# 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:** 16
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/301 "2008-09-25T11:31:05Z")
> [@Kevbo](#): > > I’m watching Letterman…He is ripping McCain a new one, and has Olbermann on to help. That was just totally brutal. I’ve don’t recall ever seeing Letterman as caustic. He was actually coming across as kind of an asshole. I’d really like to see an exit poll of Late Night viewers and see what their impression was and if it affected whom they would vote for. Pretty daft of McCain to go on Couric’s show, on the same network, while he wasn’t showing up on Letterman. Even though Couric might have a (very slight) bit more gravitas. ---
**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, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/302 "2008-09-25T11:32:05Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > I dunno, I keep thinking about this and all I can see is his campaign manager. See, to me, this smells of McCain, all the way. He wants to be the guy in the white cowboy hat, riding in at the last hour to save the day. Thing is, the people involved can save the day without him and his riding into town doesn’t help anything or anyone. I think this is more of his “Maverick” schtick. I also think he’s thinking like a soldier–action of any kind. Too bad we need statesmen right now, not people who will go off, half-cocked like badly made fireworks. I picture his campaign manager screaming at him–no, no! Do not lose focus! And McCain being all the more determined because he encountered resistance. IOW, not listening to another POV. These are not qualities I want in a President. ---
**Author:** ![Jeeves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@Jeeves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeeves)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/303 "2008-09-25T11:46:19Z")
> [@Belowjob2.0](#): > > Her parents are from Idaho, and that’s where she finished college. I thought Idahoans sounded more Western, though. As a Native Idahoan from the middle of nowhere Idaho, I can tell you that we don’t have that accent. I have no idea where Palin gets it from, maybe her parents were from the midwest and passed it on to her. ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/304 "2008-09-25T11:59:49Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > I also think he’s thinking like a soldier–action of any kind. Not really. Soldiers tend to think of what action can be least dangerous but still effective. Soldiers that think like what you suggest would probably get themselves and their mates killed. ---
**Author:** ![rayh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@rayh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rayh)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/305 "2008-09-25T12:06:53Z")
> [@Jolly\_Roger](#): > > Not really. Soldiers tend to think of what action can be least dangerous but still effective. Soldiers that think like what you suggest would probably get themselves and their mates killed. Or captured. ---
**Author:** ![Phlosphr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c68b51/32.png) [@Phlosphr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Phlosphr)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/306 "2008-09-25T12:07:29Z")
Wew - just read the thread…WHAT THE HOLY LIV’IN HELL IS PALIN BLATHERING ABOUT IN THE COURIC INTERVIEW? Christians are excited about this woman? _Really_??? Did McCain just shoot his other foot? ---
**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, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/307 "2008-09-25T12:12:03Z")
> [@Jolly\_Roger](#): > > Not really. Soldiers tend to think of what action can be least dangerous but still effective. Soldiers that think like what you suggest would probably get themselves and their mates killed. What I meant was that when faced with a problem, a soldier would rather act, instead of not act(sorry I wasn’t clear). I didn’t say not think. However, since you bring up the whole getting killed thing, maybe he wanted to throw himself under the bus himself? 😉 Or did McCain just shoot himself in the foot? I think so. Or maybe he’s a control freak or a narcissistic who thinks that no big event can happen without him present. Who knows? All I know is the man has a 20+ year history of pushing for deregulation (along with his admitted lack of understanding re the economy), and now suddenly wants to be Benjamin Harrison or John Sherman (see Sherman Anti-Trust Act, 1890). Or something. I think Letterman made an excellent point: where IS his second string quarterback? Why couldn’t she continue with the campaign while he’s Saving the Day in DC? Oh, that’s right! She remains ignorant of even McCain’s positions on things, much less how to run a campaign! :smack: She’s a girl. Of course. Forgot. My bad… ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/308 "2008-09-25T12:19:45Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > i think letterman made an excellent point: Where is his second string quarterback? Why couldn’t she continue with the campaign while he’s saving the day in dc? Oh, that’s right! She remains ignorant of even mccain’s positions on things, much less how to run a campaign! :smack: She’s a girl. Of course. Forgot. My bad… SEXIST! 😉 Stupid no all caps rules… ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/309 "2008-09-25T12:58:50Z")
> [@Jeeves](#): > > As a Native Idahoan from the middle of nowhere Idaho, I can tell you that we don’t have that accent. I have no idea where Palin gets it from, maybe her parents were from the midwest and passed it on to her. Some people pick up accents more readily than others. She prolly just absorbed it. ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/310 "2008-09-25T13:04:20Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > What I meant was that when faced with a problem, a soldier would rather act, instead of not act(sorry I wasn’t clear). I didn’t say not think. However, since you bring up the whole getting killed thing, maybe he wanted to throw himself under the bus himself? 😉 Or did McCain just shoot himself in the foot? I think so. > > Or maybe he’s a control freak or a narcissistic who thinks that no big event can happen without him present. Who knows? All I know is the man has a 20+ year history of pushing for deregulation (along with his admitted lack of understanding re the economy), and now suddenly wants to be Benjamin Harrison or John Sherman (see Sherman Anti-Trust Act, 1890). Or something. > > I think Letterman made an excellent point: where IS his second string quarterback? Why couldn’t she continue with the campaign while he’s Saving the Day in DC? Oh, that’s right! She remains ignorant of even McCain’s positions on things, much less how to run a campaign! :smack: She’s a girl. Of course. Forgot. My bad… No worries. I was really just joking on how McCain seems to be making these really bad decisions. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/311 "2008-09-25T13:10:34Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > That was just totally brutal. I’ve don’t recall ever seeing Letterman as caustic. He was actually coming across as kind of an asshole. I’d really like to see an exit poll of Late Night viewers and see what their impression was and if it affected whom they would vote for. I was thinking I haven’t seen Dave that pissed off in a very long time. Maybe his first show after 9/11? That said, I made sure the DVR caught all of it (harder because my local affiliate pushed everything back due to Bush.) ---
**Author:** ![Jolly\_Roger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/91b2a8/32.png) [@Jolly\_Roger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jolly_Roger)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/312 "2008-09-25T13:22:16Z")
Has anyone heard anything about the debate? Its tomorrow, and I haven’t heard if Obama is going to “suspend” or postpone or not. I hope not. ---
**Author:** ![Onomatopoeia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/onomatopoeia/32/4145_2.png) [@Onomatopoeia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Onomatopoeia)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/313 "2008-09-25T13:36:58Z")
> [@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) Dumb as a wall. I find it hilarious that Republicans continue to support this nudnik with straight faces. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/314 "2008-09-25T13:42:04Z")
> [@Jeeves](#): > > As a Native Idahoan from the middle of nowhere Idaho, I can tell you that we don’t have that accent. I have no idea where Palin gets it from, maybe her parents were from the midwest and passed it on to her. She obsessively watches Anglers Edge with Al Lindner. ---
**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, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/315 "2008-09-25T13:47:06Z")
> [@Phlosphr](#): > > Christians are excited about this woman? _Really_??? [Ayuh.](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/max-blumenthal/the-witch-hunter-anoints_b_128805.html) ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/316 "2008-09-25T13:48:05Z")
> [@monstro](#): > > Shoot, I’d have more respect if you voted for Bob Barr! Politics aside, at least the guy is smart. Elitist! ---
**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, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/317 "2008-09-25T13:53:12Z")
> [@eleanorigby](#): > > See, to me, this smells of McCain, all the way. He wants to be the guy in the white cowboy hat, riding in at the last hour to save the day. Thing is, the people involved can save the day without him and his riding into town doesn’t help anything or anyone. I think this is more of his “Maverick” schtick. [A proven winner . . .](http://www.gocomics.com/tomthedancingbug/) ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/318 "2008-09-25T14:41:32Z")
Apologises for not reading the middle couple of pages, but has anyone suggested that Big-O show up for the debate and whip out his cell phone and laptop, and inform grandpa about these amazing new devices that actually allow you to keep in touch with things that are happening other than in your presence… Or flat-out acknowledging that the economic situation is extremely important, but so is deciding who gets to be president for the next 4 years. A senator can be involved in pending legislation in countless ways other than their physical presence around the clock. Unfortunately, a senator (or president) doesn’t always have the luxury of simply ignoring one important issue, to throw all of his resources at another important issue. Hell - if this situation is so urgent why don’t we just call off this whole election and give W another year (or four)? A quick constitutional amendment is all that would take… ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/319 "2008-09-25T14:49:38Z")
[The Arizona Republic](http://www.azcentral.com/news/election/election08/articles/2008/09/25/20080925mccain-analysis0925.html) published this analysis of McCain’s decision on the front page this morning. While it does try to be ‘fair and balanced,’ it is also one of the few articles that dares to criticize McCain in his home state. ---
**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, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/320 "2008-09-25T14:55:47Z")
> [@Jolly\_Roger](#): > > Has anyone heard anything about the debate? Its tomorrow, and I haven’t heard if Obama is going to “suspend” or postpone or not. I hope not. Word is, Obama says the debate should go on. > **[Client Challenge](https://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/nation/6020372.html)** [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040.md?page=15) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040.md?page=17)