# 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:** 18
**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, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/341 "2008-09-25T15:47:07Z")
I know you are all eager to hear my thoughts on this, but I’ve decided to suspend posting until I have solved the current financial crisis. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Understander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3da27b/32.png) [@The\_Understander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Understander)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/342 "2008-09-25T15:51:26Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > I know you are all eager to hear my thoughts on this, but I’ve decided to suspend posting until I have solved the current financial crisis. Do you need a ride to the airport? ---
**Author:** ![Slacker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6bbea6/32.png) [@Slacker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slacker)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/343 "2008-09-25T16:01:10Z")
> [@Enfant Terrible](#): > > Do you need a ride to the airport? Actually, he’s posting his thoughts on another messageboard right now! Bastard! :mad::mad::mad: ---
**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, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/344 "2008-09-25T16:03:23Z")
> [@Slacker](#): > > Actually, he’s posting his thoughts on another messageboard right now! Bastard! :mad::mad::mad: **luci** has thoughts? Who knew? ---
**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 25, 2008, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/345 "2008-09-25T16:06:30Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Do I really have to explain this? Obama will vote ‘present’ on the Senate bailout bill. That’s what he does. Votes ‘present.’ Must be a changed rule then since senators can not vote “present” in the US senate, of course \*\*Stephe96 \*\*just made here the equivalent of just voting “present” in a debate so why argue with the concession that McCain defenders have no good rational explanations? It is painful when they can only offer only a dead horse point from the time Obama was in the Illinois Senate as a defense. ---
**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, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/346 "2008-09-25T16:06:47Z")
> [@rayh](#): > > **luci** has thoughts? Who knew? He has admitted many times that he is not very well informed about economic topics. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/347 "2008-09-25T16:11:00Z")
I’m gonna fill in for **'Lucy**. I’ll find ya some bad puns and bring 'em to ya. ---
**Author:** ![A\_shameful\_cracka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ebca7d/32.png) [@A\_shameful\_cracka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A_shameful_cracka)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/348 "2008-09-25T16:13:46Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > Is that even an option in the US Senate? I don’t think so. Present was a commonly chosen option by senators on both sides in the Illinois state senate, but I’m sure he doesn’t understand that. Next he’ll probably be talking about Obama’s work as a community organizer, as they like to ignore his current record and talk about stuff that happened 20 years ago. ---
**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, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/349 "2008-09-25T16:17:11Z")
> [@Enfant Terrible](#): > > Do you need a ride to the airport? Hey, thanks! Say, did you know there was some canolli back here? You sure this is the way to the airport? Looks kinda rural… ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/350 "2008-09-25T16:17:37Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Palin’s performance in that interview was just a jaw-dropper. Utterly indefensible. And yet … anybody want to strap on hip waders and a pith helmet, and go browsing some right-wing boards to see how that horrifying display is being regarded by the red-state faithful? Helloooo? > [@](#): > > I said: > > _In an effort to see the other side of the story, I was perusing the Free Republic blogs this morning. I haven’t seen this much denial since … I gotta go back to Kevin Bacon at the end of Animal House._ Up-thread a little bit. I highly recommend the perusal. It is priceless. ---
**Author:** ![Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bc8723/32.png) [@Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fish)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/351 "2008-09-25T16:18:10Z")
> [@Stephe96](#): > > Do I really have to explain this? Obama will vote ‘present’ on the Senate bailout bill. That’s what he does. Votes ‘present.’ Hey, your boy McAbsent hasn’t made 109 of the last 110 votes. I wonder if voting “present” takes up too much of his brain, then? ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/352 "2008-09-25T16:25:56Z")
> [@Shayna](#): > > Or at least know what a ‘Present’ vote means in the Illinois Legislature. > > Hint: It means ‘No’ and is recorded as a ‘No’ vote. Every single legislator knows their ‘Present’ vote lands in the ‘No’ tally, effectively working to defeating a bill, but signaling to the bill’s authors that it’s a good idea **with flaws** that need to be addressed, especially Constitutional issues. > > Yeah, fighting ignorance is definitely taking longer than we thought. It’s especially slow-moving when people don’t even bother to _try_. [sidetrack]I somehow missed that explanation, probably because I never really gave much weight to the original claim. This seems a great way out of the poison pill tactic or other ways of assailing an opponent for voting against Puppies are Cute legislation. Have a cite for that so I can read more?[/sidetrack] I think it’s sociologically fascinating that initial reaction and interpretation depends largely on what camp (R or D) you were in in the first place. Both sides are shocked (shocked!) that the other side dares claim their position to be natural. Something I haven’t seen yet, how have the Republicans addressed the method of announcing the suspension – surprise, gotcha-ya, rather than through the obviously existent back channels? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Understander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3da27b/32.png) [@The\_Understander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Understander)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/353 "2008-09-25T16:38:24Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Hey, thanks! Say, did you know there was some canolli back here? You sure this is the way to the airport? Looks kinda rural… I find your lack of faith amusing. Try the cannoli–it’s to die for. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/354 "2008-09-25T16:53:40Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > [sidetrack]I somehow missed that explanation, probably because I never really gave much weight to the original claim. This seems a great way out of the poison pill tactic or other ways of assailing an opponent for voting against Puppies are Cute legislation. Have a cite for that so I can read more?[/sidetrack] [http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=274863](http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=274863) ---
**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, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/355 "2008-09-25T17:02:57Z")
> [@Fish](#): > > Hey, your boy McAbsent hasn’t made 109 of the last 110 votes. I wonder if voting “present” takes up too much of his brain, then? Yup. [Most absent award.](http://www.motherjones.com/mojoblog/archives/2008/04/8055_john_mccain_off.html) But look on the bright side: at least that’s that many fewer times he was there to stoke his 95% agreement record with Bush! Hey Obama has missed quite a few too, running for President takes up time. But that McCain - he’s number one! (Even more than “Senator Tim Johnson of North Dakota, who suffered a brain hemorrhage”! Now that’s an accomplishment.) Hmm. A well thought out and meaningful present or not bothering to be there? Yeah, better to not show up. But it is okay. He’s now coming back - to the rescue, bringing his deep and subtle understanding of the fine points of fiscal and economic policies to pound out a compromise on a bill [that](http://thinkprogress.org/wonkroom/2008/09/25/mccain-clinton-speech/) otherwise will not pass because there is no solution at hand, clearly not. What’s that you say? They’ve [already](http://www.fox59.com/pages/landing_business/?Compromise-close-on-700-billion-bailout-=1&blockID=66343&feedID=6) “cleared away key obstacles to a deal on the unprecedented rescue, agreeing to include widely supported limits on pay packages for executives whose companies benefit.”? Yes, but, “They’re still wrangling over major elements”! Surely his strong presence will focus them to compromise better and faster? What? No? > [@](#): > > Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., who has led negotiations with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson on the package, said that given the progress of the talks, the White House meeting was a distraction. > > “We’re going to have to interrupt a negotiating session tomorrow between the Democrats and Republicans on a bill where I think we are getting pretty close, and troop down to the White House for their photo op,” said Frank, the House Financial Services Committee chairman. “I wish they’d checked with us.” Oh. Nevermind. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/356 "2008-09-25T17:04:52Z")
Obama will turn the Friday debate into a combination Lehrer Interview/Town Hall Meeting if McCain doesn’t showup. > **[Obama Will Make Debate A Townhall If McCain Doesn't Show](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/obama-will-make-debate-a_n_129250)** > > Obama Will Make Debate A Townhall If McCain Doesn't Show Watch John haul ass to Ole Miss ---
**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 25, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/357 "2008-09-25T17:13:59Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Helloooo? Whoops, sorry. Thread moving too fast, missing some details. > [@](#): > > _I highly recommend the perusal. It is priceless._ I would but I left my Zithromax in my other waders. ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/358 "2008-09-25T17:17:55Z")
Yes this stunt has backfired big time on McCain. If he appears at the debate he will look weak. If he misses out he will give Obama a massive opportunity to air his views unopposed to a vast audience. Obama has handled it beautifully. If he had attacked McCain he would have made him look statesmanlike and above the fray. Instead he just politely made clear that he wasn’t backing off from the debate. If McCain doesn’t come I expect he will continue in a similar vein; he won’t attack McCain but use the opportunity to explain his economic views at length; especially how his tax proposals will cut taxes for most Americans. This has been a real unforced error by McCain. ---
**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, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/359 "2008-09-25T17:25:42Z")
Wait a minute! I was thinking and it occurred to me that of course that’s what Barney Frank would say! All those senators - partisan hacks! They’ll say anything and do anything once you start injecting Presidential politics into it! Heck, I wouldn’t be surprised if both sides end up scuttling the whole thing for partisan gain just to make the other side look bad! That _why_ we _need_ to get the Presidential nominees embroiled in the fine tuning of this thing, to prevent them from … to stop it from becoming … to keep it nonpoliti … oh damn. Never mind again. ---
**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, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/360 "2008-09-25T17:28:51Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > No way is anything gonna get settled this week anyway. Well, [it appears I was too pessimistic.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=484987)🙂 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040.md?page=17) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040.md?page=19)