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.
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
Actually, no. Obama asked to issue joint statement supporting the bailout package, not suspending the campaign.
CNN is not very clear on the matter:
I’m not sure what “the proposal” is. Obama proposing a suspension, or something else.
On edit: Sinaijon’s post is clearer.
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.
I was distracted and could have mis-heard it. Sorry for the bad info.
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.
Originally this wasn’t going to be addressed until next session. A 700 billion dollar bailout plus talk of government ownership of mortgages is something that needs to be addressed in a timely manner.
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
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.
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”.
Talking Points Memo posts Obama’s statement:
Thanks. You know, my respect for Obama goes up a notch too, even though he was asking for something else. Maybe two notches.
-XT
The Univ. of Miss. said the debate will go on as planned. Wah-fuckin’-HOO.
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.
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.
Yeah, way to pour gasoline on the fire.
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?”
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