# Obama temporarily leaving the campaign trail **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [October 21, 2008, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834 "2008-10-21T01:41:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/1 "2008-10-21T01:41:40Z")
…to be with his seriously ill grandmother. > [@](#): > > [Obama Leaving Campaign Trail To Be With His Sick Grandmother](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/20/obama-leaving-campaign-tr_n_136373.html) > > WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is canceling nearly all his campaign events Thursday and Friday to fly to Hawaii to visit his suddenly gravely ill 85-year-old grandmother, his communications director said. > > Robert Gibbs told reporters aboard Obama’s plane that Obama’s grandmother, Madelyn Payne Dunham, who helped raise him, was released from the hospital late last week. But he said her health had deteriorated “to the point where her situation is very serious.” At least he’s doing it for a very good reason, and not for political grandstanding. I think this will help him (at least among grandmothers). The more people learn about his background, the better. ETA, the debate is, will this help or hurt him? ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/2 "2008-10-21T01:46:59Z")
Well, what else is he gonna do? I would have been more impressed if he hadn’t announced it ahead of time, though. I hope she makes it until at least Nov. 5th-- if he wins. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/3 "2008-10-21T01:50:51Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > …to be with his seriously ill grandmother. > > At least he’s doing it for a very good reason, and not for political grandstanding. > > I think this will help him (at least among grandmothers). The more people learn about his background, the better. > > ETA, the debate is, will this help or hurt him? I’m disturbed that this question is even being asked. ---
**Author:** ![MEBuckner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mebuckner/32/2896_2.png) [@MEBuckner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MEBuckner)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/4 "2008-10-21T01:51:18Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > I would have been more impressed if he hadn’t announced it ahead of time, though. Well, he’s cancelling a bunch of events, which is going to leave a lot of people in the lurch, so I don’t think he had much choice but to let everyone know at least a couple of days in advance. > [@](#): > > I hope she makes it until at least Nov. 5th-- if he wins. Yeah, me too. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/5 "2008-10-21T01:54:34Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > I’m disturbed that this question is even being asked. I didn’t make it clear, the question was somewhat asked in the linked article: > [@](#): > > It [the decision] could be a momentous one in his bid for the White House against Republican John McCain, with Election Day just two weeks away on Nov. 4. I was wondering if others thought that way. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/6 "2008-10-21T01:54:36Z")
I hope she hangs on long enough to attend his inaugural. ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/7 "2008-10-21T01:54:41Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > I’m disturbed that this question is even being asked. It what sense? ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/8 "2008-10-21T01:56:29Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > I hope she makes it until at least Nov. 5th-- if he wins. > [@BrainGlutton](#): > > I hope she hangs on long enough to attend his inaugural. Well, _I_ hope she lives to see his second term… ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/9 "2008-10-21T01:57:56Z")
> [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](#): > > I’m disturbed that this question is even being asked. It’s only because of McCain’s “suspension” of his campaign that anyone would even think to ask it. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/10 "2008-10-21T02:00:20Z")
I can’t see anyone being enough of a dick to criticize him suspending his campaign over this, unless somebody wants to lambast him over not flying down immediately; if he did that, they’d slam him for leaving events with no main speaker. Then again, he is running against John McCain, so anything could happen. ---
**Author:** ![Indistinguishable](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/90ced4/32.png) [@Indistinguishable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indistinguishable)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/11 "2008-10-21T02:03:33Z")
Surely, McCain is smart enough (and I do mean “smart enough”, not “possessed of enough integrity”) to avoid touching upon this as any kind of campaign issue (i.e., in any but a perfunctory “I wish her well and our prayers are with her and her family at this unfortunate time” way). He’d be thoroughly lambasted if he tried anything else… ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/12 "2008-10-21T02:05:00Z")
> [@ParentalAdvisory](#): > > It what sense? Some things should just remain private and be accepted. To discuss the political implications of visiting a dying loved one is just plain crass to me. It just invites silly inferences. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/13 "2008-10-21T02:11:19Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > ETA, the debate is, will this help or hurt him? Neither, and I agree there’s no real argument here. It’s not going to move the needle significantly and it’s nowhere near big enough to change the eventual outcome, which has been clear for weeks. Best wishes to his family at a painful time. ---
**Author:** ![atomicbadgerrace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/8e7dd6/32.png) [@atomicbadgerrace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/atomicbadgerrace)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/14 "2008-10-21T02:12:52Z")
> [@Equipoise](#): > > I was wondering if others thought that way. Not only do I disagree, but I was thoroughly 😕 when I read that in the CNN article. For christ sake, the woman who raised him is (for lack of a better descriptor) on her death bed. I don’t see this as being something that helps or hurts his campaign – it’s just something that he needs to do, and I certainly hope that most people see it that way. It _shouldn’t be_ something that helps or hurts him, it’s just something that _is_. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/15 "2008-10-21T02:16:03Z")
> [@Indistinguishable](#): > > Surely, McCain is smart enough (and I do mean “smart enough”, not “possessed of enough integrity”) to avoid touching upon this as any kind of campaign issue (i.e., in any but a perfunctory “I wish her well and our prayers are with her and her family at this unfortunate time” way). He’d be thoroughly lambasted if he tried anything else… McCain would not be so crass. I think he’s a bad person, but I don’t think he’s an idiot. If anybody is going to be stupid enough to try to make political hay over this, it’s Palin. And I don’t even think she’s that stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Frostillicus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Frostillicus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frostillicus)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/16 "2008-10-21T02:36:20Z")
This news sucks on several levels. Obama is Obama’s greatest asset on the campaign trial, so for him to miss a couple of days at this point has to hurt. Also, it would be terrible for him to lose his grandmother right before the election. OTOH, some mouth-breathers are going to be shocked when they see what color his grandmother is. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/17 "2008-10-21T02:43:09Z")
To use this, the other campaign doesn’t need to refer to it. Rather, they can take this as an opportunity to increase the volume of their own message without Obama himself being able to answer it at rallies or on the news. -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/18 "2008-10-21T02:43:31Z")
It seems to me fairly obvious that she was sent home from the hospital with hospice care, i.e., sent home to die in her own home. I assumed Senator Obama was told to come to her sooner rather than later, because it was unsure how long she would last. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/19 "2008-10-21T02:45:24Z")
Not much effect, I think. His personal appearances aren’t that important anymore, they were much more important before people had a chance to figure out who he was. Now, I figure the greatest portion of that is over, and the deciding part doesn’t require more of the same input, he’s not likely to drop a game-changer bomb when he’s winning. And the McCainanites can’t get too agressive, one, it wouldn’t look good, and two, they don’t have the money. The clock runs, nothing changes much, good for Obama. Much bigger risk in not going, being seen as cravenly ambitious, callously ignoring his dying granny. ---
**Author:** ![Mumio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@Mumio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mumio)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2008, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834/20 "2008-10-21T03:51:08Z")
Obama going to his dying grandmother’s bed will only be seen in a positive light by most–after all, isn’t that what most of us would also do in the same situation? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-temporarily-leaving-the-campaign-trail/468834.md?page=2)