# 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:** 14
**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, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/261 "2008-09-25T02:24:07Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > [http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/24/mccain-camp-to-propose-postponing-vp-debate/](http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/24/mccain-camp-to-propose-postponing-vp-debate/) > > You guys had a 6 page political ripsnort and didn’t invite me? Sheeeesh. Almost half a mind not to bring you this present… > > CNN: > > Now that’s putting country first, yessiree Bob! The McCain crew is willing to sacrifice the enormous political advantage offered by Palin crushing Biden in a debate, for the sake of the country! > > Excuse…please… getting kinda choked up here… You’re just fashionably late to the party. The night is young; there is plenty more punch. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/262 "2008-09-25T02:28:01Z")
After this do the people who thought this was a good move on McCains part still think it was anything other than a political ploy? ---
**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, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/263 "2008-09-25T02:29:58Z")
Perhaps Obama will make history once again by holding the first televised presidential debate with a man [not actually there.](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/lordradish/obamamccaindebate.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/264 "2008-09-25T02:32:49Z")
I gotta hand it to them, though. They are doing what they can to stay alive. I understand 100%. This bailout excuse is probably the only thing that will successfully keep Palin away from the podium next Thurs. All of this kerfluffle about being serious about the economy, let’s postpone the thing till Thurs, is really nothing but an attempt to stall an Palin embarrassment. It’s not even about looking strong and responsive; it’s about preserving the allusion that Palin is competent. Perhaps they’re hoping the VP debate gets pushed back a couple more weeks…and then maybe another convenient excuse gets created that will justify another delay. Lather, rinse, repeat. And then boom, before you know, it’s November and no one cares anymore. ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/265 "2008-09-25T02:32:55Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I’m tellin’ ya…John McCain: secret Obama supporter. The man’s an effing hero, throwing his reputation and career down the toilet of history just so’s Obama can get elected… Well played, ma’am. 😃 I really can’t see this going well for McPalin. Even those who truly see this as a good guy vs bad guy simplistic type stuff will see this as McPalin not facing up to his opponent. What a huge gaffe–and I love the whole Letterman stuff. Respectful of his service, but disdainful of his well, let’s call it a choice, shall we? Is it close enough to October for this to be the October surprise? ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/266 "2008-09-25T02:34:07Z")
> [@waterj2](#): > > Was Olbermann actually scheduled to appear on the show beforehand? Aside from the musical act, the only guest mentioned in the listing for Letterman tonight is McCain. I don’t think Olbermann was supposed to be there. ---
**Author:** ![quedefuk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/48db29/32.png) [@quedefuk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/quedefuk)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/267 "2008-09-25T02:58:17Z")
Just to make it a tad more interesting. > **[SARAH PALIN LOVER REVEALED! | National Enquirer](https://www.nationalenquirer.com/celebrity/sarah-palin-lover-revealed/)** > > In a world exclusive The NATIONAL ENQUIRER names GOP VP Candidate Sarah Palin’s secret lover! No less than three members of the man’s family including one by sworn affidavit have claimed that Sarah Palin engaged in an extramarital affair with... ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/268 "2008-09-25T03:02:21Z")
Yeah, there have been rumors about that here and there. If there’s anything to it, which right now I doubt, it’ll come out eventually. Hadn’t noticed previously that this affair allegedly happened 12 years ago. It’s hard to care much. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/269 "2008-09-25T03:22:49Z")
> [@quedefuk](#): > > Just to make it a tad more interesting. > > [http://www.nationalenquirer.com/national\_enquirer\_world\_exclusive\_sarah\_palins\_secret\_lover\_revealed/celebrity/65481](http://www.nationalenquirer.com/national_enquirer_world_exclusive_sarah_palins_secret_lover_revealed/celebrity/65481) Meh. Now, if it had been a chick . . . ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/270 "2008-09-25T03:24:39Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > Perhaps Obama will make history once again by holding the first televised presidential debate with a man [not actually there.](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/lordradish/obamamccaindebate.jpg) Nah, Gore and Kerry already did that. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/271 "2008-09-25T03:38:30Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > I am kind of flabbergasted by the Couric interview. She is as believable as a VP as Denise Richards was as a physicist in that crappy James Bond movie. Wow. I agree. I mean, that was absolutely brutal. She was hopelessly unprepared. She sounded like a person who’d been pulled in off the street at random. I’m going to add my voice to the curious as well; why does Sarah Palin sound like she’s from Brainerd, MN? Since when did Alaskans start sounding like Marge Gunderson? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/73ab20/32.png) [@The\_Tao\_s\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tao_s_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/272 "2008-09-25T03:48:46Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > I’m tellin’ ya…John McCain: secret Obama supporter. The man’s an effing hero, throwing his reputation and career down the toilet of history just so’s Obama can get elected… It’s so noble, finally McCain does something I can get behind. Go McCain! _sheds a tear of pride_ ---
**Author:** ![parthenokinesis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/cc9497/32.png) [@parthenokinesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parthenokinesis)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/273 "2008-09-25T03:51:11Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > Perhaps Obama will make history once again by holding the first televised presidential debate with a man [not actually there.](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/lordradish/obamamccaindebate.jpg) I do not think that I would care To debate a man who wasn’t there Can not dispute what he won’t say I wish, I wish he’d go away. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/274 "2008-09-25T04:06:24Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > Perhaps Obama will make history once again by holding the first televised presidential debate with a man [not actually there.](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p283/lordradish/obamamccaindebate.jpg) Alternately, if McCain doesn’t want to show up, Bob Barr could probably clear the day on his calendar. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/275 "2008-09-25T04:09:06Z")
So the headline is Palins secret lover, and she’s making the “itty bitty” hand gesture. So I guess I’m the only one here with a sick and twisted mind, but…well…I mean, surely that’s not the only picture of her they got, know what I mean? Or maybe I’m just sensitive about…stuff. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/276 "2008-09-25T04:17:47Z")
So, is this officially a weird-ass election or what? ---
**Author:** ![interface2x](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@interface2x](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/interface2x)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/277 "2008-09-25T04:29:24Z")
> [@Maeglin](#): > > Apparently McCain paid a visit to Katie Couric on account of Couric’s hatchet job on Palin. > > You _have_ to watch this. > > [I’ll bring em to ya.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vbg6hF0nShQ) WOW. Just WOW. It’s not a good thing when you can see the wheels turning and she then just repeats what she said two seconds ago. I can’t help but see “404 FILE NOT FOUND” flashing through her brain. ---
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/278 "2008-09-25T04:33:06Z")
Really f\*ing unbelievable. Please, let’s see some McCain/Palin supporters defend that performance in the Couric interview. Sad, truly, truly sad. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/279 "2008-09-25T04:34:04Z")
Well his last crazy ass desperate idea had actually worked out well for him - at least for a week. Maybe he’s just figured he has to keep the crazy ass ideas coming? Any bets on what the polls will say over the next several days as this plays out? I was watching the dueling talking heads for a short while … and I’m really half expecting the McCain surrogate to just come out and say “Hey, I got nothing. Sorry. He’s nuts.” Palins “404 file” moment … “Uh, that’s my one line memorized answer. That’s what was in the study guide.” Yeah, “Wow. Just wow.” Again. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/280 "2008-09-25T04:35:38Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > Please, let’s see some McCain/Palin supporters defend that performance in the Couric interview. > > Sad, truly, truly sad. Notice how they dried up after the first few pages, when what looked to be a clever move by McCain got all fouled up. I can’t blame them, really. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040.md?page=15)