Originally Posted by Alex

I like McCain's move here. It elevates him and shows him to be a man of character who places Country above campaign, and simultaneously shows Obama to be a self serving partisan who places his own ambition over the needs of the country. Another brilliant move by the McCain team. Bravo.

Originally Posted by California Girl

Gee, no shit Sherlock? This ain't about an economic downturn, this is about the major banks being on the verge of collapse.... admittedly, thru' their own greed but banks collapsing is a tad more serious than an 'economic downturn'...

McCain is the one showing leadership - getting his priorities straight. No point havng debates if the country's financial institutions are about to sink. Go back to Washington and participate in solving the issue, delaying a chat for a few days is no big deal. Banks collapsing is most certainly a big deal.

Originally Posted by California Girl

Gee, no shit Sherlock? This ain't about an economic downturn, this is about the major banks being on the verge of collapse.... admittedly, thru' their own greed but banks collapsing is a tad more serious than an 'economic downturn'...

McCain is the one showing leadership - getting his priorities straight. No point havng debates if the country's financial institutions are about to sink. Go back to Washington and participate in solving the issue, delaying a chat for a few days is no big deal. Banks collapsing is most certainly a big deal.

Originally Posted by wooyarn

The way I see it is, McCain has said that the problem can not be fixed without him being there and by suspending his campaign he has taken this problem on his shoulders (not literally but in perception) and has set himself up either for a great victory or a great defeat.

If they reach a bill that solves the problem but only rewards the banks and not help the American people then he might as well stay home on Nov 4th.

On the other hand if the bill takes care of the American people and not so much the banks then he stands a much better chance in Nov.

Originally Posted by Alex

Re: the debates - I strongly disagree with you. I find these Presidential debates to be stagecraft of the highest order! Every question is scripted, every answer is rehearsed in advance, every move is planned for effect, ad nauseum. I can probably predict every answer to every question by each candidate! My preferred venue for a truly substantive debate is a town hall type of meeting - where the candidates are questioned by real people. Then there are follow up questions and the candidates have to think on their feet. This is a far better venue for getting a look at the real person. I get practically nothing from these 3 minute "stump speeches" the debates have turned into.......

Originally Posted by Traveler

I don't think there's too much difference between the two but i agree with what you said about the debates, they are choreographed for the most part and totally set up for the spouting of talking points, Rove's brilliance in the last cycle aside.

Though town halls aren't any better, even if McCain does try and make hay out of them.

Originally Posted by wooyarn

Why not just move the VP debates to Fri. and Obama & McCain can take their slot?

Originally Posted by wooyarn

Why not just move the VP debates to Fri. and Obama & McCain can take their slot?

Originally Posted by drgoodtrips

We have only where they say the stand on the issues (and partisanship, in many cases) as a guide. In terms of trying to discern what they will actually do, the more input the better. For instance, I'm skeptical that Obama will only swipe the richest few with tax hikes, and I suspect that McCain is pandering to the religious "right" only to give them the finger once in office, but neither of them will say as much on their websites. I was holding out for McCain's VP decision, which is important in my eyes, given his advanced age, and the decision he made resulted in me being less likely to vote for him. Another strong factor for me is which direction I think the Congress is going to swing, if any.



I would rather have seen a town hall meeting as well, but Obama apparently didn't want this, which is too bad. But, watching the candidates debate adversarially in some limited capacity is better than campaign commercials, websites, and partisan talking points.

Originally Posted by Alex

I too was disappointed that Obama refused to do more town hall debates. I suppose his handlers recognized his weakness speaking extemporaneously (even the Obama hagiographers admit he is pretty bad off prompter!) and put the K-bosh on it.

In the end, it doesn't really matter to me anyway, my mind is already made up. I am voting for John McCain. IMHO, the last thing we need is a Democrat POTUS and a Democrat controlled Congress. I prefer divided government - they do far less damage that way!

Originally Posted by drgoodtrips

I think that would obligate Biden to cancel them and run off to Washington singing, "Here I come to save the day!!!"

Originally Posted by chassisman

I think that a lot of posters here don't understand the situation we are in and where it could lead because they are not standing in a soup line (yet).