# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/81 "2008-09-24T20:08:49Z")
> [@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”? No kidding. Trying to fix what may be the biggest domestic problem of your generation and then hearing that some guy(s) rinning for President wants to come “help.” I think I’d slam the door and then melt the locks. ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/82 "2008-09-24T20:09:04Z")
Aren’t most of the discussions still in committee anyway? Neither McCain nor Obama are on the appropriate committees or subcommittees, so what could they possibly do until it goes to the full Senate? ---
**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, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/83 "2008-09-24T20:11:57Z")
… and if Obama wants the debate and McCain does not cancel, then McCain will make reference in his opening and closing remarks that the only reason this debate is going forward is because Obama is a selfish jerk who would rather try to win an election than save America? ---
**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, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/84 "2008-09-24T20:12:17Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > Aren’t most of the discussions still in committee anyway? Neither McCain nor Obama are on the appropriate committees or subcommittees, so what could they possibly do until it goes to the full Senate? I thought they were maybe going to vote over the weekend. If that’s the case, don’t they need to read and discuss the actual details prior to the vote? I still think they can have the debate. If they’re not ready by now, they’ll never be ready. ---
**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, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/85 "2008-09-24T20:13:15Z")
Quote from [Fox](http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/24/mccain-suspends-campaign-to-help-with-bailout/): > [@FOX News](#): > > \*\*McCain’s move suggests he’s serious \*\*about dealing with the bailout since he had negotiated strongly to make the first of the three debates between the candidates on foreign policy, McCain’s strong suit. The first debate had been set for Friday at the University of Mississippi in Oxford > > \ > > **While McCain’s decision appears to put partisanship aside** , both campaigns have used considerable energy casting the other as not definitive or aggressive enough on the financial rescue and other reforms. My bold. Will this interpretation take hold? Note: These are not quotes or paraphrases – they’re the reporter’s words in a news (not editorial) piece. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/86 "2008-09-24T20:15:21Z")
Please excuse Johnny from this Friday’s math test. He has to stay home and work on the economy. ---
**Author:** ![newcrasher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b3f665/32.png) [@newcrasher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcrasher)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/87 "2008-09-24T20:16:10Z")
"Our country is facing one of the most serious financial crises in its history. It is true that John McCain does have extensive experience in crafting bailout plans after failing to provide adequate oversight to our financial industries. He did it for the failed S&L’s in the 80’s, and became a part of the infamous Keating 5 in the process. Now he wants to run to Washington to assist in the clean up of the mess he has helped make through his successful efforts to dregulate the financial industry after that spectacular failure decades ago. I want to make two points. One - Senator McCain your experience is the problem, not the solution. As a Senator you are obligated to act, but it is my fervant hope that you will have learned from your previous mistakes. And secondly, the Presidency is a demanding job. Other world leaders and other crises that arise will not allow you to postpone or delay your responsibilities. A President must be prepared to manage for success, not delay for time. Stalling tactics will not do on the world stage. I look forward to a lively debate this Friday. See you in Mississippi." ---
**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, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/88 "2008-09-24T20:17:01Z")
I’m learning to love Cafferty. Seriously. He hit the nail on the head a few minutes ago on CNN. Basically summarizing all the "WTF?"s in this thread, adding that McCain hasn’t bothered to take notice of Senate voting since April, and asking the million dollar question: just what the hell does he plan to go “work on”? ---
**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, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/89 "2008-09-24T20:17:03Z")
Comment by Harry Reid: > [@](#): > > This is a critical time for our country. While I appreciate that both candidates have signaled their willingness to help, Congress and the Administration have a process in place to reach a solution to this unprecedented financial crisis. > > I understand that the candidates are putting together a joint statement at Senator Obama’s suggestion. But it would not be helpful at this time to have them come back during these negotiations and risk injecting presidential politics into this process or distract important talks about the future of our nation’s economy. If that changes, we will call upon them. We need leadership; not a campaign photo op. > > If there were ever a time for both candidates to hold a debate before the American people about this serious challenge, it is now. EXACTLY! ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/90 "2008-09-24T20:21:36Z")
How do all the other Senators feel about it? Are they all cancelling their plans for Friday? If not, is what they’re doing more important than what McCain and Obama are doing? ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/91 "2008-09-24T20:21:48Z")
Obama says no, he won’t postpone. Regards, Shodan ---
**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, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/92 "2008-09-24T20:23:12Z")
I’m thinking Obama should say something like, “I think we can do both have a debate and work on the economic crisis, as multitasking is part of the job. The American people deserve the debate asap. However, since McCain has effectively backed out of this debate, let’s do the Prez debate in place of of the VP debate and bump the VP debate no more than 3 days.” ---
**Author:** ![davidw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@davidw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidw)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/93 "2008-09-24T20:24:31Z")
I always thought it was a bad idea to hold a debate on a Friday night anyway, so I wouldn’t be too upset if it was postponed to early next week, but I agree with most of the people here that this is just a political ploy from McCain. ---
**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 24, 2008, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/94 "2008-09-24T20:25:34Z")
You have no idea how much I wish this to backfire on McCain. Its a sleazy move and if it flies back in his face maybe it’ll open the eyes of people that buy all of the BS that comes out of the GOP…you know, because the last 8 years weren’t enough. ---
**Author:** ![BarnOwl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e95f7d/32.png) [@BarnOwl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BarnOwl)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/95 "2008-09-24T20:28:25Z")
But if the debate goes on as scheduled, McCain will shoe up, hemming and hawing and claiming he was so hard at work on the Bill that he’s just not adequately prepared to debate. ---
**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, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/96 "2008-09-24T20:29:54Z")
[QUOTE=Shodan] Obama says no, he won’t postpone. [/QUOTE] If so that’s a mistake. CNN just says that the Obama campaign will issue a statement shortly. -XT ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/97 "2008-09-24T20:31:49Z")
This also illustrates the difference between Obama and McCain. Obama calls McCain without fanfare to work together on a joint declaration of their support for a plan. McCain announces his desire to suspend campaigning to the press, then challenges Obama to follow his lead. One side wants to work together for a solution. One side want to try and score political points. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/98 "2008-09-24T20:32:21Z")
Senator Jon Kyl is as stupid as McCain and can represent Arizona in the Senate while McCain goes ahead with the debate. The people of Arizona are used to him running off to appear on talk shows rather than be on the Senate floor. I’m sure the final vote won’t be scheduled on Friday night. I hope the media rips McCain to shreds for this move. Trust me, the media wanted to have the debate as the lead story for the weekend news shows. They know the viewing audience will be much higher for “Who won the debate?” than “Talk about a financial mess that even the above average Joe doesn’t understand.” ---
**Author:** ![Lantern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d26b3c/32.png) [@Lantern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lantern)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/99 "2008-09-24T20:32:12Z")
Reid’s statement is quite shrewd and deflates McCain’s balloon considerably IMO. Obama should strike a similar note; he should be quite respectful of McCain’s proposal while firmly stating that it would inject politics into the current bailout process. Then he should propose to continue the debate on Friday while changing the topic to the financial crisis. It would be difficult for McCain to refuse. ---
**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, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/100 "2008-09-24T20:35:33Z")
> [@newcrasher](#): > > "Our country is facing one of the most serious financial crises in its history. It is true that John McCain does have extensive experience in crafting bailout plans after failing to provide adequate oversight to our financial industries. He did it for the failed S&L’s in the 80’s, and became a part of the infamous Keating 5 in the process. > > Now he wants to run to Washington to assist in the clean up of the mess he has helped make through his successful efforts to dregulate the financial industry after that spectacular failure decades ago. > > I want to make two points. > > One - Senator McCain your experience is the problem, not the solution. As a Senator you are obligated to act, but it is my fervant hope that you will have learned from your previous mistakes. > > And secondly, the Presidency is a demanding job. Other world leaders and other crises that arise will not allow you to postpone or delay your responsibilities. A President must be prepared to manage for success, not delay for time. Stalling tactics will not do on the world stage. > > I look forward to a lively debate this Friday. See you in Mississippi." That’s pretty good, but I think Obama should just say “My fellow Americans, my opponent wants us both to suspend campaigning to fly to Washington to work on the current economic crisis. I have already emailed my proposals to my colleagues at the Senate, but I’ll be glad to take a break for a few days while Grandpa Wayback kicks it old-school.” 😃 Bonus points to McCain if he appears in the Senate in a flight suit after just having landed in an F-15 that took off from the deck of an aircraft carrier anchored off the mouth of the Potomac. I think that’s the only thing missing in this whole canine-and-equestrian community theatre production McCain’s been throwing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040.md?page=6)