T23:32:50Z")
> [@RyJae](#): > > I’ll put it nice and simple. Oh wait I have many times already. No, not really. I understand that you think that they should do and DO SOMETHING. I say again, what exactly you think they can do IN PRACTICAL CONCRETE TERMS, ie, not just amorphously “showing leadership” or “putting actions into words” or “working with both parties” These are meaningless, feel good statements. ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/207 "2008-09-24T23:36:24Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > You really think they can help anything at all by turning something this important into another political battle? the best thing either of them can do is stay the hell out of the way. Obama realizes this, McCain just saw another opportunity to make himself look good. I actually think both can help, particularly McCain. He has proven that he can help form consensus. with the extra clout he now has he could be even more effective in that regard. I think Obama could play a similar role, though McCain could probably do more across the aisle. And this notion that they should be able to “do more than one thing at a time” is ridiculous. Sometimes you have to be in the room. You have to be part of the debate. Given the timeframes we’re dealing with and the speed at which things have to get done (or so we’re told), this is one of those times. I was impressed with McCain when I forst heard about it. I actually think the best thing Obama could have done was say “You know, John’s right on this. That’s a great idea. And I’m not going to discount what’s good for the country because the idea didn’t come from me or our side. This is a critical time. The debate can wait a few days. I’ll see you in Washington, John.” I think that would have one-upped McCain, in a way that fits with the Obama brand. ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/208 "2008-09-24T23:36:39Z")
> [@Bill\_Door](#): > > It took ten years to raise the federal minimum wage from $5.15 per hour to $5.85 per hour. Ten years. If 250 millions Americans were making minimum wage for forty hours per week the annual cost of that increase is seven billion dollars. Of course, they’re not, the actual cost is much less than that. > > Ten years to decide whether the fry guy at McDonalds is worth an extra $28.00 a week, yet we’re supposed to inject one hundred times that into the economy on the basis of one week’s discussion? And the guy who last week didn’t believe the economy was going critical is irreplaceable to the discussion? Why, because of his vast insight into the problem? You’d have to be demented to think that was true. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/209 "2008-09-24T23:36:58Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Exactly what I said ealier as well. McCain is panicking when we the last thing we need is panicky. Well, I don’t know if he is _actually_ panicking; rather, he _thinks_ he is displaying firm, decisive leadership, and a willingness and ability to take command in a crisis. That this _looks_ like panic is merely an unfortunate perception. That this unfortunate perception risks further destabilizing a volatile situation and causing vast economic damage is what’s significant. IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/210 "2008-09-24T23:38:02Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > And, as I said either in another thread or a previous page of this one (hard to keep track of fast-breaking events), and will repeat because I think it’s significant, for McCain to suddenly squeal his tires back to D.C. like this is another Pearl Harbor does not well convey thoughtfulness and statesmanlike demeanor; instead, it sends the message that HOLY SHIT THE SKY IS FALLING THE ECONOMY IS GETTING NUKED and risks making things a fuck of a lot worse than they are. And that’s the \*exact \*angle that Obama should be taking on this. Paint McCain as a panicky poor decision maker given to snap decision making without weighing out consequences of his actions. We all admire grandpa, but you know how he gets, and c’mon folks, maybe he spent just a liiiiiiitle too much time in that tiger cage, if you know what I mean. He means well but he just gets a little confused and sometimes he pees in the cloakroom. I just wish that the Dems could for once show some balls. I never wanted Hillary, but that woman would have eaten McCain’s lunch by now. Total evisceration . ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/211 "2008-09-24T23:40:31Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > It may be laziness, but I respect Bush for not pushing his nose into something he doesn’t understand. He is cheerleading, he’ll probably be using his access to the media to try to push the plan his advisers came up with, but he doesn’t seem to be trying to be another cook. Sometimes leadership and good management involves letting the experts who work for you do their job, and giving guidance and helping to sell the results. Maybe after seven and a half years he’s finally figuring this President thing out. Four more years? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/212 "2008-09-24T23:43:18Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > Four more years? Please report to a punishment facility. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/213 "2008-09-24T23:44:32Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > And this notion that they should be able to “do more than one thing at a time” is ridiculous. … Given the timeframes we’re dealing with and the speed at which things have to get done (or so we’re told), this is one of those times. Or so says Bush. Let’s see . . . what was going on the _last_ time George Bush asked Congress to super-quick pass a trillion-dollar expenditure? Hmm . . . I’m trying to recall . . . but anyway, I know the man must be trustworthy, because Karl Rove says so. Whatever it is Bush wants, we goshdarn _better_ pass it quick. With full bipartisan support. And not read it first, or think about it. Whatever we do, we must not think of President Bush as the Boy Who Cried Wolfowitz. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/214 "2008-09-24T23:45:18Z")
> [@Gangster\_Octopus](#): > > Exactly what I said ealier as well. McCain is panicking when we the last thing we need is panicky. None of this is really about “what we need.” This is about the fact that he’s way behind in the polls all of a sudden, and probably figured it’s going to get worse because the economy will keep dominating the news. Neither candidate has said much about what to do in this situation, and I don’t blame them: this bailout idea is a very vague solution to a complex problem, and taking anything other than a cautiously qualified stance would be dumb. ---
**Author:** ![begbert2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/begbert2/32/3357_2.png) [@begbert2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/begbert2)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/215 "2008-09-24T23:49:02Z")
All those who think that McCain and Obama should be back in washington demonstrating how well they can ‘reach across the aisle’, ask yourself this: how many Republicans want to contribute to the headline “Obama Leads Coalition in Fixing the Economy”? They’d chew their own arm off first! And the Democrats would be no better. If either of them went to washington and actually tried to influence legislation it would _polarize_ the issue - and if both of them went both sides would dig in break out the cannons! ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/216 "2008-09-24T23:54:07Z")
McCain spokesman on MSNBC has just said, and I quote “We have a 9/11 style crisis here.” “Payrolls won’t be met. People will lose their houses!” They are trying to put the fear of Jesus into the electorate so that they can grab that last bit of cash on the way out the door. ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/217 "2008-09-24T23:56:00Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > They are trying to put the fear of Jesus into the electorate so that they can grab that last bit of cash on the way out the door. Seems the GOP is playing on the culture of fear that Bush Jr. created so many times to get his way. Hopefully, the electorate has learned from past mistakes. Not really holding my breath, though, sadly. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/218 "2008-09-25T00:09:01Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > “Payrolls won’t be met. People will lose their houses!” McCain has first hand experience with this. He lost a home for several days, until he remembered where it was. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/219 "2008-09-25T00:11:43Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > McCain has first hand experience with this. He lost a home for several days, until he remembered where it was. How dare you! For five years McCain. . . nah, not gonna do it. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/220 "2008-09-25T00:13:39Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > McCain has first hand experience with this. He lost a home for several days, until he remembered where it was. Did he remember where it was? I thought he just ended up in one of his other ones. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040.md?page=12)