'Underdog' McCain on bailout, VP debate

Posted: Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:06 PM by Carrie Dann
Filed Under: Kelly O'Donnell

From NBC's Carrie Dann
In an interview with NBC's Kelly O'Donnell today, McCain took a step back from blaming Obama for infusing politics into the bailout negotiations, and he previewed fellow "underdog" Palin's debate appearance later this week.

Asked if he still believes that Obama and his Democratic colleagues fueled a partisan atmosphere on the Hill as lawmakers struggled over the economic recovery bill, McCain responded that he wants to "put that aside now."

"I believe that politics has played too great a role in this. I think that Speaker Pelosi's speech was very unnecessary and inflammatory," he said, "But that's not a reason for us not to work together and come up with a solution. I think it's time now not to fix the blame but to fix the problem."

In light of much national anticipation of Thursday's vice presidential debate, as well as the recent rash of bad reviews for Palin's performance in media interviews, McCain defended his running mate's governing style and "tradition."

"The American people have taken to her in a way that I have never seen before,” he said. "Their appreciation for her is not because she has got a Ph.D. from Harvard. She doesn't. Their appreciation for her is her world view, her tradition, her adherence to good government."

McCain described Palin's handicap in her upcoming debate against Senate colleague Biden as comparable to his own challenges in facing Obama.

"I think she'll be fine," she said. "I also think that she's just like me in my debates. Got my work cut out for me. I am debating one of the most articulate people ever to come on the American scene."

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Comments

The more I hear McCain speak, the more I think he doesnt have a clue what is going on around him. I honestly think he doesnt remember what he says the day before and needs his handlers to give him note cards. He reads a statement...and the next day when asked about it, he cant seem to recall or wants to 'set it aside'.

This whole bailout failure smells of presidential politics. The bill fails, repubs try to pin it on democrats (Even tho democrats did everything the promised by delivering a majority)...and now here comes McCain with his prepared statement of thinking the can still work together. I am betting thur's session passes the bill, and the repubs will hail McCain's 'leadership', helping to distract from the fact Palin failed miserably in her debate. And she will. She is utterly useless without daddy McCain sitting there intercepting the hard questions.

DV, CA (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:28 PM)

Did he just mention something positive about Obama? Wow, that was good of you Senator.

Mia (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:28 PM)

Did anyone listen to the speech? That talking point is completely ridiculous.

tim charleston (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:28 PM)

"Their appreciation for her is her world view, her tradition, her adherence to good government."

Heh, Im suprised he could say this with a straight face.

DV, CA (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:28 PM)

For once I agress with McCain: it's time to stop playing politics and just fix the dang problem. Americans depend on you, guys 'n' gals in congress, so it's time to act like you deserve the position you hold.

Indie Woman in Denver (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:29 PM)

OMG Her world view? What view is that John, the one from her front door? Go home, my intelligence has been so assulted I'm tempted to file charges.

Leni,Michigan (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:29 PM)

Palin is an idiot who took 6 years to get a college degree..I did it in 3 years so I'm twice as smart...

Gene the Genius (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:29 PM)

I thought he was running as the strong leader type, not the weak underdog? Really, Who is John McCain?

Rlouden, Bellevue, Wash (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:30 PM)

John, how can she have a world view when she didn't have a passport, is this just by seeing planes fly by?????? And yes it will be so nice to have such an articulate president, amazing isn't he?

Pa Voter (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:30 PM)

McCain and his campaign seem to jump around first attacking Obama for the Bill not passing then saying no politics after he gets attacked. There is no logic to his style which is very concerning as to how he will govern and lead the Country.

John, Ohio (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:31 PM)

Is anyone dumb enough to believe that John Mccain is putting country first with the bailout of his well heeled buddies on wall street? Just wondering

Rick, NC (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:32 PM)

This guy is seriously the saddest man I've ever seen. Palin makes a box of rocks look like a group of rocket scientists. I was a life long Republican before this current cycle. It's so full of lies and erratic behavior on the Republican side that I will be voting Democrat for the first time in my life. Obama/Biden '08

Adam, Jacksonville FL (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:32 PM)

Let's see how far John can lower the bar for Sara. All she'll have to do is show up to the debate and the media will say "she hit it out of the park." I can't wait to see Joe Biden eat Sara Palin as a light snack.

chris, SC (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:32 PM)

Just ask yourself who has acted calm and Presidential throughout this crisis and who has run frantically from one position to another. McCain needs to learn that 26 years of experience isn't the same thing as experiencing the same thing 26 times. Go Obama.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:32 PM)

When McCain read "It's Obama's fault, and now's the time to stop blaming people," it really sounded like someone edited out a couple of paragraphs and didn't re-read it to make sure it flowed.

Opsimath44, Golden CO (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:33 PM)

McCain is making ALL the rounds this morning, announcing how un-partisan POW "Country First" he is. You know, it looks like he SURE likes to be on TV... ALOT!

Libratine (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:34 PM)

McCain does this all the time. He blames others for injecting politics and partisanship while in the same sentence, literally, injects politics and partisanship.

K Wills, Austin, Texas (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:34 PM)

I have see the YouTube debates that palin participated in. She did well.

I believe she will be well rehersed with all of McCalamity's talking points.

But a GOOD debate performance will not negate the fact that Palin in UN PREPARED TO BE VP!!!

This is REAL LIFE PEOPLE... not a beauty contest.

If you are SERIOUS, you will not cast a vote for the UNSTABLE AND UNABLE ticket od mccain /palin.

I am a woman over 50 and I know they do NOT have my, NOR our country's best interest in mind.

Be a SMART voter.

SMART voter (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:34 PM)

"Their appreciation for her is her world view, her tradition, her adherence to good government."

World view? She has one? An intelligent one? Yet to see that!
Her tradition? Like most American's can relate or even know about Alaskan life and traditions (shooting wolves from planes, individual oil rebates, an economy largely based & supported by government funding)
Adherence to good government? Troopergate, personal vendetta's, govt by intimidation, hiring unqualified friends and associates, inviting her husband to make State decisions? Give me a break! McFaustian & Pain are simply clueless.

tgriff, sea (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:35 PM)

PS. "The American people have taken to her in a way that I have never seen before,” he said. "Their appreciation for her is not because she has got a PhD from Harvard. She doesn't. Their appreciation for her is her world view, her tradition, her adherence to good government."

ps. can someone tell McCain, next week -when he wakes up, that the Palin pick is turning into a disaster for him? She created a buzz, but America doesn't appreciate the gamble. and if by good government you mean Troopergate and gifts and more of the same Ted Steven's style of governance, no I don't think so.

Clara Kansas City, MO (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:36 PM)

Old man smiles, leaves studio, then yells at cloud!

jim gr (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:37 PM)

"The American people have taken to her in a way that I have never seen before,” he said. "Their appreciation for her is not because she has got a PhD from Harvard. She doesn't. Their appreciation for her is her world view, her tradition, her adherence to good government."

------------------------------------------

If that was supposed to be a knock against Obama, you missed again. Obama doesn't have a PhD from Harvard either. His degree from Harvard Law is J.D. (Juris Doctor, also referred to as Doctor of Jurisprudence).

Pete - Albany, NY (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:37 PM)

So now McCain is backing off saying Obama and the Dems are at fault for the bailout failing?! I have never in my adult years seen such eratic behavior from someone running to be our President. He is the most frighting politician I've seen in some time. And the whole Palin thing is outrageous. She scares me more than McCain!

LM, Albuquerque, NM (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:38 PM)

John McCain will become a better senater after this. He is learning more now than he has in the 26 yrs he has been in washington.
Good for him. To bad it came too late. I really do feel sorry for Palin. She might have made a good senater herself but this has ruined her career.

renee, IN (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:40 PM)

I'd hardly call what they're doing Thursday night a debate. It's a chance to state their opinions with the opportunity for follow up.

Palin's already had her Q & A...and she failed.

http://infogiant.wordpress.com/2008/09/28/barack-obama-john-mccain-and-sarah-palin-political-youtube-viewing/

http://infogiant.wordpress.com/2008/07/17/timeline-part-i-bush-cheney-war-and-oil/

infogiant, austin, tx (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:40 PM)

They've lowered the bar so far in Palin's debate performance that all she has to do is show up. But let's not forget her nasty jabs in her convention speech and that's likely to be her focus on Thursday - instead of an intellectual exchange.

ujw, ny (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:41 PM)

Hmmmmm. . .

But I thougt EVERYTHING was OBAMA'S FAULT at all times?

Is this a strategy and/or tactic change?

Is John McCain trying to be, what's the word, PRESIDENTIAL?

Oh my.

I must say, I didn't expect that.

Those dropping poll numbers and focus groups must have said something like "BE NICE". Now if only we could get a focus group to say "STOP LYING".

Geez.

Nashville_fan (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:42 PM)

C'mon, Seriously this guy is out of control. I haven't seen politics like this since bush spoke last. These 2 are like siamese twins. Can America please pick someone worth backing? Okay so some people don't like Obama, well then vote for Nadar.

William, RSM, CA (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:42 PM)

What do we have here? A civil conversation without lies and name calling. I like it...But it won't last. It is not in their DNA.

It sure is hard to support Palin's governing style. Troopergate, Bridge to nowhere, Pipeline to nowhere, accepting $25,000 in gifts, 11,000 emails that are "sealed", shooting wolves from the air, favors to friends, retaliation to enemies.
I guess being civil is not in my DNA either.

Ron Indiana (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:42 PM)

<<"The American people have taken to her in a way that I have never seen before,” he said.>>

Yeah, it's like when I'm driving home from work and I see a car accident on the side of the road. I have to slow down and get a good peek to see exactly how awful it is.

Erik, Mechanicsburg, PA (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:43 PM)

McCain is going from one extreme to another on a number of issues. He blames everyone, except himself, then he takes it back.

He has put Palin in a position she is not qualified for. In desperation he picked an unknown and untested running mate who clearly seems in a fog on the national stage without a script or John McCain holding her hand.

George Will is right: John McCain does not have the temperament to be President.

Tom Kaye (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:44 PM)

How can she have a world view when she hasn't seen the world?

Mike F., Boston (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:44 PM)

This man flip/flops on a minute to minute basis. Niether of them are qualified,capable,or true representatives of the American people.Palin she be taken off the ticket to me it was an insult that he picked her. I am proudly going to cast my vote for OBAMA/BIDEN

S. Kilburn Colebrook Ct (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:44 PM)

Politics in the campaign was insert by McSame. He finally realized that. He is just not with it, too slow and too old. I am not in the 70s but in 60s and I do not think anybody in their 70s have the know how to do this important job. I do not want anybody in the mental or physical shape as McSame to even try to do this job, I want someone younger and with knowledge to carry on we have seen what a cowboy with little knowledge can do!

CJ Colorado (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:45 PM)

Ol' Nikita McCain going to teach Palin how to bang her shoe on the podium.

Elmer, Seattle (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:45 PM)

Don't trust the "Maverick" snake and pit bull with lipstick!!!!

Obama/Biden '08

Democratic CPA, Rochester Hills, Michigan (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:47 PM)

Underdog?! The maverick? With all that name recognition? With all that RNC money? What a crock. Old White Hair....Mr. "Straight Talk?" Express speak with big forked tongue. McCain reminds me of George Costanza: nick-nameing himself
T-Bone, going into rages, lying without even thinking about it. Yea McCain is Costanza.

bill, okla (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:47 PM)

Flattery will get him no where, at this point.
What is up with the accolades for Sen. Obama,
As insincere as they may be? And the fact that Sen.
McCain cannot admit what a mistake he has made in choosing Gov. Palin as his running mate, is MUCH worse
than Sen. Obama not admitting the success of the surge. The surge is over - McCain;s choice will directly affect us for the next 4-8 years if he is
elected (which I seriously doubt). He is gambling with the intelligence of the American voter and hoping we cannot see through this farce. Let us send as forceful of a message as Congress did yesterday.
We will NOT be manipulated by personal gain and Politics. VOTE...OBAMA/BIDEN 2008/2012

Jo Anne - Colonia, N.J. (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:48 PM)

This man and his campaign are such a joke. I don't know what he believes in anymore. I thought it was about accountability in government, but that can't be because there is troopergate that we are covering, I thought it was about country first, but that can't be because he has spent the past two weeks going back and forth and front and back with the economic situation which he said 'his leadership' would fix but it didn't, and lets not even talk about the confusion with the debate which almost wasn't. Leadership doesn't create chaos or confusion... it should create the feeling that the person in charge has got it all under control whether it is or isn't. With McCain I feel like I'm on this rollercoaster ride I can't get off. Palin, while a nice lady has thus far proven to be dumb as a brick and one day we will be referring to her statements as 'palinisms'. Having 5 children and being a hockey mom does NOT a vice president make. Having someone in your 'airspace' does not make you a foreign diplomat.

Republican hurt feelings - 1.2 trillion dollars
McCain's claim to save bailout - 700 billion dollars
Palin vs Biden on thursday night - PRICELESS

another Texan (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:48 PM)

Is this a consession? Tina in Tempe.

Faustina Espinoza, Tempe, AZ (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:48 PM)

you have to love how often mccain talks out of both sides of his mouth, "it's time to put that behind BUT..blah blah blah..."

as to having an appreciation of palin's world view, people must be appreciating her closed mindedness.

let me remind mccain in his comparison of palin's handicap to obama's handicap of what he said above, a PhD from Harvard.

it's not rocket science!!!

happy, boston, ma (Sent Tuesday, September 30, 2008 12:48 PM)

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