# 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:** 4
**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, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/61 "2008-09-24T19:50:25Z")
> [@Sinaijon](#): > > Interesting. If its true, I assume you and the others of this thread now think that Obama “can suck on it”? A joint suspension would have been better than one scoring points on the other, but I still think it’s misplaced arrogance and poor prioritizing. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/62 "2008-09-24T19:50:53Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal] Have you ever tried to get something done when suddenly some dumbass who knows nothing about the subject matter elbows his way in to “take charge”? [/QUOTE] To be sure. However, these are the folks who ARE deciding what the US is going to do, at least wrt the governments response…no? -XT ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/63 "2008-09-24T19:51:07Z")
[Obama still wants to debate on Friday.](http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2008/09/mccain-not-comm.html) ---
**Author:** ![Sinaijon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dc4da7/32.png) [@Sinaijon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinaijon)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/64 "2008-09-24T19:51:28Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > In an interesting development, the Obama campaign is saying that Obama is the one who first called McCain this morning to ask if he’d be willing to issue a joint statement saying they would suspend their campaigns, Actually, no. Obama asked to issue joint statement supporting the bailout package, not suspending the campaign. [http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26872907/](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26872907/) > [@From the Article on MSNBC](#): > > The Obama campaign said Obama had called McCain around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday to propose that they issue a joint statement in support of a package to help fix the economy as soon as possible. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/65 "2008-09-24T19:52:04Z")
> [@BarnOwl](#): > > I’ve been watching MSNBC and heard nothing to that effect. CNN is not very clear on the matter: > [@cnn](#): > > The Obama campaign said Obama called McCain at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday to ask if the Republican nominee would join him in a joint statement of “shared principles and conditions” for the proposal. It said McCain called back at 2:30 p.m. – shortly before his New York announcement – to agree, and “The two campaigns are currently working together on the details.” I’m not sure what “the proposal” is. Obama proposing a suspension, or something else. On edit: **Sinaijon’s** post is clearer. ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/66 "2008-09-24T19:52:52Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > Seriously? You don’t know that things are worse today than last week? That the situation is getting worse and that the political infighting on what to do is heating up? That the proposed ‘solution’ by the treasury is not being bought by the house or senate…but that they don’t seem to know what to do either? That the very undecided nature of what the government may or may not do is causing the entire system to be completely unstable?? > > Where have you been? > > -XT Ooh, you got me there. If the man cannot absolutely spare the time for a 90 min debate that is crucial to the American people, he had better be able to show his work. A simple, “I had to think real hard and vote on something” will not suffice. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/67 "2008-09-24T19:54:09Z")
> [@BarnOwl](#): > > I’ve been watching MSNBC and heard nothing to that effect. I was distracted and could have mis-heard it. Sorry for the bad info. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/68 "2008-09-24T19:54:24Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Far as I’m concerned, when they accepted their party nominations, their jobs became Presidential Candidate. One of them’s going to be the Executive Chief, and it’s more important that they get their messages out on how they’ll deal with this situation as President than as Senator. Not to mention, these guys represent 2% of the Senate and .4% of the entire Congress; McCain’s and Obama’s being there or not being there will not matter one whit as to the outcome of this crisis. I mean does someone who recently said that he “doesn’t really understand the economy as well as he should” really think he’s gonna be helpful in solving this financial clusterfuck? I don’t care who the fuck called “time out” first. They both need to man up and face their primary responsibilities as candidates for president. There are others who can work on this bill. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/69 "2008-09-24T19:56:21Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > Seriously? You don’t know that things are worse today than last week? That the situation is getting worse and that the political infighting on what to do is heating up? That the proposed ‘solution’ by the treasury is not being bought by the house or senate…but that they don’t seem to know what to do either? That the very undecided nature of what the government may or may not do is causing the entire system to be completely unstable?? > > -XT Originally this wasn’t going to be addressed until next [session](http://proteinwisdom.com/?p=13278). A 700 billion dollar bailout plus talk of government ownership of mortgages is something that needs to be addressed in a timely manner. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/70 "2008-09-24T19:57:01Z")
[QUOTE=DtC] In an interesting development, the Obama campaign is saying that Obama is the one who first called McCain this morning to ask if he’d be willing to issue a joint statement saying they would suspend their campaigns, McCain agreed, but then his campaign went out and sandbagged Obama with an individual press release to make it look like it was McCain’s idea and to gain a political advantage. [/QUOTE] Do you have a cite on that DtC? If so could you link it? It would be very interesting (and incredibly amusing considering the responses in this thread so far) if it’s true. -XT ---
**Author:** ![malkavia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malkavia/32/5621_2.png) [@malkavia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/malkavia)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/71 "2008-09-24T19:57:12Z")
> [@Sinaijon](#): > > Interesting. If its true, I assume you and the others of this thread now think that Obama “can suck on it”? Yes. If that’s the case, Obama is a jerk. Americans deserve a debate between the two candidates. There is no double standard here. 90 minutes with only 98 senators won’t be the straw that breaks the camels back. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/72 "2008-09-24T19:58:39Z")
Whether the economy goes in the tank or not, the US still has to choose a new president in November. I’d like to have all the information possible and I’d like to see the candidates debate one another. Apparently McCain thinks this is too much to ask. It’s just ludicrous to think that halting a presidential campaign for a week is going to reverse a meltdown that McCain has spent nearly 3 decades ignoring. This is clearly just another transparent, shallow stunt. There’s no need for Obama to stop campaigning. He understood this was a historic crisis months ago. McCain needs to take a week off so he can fully change gears from “the fundamentals of the economy are strong”. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/73 "2008-09-24T20:01:46Z")
> [@xtisme](#): > > Do you have a cite on that DtC? If so could you link it? It would be very interesting (and incredibly amusing considering the responses in this thread so far) if it’s true. > > -XT Talking Points Memo posts Obama’s statement: > [@Obama statement](#): > > At 8:30 this morning, Senator Obama called Senator McCain to ask him if he would join in issuing a joint statement outlining their shared principles and conditions for the Treasury proposal and urging Congress and the White House to act in a bipartisan manner to pass such a proposal. At 2:30 this afternoon, Senator McCain returned Senator Obama’s call and agreed to join him in issuing such a statement. The two campaigns are currently working together on the details. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/74 "2008-09-24T20:03:03Z")
[QUOTE=Bayard] Talking Points Memo posts Obama’s statement: [/QUOTE] Thanks. You know, my respect for Obama goes up a notch too, even though he was asking for something else. Maybe two notches. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/75 "2008-09-24T20:05:30Z")
The Univ. of Miss. said the debate will go on as planned. Wah-fuckin’-HOO. ---
**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, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/76 "2008-09-24T20:05:47Z")
If Obama wants a debate, will McCain just cancel? If so, there’s no debate either way, right? Obama isn’t going to appear alone on the stage while McCain is seen as rolling up his sleeves. ---
**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, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/77 "2008-09-24T20:06:20Z")
There is one other thing that bothers me. Besides it being a blatatnly transparent politcal move, it sends a message that this ciris is so freakingly out of control we cannot even have a debate. Is it serious? Of course, but lets not make it hysterically so. ---
**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, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/78 "2008-09-24T20:06:59Z")
Yeah, way to pour gasoline on the fire. ---
**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, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/79 "2008-09-24T20:08:17Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > If Obama wants a debate, will McCain just cancel? If so, there’s no debate either way, right? Obama isn’t going to appear alone on the stage while McCain is seen as rolling up his sleeves. That would be hilarious, though. “Senator McCain, please elaborate your views on Iran for us? What conditions would lead you to consider war with Iran?” _Two Minutes of SILENCE_ “Senator Obama would you like to respond?” “To what?” ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/80 "2008-09-24T20:08:37Z")
[QUOTE=Gangster Octopus] Is it serious? Of course, but lets not make it hysterically so. [/QUOTE] Actually…that’s a good point. I hadn’t considered the psychological effects. Still…I have friends in the financial markets who are talking about survivalist retreats in Idaho, so I’m a bit freaked out atm. (Just kidding, but only slightly). -XT [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040.md?page=5)