That's the way we (conservative) political junkies see it. Does that mean that this is the way that the independents, "moderates", Reagan Democrats and other potentially undecided voters see it? It's kind of like two swordsmen going at it: one is all crowd-pleasing flash, style and swagger, the other one is focused on the basics and has most of the "touches". To the informed judge, the flashy guy is losing, but to the crowd, Mr. Style is the winner. President Bush should have cited Obama's statement that he was not suspending his campaign and invited only McCain. But I guess that El Presidente Jorge was basking in his last moment of "relevance", and couldn't resist the temptation to look "bi-partisan".
fair point about independents. try this reaction -
1. BO now has to vote for rescue plan; cannot attack Bush-McCain for bailout.
2. Bush can sit at the Cabinet table and put BO on one side of him and McCain on the other. Bush calls in the press, makes a few inane comments, and then calls on BO, who stutters and stammers, clearly at sea and above his pay grade. Bush then calls on McCain who comments with grounded maturity and expertise.
Quite a contrast for independent voters.
For someone who is sooooo concerned about how the MSM will portray this, you seem oblivious to the fact that the same MSM would have crucified President Bush if he had tried (or seemed to try) to exclude Obama from the negotiations in DC.
And, just an aside, but the “El Presidente Jorge” crap brings your posting motivations into question for me.