But- postpone the debates?

[DCJenn]

What do you think? Worthy of postponing the debates? I actually was kind of looking forward to hearing more about their foreign policy AND their respective takes on the financial mess.

Do we suspend activities in the wake of crisis? You don't get to do that if you're president...

Jenn

[SuzySunshine]

Re: But- postpone the debates?

I haven't read his reasons but I say no, get on with it already. There are only 43 days left and if this really is as tight as everyone says it is some people will need all of that time to make up their mind. Don't suspend it, if anything change the topic from foreign relations to the economy.

Re: But- postpone the debates?

Seriously? They are postponing the debates? I agree -- you don't get to postpone when president.

[Rapunzel]

Re: But- postpone the debates?

I'm fine with them keeping the topic foreign relations right now.

But, I agree that suspending the debate is not the right thing to do.

The issue with the bailouts is not going to go away in the next few weeks so I'm fine with them debating economic issues in the near future.

I think foreign policy is just as important a topic as the economic situation. It's not just the United States that is seeming to fall apart. We've got some wolves at our doorstep and that needs to be addressed by both of the candidates. Particularly, I want to hear how each of them would address the growing Venezuela problem (along with the growing violence and socialism in all of South America), Iran, and a myriad of issues.

In other words, I'm fine with them temporarily dodging one issue as long as they aren't dodging the other very important issue.

[PrincessFiona]

Re: But- postpone the debates?

It was actually Obama's idea. He called McCain at 2am to discuss suspending campaigns until a bill was signed.

[Rapunzel]

Re: But- postpone the debates?

It was actually Obama's idea. He called McCain at 2am to discuss suspending campaigns until a bill was signed.

Well, I already wasn't a fan of that guy.

The election is looming - and it is certainly not going to be suspended. Therefore suspending either of their campaigns is, in my eyes, chickening out.

[Rapunzel]

Re: But- postpone the debates?

It was actually Obama's idea. He called McCain at 2am to discuss suspending campaigns until a bill was signed.

Well, no surprise, that guy is a total snake:

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar ... -comm.html

As of 3:04 pm the Obama campaign has done a complete 180 - after asking McCain to "join him" in suspending campaigning.

However a senior Obama campaign official said Obama "intends to debate."

"The debate is on," a senior Obama campaign official told ABC News.

CNN has this:

The Obama campaign said Obama called McCain at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday to ask if the Republican nominee would join him in a joint statement of "shared principles and conditions" for the proposal. It said McCain called back at 2:30 p.m. -- shortly before his New York announcement -- to agree, and "The two campaigns are currently working together on the details."

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/24/ ... index.html

What the crap is Obama trying to pull?

[DCJenn]

Re: But- postpone the debates?

What I read is that that Obama asked McCain to join him in making a joint statement. period. (See above referenced CNN quote, which I would say is a better source than a newsblog)

what is snakelike about that?

I thik much like the 9/11 joint statement, there are things that they can say and do together to make a stronger statement.

I'm not sure I see the point of the McCain campaign asking to postpone the debates OR to suspend his campaign. To me it looks like he's afraid of looking like he's out of it. AND he's already looking like he's clueless about this mess. Like I said, you don't get to say, 'oh but wait' when you're president. Chances are there are more than one item to deal w/ per day.

Besides, if EITHER of them were actually needed by the Senate, they would have already been there.

Jenn

[Rapunzel]

Re: But- postpone the debates?

Actually, now that I have a moment to think about it:

IF either or both of them is doing this because they want to act as senators (ie their current JOBS) to help with this bailout issue them I'm OK with this.

THEN it becomes a demonstration of on-the-job skills.

IF it is just to kick back and see what happens -

THEN I have a serious problem with it.

(Jenn, now that I am rereading everything I think Princess Fiona may have read it wrong along with myself ).

At this point, though, they BOTH look like clueless idiots. I haven't seen anything that makes me scream "Yeah!" yet - from anyone.

[PrincessFiona]

Re: But- postpone the debates?

Yah...I just listened to NPR and they spun it a little differently than MSNBC. Now MSNBC is waiting for Obama's statement too...but I swear that they did say earlier that Obama had called McCain at 2am. I should stick with NPR.

I thought it was kind of funny considering the 3am commercial that was out a few months ago. I wonder if he actually did call at 2am or if that was crap too? :huh: The media loves their drama!

I don't think there is anything wrong with suspending the campaign this week regardless of who suggests it. Clearly, this nations financial survival rests on coming up with the best bill possible. I hope both Obama and McCain take the rest of the week off and dedicated themselves to this. They can debate next Friday!


Kris

[Rapunzel]

Re: But- postpone the debates?

Actually, if it did happen as Princess Fiona was relating (2 am call) then Obama's actions WOULD be considered snake-like. Not amusing in the slightest.


Here is McCain's statement:

JOHN MCCAIN: America this week faces an historic crisis in our financial system. We must pass legislation to address this crisis. If we do not, credit will dry up, with devastating consequences for our economy. People will no longer be able to buy homes and their life savings will be at stake. Businesses will not have enough money to pay their employees. If we do not act, ever corner of our country will be impacted. We cannot allow this to happen.

Last Friday, I laid out my proposal and I have since discussed my priorities and concerns with the bill the Administration has put forward. Senator Obama has expressed his priorities and concerns. This morning, I met with a group of economic advisers to talk about the proposal on the table and the steps that we should take going forward. I have also spoken with members of Congress to hear their perspective.

It has become clear that no consensus has developed to support the Administrations proposal. I do not believe that the plan on the table will pass as it currently stands, and we are running out of time.

Tomorrow morning, I will suspend my campaign and return to Washington after speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative. I have spoken to Senator Obama and informed him of my decision and have asked him to join me.

I am calling on the President to convene a meeting with the leadership from both houses of Congress, including Senator Obama and myself. It is time for both parties to come together to solve this problem.

We must meet as Americans, not as Democrats or Republicans, and we must meet until this crisis is resolved. I am directing my campaign to work with the Obama campaign and the commission on presidential debates to delay Friday nights debate until we have taken action to address this crisis.

I am confident that before the markets open on Monday we can achieve consensus on legislation that will stabilize our financial markets, protect taxpayers and homeowners, and earn the confidence of the American people. All we must do to achieve this is temporarily set politics aside, and I am committed to doing so.

Following September 11th, our national leaders came together at a time of crisis. We must show that kind of patriotism now. Americans across our country lament the fact that partisan divisions in Washington have prevented us from addressing our national challenges. Now is our chance to come together to prove that Washington is once again capable of leading this country.

[Rapunzel]

Re: But- postpone the debates?

I've been searching npr.org and I'm not finding anything that varies from the CNN version.

This is going to look really bad for McCain-

Unless he somehow rallies all of Congress to go for some awesome solution. :huh: Maybe he has something up his sleeve?

[PrincessFiona]

Re: But- postpone the debates?

I doubt he has something up his sleeve...congress knows it has to act soon, so maybe he is banking on that? I think McCain will have a hard time making it look like it isn't a political stunt because he and Obama didn't come out with it together. What I'm reading is that Obama asked him to make a joint statement and instead, McCain came out with his own statement today first. :huh: I actually think that makes McCain look a little snake-like. Maybe McCain was already planning to come out with this or he and Obama disagreed on what to do?

It seems strange.

Am I wrong?

[Sheherezade]

Re: But- postpone the debates?

I'm against postponing the debates as well. I agree that they should be able to "act as senators" if they are needed, but frankly I think they'd cause more politics, rancor and trouble in the debate. This should be a non partisan effort. Why have any risk of grandstanding?

I think the smartest thing would be to switch the order of topics and have the candidates debate domestic issues on Friday; conversely, I can see the value in waiting to have the domestic debate for two weeks as scheduled. Surely, things will be different then and it would be interesting to see how they evaluate what has happened, what actions were taken and what next steps are needed.

Big help, huh? :huh:

I heard nothing on NPR about Obama calling at 2 am.....I was surprised to hear McCain's announcement this afternoon. I guess I could have missed it. I do other things besides listen to the radio, I swear!

[PrincessFiona]

Re: But- postpone the debates?

Angie,

I was listening to MSNBC while I cleaned the kitchen. Maybe I heard wrong? At first, it sounded like there was this huge 2am call...and that Obama was the first person to call....But since then (it was a couple of hours ago) It has sounded much different. Maybe I heard it wrong?