First thoughts: Nine days later

Chuck, NY — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:37:42 GMT

Sudden thoughts and second thoughts

I cannot help but feel McCain panicked yesterday and this act of confusion will prove to be his most costly gaffe. In all honesty, it still appears to me this morning like he gave up.

Have any of you been in a predicament like Barack has this morning? If he gets in the way of a deal, he’s screwed. If he adds superb content and suggestions, he will be lambasted for holding back. If he appears to follow McCain in any way, McCain looks more like the leader. If he had not accepted the President’s invitation to come to the WH, would he have been perceived to be ‘uppity’?

I guess the secret is to ask Barbie Palin a question 3 times or more before you get an answer. Charlie Gibson had to do it, and now Katie had to do it. (Insert joke here)

I sure hope and pray everyone is being vigilant on possible voter suppression and voting machine problems. I believe the large number of voters (based on every report of large registration drives) will cause problems. If you see or hear something, report it immediately. I can live with a loss if everyone’s vote was accurately recorded and nobody had their vote suppressed.

I had to ask myself why the WSJ-NBC poll was so close when others are not. After the election, the ‘polling community’ needs to re-think their processes, models and practices. I think some reputable firms have made adjustments, but not all.

First thoughts: Nine days later

DL, Exeter NH — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:38:21 GMT

yesterday Mccain says "no more campaigning and no debates!"

this morning he is having a press conference about the economy

wtf?!!! how many lies ...how many manipulations how many trillions does this guy have to be involved in losing us...before we say

throw these bums out!...

8 years going for a 9th

same team

same tactics

a trillion on the s&L crisis
a trillion on the Iraq war
a trillion again on the same issues from the S&L crisis

how many trillions does McCain need to be involved in losing before we throw him OUT!

First thoughts: Nine days later

Ed, Watertown MA — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:39:21 GMT

People forget that this is the 2nd time McCain has pulled this stunt in a month.

Remember suspending the campaign and convention for Hurricane Gustav? Just how many timeouts does he think he has? And why do I get the same feeling from him as I do with a panicked NFL coach who uses all his timeouts in the 3rd quarter and then when he really needs it in the final two minutes, doesn't have any.

Time for the Hail Mary.

First thoughts: Nine days later

Pat Huntington NY — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:41:10 GMT

McCain's "the sky is falling" mentality shows he's utterly unprepared to be president.

No way, no how, no debate delay!

First thoughts: Nine days later

the Pajama Pundit — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:41:22 GMT

By the way, one in four McCain-Palin voters believe she does not have the experience to be president.
*******************************************************

Add in that HORRID interview with Katie Couric and Palin's unwillingness to talk to reporters at large and McCain has one fairly large liability on his hands.

http://thepajamapundit.com/

First thoughts: Nine days later

Eric, Salinas, CA — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:42:08 GMT

Where was "Herbert Hoover" Bush the past year? This whole financial crisis is a manufactured political con job to waste more taxpayer money. The best "Flim Flam" Paulson could come up with was a $700 billion blank check with no oversight or guarantee that Wall Street wouldn't take the money and run.

It's good to see the American public waking up to the evil ways of the Wicked Witch of Alaska and the fact that she is a fraud covered in lipstick. She has no clue about what's going on and is only a self serving liar bent on elevating herself and nothing else. We don't need another "Darth" Cheney in a skirt.

Let Wall Street pull itself up by it's own Bootstraps!

Go Obama/Biden 08/12!

First thoughts: Nine days later

Pat Huntington NY — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:42:29 GMT

Oh, one more thing...the Independents polling numbers, if they are national in scope, again, miss the mark, since this is not a national election, but one based on the electoral college...it would be more helpful to have numbers from the individual battleground states, as opposed to an overall national number.

First thoughts: Nine days later

BROKE AND DISCUSTED IN FLORIDA — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:42:45 GMT

YES ! YES ! YES ! ONLY 117 DAYS UNTIL OBAMA/BIDEN TAKE OFFICE.

First thoughts: Nine days later

Mia in Miami — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:42:55 GMT

Let's be honest, the Mississippi folks are pissed that McCain has cancelled on them. They have been planning this event for over a year now. It will be just fine if Mississippi turns blue this year but I highly doubt it.

First thoughts: Nine days later

Clara Kansas City, MO — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:43:55 GMT

If the public allows this unpresidential temper tantrum by McCain to result in a NO SHOW for the debate, I will be baffled beyond belief. Rachel showed other debates that carried on during difficult times in our country.

McCain's sudden urgency (after 9 days) shows how lacking he is in intellectual capacity to process this crisis so slowly. Bush speaking last night seemed further politically expedient to underscore McCain's delayed and misplaced indignation. McCain hasn't shown up for work since April, missed the GI bill and later took credit for it, etc. Mind Boggling!

Also, someone posted yesterday that Obama hasn't shown up for two months; but I am pretty sure congress was off for five of those eight weeks and I am not aware of a single vote that Obama missed during this time frame. (I know he has missed a few; but nothing compared to the 84 I believe I read McCain missed). McCain was an absentee father, an absentee Senator, given his 'weekends off' approach an absentee candidate and there is nothing about his record that indicates he won't be an absentee president. Wake up, people, PLEASE the man is simply NOT up to the job.

McCain surrounds himself by cronies, Obama surrounds himself by Best and Brightest. Regardless of EXPERIENCE (sic, Rumsfield/Cheny) - let's go with the smart guy with pristine judgment about issues that matter to us! That's Obama!

First thoughts: Nine days later

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:44:25 GMT

>>>By the way, look for McCain today to declare victory with the Bush decision to bring together McCain and Obama at the White House and then agree to let the debates go on as planned.
==========
Sure, declare victory. Never mind the fact that it was OBAMA who extended the first olive branch. Once again McCain can't come up with an original though, so he steals Obama's idea and calls it his own. Political lesson #1 for Obama: No good deed (or gesture) goes unpunished.

SURRENDER SARAH!

Obama/Biden '08!

First thoughts: Nine days later

Eric, Salinas, CA — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:45:14 GMT

It's sickening to listen to the repugnant ones talking on MSNBC tv this morning saying that Wall Street is blameless in this financial crisis when it was their greed and utter disregard for the law that caused this. We can also blame "Herbert Hoover" McCain for a career of pushing deregulation that allowed the thieves of Wall Street to make money the dishonest way, by conning people.

Let Wall Street pull itself up by it's own Bootstraps!

Go Obama/Biden 08/12!

First thoughts: Nine days later

Seattle Sue — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:45:18 GMT

Wasn't it just a short ten days ago when McCain said the economy is fundamentally strong? Now he is right back with George W. Bush telling us that we are going down the toilet if we don't jump right in with 700 billion dollars of the taxpayers to bail these companies out. McCain sure has his finger on the problem. Not

First thoughts: Nine days later

Cindi in Louisiana — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:45:51 GMT

I am an Independent who has been for Obama from the first. I am sick and tired of the Republicanss running this country in the ground.It is beyond me why middle class, blue collar John and Jane Doe, always think that the wealthy Republican Party is the party that cares the most about them and is the most like them??? I am beginning to wish I could afford to move to Europe or Canada because it looks as if America just refuses to vote for what is actually best for them!! If you are NOT rich, voting GOP after the past eight years of hell is just plain STUPID!! Wrapping yourself in the flag and thumping your Bible will NOT pay the bills.

First thoughts: Nine days later

GDI in Michigan — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:47:48 GMT

When will Obama realize he is in trouble in Michigan.
This is going back to the primary.
A lot of people on this board threw Michigan and Florida aaway back then and now its going to cost Obama Money and time he should be elsewhere.
I dont blame Obama more the DNC and Local Dems.
But he is the one that needs to clean it up

First thoughts: Nine days later

Rick,Ky — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:48:06 GMT

As Uncle Fester rides into DC on his White Horse with guns blazing, can Anyone explain to me why Cowboy George & his cohort's in the Destruction of America, Deserve a 700 Billion dollar GOLDEN PARACHUTE?

First thoughts: Nine days later

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:48:12 GMT

FR: "Yes, he's going to get criticized for making what may look like a VERY political decision... But McCain is the head of a Republican Party that is already viewed negatively by the American people. What price would McCain pay if members of his own party ended up being responsible for killing this bailout plan?"

The problem with that logic is it assumes a false dichotomy: a choice between Republicans voting against the measure on the one hand and McCain suspending his campaign on the other.

I have a hard time believing that McCain couldn't exert whatever leverage he has over Republican Congressmen as the standard bearer of his party without pulling this suspension stunt.

All McCain would need to do, most likely, is announce support for the need to do a bailout. He could have done this without "suspending" the campaign and keeping people in Mississippi on a political hook wondering if their big event is going to happen.

McCain is looking, well, like the child described in George Will's recent column. He seems jealous of anyone else getting attention - even the current president - and will pout, shout and hold his breath until he turns blue until the attention is back on him.

First thoughts: Nine days later

squintz, philly, pa — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:48:42 GMT

I don't buy it with the independents. If they are moderates, which I imagine they are, most of them will eventually hold their noses and vote Obama/Biden over this catastrophe of a GOP ticket. Further, Palin is RAPIDLY diminishing any McCain strength with older voters in either party (I can only imagine how my grandmother reacted to seeing her in knee length skirt with her legs crossed painted within an inch of her life talking to foreign dignitaries...I would have been smacked upside my head for such behavior) and Biden provides a lot of otherwise wary moderates and disaffected GOP voters with an opening to support Obama. He's also showing a lot of respect for the President and government in general during this crisis, which I think many people find reassuring. McCain's ridiculous campaign only works when you are able to manage your people and when things generally aren't in the toilet. People slow down to look at car crashes, McCain standing up ahead in a tutu with sparklers isn't going to change that - look over here! Look at me! His campaign may be guilty of malpractice worse than Clinton's. Of course, your people reflect on you, so...

First thoughts: Nine days later

tr — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:48:45 GMT

How about some news on rick Davis? Now today it has been proven that ONCE AGAIN the McCain and his campaign are LIARS...McCain, Bush, Cheney, Davis and Gramm are the men responsible for this WHOILE MESS we are in

Can they ever tell the truth? I don't think so, he has proven over and over again that he is UNFIT to be POTUS

Davis Busted Again: McCain Aide Still An Officer At Lobbying Firm
http://www.newsweek.com/id/160713

First thoughts: Nine days later

Nj — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:48:59 GMT

McShame/Palin are a complete disaster
Anyone who supports them is crazy

He is in full distraction mode
Pastor disaster for Palin
Rick Davis LIES
McCain lies
McCain all of a sudden concerned about Senate when he has not been there since APRIL

WHERE WAS HE FOR GI BILL???

Obama is showing that he is the man. Calm and smart
McCain is just a reactionary FOOL

First thoughts: Nine days later

Gregory Peek, Birmingham, Alabama — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:49:17 GMT

Sarah Palin is Rush Limbaugh with lipstick.

First thoughts: Nine days later

Jamie, Elmwood Park, IL — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:50:25 GMT

"As for McCain's campaign suspension and proposal to postpone the debate until this bailout plan is negotiated and passed, he had no choice but to do this." Excuse me??? Just 2 days ago(Tuesday) he admitted he had not even read the written proposal. Now everything depends on him being in Washington on Friday(since he's still in N.Y. today) so he can't also handle the debate? Where's he been for almost 2 weeks? He certainly hasn't been part of the solution to this crisis, and now he has to suspend his campaign. If president, would he suspend his presidency during a crisis? This isn't showing leadership - it's showing total lack of judgment and inability to multi-task.

First thoughts: Nine days later

tr — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:50:37 GMT

Mccain has new ADS on his website....this man is a JOKE and putting POLITICS FIRST, COUNTRY LAST once again, he has done this OVER AND OVER again

This country cannot afford McCain/Palin

EIGHT IS ENOUGH

Obama/Biden 08

First thoughts: Nine days later

Rodney Hopper, Waxahachie, TX — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:51:51 GMT

Wasn't McCain a bomber pilot?

Not really the same as a fighter pilot.

Nice try though.

http://www.rodneyhopper.com

First thoughts: Nine days later

Nashville_fan — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:51:55 GMT

"McCain’s only choice: As for McCain's campaign suspension and proposal to postpone the debate until this bailout plan is negotiated and passed, he had no choice but to do this."
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
First Read,

This is complete and total bull. If John McCain can't handle a 90 minute debate and performing his duties as a U.S. Senator, then he is unfit to lead.

Is this the same John McCain who:
- Accused Barack Obama of playing basketball instead of visiting wounded troops?

- Accused Barack Obama of wanting to lose the Iraq War to win an election?

- Accused Barack Obama of wanting to teach kindergartners to have sex?

- Accused Barack Obama of being responsible for the financial crisis?

- Hasn't voted in the Senate since April and has the WORST attendance record in the entire Congress?

- Lobbied against the new GI bill, didn't show up to vote on the bill, and then TOOK CREDIT for it's passage?

And NOW he wants to be "bipartisan"? NOW he wants to take the lead? And First Read tells us he "had no choice".

That is the biggest load of chicken crap I have ever read. Ever.

First thoughts: Nine days later

Rodney Hopper, Waxahachie, TX — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:52:37 GMT

Also, can we go ahead and put NC into Toss Up, finally?

Obama is up in the latest Rasmussen.

http://www.rodneyhopper.com

First thoughts: Nine days later

Dennis, Columbus, Ohio — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:52:52 GMT

With over 60% of America wanting the debate to be conducted as scheduled how can McCain go against what the people want and still expect them to vote for him?

First thoughts: Nine days later

Candi — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:53:51 GMT

You think McCain had no choice but to take this action. You are joking right?McCain is needed like they need Palin.

First thoughts: Nine days later

Ron Indiana — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:54:54 GMT

Kudos to Rachael Maddow for bringing up the Charles Keating history lesson. I lived in Arizona at the time and it was quite accurate. It looks to me like John McCain did not learn a darn thing from that episode. The similarities between then and now are incredible.

The piece about the McCain campaign being the boss in Alaska. There is something wrong with that picture!! The McCain campaign lawyers were not the elected officials to that state government and have no business in Alaska business. It goes to show how invasive government can become to get their way.

Debates: It seems to me that it is worse not to show-up than show-up and lose the debate. The former act looks cowardly. It has to be unacceptable not to have a VP debate. One third of our Presidents did not complete their term in office. With McCain's age it could happen again. Palin needs the scrutiny of a debate. Laura Bush says she does not have adequate foreign policy experience. That is an honest statement, regardless of Palin being a "quick study."
How ugly can it be when the McCain campaign is running Alaska, and hiding their VP candidate. Then postponing debates. ENOUGH!!!ENOUGH!!!

Another McCain lie to David Letterman. He doesn't want to answer any questions...from anybody...Worse than Bob Dole. Remember him....He lost.

First thoughts: Nine days later

Class Warrior, D.C. — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:55:12 GMT

I STILL say his "let's put it on hold" thing is just as much astunt as was the choosing of Palin; "Look at me, I'm being America-First presidential!" But now he has a dilema; Does hestay in D.C. Friday night and look like he's weaseling out of the debate, or does he go to Miss. and render his "I'm too presidential for my debate" argument a joke---and possibly get creamed by Obama?
One thing you can be sure of---he'll try to get the VP debate cancelled somehow, because THAT stunt is starting to go badly for him, too.

First thoughts: Nine days later

Erik, Mechanicsburg, PA — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:56:17 GMT

McCain's quick response to every situation, and hot-headed antics, will be his doom. We saw enough of that with the Bush administration. And, quite frankly, people are sick of it.

Just say the course, Barack! You just be yourself and let McCain self-destruct like the last two weeks have shown.

First thoughts: Nine days later

Rodney Hopper, Waxahachie, TX — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:56:17 GMT

Doing the math on Mississippi and assuming Obama maintains his 95%-98% rating among blacks, given that Mississippi is around 37% black, and assuming the traditional turnout in Mississippi on election day, my estimate is that Obama only has to peel away about 30% of the white vote and will win Mississippi by about 10,000 votes.

If a bunch of white Ole Miss alums get a movement going, you could see just that happening. Maintaining Ole Miss as a widely respected institution is like a religion to people in Mississippi.

http://www.rodneyhopper.com

First thoughts: Nine days later

Lee, Jacksonville, FL — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:57:32 GMT

I have had the opportunity to work for managers who thrive on the drama of crisis. It can seem very reassuring. However, as years went by, I noticed those leaders tended to always be in crisis. Truth be told, a review of the record shows they enabled, even created, the crises they found themselves in.

McCain's affection for drama and crisis is a lifelong bent. There is no chance at we in the US will be resolving and avoiding problems--McCain will be too busy exaserbating them for his pleasure and glory.

First thoughts: Nine days later

Elaine Chicago — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:57:59 GMT

McCain needed to cancel the debate for reasons other than polls numbers....health reasons. Have you seen his left eye lately? It is droopy like he had a stroke. Then he quickly hires a $5000 per day makeup artist. Curious. Any facial ticks, imperfections, etc. are compounded in high definition. Any one seeing this eye thing in high def would immediately question his ability to survive a full term. Then the question becomes the qualifications of Caribou "I can see Russia from my house" Barbie. I worked at a bank once, can I be Secretary of the Treasury now? McCain needed a few more days for the meds to kick in to help his eye thing hence this stunt to cancel the debate.

First thoughts: Nine days later

chris, SC — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 13:58:36 GMT

" Has McCain now inserted his own risk into the campaign when you combine age and Palin's experience?"

The simple answer to that question, YES.

" By the way, one in four McCain-Palin voters believe she does not have the experience to be president."

Who are these 25%? What planet are they from?