POLITICO-Obama camp taunts: 'Unsteady...erratic' McCain 'desperately needs' debate win

Politico ^ | 9-25-08 | Ben Smith

[tcrlaf]

Obama spokesman Bill Burton just put out the traditional pre-debate memo touting McCain's strengths and downplaying expectations for his own candidate -- and openly mocked McCain's performance this week.

The memo is the most direct questioning yet from Obama's campaign of McCain's temperament, and his fitness to lead.

Burton writes:

On the economy, McCain’s words and actions over the course of the past week have illuminated his lack of expertise. He admitted he does not understand the economy -- his erratic, out-of-touch behavior this week, his failure to do anything of substance to move the agreement forward on the bailout, and his commitment to continuing Bush economic policies, demonstrate it. But there are some questions we might see answered tonight after McCain’s misadventure to Washington and the phony ‘suspension’ of his campaign. For example, will McCain finally say where he stands on the unworkable and counterproductive House Republican plan? Will he be willing to buck his own party?

The memo frames McCain as Glenn Thrush and I wrote yesterday Democrats would: As having revealed himself to be an unsteady operator, in contrast to the cool Obama, in the course of the financial crisis.

[tcrlaf]

So, they plan "Question McCain's Temperment" to hide Obam's own Rage and failure last night...

And sadly, the media is going to SWALLOW THIS WHOLE.

[Question Liberal Authority]

So they’re abandoning the McCain = Bush meme?

[God luvs America]

and the Republicans will do little to fight back....

[Maceman]

McCain 'desperately needs' debate win

Like Obama doesn't?

[RC2]

And all the while Obama says “Call me if you need me”?????? And while all the other Senators are working out a plan, he goes to the gym to play basketball???? What a guy. He is only doing this because he has no idea what to do during these times.

[redk]

“McCain ‘desperately needs’ debate win”

They both obviously need to win it. But I think the burden of giving people a reason to vote for him rests on Obama.

[yoe]

McCain is just fine and he did the right thing by going back to help out where he could. The reporters etc. making a circus out of the two candidates and if they could get a word or picture of them was pitiful. They should have been asking members of Pelosi's most ethical team of appeasers and obfuscatory folks, Reid, Frank, Dodd, Durbkin, why they insisted home loans be made with no collateral or no obvious way to pay for the loan.....Social Engineering by Bubba and Janet Reno's letter to Mortgage Loan and Banks that "discrimination" was a crime and to give all loans.

Please Call your elected NOW and insist the Community Development Act of 1995 be repealed.....that is Bill Clinton's baby...social engineering at its worst and Socialism at best.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

"People are very hungry for something new. I think they are interested in being called to be a part of something larger than the sort of small, petty, slash-and-burn politics that we have been seeing over the last several years."

-Barack Obama-

[Wilder Effect]

You are correct sir.

There is tremendous pressure on Obama tonight to look Presidential. It worked for Reagan in 1980, but destroyed Dukakis in 1988.

The more this goes on, the more I think McCain was placing more pressure on Obama by delaying and getting Hussein out of sync. Obama is the place kicker for a long Field goal in the 4th Quarter tonight.

[JFC]

Even if Obama stutters the entire time and doesn’t get a real word out.. The media will claim he is Jesus.

[wilco200]

“And all the while Obama says “Call me if you need me”??????”

McCain is known for breaking into song on occasion — bomb bomb iran, Barbra Streiand — so my recommendation to McCain is to break into song during tonight’s debate.

May I suggest an ode to Sweet Baby Barack

When youre down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name,
And you know whereever I am
Ill come running, oh yeah baby
To see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
All you have to do is call
And Ill be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Youve got a friend.

If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
And soon I will be knocking upon your door.
You just call out my name and you know where ever I am
Ill come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you got to do is call
And Ill be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Hey, aint it good to know that youve got a friend?
People can be so cold.
Theyll hurt you and desert you.
Well theyll take your soul if you let them.
Oh yeah, but dont you let them.

You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
Ill come running to see you again.
Oh babe, dont you know that,
Winter spring summer or fall,
Hey now, all youve got to do is call.
Lord, Ill be there, yes I will.
Youve got a friend.
Youve got a friend.
Aint it good to know youve got a friend.
Aint it good to know youve got a friend.
Youve got a friend.

[RED SOUTH]

uhh ... Jim... to uhhh .... answer .....uhhh.... your .. uhhh question. First .... uhhhh .....Hold on .....I’ve
almost got it .....I can’t hear myself......Uhhhh...
Jim....Russia ......could be ...uhhhhh an import allie ....

[Max7]

What is this about Obama’s “rage” during the discussion in D.C.? Or am I misunderstanding something? I am unable to find a reference to it anywhere and would like to know from what source comes this report? Can someone from this thread help me find this someplace? Thank you.

[randita]

Even if Obama stutters the entire time and doesn’t get a real word out.. The media will claim he is Jesus.

BINGO. At the very least, they'll say he just wasn't on his game because of all the distractions caused by McCain.

[Azzurri]

Well, McCain survived 5 1/2 years in a Vietnamese torture camp, and was way down in the Republican polls last fall and survived that one as well. I’ve got a lot of problems with McCain but he’s proven himself to be tough as nails before so I think he’ll probably come off the canvas and box Obama’s ears a little bit tonight.

[KriegerGeist]

I agree with what Rush said about these debates. He said that they will be nothing like Rick Warren and Saddleback where they were asked straight forward questions to answer (on whatever policy format).

These will be MSM questions to trap or gotcha McCain, but puff up Obama. If McCain smears Obama all over the place, the pundits will call it an Obama win, how bad McCain looked, performed, that they did not hear a straight answer from McCain on this or that issue, etc... Then the response by a variety Obama supporters (posing as undecided or independents) on how McCain did not convince them or that they are now trending Obama after what they saw and heard.

These debates are all an MSM opportunity to slam McCain and as many angles as possible from as many sources.

[TribalPrincess2U]

I emailed Mac and told him that Zero would try his best to get him mad
and lose his temper.

hope Mac has had time to prepare for this debate.

Zero has and he probably has an earpiece just in case.
He could never pull it off without lots of help and
the Dhims are well known for their underhandedness.

[Retired Greyhound]

Obama will say “I’m glad McCain decided to join us tonight”

to which McCain will reply “You had 10 chances to debate me in town halls and you refused”

This article reveals that Obama will try to pin the financial crisis on the Iraq War. Pretty weak.

McCain has to beat him over the head with the surge and sitting down with Mahmoud.

[mwl8787]

I understand the frustration, the lies, the outrageous bias of the MSM.

They tried to destroy Palin from the get-go: they failed.

They tried to snowball a bailout yesterday on behalf of the RATS: they failed.

They tried to derail the surge: they failed.

Ultimately, it is up to the American people. We will get the government we deserve.

Let’s just hope McCain turns in a strong debate performance. We need him to perform well. It will also help if BO stumbles without the teleprompter.

McCain must demonstrate that he has the leadership and experience to be POTUS.

[JFC]

Actually, if B.O. was the savior the media thinks he is.... shouldn’t he be leading by 20 -30 points, after all, he is up against Bush III. ;) ;)

[Archon of the East]

Yep, but as long as the McCain camp and other GOP refuse fight and partake in the name calling its going to be the impression.

[Archon of the East]

I think this is all based on Rush's report that Obama lost control of the meeting. Nobody else as far as I know has said anything to that effect.

My personal opinion is that McCain should take the approach that he will not be hasty with a decision that may or may not solve the problem and he is very reluctant to saddle the American Tax payer with a huge burden. If he just goes along with it now he looks bad....but

If ever there was a time for the people to rise and take back Government it would be now but we will just continue our slide into the ever glorious spring of Orwellian freedom.

[deputytess]

Guess what Barry? They didn’t need you and we don’t need you in the Whitehouse. McPalin in 08.

[anglian]

McCain 'desperately needs' debate win

Not sure but I don't think 'debates' have had a huge impact on voters. 4 percent swing at most is what I've read somewhere.

[MathDoc]

I've read several articles saying that McCain "flubbed" or "was wrong" on Ike facts, but as a former military officer I'm not sure how to read Eisenhower's letter other than as a resignation. Ike's writing. I have trouble imagining any reason other than as a resignation or at least as a letter that could be taken for a resignation if desired why the Supreme Allied Commander would draft a letter that says: "Our landings in the Cherbourg-Havre area have failed to gain a satisfactory foothold and I have withdrawn the troops. My decision to attack at this time and place was based on the best information available. The troops, the air and the Navy did all that bravery and devotion to duty could do. If any blame or fault attaches to the attempt it is mine alone."

I was not Army, so maybe I have misread the tone, but it looks to me like a letter of resignation that just doesn't use the word "resign". In any case, I enjoyed reading the letter and remembering the men from my youth and why I admired so many more of the adults of that generation. Eisenhower does not try to shift the blame. In contrast, he takes full responsibility in the event that the invasion fails and clearly means it. I doubt that many Americans could read that letter without thinking that McCain is a whole lot closer to Eisenhower than 0bama ever could be.