Cynicism Watch
| Wed Sep. 24, 2008 3:52 PM PDT
CYNICISM WATCH....A couple of hours ago I suggested that maybe John McCain would try to postpone the first debate to October 2nd because that would then eliminate the vice presidential debate. (So sad....) I thought I was just being hackishly cynical when I said that, but no: according to CNN, that's exactly what McCain is proposing. The VP debate would then be "rescheduled." (Perhaps to November 5th, joked Dana Milbank.)
My lesson for the day: No matter how hackishly cynical you think you are, you're no match for the hackish cynicism of the McCain campaign.
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Comments
McCain's move may be in whole or in part a political gambit, but it has nothing to do with Palin. It is probably a winner for McCain because what will finally penetrate is that McCain was a man of action while Obama was a man of words.
If this doesn't work, then next week, Cindy McCain will buy every American a shiny new bicycle.
If that doesn't work, John McCain will spend seven days in a small cage, just to remind people.
If that doesn't work, Sarah Palin will leading a daring nighttime seaplane/snowmobile raid on the Russian mainland.
If that doesn't work, Meghan McCain will do a photo shoot for Maxim.
If that doesn't work, Mike Murphy will have Steve Schmidt and Rick Davis "disappeared," and take over the campaign again.
If that doesn't work, Barack Obama will be the next president.
"McCain's move may be in whole or in part a political gambit, but it has nothing to do with Palin. It is probably a winner for McCain because what will finally penetrate is that McCain was a man of action while Obama was a man of words."
I'm just speechless. This has to be parody.
Submitted by Independent Perspective (not verified) on Wed Sep. 24, 2008 4:22 PM PDT.
Bushie to speak to the nation at 9:00 pm (Bush was hidding too, till folks wanted to know WHY?)
Orrin Hatch - the ugliest partisan in congress sez... "McCain is coming in" - damn the debates and it's all Clinton's fault too.
It is only normal that McCain run away at a time like this. If Repugs couldn't lie, WTF else would they do?
ckelly >"...You gotta be more careful."
Maybe Kevin should ask for some remumeraton from the McLameo campaign for his ideas they are "borrowing".
Big Shout Out to the Camp McLameo folks that are "harvesting" here BTW. How do you like being so dizzy ?
"...Such banal striving is most prodigally on display in the United States, where superficiality amounts to a national disease." H. L. Mencken
Brian has been ever so busy today. Did he get a raise?
It is probably a winner for McCain because what will finally penetrate is that McCain was a man of action while Obama was a man of words.
It depends what you mean by what will penetrate by man of action.
Submitted by fumphis (not verified) on Wed Sep. 24, 2008 4:28 PM PDT.
This is more expectations management. McCain campaign appears to try as hard as it can to minimize debate time, while meanwhile honing both candidates' skills. Then when the MSM and Obama "pressure" them into debating, and start looking forward to bloodshed because they think McCain and Palin really don't want to debate, John and Sarah will easily exceed expectations, which by then will have sunk lower than a Louisiana levee.
Submitted by Independent Perspective (not verified) on Wed Sep. 24, 2008 4:31 PM PDT.
A poll from Hardball sez:
31% think we need a bailout, 36% think Bush is simply lying about the bailout. 28% don't know what is going on.
Bush's last big money grap LIE for his campaign contributors who gambled badly during Bushies reign and now want reimbursement from this taxpayer looting operation that Bush has been for the last 8 years.
Submitted by Independent Perspective (not verified) on Wed Sep. 24, 2008 4:35 PM PDT.
It's official now, McCain won't show up at the debate UNLESS there is a decision on the bailout.
KEVIN:
Check McCain's Senate committee memberships. They are the Armed Forces Comm., the Indian Affairs Comm., and the Commerce, Science and Transportation Comm.
HE IS NOT ON ANY TYPE OF BANKING COMMITTEE OR FINANCE COMMITTEE. Thus he has no role in DC at this time as the BAIL-OUT issue is in the appropriate committee where it is being discussed.
McCain will have no role until the final bill comes out of committee to the Senate floor for vote. Then, he will have a role. He can vote.
This was a ploy to delay the VP debate because Sarah is not prepared. Gees. Who knew?
What you mean, mean liberals are forgetting is that Senator McCain has to have a nap before his debate.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122204781847961747.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
He doesn't have time to solve this financial crisis, remind us of his time in 'Nam and work in the nap this Friday, so something had to give.
Guys, your man Obama just blinked. He agreed to join McCain in meeting with President Bush tomorrow. McCain calls for the meeting, Obama disagrees, and now Obama agrees. This may be all or mostly politics, but at this point, advantage McCain and none of you guys could even see Obama's acquiescence coming.
The wheels have come off the McCain campaign bus and they're now trying the "throw everything up on the wall and see what sticks" strategy.
McCain's been struggling to find a way to respond to this crisis primarily because none of the Republican responses work (because this is the fault of their ideology). And when you don't have anything, and have to run from your record, you get what we're seeing now.
Obama needs to stick to his guns and make it clear that McCain is ducking a fight (that'll cut into his "hero" image), stalling for time (wimp) and simply not ready to be President (experience).
I expect a 5% point bounce for Obama if he keeps playing this right.
jcricket,
You are behind the news. Obama just agreed to what McCain proposed and what Obama said a few hours ago was unnecessary - a meeting with the president. No one will worry about the timing of the debate when the news focus is on the bailout discussion in Washington, where McCain has taken the lead.
The brilliance of this as a campaign tactic is that it changes the dynamic on the economy issue. It had been a gift to Obama that he was just taking in. Now, the dynamic is on McCain rushing to the rescue in Washington and Obama saying call me if you think I can help.
Below is the joint statement. Not sure why McCain agreed to it. I suppose to innoculate himself against criticism by Obama and, I suppose, as long as Obama is agreeing with McCain on the economy, it dissipates any advantage to Obama on the issue.
JOINT STATEMENT OF SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN AND SENATOR BARACK OBAMA
For Immediate Release
Contact: Press Office
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
ARLINGTON, VA -- Today, U.S. Senators John McCain and Barack Obama issued the following statement:
"The American people are facing a moment of economic crisis. No matter how this began, we all have a responsibility to work through it and restore confidence in our economy. The jobs, savings, and prosperity of the American people are at stake.
"Now is a time to come together -- Democrats and Republicans -- in a spirit of cooperation for the sake of the American people. The plan that has been submitted to Congress by the Bush Administration is flawed, but the effort to protect the American economy must not fail.
"This is a time to rise above politics for the good of the country. We cannot risk an economic catastrophe. Now is our chance to come together to prove that Washington is once again capable of leading this country."
Submitted by Carl Nyberg (not verified) on Wed Sep. 24, 2008 6:30 PM PDT.
Will the establishment media hold McCain accountable for this scam?
Submitted by Mutant Poodle (not verified) on Wed Sep. 24, 2008 6:54 PM PDT.
You fell victim to the (Harry) Golden Rule of comedy, as relayed by Calvin Trillin in the foreword to Uncivil Liberties.
In modern American society, anyone who attempts to write satirically about the events of the day finds it difficult to concoct a situation so bizarre that it may not actually come to pass while his article is still on the presses.The rule is named after Harry Golden because in the late fifties, when he realized that the white people in the part of North Carolina he lived seemed to mind sitting down with black people but not standing up with them, he suggested that schools be integrated through the simple device of removing the chairs. As I remember, he called his scheme the Harry Golden Plan for Vertical Integration.
Not long after he proposed it, some libraries in the state were ordered by a federal court to desegregate, and they responded by removing their chairs.
More proof that McCain has jumped several sharks.
So you agree that this all or mostly politics, then couch McCain's tactics in terms of a Tennis metaphor. So this is all a game to you? The failing economy a game to be played? McCain's theatrics in such a dire time makes you want to support this man for president? Ridiculous.
Way I hear it, Bush "ordered" the two of them back to Washington for a meeting tomorrow. I wouldn''t be surprised to hear McCain put the prez up to it, just begging Bush to get him out of the hole he dug with his earlier announcement.
Kevin,
First you suggested (sarcasticly of course) that Palin's close to Russia, that's her foreign policy experience...and then it became a talking point for McCain's campaign within a matter of hours. And now this.
You've gotta stop giving them ideas! No more sarcasm from you :)
Can someone please take the kool aid away from Brian. McCain is a man of action? I guess it depends on what kind of "action" you want from a leader. If you prefer, shoot from the hip, cowboy politics then McCain is your guy, evidenced by his performance last week. But if you want steady, measured, level-headed judgment after getting all the facts, then in my mind, Obama has demonstrated that he possess those qualities.
I have a slightly different take on this, but one that is somewhat consistent with Kevin's take:
The poll numbers I have seen that are public (and some that are private, but may be unreliable) show something startling. Obama's lead nationally is growing, but he is in real danger of losing in the electoral college.
In fact, if my Repug friend is correct (he some times is, but not always) Obama could win by as much as 8 points and actually get blown out in the EC -- yes, blown out.
If the McCain campaign is reacting to the same numbers then there is only one course of action: milk the clock. And for God's sake don't lose the vote among white women who are lining up to support Palin. If Palin opens her mouth too much, these same voters will be too embarrassed to support the ticket. They may not vote for Obama, but they will certainly sit out the election.
All this is based on the fact that my friend is counting on McCain winning PA, IA, MI and possibly WI or NH -- while losing the popular vote by a wide margin.
For the past two weeks he has been giddy thinking this one's in the bag -- and yet knowing that an election that goes this way will tear the country apart -- even more than it already is.
But as he says (and I agree): no one will care, because the core of Obama's support (young people) will not vote and will not care once this is over.
You know, this is the most entertaining election of my lifetime. And you just know it's going to get even more fun.
I'm seeing signs everywhere of a big sea change. We are all losing patience with the posers and the wannabes. We are tired of being talked to like we are children who can't understand concepts beyond "liberals are BAD". We've seen all the tricks of the right a million times before, only now, there's no substance or talent behind them. All that's left is the tricks.
Dicksknee:
You make a valid point that McCain could lose the popular vote (but probably not by 8 points) and still have a good chance to win the election. Pennsylvania with 21 electoral votes is probably the key. Michigan with 17 electoral votes also could be key.
The rassmussen site gives an easy to understand analysis of the current electoral college landscape.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/election_20082/2...
Basically, Obama has 7 (Iowa) of the 17 votes he needs to flip from 2004 in order to win. McCain has nudged New Hampshire (which decided the 2000 election for Bush) to toss us. Obama has shots at Virginia (13), Colorado (9), Nevada (5), and New Mexico (5). I think he likely gets New Mexico, but loses New Hampshire. If so, he needs Colorado or Virginia to win.
Of course, Obama is only plus 3 in Pa (21), and he likely is dead without Pa. Biden hurt him with the "no coal plants" line yesterday. Michigan is a hard state to poll and Obama polls up a few points, but still could lose there as well.
a) Wouldn't this sort of breathless crisis response unsettle the markets and lower consumer confidence (if anyone believed in it)? Aren't we being stampeded into accepting this bailout to keep from unsettling markets and scaring consumers?
b) Does McCain plan to pay for those ads he says he's not running? If not, how does stiffing the media (and shutting out that big media buy Obama is supposed to be making) help the economy? Mississippi needs all the cash infusions it can get.
c) What about the $5 million dollars they have spent in Oxford, Miss., getting ready for the debate and expecting an influx of media expense account dollars?
Submitted by Matt McIrvin (not verified) on Wed Sep. 24, 2008 9:15 PM PDT.
All this is based on the fact that my friend is counting on McCain winning PA, IA, MI and possibly WI or NH -- while losing the popular vote by a wide margin.
If your friend really thinks McCain is poised to win Iowa, I'd say he's driven by wishful thinking. There was a poll there that had them tied at the absolute height of the Palin-mania bounce, but now it's back to a solid Obama lead, just like it was through the summer. Barring a massive shift in McCain's direction, Iowa's a blue state this time around.
Judging from electoral-vote.com's state graphs, in most of those states you mentioned, the general pattern seems to be that undecideds are choosing sides but Obama's narrow lead is holding steady. The only one on that list where I think McCain might actually be leading is New Hampshire (3 EV).
There could be a 2000-style split if it's really close, but I don't see the potential for a blowout popular/EV split. One thing that creates the illusion of opposed trends is just that, because state data doesn't come in instantly, aggregates of state polls have a time lag built in relative to the national trackers. Obama supporters took comfort in the state aggregates during the Palin bounce, but of course that source of comfort went away a week later. Now the lag is working the other way.
The one I really can't figure out is MN. The polls there are all over the place.
Submitted by Matt McIrvin (not verified) on Wed Sep. 24, 2008 9:17 PM PDT.
Correction, NH has 4 electoral votes.
"...The brilliance of this as a campaign tactic is that it changes the dynamic on the economy issue. It had been a gift to Obama that he was just taking in. Now, the dynamic is on McCain rushing to the rescue in Washington and Obama saying call me if you think I can help."
Posted by: Brian
McCain "rushing to the rescue?" Are you serious? That might have been plausible in the distant past, except that the McCain of the here and now is already so damaged that it just makes him look like a pompous grandstander who's grasping to avoid the debate.
Submitted by zrants (not verified) on Thu Sep. 25, 2008 1:30 AM PDT.
Be careful what you hope for in this play-by-play shoot from-the-hip campaign with no rules. It's a little suspicious when all of a sudden both parties agree the sky is falling and the FBI is investigating Wall Street CEOs. Takes the spotlight off Congress and the Administration who got us into this deregulated mess.
The solution to all this debate controversy is simple. Let the person who is a heart beat away from the presidency stand in for McCain. That is Palin's job isn't it? It would be very interesting to see Obama and Palin exchanging ideas.
Debates are a circus for people who are too lazy to research positions. Having a glib tongue and lightning reflexes is small qualification for the presidency. I'd rather have a thoughtful, reflective president than a gunslinger who's quick on the draw.
JFK won over Nixon in that famous debate because he was a girlie-man who wore makeup which the more manly Nixon refused. Palin would win handily over Biden on the basis of her looks.
Submitted by Daryl McCullough (not verified) on Thu Sep. 25, 2008 9:37 AM PDT.
I've got nothing of interest to add, but I want to say Hi to Matt McIrvin. (We go way back to the days before blogs, when people did their online jawboning on USENET).
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