Posted on 09/25/2008 1:53:05 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
It looks like Obama has firmly declared he will be at the debate, while McCain has allowed a little wiggle room by "requesting" the debate be postponed -- and "challenging" Obama to agree.
Regardless, this "staring contest" over whether or not to debate tomorrow night, could have real political ramifications. McCain's opening salvo was shrewd and bold, but Obama's comeback was good, too ("Part of the president's job is to deal with more than one thing at once.")
Following are some thoughts on how McCain might respond to Obama's insistence on continuing with the debate:
1. McCain could still show up. If the compromise deal gets worked out in time, McCain could show up at the debate a victor, having slayed the economic dragon, and having gained the moral high ground, as well. ... Even if the deal isn't signed, McCain could still show up -- and ask to focus on the economy (though the debate is supposed to be about foreign policy).
2. McCain could skip it. McCain says he won't debate unless there is a deal. Pictures of McCain doing real work on the economy at 9 PM on a Friday night (I don't know, he and Lindsay Graham sitting around a boardroom table with a calculator??) juxtaposed with pictures of Obama at a debate might make McCain look serious (and, conversely, make Obama look political). Of course, absent those images, this could also backfire.
Don't discount the fact that skipping the debate opens McCain up to criticism that he cost Ole Miss money and prestige. But more importantly, skipping the debate might give Obama a large forum all to himself (granted, few real Americans watch debates on Friday nights -- but this would allow pundits to speculate for days that McCain blew it by not showing up ...)
3. McCain could make a last-minute arrival. Showing up just as the debate begins -- if it comes on the heels of a major bi-partisan compromise or breakthrough -- would be a dramatic entrance, indeed. This could work well, or it also might also be perceived as being too cute by half...
4. McCain could send Palin. (I mentioned this last night). Obama would be in a "no-win" situation, in my view. If he refused to debate her, that would be patronizing. But if he did debate her, he would essentially be conceding that they are at the same level. McCain could then argue that in the real world, a vice president steps in to handle political things when a leader is working on real policy ...
What are your predictions???
Palin would be a killer idea. Bill Clinton just said that McCain did the right thing.
Sorry Obama....
Interesting....
susie
Send Sarah!
Though seemingly a masterstroke, Obama could then in turn, at the last moment, insert Biden into his place to make the first debate a complete VP-candidate one. Obama would then fall back and suggest they use the original VP debate date for a rescheduled presidential debate.
I think Governor Palin needs more practice just because of the subject matter. It would be cruel to send her in unprepared.
Mac should breeze in at the last minute and kick his skinny behind. “I didn’t need any prep.”
I’m with you. When I heard this news yesterday my first thought was that he should just send Governer Palin to debate him.
Funny, Kooky Kusinich was just on Cavuto a few minutes ago and he stuck up for McCain and said they both should be there working this out and did not fault McCain at all and even used McCain’s line, it should be “all hands on deck” and that the debate could be postponed, it is no big deal. Sounds like another who doesn’t like Obambi.
He could video conference in. That would probably be best. Sort of a “I will debate you, but I will also do my duty as a public servant.” Since Obama isn’t doing that as well, it would make him look bad.
“I think Governor Palin needs more practice just because of the subject matter. It would be cruel to send her in unprepared.”
Oh, c’mon. It’s Bambi. She could field dress that mouse in thirty seconds.
Obama won’t be prepared to tackle Sarah Barracuda - I’d send her in a heartbeat, but McCain will show up. He’s the honorable guy, remember?
Sen Shelby (AL-R) is on Fox now saying that the plan of Paulson pretty much sucks and brought up the petition of the economists that say it is a bad plan. No agreement yet.
Having Sarah pinch-hit would be a big mistake. It would make McCain look like he’s afraid to debate Obama, or maybe even be seen as a sign of disrespect.
If I were McCain, I would show up, do the debate, and put Sarah in the audience, front row center. This would distract The Obama so much he wouldn’t be able to get anything out except “um, uh... uh, breathlizer... uh... um.....”
And what two things is Obambi juggling?
I agree. Besides, it just isn’t done, this is a Presidential debate, the people want the two PRESIDENTIAL candidates debating. Sending Sarah is not an option in a Presidential debate.
Great minds.....I wish. Didn’t see Rove, but I thinnk it could be a real “I won’t hold his youth against him” moment.
Obama has a great way to deal with issues.
Vote PRESENT and walk away. Some new type of multi tasking I suppose.
Kookinitch said that!!! wwoohhoooo
Oh yeah, I really want to hear from the academic elites.
They would like nothing better than to see the USA in free fall.
He’ll show up....and wipe the floor with Obama.
Now fat gayboy Franks is saying that McCain and the Repubs are undermining the Paulson plan....lolololololol.....this is great.
Shelby is not putting up with BS.
:And what two things is Obambi juggling?”
Welp, that just about nails it.
And such a great tagline, too.
Okay, with both those things weighed, you get my vote for post of the day.
McCain is trying to protect taxpayers, Sen Burr is on and says that they pretty much are adding input, but sounded like McCain is adding stuff that matters.
How about McCain just shows up at the debate, doesn't play games, and wins on the ISSUES? How about some real leadership on the issues? That's what this country needs! Not more games!
Send in Sarah ... all Barry’s careful prep goes out the window. He will be so freaked out that he won’t be able to speak coherently.
I disagree that Sarah is a flop. That is not true. But, she should not be debating Obama, even though we’d love it-—it has to be McCain, HE is the Pres. candidate. Sarah energized the party and I think can be very valuable as VP down the road, I would never say she is a flop. But she is a great conservative and the ticket needed that. She will still bring votes that McCain may not have gotten so she is no way a flop.
Damned good question. "Well, I'm uh prepping uh for the uh debate and uh I'm waiting, uh waiting for Harry to call me on the uh phone" is probably the answer.
Can I vote for the Palin scenario as well?
It would be a gutsy move and prefect proof that She has what it takes to be VP...
''Well, gee, I know Senator Obama prefers teleprompters, but I didn't really think he was scared of a girl.''
Answer: His nuts.
How about McCain shows up, but the theme of the debate gets shifted to the Economy and the bailout package. Bye bye Barry’s careful preparation...he’d have to think on his feet ...> trainwreck...
1. Keep everyone (mostly Obama) in suspense
2. Hammer out a Republican deal, make announcement tomorrow that the deal details will be announced at the debate.
3. Attend debate
4. Announce all the details, basically free market conservative gems that socialists will hate but independents and conservative voters will love.
Objectively speaking, its probably not a good idea to skip the debate outright. Independents need to hear more from McCain so he can close the deal.
Look, if Obama wants to talk while everyone else is in D.C. I say let him do it. I don’t think that image is going to go over too well with Americans.
I don’t know, but I have a hunch that McCain will attend the debate. After today and tomorrow there will be a point where he can say that the work is done, or all but done, and there is plenty of time to go ahead with the debate. He’ll thank his colleagues for “working together quickly” as what made it possible. Something like that.
Actually, that wouldn’t be bad either. Biden would be truly last-minute while Palin is prepared.
I certainly hope that the Republicans are undermining the Paulson plan. This thing needs to go away.
Two things at once? You mean like liberating Iraq while continuing to rebuild Afghanistan?
If Obama and the LSM had been claiming that "well, Palin is good, but she's not at the top of the ticket" then you'd have a point. Since Obama et al. have claimed that she's an unqualified lightweight, then he should be able to clean her clock easily. Unless, of course, he's an even-less-qualified lightweight.
That having been said, I would suggest that the right approach would be to announce that if there is a debate, Palin will be attending, and Obama/Biden can decide which of them, if either, is going to debate her.
Heckuvan observation about keeping Michelle out of sight.
Do you think we’ll be seeing her face a whole lot as we get closer to Nov. 4? Do you think we’ll be hearing the “downright mean” quote? Or the “First time I’ve been proud of America”?
We’d better.
Because America needs to imagine her as First Lady. Before they decide.
You’re right, Ramius.
McCain has to show up if the work is done.
“I’ve helped the President and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle get things moving. A great deal of credit should go to the leaders of both parties. Now, let’s get on with this debate.”
If no solution to the financial crisis, he has to video in. After having made such a dramatic move as to suspend campaigning, he simply cannot drop off the radar.
“Hey, look, I’m here in Washington between meetings on the financial crisis. Because a leader has to go where he’s needed. Even if you’re multi-tasking, you put your physical presence in the place deemed top priority. I’ve got some media weenies in the room to make sure that nobody is feeding me answers, so let’s get that out of the way and get to rumbling.”
Like that.
BTW, remember all the gnashing about Bush not going down to the Katrina site? Why is proper to phone in leadership now with, perhaps, an even bigger crisis?
Is what Sarah or John should say.
I don’t need no credit for saying it first. It’s amazing the results a leader can achieve when he doesn’t care who takes the credit.
He should say that, too.
Himself, and... Himself?
the infowarrior
Why not move up the Palin Biden debate.
That way Ole Miss doesnt lose.
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