# 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:** 8
**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, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/141 "2008-09-24T21:19:13Z")
> [@RyJae](#): > > If Obama stood up to the Democrats on the committee and said “This is the plan that will help the American people accept no less” it would be in the deal, or no deal would be reached. … and if McCain stood there and said there needed to be something completely different in the deal, would that fly? ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/142 "2008-09-24T21:19:35Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > If Obama can do that this week, he can do it next week. No way is anything gonna get settled this week anyway. The Bush Admin just [got a little too greedy with its demands.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=484776) I thought that sticking point was hammered out already. Look I could care less what they do, I could care less if they tell Paulson to shove it up his bum. I just wanted to see where they actually stood on this issue (McCain/Obama) and not just the lip service they’re getting so good at giving the people. ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/143 "2008-09-24T21:20:19Z")
Obama is _really_ good. Every time I think they’re backed into a corner, it turns out they know exactly the right thing to say. From [story on ThinkProgress re: Obama statement](http://thinkprogress.org/2008/09/24/obama-debate) > [@](#): > > Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) just gave a press conference responding to Sen. John McCain’s (R-AZ) suggestion that they both suspend their campaigns, postpone Friday’s debate in Mississippi, and return to Washington to deal with the financial crisis. Obama said that he would like to the debate to go forward as planned because “it is going to be part of the president’s job to deal with more than one thing at once”: > > “With respect to the debates, it’s my belief that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who, in approximately 40 days, will be responsible for dealing with this mess. **And I think that it is going to be part of the president’s job to deal with more than one thing at once. I think there’s no reason why we can’t be constructive in helping to solve this problem and also tell the American people what we believe and where we stand and where we want to take the country.** ” Well spoken – and well played, too. ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/144 "2008-09-24T21:21:11Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > … and if McCain stood there and said there needed to be something completely different in the deal, would that fly? Damn right, that’s what I want too see. Not just a bunch of words, but them to actually show the ability to work across party lines both so proudly spout off about. They have both said they have a plan, now it’s time to show us this plan. ---
**Author:** ![Clu-Me-In](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/145 "2008-09-24T21:22:22Z")
> [@Merkwurdigliebe](#): > > So just what exactly is John McCain going to be doing? The Democratic and Republican leadership are sitting there talking about this stuff now. Are they just going to give him a seat on the committee? Are they going to make a new group just for his benefit? > > What exactly can he do? NOTHING!! Absolutely Nothing!! No more than the Democratic majority will let him or any Republican do. Remember they were over-seeing this mess up untill 20 months ago along with a War President. He wants to look like a statesman, like he’s giving up something to do “what’s right.” I say NONSENSE!! Get out there and debate John. Let’s hear what you have to say if you were Dubya today, cos I know that question will come up in the debate. ---
**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, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/146 "2008-09-24T21:23:38Z")
> [@choie](#): > > Obama is _really_ good. Every time I think they’re backed into a corner, it turns out they know exactly the right thing to say. > > From [story on ThinkProgress re: Obama statement](http://thinkprogress.org/2008/09/24/obama-debate) > > Well spoken – and well played, too. Agreed. Obama appears to be escaping a real pickle and is turning it into making McCain look like an incompetent wuss. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/147 "2008-09-24T21:23:42Z")
> [@Merkwurdigliebe](#): > > So just what exactly is John McCain going to be doing? Schmoozing. Cajoling the various recalcitrant parties into cooperating, probably by forging a compromise. It’s what politicians do very well. At least they’re supposed to. France24 is reporting Obama as refusing to cancel the debate. I think he’s correct to do so, though I’m sure somewhere suitable in Washington could easily be found. Or put the VPs on instead. ---
**Author:** ![RyJae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9d8465/32.png) [@RyJae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RyJae)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/148 "2008-09-24T21:25:47Z")
> [@Clu-Me-In](#): > > NOTHING!! Absolutely Nothing!! No more than the Democratic majority will let him or any Republican do. Remember they were over-seeing this mess up untill 20 months ago along with a War President. > > He wants to look like a statesman, like he’s giving up something to do “what’s right.” I say NONSENSE!! > > Get out there and debate John. Let’s hear what you have to say if you were Dubya today, cos I know that question will come up in the debate. I think the debates Friday are supposed to be about foreign policy, not economics. ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/149 "2008-09-24T21:32:35Z")
> [@RyJae](#): > > I think the debates Friday are supposed to be about foreign policy, not economics. Yep. It was supposed to be about domestic issues, but then was changed. … because McCain requested it. :dubious: Got his finger on the pulse of the nation’s problems, Johnny Mac has. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/150 "2008-09-24T21:38:11Z")
> [@choie](#): > > Got his finger on the pulse of the nation’s problems, Johnny Mac has. Both candidates wanted the debate changed. [Cite.](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/us/politics/21debate.html) ---
**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, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/151 "2008-09-24T21:42:02Z")
So who does Obama think he’s going to debate on Friday? Obviously he thinks himself master of such domains. but if McCain isn’t there then it’s going to be a one man show. ---
**Author:** ![Algorithm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/algorithm/32/12204_2.png) [@Algorithm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algorithm)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/152 "2008-09-24T21:42:04Z")
> [@choie](#): > > Yep. It was supposed to be about domestic issues, but then was changed. > > … because McCain requested it. :dubious: Got his finger on the pulse of the nation’s problems, Johnny Mac has. The first debate was going to be economic/domestic and the third security/foreign policy, but _Obama_ wanted to switch the order. They’ll still debate both topics. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/153 "2008-09-24T21:43:44Z")
Damn. The statement about doing more than one thing at once is really good. I said that to my girlfriend on the phone, but forgot and didn’t post it here. Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/154 "2008-09-24T21:44:25Z")
Bravo Barack Obama. Took the wind right out of McCain’s sails, as I expected. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Parker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/35a633/32.png) [@Richard\_Parker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Parker)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/155 "2008-09-24T21:45:04Z")
> [@Algorithm](#): > > but _Obama_ wanted to switch the order. Both candidates wanted the debate changed. See above. ---
**Author:** ![Clu-Me-In](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@Clu-Me-In](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clu-Me-In)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/156 "2008-09-24T21:45:33Z")
> [@RyJae](#): > > I think the debates Friday are supposed to be about foreign policy, not economics. I don’t really give a flying leap what the debate on Friday is supposed to be about or what they agreed to, I do care that they both get on the darn podium and let someone ask them some clear questions to answer. If that someone does not ask them something about what is happening with the economy as the very first question, we should string him up on a pole and give him or her 100 lashes. ---
**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, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/157 "2008-09-24T21:45:52Z")
[QUOTE=Marley23] Damn. The statement about doing more than one thing at once is really good. I said that to my girlfriend on the phone, but forgot and didn’t post it here. Oh well. [/QUOTE] Agreed…that was a savvy come-back. But… [QUOTE=Shayna] Bravo Barack Obama. Took the wind right out of McCain’s sails, as I expected. [/QUOTE] Too funny for words… -XT ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/158 "2008-09-24T21:46:25Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > but if McCain isn’t there then it’s going to be a one man show. Yeah, Obama and an empty chair. McCain will look scared. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/47e85d/32.png) [@Captain\_Lance\_Murdoch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Lance_Murdoch)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/159 "2008-09-24T21:47:45Z")
In 2004 there were all those orange alert terrorist warnings. None of them were portents of impending attacks, but the sense of national emergency helped Bush. A new national emergency might scare people into to voting conservative again. Ok it ain’t much, but November is right around the corner and the bag of tricks is getting pretty empty. ---
**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, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040/160 "2008-09-24T21:48:03Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > So who does Obama think he’s going to debate on Friday? Obviously he thinks himself master of such domains. but if McCain isn’t there then it’s going to be a one man show. Chris Matthews called it an “empty chair debate” McCain can’t afford to give Obama a 90 minute (?) open forum in an empty chair debate with a national audience. McCain must show up with appropriate huffing about how he thought he should be in Washington instead [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mccain-suspends-campaign-asks-obama-to-do-the-same-what/465040.md?page=9)