McCain's Dithering Meant to Lower Debate Expectations?

Posted by Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet at 5:31 PM on September 25, 2008.

Is there a method to the so-called maverick's madness?

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There's a new theory of why John McCain has been "suspending" his campaign to focus on the Wall Street bailout. According to Teagan Goddard's Political Wire, McCain is trying to prepare the nation for a dismal debate performance with Barack Obama -- because everybody knows who is the better debater.

Goddard writes that McCain has told the AP that Obama is expected to be a better wordsmith. Thus his focus on saving America from Wall Street means he won't be in great shape for the first great debate.

McCain told AP, "Have no doubt about the capabilities of Sen. Obama to a debate. He's very, very good. He was able to defeat Sen. Hillary Clinton, who, as we all know, is very accomplished. He was able to, with his eloquence, inspire a great number of Americans. These will be tough debates."

Sounds like the pre-debate spin is off and running.

Still, it's unclear what will be more unlikely in coming days: a real presidential debate, or a surreal bailout of the nation's greediest institutions at taxpayer expense.

Tagged as: debate, election, mccain

Steven Rosenfeld is a senior fellow at Alternet.org and co-author of What Happened in Ohio: A Documentary Record of Theft and Fraud in the 2004 Election, with Bob Fitrakis and Harvey Wasserman (The New Press, 2006).

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RE: good aticarl [Report this comment] Posted by: chuckjs on Sep 26, 2008 3:10 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] I think it is clear this morning that neither are going to happen! [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Where is the commitment of network coverage to the public good? [Report this comment] Posted by: Lauren on Sep 26, 2008 7:02 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Chuck Todd on morning Joe today said none of the networks would cover it if McCain is a no show. Can this be true? I was drooling over the opportunity for the third parties. Chuck's gate keeping is not a good political policy, it is a corrupting influence entirely. PART OF THE COVER UP in my opinion. Very SUSPICIOUS! Chuck Todd drives me right up the wall, he is constantly fixing the elections by who and what he omits off the radar screen. For example, there is NO discussion of the undecided voter and what they think. That used to be a mainstay of TV election coverage. It has completely evaporated, yet it is the thing that decides the election. Is that by chance or design? I say design and Chuck is designing it, or at least implementing the design. Don't tell me that is legal, it is not. It is political propaganda. Begin forwarded message: From: Lauren Date: September 26, 2008 5:22:31 AM PDT To: joe@msnbc.com Subject: chuck todd Reply-To: kindGSL Chuck Todd just said if McCain doesn't show up none of the networks would cover the debate. Was that bullshit? I tried to call your show to ask if he was kidding, but the switch board is incapable of patching me through to you. Lauren * PS I just called MSNBC again and hit a brick wall. I was told by the secretary they would cover it and by the news desk they would not. When I wanted to know why not, why not cover third party issues, I was shunted to an answering machine. I am very angry about this and I told them so. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] Mac Knows the Day of Wreckoning has Come for HIM! [Report this comment] Posted by: Purple Girl on Sep 26, 2008 7:06 AM Current rating: Not yet rated [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] Without Sarah Palin, WithOut Gramm, Davis et al on his campaign, Benedict McCain "Chickens have come Home to Roost' on HIS DOOR STEP! This TRAITOR Tried Before to Being Our Country Down with Economic TERRORISM! That Act of Collusion Cost US about 300 Billion ( In 1980's US Dollar value). Now He has worked as a Co conpsirator SINCE taht time To Take another Run at Bringing US Down. POW- So fucking What Benedict Arnold was a Fucking General! We let this TRAITOR walk away Scott Free the last time- this time we MUST hold him Criminally Resposnible For His Complicity! MCain shouldn't be Stepping out in front of an Audience- he should be stepping out in front of a FIRING LINE! [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] I THINK MCCAIN WOKE UP IN A SWEAT [Report this comment] Posted by: VZEQICVA on Sep 26, 2008 8:46 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] He realized that there's a difference between a serious debate (gotta know stuff) and an argument over a parking spot or a routine temper tantrum. He is clearly unable to focus and organize his thoughts. Obama's strong suit. Suspending his campaign was an attempt to impress us with his ability to prioritize and to prove how much he cares. Truth is he had nothing to do with crafting an opinion on the bailout. Throughout the campaign he has acted as though he is 'in charge'. He gets annoyed when Barak doesn't do as he's told. Age has no privilege in this race. I do believe he's scared. Has he honestly done any 'homework' on debating? I doubt it. Just gonna wing it. So the 'maverick' is behaving like a spoiled brat. I find it insulting. How is it that Obama has a small lead in most polls, why so small? Maybe they're all waiting for election day to be honest. Thanks, ANNA [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5] » RE: I THINK MCCAIN WOKE UP IN A SWEAT - I hope so. Posted by: Lauren He's going to debate Obama tonight...** [Report this comment] Posted by: Quannah on Sep 26, 2008 9:45 AM Current rating: 5 [1 = poor; 5 = excellent] get ready to read the obituaries tomorrow for the McStain campaign. [« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

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» RE: I THINK MCCAIN WOKE UP IN A SWEAT - I hope so. Posted by: Lauren