CNN

John McCain will do anything he can to get the upper hand, and he knows that he cannot win this election.

Jack–
He sure is. I don't know whether his motive is to avoid his own debate, put off Palin's debate or both. He definitely has an agenda–and it's not solving the financial crisis.

Troy, Ohio

Absolutely a political stunt. Shame on Mr. McCain.

We are to believe that he is rushing back to Washington to fly in and resolve this all on his own... This is about trying to change the news cycle for a floundering campaign.

Oh yea, while he was rushing, he was getting made up for an interview with CBS news in New York. He lied to David Letterman and will continue to lie to us.

Absolutely he is! Charging in on his "black" horse to save the day when he and his deregulatory team are in part responsible for this mess we are in. And what does he think he could do except vote! This was a ploy because he is not ready to debate and is not qualified any longer to be president of the U.S. His time was 2000 and he can thank Bush for ruining it for him. Just look at how this campaign has aged him and shutter to think he would win and Palin could be president! If that doesn't get your attention nothing will. Gasp!

Knoxville, TN

Sad to say we all know he is and this just, just may of been his biggest mistake yet.
Paul
Round Rock, Texas

John McCain and Palin need to get a tent for the circus they are both running. They are making themselves into total jokes, constantly telling lies, feign knowledge that they do not have, and showing the world how fake they are!

Jack, you're my hero. I knew you were going to ask this question.

The answer is, of course he is! Even if he was coming back to help rally Republican support for this bill, as Schieffer apparently reported today, there was no need for him to "suspend" his campaign. Of course, he didn't really suspend it, did he? He did the Couric interview, he went to the Clinton Global Initiative today, and his ads are still running and his surrogates are still running their mouths. This whole thing was a ploy to either delay his debating Obama or delay or suspend the VP debate. Lots of people are voting early and McCain knows that the longer he stays in, the more he'll dive in the polls. He's counting on those early votes from people who don't yet realize what a farce he and Palin are.

YES HE IS!!! He sees the polls and the fact that voters are tried of the photo-op ony Palin. His campaign is based completely on mocking Obama and provided no ideas. Now that Obama is showing just how tough he is McCain has no choice but to try another stunt.

Kirven
Rancho Cordova, CA

Yes McCain is. And unfortunately Obama is not. The Democrats are willing to come together in a bipartisan fashion. They will work together with Republicans to fix the economy that Republicans have controlled. Republicans have pushed for deregulation at any chance, and passed major tax cuts during war time. Republicans have turned the printing presses on full speed and watered down the value of our dollar. But, Democrats want to work together, I say we milk this thing for all it's political juices and bail out essential companies as we see fit.

Jack–not only is he playing politics, he is also playing an avoidance game. I believe he really does not want to face Obama in the debate until he feel he is in a stronger position in the polls. The whole Republican campaign has been a game of avoidance, silence, and minimizing chances for scrutiny. ever since Sarah Palin was nominated as the Republican nominee for Vice President

Yes! Identical to the Bush regime.

Jack
Of course McCain is playing politics, he is behind in the poles, he is in trouble with his VP pick because she is dodging the press at every opportunity. He has no other way to go.

Absolutely. He's stated he knows little about the economy and heading off like Mighty Mouse to save the day is just absurd. It's also noteworthy that he "suspended" the campaign, then went to New York and gave what was, essentially, a campaign speech this morning, THEN went to Washington, turning up after the plan had already been hatched.

Absolutely! The sad fact is that it's so transparent. He has allowed his campaign and his reputation to become a joke. McCain lost the election yesterday because of this stunt.

Let's see...he suspended his campaign on Wednesday to return to Washington, but has not made it there yet. He was in New York all day Wednesday and was still there at mid-day today. It's just as well. Too many cooks spoil the broth, especially when one has admitted that he doesn't know how to cook.

There is no doubt in my mind that McCain is playing politics with the financial crisis and it will surely backfire on him. He is looking less and less "presidential" as time goes on.

Good Afternoon,

I have a concern, I heard that early voting started Monday. I want to know when is the media planning to broadcast those results? Or are those result to be kept secret and unaccounted for?

It doesn't appear that would be the case any longer. Since they have reached a deal on the bailout plan, which was his excuse for not attending the debate on 9/26, that excuse does not appear to be valid any longer. I expect he will be at the debate on 9/26 as scheduled and I expect that the Palin/Biden debate will occur as scheduled.

yes he is. iwont to know why cnn is not covering palin witchhunter video like they coverd obama's church video,cnn is showing byis to palin MSNBC is covering it why not cnn

Let's just remember that this is politics and when a politician senses that he is losing ground, he/she will do anything to stop the bleeding. The fact is that Mrs. Palin is not ready to debate. She knows this and the campaign is aware of this fact. This whole drama is being done to delay or more importantly keep her from having a debate. Just this morning, the drama unfolded. Senator Lindsey Graham suggested that the presidential debate be delayed for tomorrow night and instead be in place of the vice-presidential debate scheduled for next Thursday. This is what this whole thing is about folks. Palin isn’t ready to debate and it is scaring the crap out of the campaign. It looks like the Democrats and surprisingly the Republicans have agreed to a deal and will vote tonight. Very smart. Now John will have to go through with his debate and finally we will see if Palin is up to the task next week in an unscripted debate. But then again, we have several days between now and then to come up with another “drama” don’t we?

Remember how Jimmy Carter was frozen by the hostage taking in Iran. Do we want that again from McCain. I'll bet President Bush is still working on other things like Iraq. If Bush can multitask (I'm not talking about the quality of his work, that's another story) why can't McCain? I wonder how he will try to get out of the other two debates (perhaps he can send Palin).

Jack,
Absolutely. This is pure political posturing. Last week when all this started he was stamping his feet, truning red in the face and firing people he had no jurisdiction over. NOT the image of a leader during a crisis. This week he has decided to look more Presidential and cancel his campaigning and the debate. It still does not work. Both times Obama has come off more calm, cool, collected and Presidential. They do not call the man "No Drama Obama" for nothing.

He sure is! He played politics when he picked Sarah Palin whom he hardly knew, but knew it would liven up his campaign. He is playing politics now and he will probably take credit for whatever it is that they fix, if anything. Next thing you know the election will be postponed!

Let's see. The Republicans have gotten us into a war we should never have gotten into, destroyed our image around the world, and now destroyed the American economy. Who in their right mind would vote for a Republican on November 4? So the only solution for John McCain is to pretend that he actually cares about the economy and act like he has some worthwhile role to play in Congress. The problem with his his act is that we can see right through it and it isn't going to work this time. The Republicans always try to scare the electorate into voting for them, but I think we might have wised up this time.

Is Caribou Barbie a moose hunter?

Of course McSame is playing politics in an attempt to salvage his sinking campaign. Pulling one stunt and gimmick after another is most definitely NOT the type of change we need.

One of the changes we do need is for voters to get past the circus stunts and see where he stands on the issues. When they do, it's GAME OVER for Bush 44.

Absolutely! He threw a hail mary and this tine the press, The Obama campaign, and the american people intercepted his crap.

What happened to the old John McCain?

Of course he is! His solution to the problem was to fire Cox- which the pres. cannot do! So essentially he had no solution. If he fails to show for tomorrows debate, they should put a M.I.A. sign at his seat. In todays world the economy is so intertwined with everything else, that he realizes he will have a poor showing.

Absolutely Jack. He admits he hasn't even read the proposal, he hasn't been involved in any vote in six months, and no one in Congress or the Fed has heard from him on this issue. Do the math Jack, he is treating this crisis as one large photo-op. Maybe the McCain of 2000 would have shown some real leadership, but clearly this one hasn't got a clue.

NO, he is doing his job and it is about time a Senator running for President get paid to vote on an issue are help write a bill instead of fly around this country ignoring their constitutes and getting paid for it.

Howard
Joshua Tree, Ca

jack, I got two words for you - McChicken.

Absolutely. Here is a guy who admits he is poor on Economic knowlege. He also was part of the Savings and Loan Crises in 1987. To attempt to take credit for any solution that is arrived at is the grossest example of hypocracy.

His "suspended" campaign has included interviews with Couric, speech to Clinton Global Initiative, photo ops galore, his surrogates on all the TV shows, and Palin at Ground Zero and at a rally in PA.

No, not at all political.

Is a bean GREEN ! Sure he is , now that a compromise has been formed what now ??

So we have a bail out – for who? Certainly not for me – when I retire I won't have a golden parachute. We let the White House and Congress get over on us again. We should have converged onWashington DC and stopped the bail out plan. How pathetic watching Mr. Bush last night -its only taken him 7 1/2 years to realize we have an economic problem, that he created from the surplus left to him from the Clinton Administration. How much money is Jeb, Neil and the rest of Bush family managing to get out of this bail out? The times they are a changing and better be to the Democrats in November! Thank you for letting me vent!

Jack,

The true question should be: When is a politician NOT playing politics?

Unfortunately our representatives have again let their constituents down. Not only are they helping the millionaires and bankers of the country but they are doing this without any consideration to the voting public. I hope the American people vote every incumbent out this November and let them know that you are there at our discretion but you are there to serve all the people of these United States not just the rich and powerful

In one move McCain has shown his true self. He is just another phony Washington poltician who insults my intelligence. One month ago he said the economy was sound. Now we are in a crisis. Looks like both he and the President woke up at the same time.

ABSOLUTELY!!!!

Got that little blip of news on my email yesterday and I thought to myself – political ploy, grandstanding...coupled with old George's comment (trying to cover up for his good ole' boy).

I can also understand why McCain's party is trying to throw the blanket over Sarah...someone must inform her to stop speaking in tongues.

A shout out to Letterman – You Go Boy.

Yes, Jack. He is. Unless he just can't multitask due to his cognitive difficulties.

I believe he is using it to get all of the energy and offense from this campaign to thinking and talking about him, just as he did with his choice of VP. All eyes are on him. However, in this case, its not good publicity. People are beginning to see what's really going on.

Hello Jack,

Of course he is playing politics, just like a child plays a game. But he has not gotten it through his senile mind, that this is not a game!

And to think that he wants to be President. I think he should awaken from his dream NOW!

Yes he is. I was under the impression that multi-tasking was a basic job skill of any president. Seems to me that he's saying that he can only handle one thing at a time.

John is DESPERATE. He is falling in the polls, he has been all over the place on this horrible mess, and he has shown he is incapable of trying to deal with more than one thing, even with all of his staff pulling the strings. Politics? You bet! But my guess he will show at the debate and the press will cut him slack because of his age.

Yes, I'm tired of seeing McCain not challenge himself! This was a fast ticket out of the debate. McCain has always needed a telepro or a selected group of people to speak with. I wonder what excuses he will have for the other 2 out of the 3 debates scheduled, now that he got out of first one?

I am becoming more and more disappointed ... not in John McCain and his continued political maneuvers but with the people who are supporting the way he is "protecting" Gov. Sarah Palin. Each day there are numerous photo shots however no speaking. Are we regressing to the days of women who "look good" but have no voice or opinion? At this point Gov. Palin mys well be standing by a car at a convention center!

Do one-legged ducks paddle in a circle? He's either playing politics or can't multi-task. Either way makes him look un-Presidential.

Ed Reed
Port Aransas, TX

Absolutely. He is just like Bush, everything is politics and no substance. The only question is, what dirty shot from the hip will he pull next.

i am not an american,but what happens to the u.s,might affect me.
yes, mccain will do anything to get sympathy from the people. how pathetic. did he suddenly wake up and realise that there was a crisis on hand? or because the novelty on sarah palin is slowly fading. if he is running for president and is not multiskilled he might as well step down. tell cnn stop making excuses for him
the whole world is watching them, on how bias they are
good work jack

McCain wants to say he rode in on a white horse at the 11th hour and saved the day. He did not. I hope the American people are smat enough to see right through him. What a jerk!!
Doraine In Texas

Hi, Jack
Yes, he is. This is a political stunt. Ranks up with with the gas tax holiday, lipstick on a pig, sex education for little kids.

Without a doubt, Jack. As late as last week, McCain thought that the fundamentals of the economy were strong and now, all of a sudden, he thinks the economy is in enough of a crisis for him to stop everything else. My feeling is that they are trying to push back all the debates so that there will finally be no time left for the VP debate – which I am sure they want to avoid at all costs. I have seen several posts where people have said that a President should at least be able to multi-task and I couldnt agree more. This is just a last desperate throw of the dice by the McCain camp

What Next??? Breaking News: McCain wants to postpone the Presidential Election Date from Tuesday, November 4th and to be rescheduled when his poll numbers stop tanking.

Since McCain is serving his Country First, why don't we swap debates and have Sara Palin and Joe Biden go tomorrow. How about that for political satire.

This an absolute farce....the show must go on.

Absolutely!!!!!

All I can say Jack, is its a good thing McCain hurried back to Washington just in time to take some credit for the bail out. How would we have managed without him? GIVE ME A BREAK – he must really think the American public is as stupid as he is.

Is there any doubt? He has done so from the start. If he cared about country first he would not have picket such an inexperienced running mate, as window dressing. He would not have reversed his position on offshore oil drilling and he would have kept his word about running a clean campaign. He is desperate and thinks Americans are stupid and frankly how much help does the Congress need from a man who didnt even know we were in a financial crisis last week?

I believe he is. It seems he's trying to use this situation to gain in the polls, but I hope that it won't work. I believe (hope?) that the voters are more intelligent than that, more familiar with the issues, and can see through any ploy to the motives that lie beneath.

Absolutely ... The charade he (and Palin) is playing is really a disgrace to the Amercian People ...

What? You mean there is no place to comment about Palin today??

Yes

How come no one is talking about Mitt Romney? Did Mc Cain make a mistake in picking Sara Palin? Would McCain be better off with Mitt Romney as his VP choice right now?

Absolutely McCain is playing politics. He is nothing more than a liar and a cheat... His poll numbers are down and he is in a state of panic! I hope his 'drama' of campaign suspension backfires on him. He said 'Country first' – sure... he and his campaign figured out a way to play politics.

John McCain was involved with the S&L deregulation scandal back in the 80s and now, his top financial advisor is behind this one. McCain's own son bailed out of a financial institution just before it went under.
If anything, the people should do what they can to keep him away from Washington when it comes to fixing this.

Jack,
I found it curious that McCain had to rush back to D.C. to flex his bi-partisan muscle to get the job done. By the time the plane landed most of the deal was pretty much done as reported by CNN. So he must not have been needed to strong arm the House Republicans. I guess if it walks like a duck..... Enough already! Debate the economic issues and reschedule the foreign policy for the next debate.
Mary Lee, West Bloomfield, MI

I would prefer to think that is not the case. However, the timing is too suspect to be ignored. The economy does not go from fundamentally sound to crisis in a day or two. Mr. McCain should be ashamed of himself!!!

Right from the beginning, it was all political. McCain isn't involved in the process and will accomplish little if anything by going to Washington. It's the biggest "Hail Mary" pass in recent times because the Congress will reach an acceptable agreement without him. Besides it's an excuse to skip the debate that he isn't ready for and postpone the VP debate that Palin isn't ready for.

Watch her interview with Katie Couric if you don't believe that. She was awful!

absolutely. how will he perform if he does show up? he's going to look foolish ,either way, now.

Yes. Mccain is playing politics. Why is he always throwing a bombshell when the polls are against him? Should he not just go to the debate and show that the 'fundamentals of the economy is not strong'.

L.
Always Simple
Pullman Washington State

No doubt. John McCain does not have anything to contribute on economic issues, he can only complicate things. He only did it to one-up Obama after the Obama camp asked him to issue a joint statement on the matter. The fact that he halted his campaign only shows that his camp is flustered and in disarray.

Come on Jack give McCain a break. He is a US Senator. If he or Obama were not in Washington working on this crisis they would be derelict in there senatorial duties. This is a national crisis and they were both elected to be in Washington regardless of the Presidential campaign, to serve the people. It was right for Bush to recall both to the Capitol. By no means am I a McCain for president type. I refuse to vote for anyone associated with the corrupt democratic or republican parties who put us here today.

It's a Hail Mary!! Go long Jack.

It would be a vast mistake to think that any action by a politician just over a month out from an election is anything but a political one.

I call Shenanigans.

A basic requirement of the job of President is to be able to multi-task. If John McCain is unable to formulate legislation and attend the Debate, he is not well-suited for the position. His delaying the Convention and now the debate reminds me of the old story,"Stop the World, I want to get off!"

yes. but ,we are rove-proof ,now.

Does a bear poop in the woods, Jack? C'Mon!

Do birds fly? Sure he is.

Politicians NEVER quit playing politics, it doesn't matter who it is.

A politician playing politics with the number one topic in the news? I'm sure that is the furthest thing from his mind. Finding his Superman outfit before entering the Senate halls has him too distracted to be concerned with playing politics right now.

Yes, blatantly and clumsily. Viewing this whole week of erratic and floundering attempts to appear coherent on the financial crisis, he has thoroughly proven his own contention that he doesn't know much about economics. Let the voter beware.

McCain has a telling tick in his left eye which can be indicative of an oncoming stroke. Perhaps this is the reason he wants to avoid a stressful situation such as a debate more so than simple politics.

Jack, what is the back up plan, if any, in the event that a presidential candidate is disabled during the campaign.

Of course McCain is using the financial crisis to his political gain. He and Bush are using financial fear instead of terrorism fear to scare the voters. And the voters will somehow believe yet another lie from the GOP campaign. I wouldn't buy a used war or a used economy from McCain. And I sure wouldn't buy a Palin sock-hop puppet.

Yes, yes, yes and Yes!

McCanin = no change

Obama/biden 2008

Palin's under lock and key, he double crossed Obama yesterday and put his campaign on hold, kind of, but not really, and rode into DC on his white horse today, not yesterday after said hold, to save the day. I, too, have a bs detector, Jack, though a better back story, and it's been on high alert for months now regarding the once honorable Senator.

It pays to be pals with Bush when your down in the polls. Recall McCain was "Johnny on the Spot" in Columbia when the US POWs were rescued and same again on the Georgia before the Georgians were reversed by Russia. Now I guarantee that tomorrow, McCain will be running ads declaring he saved the economy with "his" White House Summit. He is Mr. political gimmick!

Absolutely Jack. He went from saying 'the fundamentals of the economy are strong' to 'the sky is falling and I need to get back to Washington to help' in one week. Either he is grandstanding or he just woke up from a long nap.

Yes and it is an absolute disgrace.

He is using this crisis as an excuse to get out of the debates. Shows he is NOT READY TO LEAD! McCain blinked

Jack
Of course McCain is playing politics with the economic crisis. He hasn't voted in the Senate since April but all of a sudden the most important reaction to his downswing in the polls is to call of a critical debate and head back to Washington. The Obama team is far better prepared to see us through this crisis and any future crisis that may come our way.

Jim
Boise, ID

McCain is absolutely playing politics and trying to make thsi supposed financial crisis into 9-11. Since he can't get behind the failed war in Iraq anymore, he is trying to hide behind this crisis. The debates tomorrow should be about the economy and how we are going to get out of this mess that John McCain helped to get us into with deregulation and lack of government oversight. McCain seems to think that it's ok to cut and run in this case when his campaign is failing, but is determined to stay the course in Iraq. Two very bad decisions by this senior senator.

The idea that McCain needs to rush back to Washington to somehow solve the financial crisis is ludicrous. He sits on no committees with responsibility for the issue, and his lack of knowledge and interest in economic issues has become legendary.

His posturing is a vain attempt to pretend that he is doing something in an arena where he has nothing to offer. And I use 'vain' in both senses of the word.

yes sen mccain is trying to take credit if a bailout is passed. i think hescared about debating sen obama because he knows so little about what condition the us is in.

Yes. He is attempting two things. One is to TRY and appear as though he is so concerned about the economy that he will drop everything else on his plate to help fix it. Two is to try and delay the humiliation he will undoubtedly suffer at the hands of Obama at the debates. The result is making him look like a unilatteral chicken who cannot handle more than one thing at once. I don't know about you, but I would like my president to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time.
Taylor, Kennewick

Absolutely not. John McCain has been asking for debates all along. This particular debate would play to his strong suit. Even Bill Clinton says that he believes McCain acted in good faith.

Having spent 30 years on a job involving the negotiating process I can tell you right now that neither John McCain nor Barak Obama had anything to do with the actual negotiations.

Negotiating committees often consist of numerous people from both sides meeting at a table but nothing is every accomplished in that forum but instead the main negotiators will meet separately in a small controlable group or even one on one and get the job done.

The old adage that too many cooks spoil the broth is never more true than in situations like this.

Both of these candidates would have input as would all other Senators but this would be limited to what items they wanted to have inserted into the final draft as well as agreeing or disagreeing with the final draft.

The answer to your question is definitely nothing but a political ploy and to verify this Chuck Shumer answered yes and close to questions Wolf asked him yesterday.

As with President Bush in a "B" western movie, "president speak with forked tongue". I believe McCain thinks he can continue to dupe the American public.

John McCain is using the nation's financial crisis to try and stop the Vice Presidential debate. According to his rep. on this morning's Today Show, he wants to cancel Friday's debate and move it to the day the V.P. candidates were to debate. So, when would the V.P.'s debate? Surprise, surprise – McCain's rep. didn't have a reschedule date. Yet another ploy by McCain's camp to keep the American public ignorant on how not ready Sara Palin is to be Vice President.

Both McCain and Palin are running scared from the debates, so as long as they run like chickens from the debates and the questions that the American people have they are both not good enough to be in office! McCain is playing games thinking that he does not have to answer America’s questions. We all multi-task in our daily lives, so do Presidents, so McCain needs to stop faking! Becuse this is about giving Palin more time to get ready for her debate, John McCain has shown his hand! What a total copout!

He was bluffing and since Congress and the Senate are coming to agreement he will have no reason to miss the debate on Friday, and because he didn't get to Washington until about 11 am this morning he cannot take credit for making this bill happen.

This is exactly when we need to debate the issues of the economy. Let the debates go on as scheduled. The American people want answers.

If you're asking whether he used the financial crisis as a way to unnecessarily postpone Friday's debate, then yes, I do think he's using it to play politics.

Yes he is Jack He is at least partialy responsible for this fiasco with his long standing deregulation history. And by the way Mr McCain, What's up with your son and his relationship with the now failed Silverstate bank here in Henderson. Rhumor has it he resigned his board position 2 months ago, sold all his stock and there was a run on the bank shortly after. What did he know and when did he know it. Whats up with that Mr. McCain. Looks like the voters are finally getting smart.

Jack: McCain is definitively playing politics with the nation's financial crisis. Senator Chistopher Dodd said so well; "I’m just worried a little bit that sort of politicizing this problem, sort of flying in here, I’m beginning to think this is more of a rescue plan for John McCain and not a rescue plan for the economy.” It is just another John McCain’s transparent ploy to stall the rising Obama campaign. Neither he nor Obama are the prime movers in the Senate on the issue of a bailout. Their job is to fight for the presidency, and it’s one that Obama is winning right now.

Since, one of those two guys running for office is going to be (gulp) the next President, I believe McCain was right to suspend his campaign and to go to Washington to meet at the White House to help hammer out the details. Afterall, either Obama or McCain are going to be stuck with the repercussions of this bailout for the next four years. The only reason I see not to do it, is if one or the other candidate is looking for some "plausible deniability" for the deal that is brokered. Then they can say, hey this isn't might fault – THEY did it. But to me that smacks of Politics as usual. Actions speak louder than words, and after all, isn't that what a Debate is – words.

I feel so bad for McCain. His handling of the situation is so poor and unpresidential it is a shame. Here he is a great American hero, a senator who has served his country well. A sincere man with a great love for this country. But now he is a laughing stock. This whole charade about "suspending" his campaign was just way too wimpish for anyone to take serious. If he is just so old and so feeble that he can't handle flying to Washington and then to Mississippi, he should resign. Let Sarah take his place. She wouldn't wimp out. She'd give Washington a good shaking up and still have plenty of fight in her to give a Obama a run for his money in the debates.

Of course McSame and McBush are playing politics with this crisis. McSame is not on any committe that would be participating in this process, He is trying to find another bump after the Moose lady star fell in the lake. He is again trying to keep her from having a debate by trying to move the debate, face the music, the fat lady is warming up.

Dear Jack,

I'm wondering if the University of Mississippi, which has spent millions of dollars to hold this debate, can sue McCain for renaging on his commitment to take part. Obama can make the debate, the current President and his cabinet and Congress are dealing with the economic crisis and McCain and Obama have met with the President; McCain is simply reneging on his obligation to let the American public hear from him on the subject of the economy and what he plans to do to improve it, and that of foreign affairs – which is apparently his strong suit. Are his handlers now keeping him under wraps like they are keeping Sarah Palin from answering the people's questions – much like the did with Bush? I hope, that if he still does not take part tomorrow night, there will be ramifications – but of course, he can afford to pay if he's sued. If he won't speak to us, we won't vote for him. And it's an awful shame that the excitement and anticipation that has been felt in Oxford, Mississippi, not to mention the expenses, will be all for nothing.

For sure, he is playing a political game. He is not even a part of the core group that is working on a legislative plan. He is needed no more than any of the senate and house members are needed. It is sad that he see himself as able to lead the country when he cannot deal with more than one issue at a time.

Yes.

Of course McCain is playing politics. Even fellow Republican Barney Frank sees no reason for McCain to delay the debate because McCain has not even been involved in the bailout plan.

McCain has thrown one too many Hail Mary passes. McCain is not Presidential by playing these stunts. He has lost this voter for good.

Absolutely. Instead of looking presidential, he looks like a political hack. It seems what he really wishes to do is either postpone or cancel the vp debate by his request to reschedule Friday night's debate. Hey Senator McShame, what about your friend Charles Keating and your role in his bailout?

Yes, He isn't prepared for the debate, this is just another Rep scare tactic and voters aren't falling for it this time like some did in the last election.

It is an obvious ploy to try to blunt the surging of Barack Obama in the State to State and National polls. If you notice Barack is up 2 points in North Carolina. McCain is a joke and so is Caribou Barbie.

Of course he is. After all, he admitted not knowing anything about economics, then stated numerous times that the economy was fundamentally sound up until it crumbled and knowing something would come up in the debate, he had to rush back to Washington to find out from Rove, et al. how he should respond when questioned about it. He also realized it was a good way to postpone the Palin disaster because she is still being schooled on facts about McCain's votes, even though she's a "quick study". So am I, but I am not qualified to be VP, but I do know what a VP does.

No. "We the People" & We the people need to have Mr. Obama demonstrate some leadership amongst peers. They need to have Mr. Obama away from his crowd of one-liners and prepared text and cheering mobs. That grab-bag of promises in his acceptance speech is dangerous. He also needs to be observed as being genuine where electronic surveillance can detect if he's getting outside assistance. It's beyond politics now. By most appearnaces, there are only two candidates . . . so far.

Andy of Sierra Vista, Arizona

Absolutely! Bringing his circus to Washington is McCain's feeble attempt to take credit for a solution to this economic crisis that his Bush-like policies have created. And delaying the presidential debate is another cheap political ploy by the McCain camp to catch Obama off guard by switching the topic from "foreign policy" to the "economy". McCain is no "maverick." He is a just another sleazy politician.

Clearly!! I only hope that it is as transparent to voters in battleground States as it is to me here in Washington DC!

Absolutely! The alternative is that he is incapable of handling the job of President. What is he going to do as President when two or even three major situations hit at one time? Stop everything else so he can focus on one at a time? What I don't want.....two people in office who cannot handle the job – the Pres and the Veep!

That IS a rhetorical question, isn't it, Jack?
Jacci in Wausau, Wisconsin

This is a total crock. McCain is not on the finance committee (where the deal is actually being crafted). All he can realistically do is vote for it and be there for the photo-op. McCain is again taking a gamble that Americans are dumb enough to substitute "photo-op leadership" for a week of screw-ups & policies that are causing these problems to begin with.

No doubt he and Bush cooked this up because he can't speak to large groups and Palin certainly isn't ready.

Jack, I believe he is definitetly playing politics. He wants to be seen as the man who rode into Washington to save the day. Just awhile ago on TV it was announced that there was some sort of agreement and a McCain campaign spoken was then on talking about how the deal was reached because of McCain's leadership. Then Rep. John Boehner from Ohio said that the Republicans have not signed off on any deal. Sounds like business as usual for McCain. They will wait until McCain and Obama meet with Bush, come out and say that McCain forced the Rep. to see the deal as a good thing, picture taken and McCain is once again called a hero and a leader. Give me a break!!!!!

YES!!

Yes he is. In football, a good team sticks to the game plan. The loosing team tries all trick outside the game plan like, On site kick, A field goal trick for a TD, Hail mary etc. and it may work. This is not football. He is dealing with inteligent Americans who can substantiate fiction from reality. The truth is out there that he had nothing to do with the $700 billion negotiation outcome which ever way it comes out. What he has succeded in doing is stoping the media from talking about his polls which are headed south for him. And the looming debate which is suposedly supposed to be about fereign expereience. Thanks

Jack, of course he is! His posturing about his campaign and the debate is the biggest political stunt I've ever seen, and he isn't fooling anybody. He is really arrogant to presume that his swooping into Washington like a super hero to save the day will make any difference in the outcome. What an ego! He's simply running scared because the american people are finally waking up to the fact of what a liar and a fraud he really is. He can't stand the fact that he might not be able to attend his coronation in January as planned!

Definetly! McCain saw his numbers going south, so he creates another diversion to try and fool the naive voter that he actually puts patriotism above politics. As usual, his lemming Republican followers will say he is showing that he is just being a leader, and is doing this truly for love of country. Ill believe that when I see pigs fly!!

Yes he is. McCain will cast one vote as Senator. One vote! Just as Sen. Obama and Sen. Biden will. McCain will not be writing legislature for this bailout, he is not on the Commerce Committee, he has no real role in this bailout, other than to cast his one vote. McCain needs someone to tell him that he must be able to multi-task as President. That means John McCain, you must be able to chew gum and walk at the same time. McCain has a private jet, why can't he cast his one vote and fly to Mississippi for the debates? Right now, McCain is coming off as incompentent, senile and erratic. And all I have him now is sympathy, because I'm starting to think something is wrong with mentally.

Of course he is Jack that is what McCain does best.

Yes. They have reached an agreement on the bailout and mccain was not there for one minute of it. He arrived in Washington after they announced the agreement. I think mccain's move was to delay the Vice President's debate because he now clearly sees what most of us saw the second she opened her mouth – Sarah Palin is clueless, crushingly inexperienced and not ready to be VP. He politicized this crisis which is a new low for even him.

Duh! Ya think?

McCain is all over the place with his pronouncements, often stating two opposing positions in the same day like some sort of maniac. Is that the real John McCain or is it John McCain the desperate politician? Methinks it is both.

Obviously this is all in response to the latest polls. I mean, really, he has to suspend his campaign?? Give me a break. If he really feels the need to be in D.C., why can't Palin continue the campaign. Is she not supposed to be qualified to step in for McCain if he were to become president? So why can't she do it now? I think McCain is losing it in more ways than one.

Jack, Senator McCain is not just playing politics, he is playing a dangerous game with the citizens of the United States. Abraham Lincoln and Franklin Roosevelt found the ability to manage crisis and debate during some of the most disturbing periods of American history. No one man is bigger than the process of selecting our leader, to selfishly proclaim that he is puts the basics of our democracy in trouble. The debates must continue and our leaders need to be reminded that they are accountable to ‘We the People’.

I can't figure out if McCain is running for president or trying to get a job with the Barnum and Bailey Circus. His entire campaign is full of tricks and chicks and empty plays. However, I can certainly tell who is the ringmaster of this entire fiasco...It has the dirty look of Karl Rove all over it...AGAIN!!!

Exactly what needs to happen for the American people to see that the Republicans will do anything to get attention? Once again, is tMcCain running a presidential campaign or a three-ring circus? I really can't tell. Frankly, I want someone with a little more substance and brains in the White House. We already have had eight years of a clown.

John McCain is showing real leadership in a time of crisis by putting the American people ahead of his campaign, while Barack "Present" Obama is AWOL – again.

Absolute, and he is so dumb that it is a transparent ruse to pretend it was important that he be there and to move the first debate into Palin/Biden time slot.
New York is only 100 miles to DC and it is nothing to go in between; He was neither wanted or needed to work out the deal. All the Repub & Demos are well qualified for a compromise.

McCain has not suspended his campaign. That was all for show and tell. His camp didn't like the most recent poll numbers so they created a distraction to bring us back to why this is all about McCain, not the economy... stupid. Sadly for all of us, he decided to gamble with our economic future, just like he gambled with our national security in picking Sarah Palin.

Yes and it is going to backfire on him. Too many lies, too many gambles and no real substance.

Jack, color me naive but shouldn't the public have access to these negotiations, such as C-span, on a matter that everyone claims the sky is falling. Isn't a major part of the problem the fact that these deals are done behind closed doors? If we can see just who is is pulling the strings we'll be better equipped to pull the lever in the election booth. But then again, I'd want to see both candidates on a polygraph for the debates.

You are kiddling right? McCain has to shut down his campain because of a financial crisis....isnt this when he should be talking more??? Shouldnt he be able to handle more than one catastrophe at once? what does that say about him. You know this economic crisis is really shedding some light on his temperment and judgement....who knows what he supports it changes everyday...i dont think he knows what to do with himself.

-Parisa

You're darn right he is. Canceling this and canceling that so he can show up in Washington and be a big hero. I'm not buying it!

Not any more, not since he got caught telling everyone that the economy is just fine, remember, it has only been a few weeks ago that McCain stumped " the fundamentals of our economy are strong"

Now, he has to face reality that the economy has been on the verge of crisis for quite some time and HE needs to do something about it besides "wish it fixed" since all that deregulation he fought for has backfired.

Jack,

It is the nature of the beast. He has POW on his business card, so why wouldn't he try to capitalize on his deregulation of Wall Street? "Good job, Brownie."

He's bound and determined he's going to convince himself that the surge worked, and he'll do anything short of walking down a Baghdad street without body armor, a regiment of marines, and a squadron of Blackhawk helicopters buffering him an Iraqi.

McCain called a timeout to stop Obama's momentum. It happens in sports all the time. If McCain didn't pull a stunt like this every time the polls shift, then I might be inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. But since this is just the latest in a series of erratic actions, I am starting to suspect that he is more of a drama queen than a steady leader.

its obviously politics in its best, trying to distract people from the poll numbers as well as the rise of Obama Stock in the political scene.

Yes he is playing politics with the financial crisis. And someone needs to call him on it. I mean realllly call him on it. The deception sickens me .

Of course he is. He's not aware of what the real financial crisis is to begin with, last week we were all fundamentally strong. I think the real truth is we are seeing just how NOT fundamentally correct McCain really is. May the truth be shown?

Of course it's all about politics. What intelligent input could John McCain have in this crisis when he didn't even recognize the train heading right at him when he was standing on the tracks? Just last week he is spouting the fundamentals of our economy are strong, then when someone read the newspaper to him and explained what the story actually meant, he swings his arms in the air saying the equivalent of "if I were King today I would have this man's head". This old man of old ideas and old perspectives needs to go home and stay in bed.

Ok so now the republicans are so desperate to have McCain claim credit they are coming out and saying there is no deal. We are up over 200 points right now at 11 am pacific time. Let's see what happens, will the republican say then, I'm sure it will make your head spin. Also, I have to say I respect your CNN reporters so much, I do not know how they just don't laugh in these republican faces!

Of course he is playing politics. He has said himself he knows nothing on how to run the economy. McCain is only doing this to make himself look like he knows what he is doing when it comes to that, but it only makes him look like he cant do more than one task at a time. However, I saw that he was speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative today instead of going to the Hill and working. For shame, John McCain. Are you caught in another lie, like the one you told Letterman yesterday about going to the Hill, but were with Katie Couric instead? How is that not a political stunt?

He's John McCain isn't he -
He's already trying to take credit for the bi-partisan work both sides have done - WITHOUT McBush';s help - Or Obama's for that mater - He didn't even leave NY til this morning - Too busy doing TV spots about how he is going to solve the problem - I am really courious as to whether or not McCain will show up in MS, or send Palin to debate in his stead ---–

John Mccain is in big trouble: His numbers in the polls are diving and his Alaskan Bombshell is not helping despite all the efforts to make her look good to the world. Palin's role is becoming an embarrassment and Mccain is looking less presidential, while Palin's lack of world readiness becomes more evident........so what's a man to do?
He creates a huge diversion, proposes something big ,unilaterally, despite his claim to being the more bipartisan of the two. What he has done is an example of really dirty politics. What a relief that no on'es buying it, and the debate will go on! Yes, John Mccain is playing BIG and Dirty politics with OUR Mother of Financial Crises., make no mistake!

McCain is running scared, and now trying to be a hero with a quick move to Washington, as if he cares about this economy. How can you care about something, that you don't know too much about! I'm tired of the games of McCain. The first stunt was Sarah Palin, who can't be interviewd by the press, becasue, well you know, she doesn't know much of anything.

Then he suspends his campaign, because, well you know, he doesn't know much about anything either. Even if it's absolutley necessary to go back to Washington, David Letterman had it right last night, isn't that what your VP is for, to take your place. Why try and cancel their debates too. Something really is in his Metucil. And just think, he's running for president. And I'm running scared!

Of course he is! His refusal to do a joint announcement with Obama, or even return Obama's call for more than 6 hours, indicates that. If he had talked to Obama, and agreed to a joint announcement and suspension, I would have felt he was doing it for the good of his constituents. I noticed his "campaign suspension" didn't prevent him from appearing with Katie Couric, though.

Are we supposed to take seriously a man who has admitted that he knows less than he should about the economy is essential to coming up with an alternative to being Bushwacked for 700 Billion? Even his own party members asked both of them to stay away so that partisan politics would not be injected into the process. And see, they came up with a counter proposal without him!

Yes! Yes! Yes!

If you don't think he is, you can't see beyond your nose!

Of course he is, Jack. Arizonans have been complaining for months that he hasn't been fulfilling his responsibilities to our state as our Senator even before he entered the presidential race. Now, with his poll numbers dropping, he thinks his presence in the Senate is more important than his bid for the presidency. If it smells like politics and acts like politics, it's politics. For McCain, he's ducking the more challenging role as possible president just like he's ducked his responsibilities as our Senator.

Jack,
McCain is playing politics in a big way, this appears to be very opportunistic on McCains part. Seems to me like McCain and Bush have their own bailout plan. Lets see if it works. If this was so important to McCain why did he stay in NY to make a speech instead of being in Washington to start his day with his collegues? What is important to McCain is JOHN MCCAIN and damn the rest of the world. He does not appear presidential he appears desperate.

Judie
St. Augustine, Fl

Of course he his Jack. Surely he has somebody on his staff who could keep him apprised of the ongoing negotiations in Washington while he prepares for Fridays debate. He has confessed a lack of expertise in matters economic so his presence in Washington will not add a thing to the debate or negotiation of this bailout/rescue plan. I would compare this ploy to a sports team calling time out to try and stop the other teams momentum when things are going bad.

Absolutely! And he isn't very slick about it..........who does he think he's fooling.......only people as old and senile as he is. I'm almost his age, but I'm female and that sometimes makes a difference.

Of course he's playing politics! At this point he doesn't have anything else to work with. Oh by the way, why aren't Todd Palin and the rest of those folks in Alaska that refused to comply with subpoenas not in jail right now? If you or I had said "Nah, we're not showing up!", we'd be in the hoosegow till we rotted!

Matt (retired way down south, and mighty glad to be here!)
Mazatlan, Mexico

Of course! This is just another tactic by the Republicans to stop the free-fall in McCain's polling numbers. Obama was completely blind-sided by this tactic and the electorate should be wary of this move to give the impression that McCain is the only leader available in a crisis. McCain is not ready for a debate on the economy-so he cancelled it. Premeditated loss of confidence on McCain's part.

McCain is playing the worst form of politics. Putting himself before any issue.

What would McCain do, as President, if there was a crisis – he cannot suspend his Presidency to look after a crisis.

For weeks and weeks he has been saying that Obama avoided debates; the first one is scheduled, and he walks away. He talks about reaching across the aisle and then makes the unilateral decision to walk away from a debate.

The real reason is that he is underprepared and exposed. His strategists are hoping that the political gimmicks (offer town hall debates; pick Sarah Palin; no lobbyist; maverick etc..) will work.

Riding in on a big white charger, probably one iwith a long single spiral horn in the center of its forehead, proclaiming "I'm the appointed one, I'll fix all these problems!" is a sort of Rovian description of Obama. Now that McCain has actually done this charger riding and self aggrandizing how will the RNC view it? By proclaiming him the saviour, right?

Of course McCain is playing politics. There is no-one in the United States that thinks McCain is capable of fixing our current financial woes. This grand stand play is simply an attemt for more photo oppportunities. If there were a single senator one could single out to NOT help fix these problems it would be Keating McCain – woops, John McCain. The great deregulator McCain. The whole side show is pitiful.

John McCain is putting country first, which he has a proven record of doing. Obama was playing politics when he called him and when he had to put actions to his words he tried to get out of it, as usual.

Yes.... you see it too. He has no clue what he is doing when it comes to economics,he is trying too side step the issue. This is a common GOP tactic.

Jack

I would say yes McCain is again putting Politics First Not Country! Rome has been burning for weeks and now he wants to stop everything to save everyone. Last week he said the fundamentals of the economy are fine. Now Rome is burning? Where has he been? I understand that he had not been in contact with the senators that have been doing the negotiations until yesterday. This is a poltical trick to take people off the problem with Rick Davis and has association with Freddie Mac and every other problem with McCain. It also shows he panics and is unable to multi-task. This is a big problem.

YES!

There is no question in my opinion that John McCain is trying use the nation's financial crisis to his advantage. Sen McCain knows he will not do well in a debate with Sen Obama and I believe, thinks he will look best hiding amongst other Senators. The polls are not being kind to him or to his klondyke puppet. The McCain/Palin message is now that "Maverick" will save the day! I think NOT!

He is making a mockery of our election process the sad thing is that the whole world is watching. We was once the most beloved and admired country in the world and yesterday we hit rock bottom. The President announced were all on welfare and John/sara are acting like their running for student government president instead of the highest office in the land. Just a joke!!

This is clearly ALL political, he is trying anything to get his campain back on track. I really hope people arent falling for this act of despiration.

Yes he is-He,s not needed there but he will try to take credit for the out come if its good. How can he help when he dosent no anything about the economy . Same old Republicn tricks he a trickester and liar just Bush.

Of course he did. What do you think Jack.. McCain's campaign ready to do everything to avoid debates for their two candidates. They are so ashamed of them in so many issues so they will do everything to dismissed them, no matter what.

Absolute, and he is so dumb that it is a transparent ruse to pretend it was important that he be there and to move the first debate into Palin/Biden time slot and she again is hidden out.

New York is only 100 miles to DC and it is nothing to go in between; He was neither wanted or needed to work out the deal. All the Repub & Demos are well qualified for a compromise. And only a 3 hrs flight to Miss. He's crashed enough airplanes to know they exist.

Jon in Calif.

The financial crisis has given all Americans the opportunity to see how the next president will behave in a crisis. McCain has bounced around like a pin ball careening off each obstacle. Obama, on the other hand, has been steady, thoughtful, and deliberate, like a chess master. Chess may not be as interesting to watch as a fiery pinball game, setting off bells and whistles and lighting up the board. But which one do you want in the White House: the ball that gets hurled down a deep dark hole, or the player who's still standing?

Of course he is. He was down in the polls so he decided to divert attention elsewhere. Now he thinks that he is Superman flying to Washington to save the Universe. What a joke.

Absolutely,
Mccain has been challenged many times on his economic know how,
and like his VP pick and big bang publicity tactics we've seen before
i think were in for another of Mr. Toads Wild ride to prove his worth.
More importantly, why is Bush calling on both candidates to further endorse something that the people would not otherwise pass?

It would appear so. He's trying to make the country believe he's the only one who is concerned about the financial crisis. I'd love to know what exactly he intends on doing during the time the debate is scheduled.

McCain thought by blindsiding Obama and making his public announcement that he was suspending his campaign that he'd come across looking more presidential. Instead, he came across looking opportunistic.

The proper committee is dealing with these negotiations, and his meddling is likely to undo the positive work that has been done. He's reckless in trying to use this situation to save his faltering campaign. Barack Obama is looking much calmer, more capable, and more presidential.

mwest
Washington State

Jack the answer is simply yes. 40 days out from what is probably the most imporant presidential election in our history, John McCain has proven yet again that his "Country First" slogan really should read "Campain First" and his calls to suspend his campaign today were followed by more campaign ads and spinmasters bashing Barack Obama. This guy stands for nothing, except more of the same bs we've put up with for 8 years. Wake up America...

Crown Point, Indiana

Jack, most certainly. The GOP campaign is starting to look like a circus. What's really funny is the way they lie in defending McSame.

The whole world is laughing at the McSame Campaign.

Barak Obama is looking more presidential. And that's a fact!
Can't wait to see John McCain's defense style. He'll most probably blow up! I hope that happens. What a disgrace.

Obama/Biden 08'

No doubt about it ! McCain has been proven dead wrong on the Economy and he is exposed for "Not being in Touch" as Obama has claimed, He is trying to posture and take credit for a bailout deal worked-out without. him. We now see the deer in the headlights look on his face.

John McCain has been using the Rove style of politics which is all about "lies, distractions, and more lies" since he started his general campaign. He distracted the American people from linking him with Bush at the republican party, by using Hurricane Gustav as a distraction. He then used Sarah Palin, lying about her record as mayor and governor and sequestering her from the press to keep the important issues off the public's radar, and instead has us talking about such nonsense as "lipstick on pigs". And now, with his poll numbers falling McCain is using the economic crisis to distract us from his total lack of knowledge about the economy. Pathetic!

Who can't see that? Of course he is!!! What could he possibly add in person that he couldn't add over a cell phone? He still has a staff in Washington, does he not? Usually, the staff are the ones who run around trying to round up votes. The members don't do it themselves – especially the ones who say, "(they) don't know much about the economy". You already have 533 other members of Congress in DC handling this. Since neither McCain nor Obama are on any of the pertinent committees hashing out the details, why would they need to rush back to town? And, it is also transparent that Bush was covering McCain's backside by saying he "has summoned McCain and Obama back to a meeting at the White House." How stupid do they think I am??

Edgewater, MD

There have 3 major debates in history that took place during a crisis, one was when the Reagan and Carter debated when the Iran took hostages, the second was between Clinton and Bush 41, and third was between Kennedy and Nixon........

These were involving a world crisis and the debates WERE NOT CANCELLED>>>>>>>

Yes Jack,
This is just another stunt from the MeCain camp to try and distract voters from the fact that the Repubs have caused this mess with years of deregulation that he has championed.
When are the MSM going to start seeing the similarities between this current crisis and the Keating 5 Scandal?

Nothing in DC takes place in a vacuum or outside of political consideration. Of course McCain and his camp are playing politics just as Obama and his camp are. And, like in all past elections, the biggest losers will be "We the People." One of these people will get elected and Congress or the White house will make sure we drift from crisis to crisis so the party in power can stay in power to the financial betterment of their party and the detriment of the vast majority of us.

yes he is. for someone who has no idea about the economy, he's sure acting like it's a big deal. the bigger deal is the fact that he's slipping in the polls, talking out of both sides of his mouth, and has been for de-regulation and trickle down economics for the last 26 years.

Robert Sulzer
Iowa City, IA

I've heard a saying that the old eventually become young again, return to a childlike state. I would judge McCain has not only achieved that state but, as a young child can do (only temporarily) is living inside a self created fantasyland where he already is ... what?... an heroic white knight riding to the rescue of the country, president of the world, emperor of the galaxy ...

Whatever that fantasyland consists of, I fervently hope it stays inside the head of an increasingly senile old man retiring from the senate to putter around in one of his eleven houses and not the man who will putter around in the White House while who the heck knows is actually running the country.

If John McCain wants to play politics, then why doesn't he offer a 1% point reduction off the interest rate of every mortgage in this country to help the taxpayers pay for this mess?

Not yet. My mind could possibly be changed if Gov. Palin were to attend the debate in Senator McCain's place. If Sen. McCain truly believes that he is needed in Washinton to resolve the financial crisis he should show his faith in his Vice-Presidential pick by sending her to debate Obama. We would then be able to truly judge his proactive decision-making abilities by judging both her performance in Mississippi and his in Washington. Seattle, Wa

Yes, but it's a contest and the point is to win.

Yes Bush 44 will do anything to win just like Bush 43, Who is ready on Day one Jan 20. 2009 Barack Obama; Jack time is out for the same ole;

In an Tuesday interview, John McCain asserted that he had not, over a four day period, had a chance to read the administration's bailout proposal. Admittedly, it might have been hard to obtain a copy without using the emailing, but perhaps a staffer who uses the message texting or the blueberry machine could have read it to him. Suddenly, on Wednesday, he's ready to saddle up his white horse and ride into Washington like the Magnificent 7. Or, did I mean the Keating 5? Give me a break!

Yes, his campaign is not suspended either, ads still playing and surrogates still on t.v. He needs to fire his whole campaign staff and save face

Jack- I just got off the phone with an aide from the Banking Judiciary Commitee, and he told me that an "outline" had been proposed and accpeted.

However, when I asked him about the most important part – the ACCOUNTABILITY factor of Corporate America, he said there was no accountability measures added to this outline !! My jaw dropped. Isn't this what got us in our current debacle??

Where is the accountability and disincentive factor to curtail corporate corruption both in lending , financial, and home loan markets?

The eection cant come soon enough for millions of Americans I'm sure - We The People need CHANGE, and come this Nov.4 I sure hope America votes to make this change a reality.

No it dont surprise me. He try anything to win .

Yes, I do believe that he is. Why would you suspend your campaign? He is not even showing TV ads??? There are many ways that he could have contributed to the process instead of suspending his campaign and canceling the debate. I am sorry Jack, this is a political ploy because he is down in the polls. What would you bet that he cites his suspending of his campaign as the reason that he is so low in the polls?

I also think that Bush is also playing ploitics in this matter. Why have both Obama and McCain at the white house? This is straight out right politics!

Jack

If McCain can't discuss more than one item at the time,he should
never be elected President of the USA.
McCain is making the bail out package of 700 billion dollars an
issue for not debating Obama, period.
We need that debate between the two candidates,and we need it now.

After nearly 30 years of being a politician it is the only game his knows how to play. Imagine how we all felt when we learned that Congress has agreed in principle to the bailout legislation as a result of being informed that McCain was on a jet heading to D.C. He and his advisors are insulting our intelligence when they inferred that this agreement was made only because Congress knew that McCain was on his way. The American public is far more intelligent than his advisors realize.

Jack,
Does a pig look better wearing lipstick, oh that was last weeks misdirection. Of course he’s playing politics, anything is better for McCain than exposing his 26 year anti-regulation financial philosophy. Shame on him!

Mike C.
Wethersfield, CT

Jack,
Of course he is!! What's new? He is determined to be president at any cost. Lie, steal, manipulate, confuse the voters,& he is a woman abuser. (Sarah Palin) I hope the American people can see thru the
charade.
Jackie in Jacksonvillle, Florida

Just no doubt about it. It is a Hail Mary!

Of course he is Jack. I have a feeling if McCain does this debate tomorrow night it'll show just incapable he is of focusing on two things at once and he'll come off like the truly confused and bumbling candidate he is. He's grabbing at straws to postpone this until he can say HE went in and saved the country's economy. Which we all know isn't true.

Jack,

Of course he is playing politics. He is rushing to Washington to save the country, but the deal has already be reached.

The Republicans occupied the Whitehouse for 20 of the last 28 years. The Republicans have held both houses of Congress since the mid 90s. The Democrats have held congress by such a thin margin in the last two years that the Republicans could block any legislation and overriding a veto was out of the question.

The question is this: What can we do to blame the current economic situation on the Democrats?

Glenn
Michigan

Yes, McCain is playing politics but it has backfired. It is quite obvious that he wanted to come across as the big hero that would fly into Washington and put the economy on track. But what it actually showed was an old man that is making erratic decisions and is NOT what we need to bring decency and order to this nation. Senator Obama is the man to do it, if these self-centered Republican will get out of the way and allow others to benefit from the opportunities that our nation has to offer. We aren't asking for much (health insurance, good schools, college, a home, a good paying job, ....) just the basics that others take for granted!!!!!!

You bet he is. Stumbling in the polls, losing the momentum from an obviously unprepared VP choice and having to defend his long-standing deregulation position he had to do something to make himself look viable to main streeters. If nothing else, it seems that he couldn't handle the pressure of preparing for a debate on foreign policy while at the same time having to dig out his economics text-book from college (which is probably about as outdated as using a 1950 Farmers Almanac to forecast tomorrow's weather).

Yes he is. He is a Republican who commonly thinks invest and scheme is the best way to develop and enhance the economy. Those executive responsible for this crisis should be fired and they should not walk away with any package. Also, we should not bailout Wall Street. I feel those responsible executives took advantage of American’s tax dollars and took advantage of our ignorance. They were trusted to make decisions that would help the economy; not break it. Now my trust for Wall Street has fainted just as my already weak trust for this Republican administration has completely faded. Rushing into a decision to bailout those executives with $700 billion will just help the greedy executives and the tax payers will continue to struggle with paying their monthly living expenses. Let’s not be so hasty as we did with the Iraq war. We have spent billions of dollars on that war and now they want us to spend billions more for another mistake. I am very frustrated because I live in the town of Ville Platte, LA where we are trying to pass a property tax to build a new school. Because of racial division, it is difficult to get the New School property tax pass. We are at our third opportunity in one year trying to pass a property tax for a New School. Trying to get this tax pass is draining my motivation. All the money spent on the war and now the money on Wall Street, we could have easily use that money to bill several New Schools in the town of Ville Platte, LA and across the country. It would have cost a hell of a lot less than what the government has wasted our tax dollars on. Our first priority should be education not Wall Street. Bailout Education; not Wall Street.

Shountilez L. Williams
Ville Platte, LA

Yes, Jack! Both this and McCain's selection of Sarah Palin have to be two of the most obvious and idiotic political stunts that I've ever seen. Sadly, John McCain has turned into nothing more than a pathetic and desperate (and dare I say old) man. He clearly does not have the temperment to handle the presidency and exhibits the same "it's my way or the highway" mentality that Bush has. He has lost all honor and puts himself rather than his country first. I can only hope and pray that enough people in this country awaken from their last eight years of slumber long enough to see John McCain for what he truly is before it's too late.

Yes Jack and I'm gonna tell you why:

- he sat with the President of Russia and Ukraine on the same day he suspended his campaign. If he meant his words, why would he be paying so much attention to other countries instead of focusing on the economy? Because he wanted to shift the attention to foreign policy and it failed, in spite of having tried to link the crisis to Sept 11th.

- Yesterday could have been the worst day in McCain's campaign because Laura Bush said Sarah Palin had absolutely no foreign policy experience, Sarah Palin did a bad interview with katie Couric nobody is going to talk about now and the NYT reported that the chair of McCain's campaign Rick Davis received money from Freddie Mac until last month!

- If he really wanted to suspend his campaign he wouldn't be at the Clinton GI, he would go straight to Washington and avoid the cameras. But instead he used that platform to detail his very short economy plan.

- His move is simply a way to intimidate the Democrats so they vote for the Bush bailout proposal as a matter of fact his move was immediately applauded by the white House.

- If he wanted to work on a bipartisan level, why did he take this unilateral move without discussing it with Senator Obama, knowing they talked a few minutes before he announced his decision to suspend his campaign?

- Of course, why would he want to debate the economy with his record and why would he want Palin to debate Biden if she still can't answer more than 4 substantial questions from real journalists?

McCain has disapointed me and it is a shame that some people still think this man puts his country first!

Yes he is playing politics. The President has to be able to work on more than one thing at a time. If there was a critical need for McSame to be at the negotiations why did he finish his campaign schedule. he really must think that the American people are really stupid and won't see through this political stunt.

Helena, Clearwater, FL
Absolutely he is playing politics. If he is so concerned with loss of money, why isn't he concerned about the $5.5 million the university has already spent and the millions that advertisers have spent looking forward to millions of viewers? And, what about the many out of state and out of country people that have spent so much for accomodations in Mississippi that plan on being at this important debate? What happens to TV stations when advertisers "postpone" their ads? Doesn't that loss of money mean anything to McCain? I think he is being selfish by ignoring the fact that his fellow Americans need to hear our future president and leader of the free world speak about his ideas, plans and decisions that will affect all of us for at least the next 4 years.

It's sad that the Republicans are going to have to admitt that after supporting the trickle down economics and the deregulation of the banks for years that it just doesn't work. And should we talk about smaller government and balanced budgets – all the things that Republicans talk about but don't do. McCain bought into it too and now he's trying to look like a leader. The Republicans should apologize to the hard working folks of America for the mess these policies have put us into.

PHILADELPHIA

Jack, of course McCain is playing politics. He only wants to go back to Washington to make sure he does not miss out on his share of the billions of dollars that is going to be paid to all the CEO's when this deal is done. If he really wanted to help the economy, he would sell 12 of his cars and 6 of his houses and donate all the money to the Americans who have either lost their homes due to foreclosure or have gone through bankruptcy due to unpaid medical bills.

Amber
from Oklahoma City

Here I come to save the day!

Grow up, John! The stakes are too serious for you to keep living out your childish fantasies of being the maverick flyboy hero. There's nothing more pathetic than a really old guy trying to relive his glory days.

I'd like to know why he had to suspend his campaign... wasn't Sarah Palin qualified to keeping it running in his absence?

America needs steady, intelligent, careful guidance in the oval office, and that's not coming from John "all over the place" McCain.

Upon listening to McCain all week, I became more terrified of his in ability to lead. Upon listening to the calm demeanor of Obama. I felt confident and assured. McCain's charge to the Congress is a day late and a dollar short. Where was he for the past 25 years, when all this deregulation went down? Where was he, when the Keating 5 went down? Where was he all week when the crises began and he was leap frogging from position to position? I do not want to go down the rabbit hole with the madhatter into the wonderland of John McCain's world.

Without a doubt. If he honestly believed he needed to be in Washington to deal with this crisis, he would have been there on Monday. I'm a registered Republican who feels REALLY, REALLY good about my decision to vote for Obama. In fact, I think I will vote early.

In a word, YES. He's trying to oresent himself as a knight in shining armor, but he's actually trying to avoid debating Obama, or at least trying to postpone a debate between Biden and Palin until it's too late.

If McCain was genulinely interested in solving the problem, he should have talked to the The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD) and Obama first to reach a consensus. That was not the case. His numbers were going down and wanted to score some political points.

This makes him appear to be unready for a debate on foriegn policy, and that's supposed to be his strong suit. If he's not ready for a debate on his strength, and not able to handle the debate and anything else, how can he think he's ready to lead the nation in 40 days? How can WE think he'll be ready to lead in 40 days? I want a strong, ready capable multi-tasker, not a weak, scrambling, discombooberated fool. We've already had one of those for the last 8 years.

Without a doubt McCain is playing politics with the nation's financial crisis. It's a disgrace to our country. I simply cannot believe the turn-of-events these past few weeks.

When you're behind in the poles and seemingly the attention is not on him (McCain), he tries to pull a "rope a dope". The news again bites on it and away we go, away from the real issues including the debates. If we Americans don't see this, then I guess we do deserve 4 more years of of the same old GOP politics. We deserve better.

It clearly seems like he is playing politics, and he is running out of "chips" All the "chips that he used on Sarah Palin gave him a boost only for a few days , and now "playing politics" is the only option.

He should stick to the truth rather being run or adviced by his campaign people, on what to do........

Chantilly, Virginia

Absolutely Jack!
Talk about politicizing the economic crisis! Perhaps a desperate, but brilliant move to (1) make it look like he actually knows and/or cares about the economy, and (2) delay a debate he isn't really prepared for anyway 3) using the financial crises as a reason to buy Gov. Palin more time to debate with Sen. Joe Biden, while simultaneously putting Obama on the defensive to look like he doesn't care about the economy if he doesn't agree to suspend the debate. More proof that you just never know what you're going to get with McCain.

What year is this,I mean what century is this to think in this modern time of travel and communications that the debate needs too be canceled. Can 2 senators chew bubble gum and walk??? What a political STUNT.

Raymond
Atlanta GA

Jack,
He tried but will get there after the fact...He had to speak @clintons event because it was so importent to the crisis...And clinton paid him back this morning on ABC....

If mccain had not looked at the Paulsen paper as of the Tuesday admittedly in Cleveland–then it was not a priorty for him -so this was a stunt to change the subject and delay the debate...

Note that the solutions that Obama proposed are what are being presented... The Presidency is not a single issue job–one MUST BE ABLE TO DEVOTE ATTENTION TO MULTIPLE TOPICS/ ISSUES and world problems..

Absolutely. McCain is definitely playing politics. For goodness sakes the man is running for President of the United States and he can't even walk and chew gum at the same time. I think McCain saw his poll numbers slipping and used this economic crisis to try and regroup his campaign.

McCain looks so confused throughout all this – I guess he does need some sort of time out or nap or something. Scarey thought that he could possible be running the country. He seems like he would totally panic during a crisis

On the other hand Barack Obama looks so presidential and in charge. I'd feel much better with Obama in charge during a crisis.

Yes, I definitely think he is. He's got a lot working against him right now. Obama is up in the polls and McCain's conservative constituents are crying out against the bailout. If he wants to come across as the maverick savior in this campaign and not just another Bush/Rove sycophant, he knows he has to do something. And, as he is getting quite desperate, he is just stalling for time.

Absolutely. Think about it, he postpones the debate, Pallin gets cancelled, he pulls his ads and saves money. Here's a challenge, Senator McCain, you and Senator Obama stay in Washington to work but let Sarah Pallin debate Joe Biden in Mississippi. You say she is ready to step in at a moment's notice, here's her chance.

I'm sure he is. Being from Arizona I clearly remember the Keating affair with the Lincoln Savings and Loan collapse where thousands of people lost their life savings. McCain was up to his eyeballs in that deal. He was repreremanded by his peers in Washington for trying to interfear with the investigation on Keatins behalf. I think he went there to cover his behind beause he doesn't want to answer any questions why he has constantly voted for deregulation which caused this disaster to happen.

Of course Jack! Why suspend the campaign when you have a VP candidate and other campaign structures on ground? Maybe McCain is taking the whole campaign staff to washington to discuss the financial crisis with the congress. He should also call for the suspension of the elections if by November 2nd, the economy is still in bad shape. We are in the 21st country and whoever is not ready to multi task is not ready to lead. PERIOD

Yes, the debate should be held between the two Presidential nomines.Remember, the Bush family has been involved with oil companies and are friends of the saudi's.

I thought the initial problem was with AIG.  NOW, it has been diverded to only the banks problems, meanwhile AIG plays under the table.  The initial issue has been clouded by Bush's rich connections in both the Insurance and Banking arena.

McCain is confusing recklessness and cynical desperation with boldness and decisiveness. If he is elected, will he suspend the Constitution whenever he thinks we're in a crisis? Will he change his views every other day then wake up one morning and announce he will lead us to promised land on a road paved by others? McCain is trying to make it appear his leadership has lead to the bailout when in reality he is simply trying to swoop in and take credit for a deal other people have already put together. The idea of postponing the debate is offensive in a democratic society. Please, please be harshly critical of McCain on this matter. There are not two legitimate sides to this issue.

Yes and it is going to backfire on him. Too many lies, too many gambles and no real substance.

No Mccain is not playing politics he's putting his country first just as he did when he supported the surge. Obama's the one who is playing politics while our countries financial system is in crisis. Obama said to call him if we need him; I hope that call never comes.

Jack,
Although this will be scrapped by your moderators, because heaven forbid someone may not agree with Obama, yes he is playing some politics and so is Obama. Why does Obama think it is more urgent to debate than to work on this economic problem? Is he afraid he did not get enough airtime in the last week or so? Just as a side question Jack, what will you and your moderators do if Obama is elected? Are you sharpening your resumes? You will have nobody to bash any longer with ALL Liberals controlling the country. I'm back to Fox. At least they are more in the middle on the issues. I will miss Lou Dobb's, but alas, the Liberal News Network has been losing market share anyway. I will go while I can still feel good about some of the media.

You bet he is playing politics as well as playing Americans for fools.

Keep backing McCain/Bush and Palin Republicans – God Bless America and God HELP the rest of us.

Come on Jack, this IS an economic crisis and McCain has gone back to the Senate, where he belongs, to help find a solution while your pal Obama continues his campaign. That way he doesn't have to take a stand just he in case he votes the wrong way. BTW, I'm a Republican turned Democrat when GW was first nominated in 2000

Susan
Augusta, ME

Of course he is. He should change his campaign slogan to “Postpone” & ‘Delay”!

Isn't it obvious that McCain is trying to get back on top in the polls? He's desperately trying to look Presidential but all he has succeeded in doing in the last 24 hours is prove he's a liar, at least to David Letterman, and proven he doesn't think Palin is competent to be VP. He wants the VP debate postponed indefinitely more than anything else because Palin can't remember her lines. Don't be surprised if a Wall Street bail out is approved today, McCain will call in sick for the Friday debate. In McCain's universe, saying he puts country before self is just another lie. He's W's clone.

What was your first clue, Jack. With the pundits saying that the country is waiting for either him or Obama to step and show leadership they dismissed the current administration however unpopular they maybe. The right thing to have done was wait for an invitation from the current President. McCain jumped the gun. Why? Because he is fully aware that the current crisis has placed him at a severe disadvantage. His philosophy lets look Presidential and shout America first, and hoprefully my actions will cast some bad light on Obama. To many of us who once supported McCain he has fully embarrassed himself and us.

Oh hell yes!!!!

He does not want to confront Obama tomorrow!!

yes.but we are rove-proof ,now. we have been waiting for these tactics,so we could call them on it. can i say, GOTCHA, loud enough?

John McCain is no different than the illusionist David Blaine. He trying to turn this campaign upside down by trying to cancel the debate and showing up to Washington. He might as well hang upside down to get our attention as he might even improve in the polls after this stunt.

Jack, your roots are showing. Shouldn't the question be "Are McCain and Obama playing politics with the nation's financial crisis?". In which case, the answer would be, of course they are. CNN's bias towards Obama/Biden is going to back fire. Americans love an underdog. Better try asking loaded questions about Obama,..just to be fair.

You mean the "Straight Talker" who suspended his campaign?? EXCEPT for the very negative ads that kept right on running here in Nebraska during this whole non-partisan "time out", of course. Yes, Jack, we would have to say we absolutely DO think he is playing politics. He certainly seems to know that political game better than one that deals with our dollars and SENSE.

You know he is. I don't understand the media and all those political pandering idot's on the other networks that keep talking like one giant talking head. They really think the American people are really stupid. John McSame is just trying every cheap trick in the book. Just unbelievable.

I believe he is trying to get a one up on the campaign. If he really wanted to help with the financial crisis since he is such a maverick then he would have cancelled the whole campaign and went back to Washington to do his job if he cared so much about his country! Country First he says sure after he realizes this benefits him. I live in Indiana and jobs are being lost by the boat loads and if he really cared he would have made an appearence here to show he understands what's going on with the people. Not him he doesn't want to do the leg work so he figures let's take a shortcutand just go to Washington to make it seem like he's for the people. I think not! Can we get some truth somewhere before Election Day?

L. Johnson
Terre Haute, IN

No doubt this is political strategy. The people need to hear from our future candidates and what they plan on doing when they take office. McC and his VP trophy don't need more time to memorize their answers.

John McCain has been baiting Obama for months to have townhall meetings with him and even offering to fly Obama on his own plane and this low grade lier now wants to pull out of the debate because he is declining in the polls and the ECONMY is terrible,I agree wih Obama to go ahead with the debates and also wit the commission not to cancel.This old fellow is trying to save Sarah Palin from her debate next week after watching her falter like a PIG with lipstick during the CBS interview.It's clearly that Sarah Palin is all dressed up with nowhere to go.

McCain seems to be initiating the kitchen sink strategy. I know he means well but the last two weeks have proven to me that his shoot from the hips style of decision making is not what I want in a president......he does have the temperment we need in a commander in chief.

I think McCain is too much for words, he is playing politics ina very nasty way. Obama called him and he ran like he had won the golden prize, then came out with suspending his campagin.

It is too much Jack, now what about the 5 million the poor state of Mississippi came up with to host the debate? Does McCain think that money lost in poor Mississippi is o.k? Just not at Wall Street?

McCain stay in Washington and never come out!!!!
Your a WRECK

Of course he is and I think McCain's political grandstanding and now wanting to pull out of the debate on Friday is a sure sign of his desperation. I think it is pathetic and an insult to us voters.

Absolutely. What other reason exists for suspending a Presidental campaign when a "qualified" VP canididate & soccer mom from Alaska could easily take it over for a couple of days?

Dear Mr. Cafferty,
I live in Oxford, MS, I am a senior at Ole Miss, and all I can say is that the situation here on the ground is ugly. Never have I seen so many Republicans angry at their own party. The more people I meet, the more Senator Obama can count as his voters. Ole Miss and Oxford have devoted themselves entirely to getting this Debate here, and now John McCain wants to throw all of that away for a simple political move. Who are we kidding here? I cannot say enough about Obama's determination to still come here and I (along with all of Oxford) thank him immensely for that! Ole Miss, one of this country's greatest public schools, deserves better. America deserves better. The Debate should go on. Oh, and if McCain thinks he can play Superman in Congress and save the nation's economic situation, then please start by saving all the millions of dollars that Ole Miss and Oxford have put into this Debate. I did not realize that our money should be thrown away just as easy as that in order to save a bunch of incompetent Wall Street execs.......Thank you Senator Obama! Ole Miss looks forward to seeing you!

Yes, Yes, Yes John McCain is playing politics with everything. It's the only thing he knows how to do...and it is the only thing he has to offer. If you don't have a leg to stand on as a candidate, you run to Washington to "look" presidencial, you silence your running make to make sure no more damage control is needed, then you pretend to understand the economy by cancelling a debate you have been begging for, and claim you are doing it all for "Country First". I cannot wait to cast my ballot for Obama/Biden!

I believe the senator (McCain) is playing politics in this situation, he has been absent from congress since April and this was a very good photo op to show that he cares, the man cannot recall how many houses he ownes, and clearly admitted that the economy is not his strongest subject, to add wood to the fire his campaign manager still on the payroll of the lobbying firm, despite McCain deniying in several statements by capaign officials.
Country first?
I did like senator McCain, I do not like nor agree with candidate McCain.

Absolutely. Being a self proclaimed person who knows very little about the economy, it is the only thing he can do. McCain's latest actions are nothing but a ploy. I believe this is a smoke screen to get himself or, more than likely, Palin out of the upcoming debates. Which debate do you think would most likely be cancelled, one of the three Presidential debates or the V. P. debate? My money is on the latter. Only the G. O. P. knows for sure.

As always.....just look at his face. Can he tell the truth without winking? Of course he's playing politics. He's about to lose this time though.

Of course he is. He must think we are all fools. It appears that he is going to try and take credit for getting the bailout plan approved when we all know he had nothing to do with it and this is just a way to postpone the debate. His entire caampaign is a joke. If Mel Brooks made a movie about running for president, it would look just like the McCain campaign.

Absolutely.! The last 10 days have shown he is totally clueless when it comes to economics. He flip flops day by dy and hour by hour

Does America really want this schizophrenic man in chagre of the free wolrd??? I don't

Jack

Both sides are! They both should be back in Washington, all of the members of Congress should be there right now this is to important of an issue for this country.

What gets me is when we were attacked by the errorists everyone knew they were after our economic structures and markets. Looks like they got thier wish!

Dan from Alliance, OH

Of course he is. But this is more about keeping Sarah out of the VEEP debate. To do that, he has to get his debate moved to next week by getting himself out of tomorrow night's debate. To do that, he has to find an excuse to be needed elsewhere. Fact is, he is more than competent to debate Obama tomorrow night on foreign policy. So that's why this whole thing stinks.

When there are 48 other Senators in Washington that can manage the crisis, do we really need the 2 that are interviewing for the highest office in the land to drop everything and run home? No, we don't!

Sadly I do not think Sen. McCain is playing politics but I do think he is gravely ill: I hope the press works on this story for I have been watching him and comparing this run to the 2000 run..not the same man. Something is wrong:
I think that is why Cindy has been traveling with him and staying close behind him. (Also, take a look at Cindy – she is looking very stressed and too thin. This is a woman who loves her husband and I feel she knows he is dying.) John McCain has had at least four bouts with malignant melanoma - a dangerous form of skin cancer. Read about it at Mayo Clinic if you don’t know about it. I feel Sen. McCain wishes to be president and is not putting the nation first. I believe the reason he will not debate is this illness. If he does not show for the debate, I hope the press will address this issue. We need a president in good health to face the demands of the presidency.

Yes, and after a time (40 days) he will understand the People aren't buying what he is selling.

Duane
Blodgett, MO

As the nominee of The Party That Wrecked America, McCain is desperate. He will play politics with anything that he and his handlers (i.e. Karl Rove and the Seven Lobbyists) feel will divert attention from the disaster he and his pals have created.

Ofcause he is,He hasn't been in contact with Washington all that much so why should he go now to act as if he's all that involved. The President on a light side is helping McCain by Asking them to come to Washington.Remember he said he would rather win a war than an election, well he be trying to win an election, wouldn't you say so Jack.

Yes, he is looking for anything right now. There's no reason he needed to be in Washington, as there was already a committee working on the bail-out, which I am opposed to be to begin with. He is just trying to make political hay out of this situation.

yes, and he thinks the american people will be fool into another 4 years of the republican bull. They have 4 more months. This was a play to have the vp candidate obtain more schooling. move the presidental debate to the vp debate slot, and then reschedule or cancel because we really do not have much time after the last presidental debate to schedule a vp debate. No. we want to hear from Sen. McCain and his poor judgement pick Palin. It really amazes me how the media will spin this crap. You have to live in this world too..... wake up america, anyone can take pictures with foreign leaders, does that mean they become foreign policy experts. Can they walk the walk and talk the talk. We do not have a clue what this candidate knows or doesnt know and people are really thinking about voting for someone who can potentially become president, based on what? she's pretty. This sounds and feels like i'm being PUNKED!

Dave from Nova Scotia:
Of course he is. By his own admission he knows nothing about finance, so how could he be looking for anything other than a photo op in Washington. I also believe he is reluctant for an "Unscripted debate" with Obama.

If Mr. McCain’s attention is required elsewhere, then he should send Ms. Palin to the debate. Republicans are ready to place her in the second highest position in the government, so she should be able to fairly represent Mr. McCain in his absence, right?

And yes, Mr. McCain is playing traditional Republican fear politics, just as President Bush did last night. A few weeks ago the “fundamentals of the economy” were sound, but now the whole world is going to end if we don’t bail out these greedy companies by the end of the week. Mr. McCain says that he trusts the American workers to straighten out the economy, but the Republicans are implementing a typical trickledown theory that starts with bailing out the CEO’s of the investment banks. It pains me to think that one million dollars taken away from the compensation package of the executives could save at least five middle class mortgages.

Lincoln, Washington, Roosevelt and others are rolling over in their graves as America continues to be controlled by these fear tactics.

Nick
Denver, CO

Politics. Grandstanding. Fear. Call it what you like, John McCain is not only losing the election, he's losing his mind if he thinks the majority of the American people are buying this latest ruse. I used to believe he was an honorable person. I guess I was wrong.

Of course he is, he is irresponsible again. He's a lose canon, all over the place. I suggest that if he doesn't want to debate Obama tomorrow night that he send his "qualified" V.P.. Ha.

Is John McCain playing politics with the nation’s deepening financial crisis?
Does the Pope poop in the woods?
When I use my middle finger to signal, does it point up?
How many bureaucrats does it take to fill the back of a pick up truck?

OK, enough of the silly questions, this is serious subject.

Yes.

Yes. Thats what he does every second he's awake.

Yes, McCain is playing politics with the nation's so-called financial crises. He is a politician. It's part of his job. I believe his next slogan will be: "I would rather lose an election than to have our economy go into a depression". Put the 700 billion dollars into the welfare program so that the people who signed those bad contracts won't fall so hard. They can be down here with me, then work their way back up to the top.

Chicago, IL

Of course McCain is playing politics. If we had 4 hicks from the sticks runnung for the Presidency and Vice-Presidency instead of 1, at this point would any of them be needed in Washington. Of course the Senators, when needed, should be there to fulfill those positions and responsibilities. (The 3 of them)

Paul in Alabama

Oh, and to top everything else, Bush roundly applauded McCain's decision! In my mind, that virtually guarantees that it was a political ploy!

Jack, I don't believe he is, and I think he was actually genuine in suspending his campaign. However, what is that got to do with everything else.... As president they should be able to deal with multiple crisis at the same time. If he is elected, and we have a war, and a terror attack, what will he do.... Cancel one while he attend to other... That is the issue....

Hi Jack!
We live in northwestern Ohio and believe me we care about what is happening in Washington. Our country has always had presidential debates and I hope we will not be dissappointed tomorrow night. If McCain doesn't show up it will be Obama's gain. I believe that McCain is grandstanding and this show of his has gone on long enough. The situation right now needs intelligence and it's time we had that in Washington!

Jack...

A lot of Canadians are focused on the U.S. election these days in spite of the fact that the Canadian Government is currently wasting our taxpayer's' money on an unwanted Federal Election here.

While watching President Bush speak last night, an old football phrase from John Madden came to mind:

"Don't worry about if the horse is blind, just load the wagon".

This is simply another political stunt from John McCain. Now more than ever we need to hear from the candidates on their proposed plans for our economic future. Surely a few hours debating Obama will still allow McCain to handle this crisis in Washington. If he can't chew gum and walk at the same time than I guess that's all the insight I need in forming my decsision as to who to vote for. McCain repeatedly says he puts country first, yet his decision to appoint Palin as VP and his current decision to postpone the debates tells me he cares more about playing politics than about securing our future as a nation.

He inserted himself in very delicate negtiations that were occuring without him. I nhis speech he blatentl plagerized Obama's words as it he invented them.
In fact at this time, the congressional leadership have agreed to the points that OBAMA outlined last week.
After whiplash reversals, McCain is trying to look the hero, and no doubt will position himself as if nothing happened until he 'threatened' to take action and suspended his campaign.
Another charleton type circus move. He wil take credit for something he didn't do and paint Obama as not doing anything. He will lie for the next 40 days and dadly the brainwashed people will believe him.

By the way. the Republican party for which he stands , got us into this mess, why should American's reward hHIS historical behavior of 'free market, no oversight, no regulations' and make him President?
WAKE UP Americans!

John McCain is in a slide and can't afford to lose any more ground. A debate against a poised, intelligent, and informed opponent would finish him. A debate in this economic climate might also expose him to further scrutiny for his role in the Keating Five and the S&L collapse of the 80s. Darn right he's playing politics! He's got nothing else!

BillD
Champaign, IL

Don´t you have a better question?

Jack,

Mc Cain is trying to put himself out front by doing what he thinks is"Something Bold.." If he is as powerful as he would want us to think,,he could have done the samething with phone calls.

Palin his other "Bold Move" has through her interviews proved to be Dan Quail in lipstick.. Quail and Palin are both pretty, but not much substance.

Can not wait to see his next spectacular move...

not only is Mccain playing politics so are the republicans, they are holding up the bill so Mccain can get credit for it.I was surprised Mccain an lieberman could find there offices, seen as thow there never there. What a show Mccain and the reblicans are putting on.

Eek! Moderation!

Your comment is awaiting moderation.

Deb, Allentown, PA
September 25th, 2008 2:02 pm ET

Jack, you’re my hero. I knew you were going to ask this question.

The answer is, of course he is! Even if he was coming back to help rally Republican support for this bill, as Schieffer apparently reported today, there was no need for him to “suspend” his campaign. Of course, he didn’t really suspend it, did he? He did the Couric interview, he went to the Clinton Global Initiative today, and his ads are still running and his surrogates are still running their mouths. This whole thing was a ploy to either delay his debating Obama or delay or suspend the VP debate. Lots of people are voting early and McCain knows that the longer he stays in, the more he’ll dive in the polls. He’s counting on those early votes from people who don’t yet realize what a farce he and Palin are.

Jack,

This is beyond a political ploy, it's embarassing!!! Embarrasing for our country – this man can't do 2 things at a time, it's a shame that we are 3 % points away from picking this guy.

Two reasons why he did what he did:
1. He is totally economically incompetent – shooting from the hip left and right, bumbling and fumbling.
2. He wanted to post-pone Oct 2nd VP debate to NEVER.

Sene',
Falls church, va

His presence there is not important. He and Biden have been in the Senate for over 30 years each, and nothing has changed for the better in the past 30 years! Well, maybe things are better for illegals thanks to those two!

YES! McCain is just grandstanding. He's been in DC for 26 years, been absent plenty. Sen. Obama calls him in the MORNING, and in the afternoon....... he is issuing a statement of his own. Obama's phone call woke McCain up! And McCain said " good grief the kid's got a point!" So he beat Sen. Obama to the punch line. McCain came across as an ALARMIST, Sen. Obama came across as a Statesman.

When the vote is taken, they can fly to DC, and vote. Having the candidates sitting around talking and meeting all day is not leadership. Leadership finishes the race, leadership is constant, leadership is not an alarmist. Leadership is steady, it does what it says.

McCain committed to a debate, now he wants to bail out, under the guise that he's needed in DC........... baloney! He's not prepared.

Of course it was political posturing and quite obvious to all who opened their eyes. McCain doesn't look well & there's something wrong with his left eye too. I can't understand how anyone can subject himself to all this mess to be president but thats what McCain is doing. Its pitiful to look at him.

Yes, this was a transparent political move. I think he is afraid because he is not prepared to debate. Truthfully, he looks like he is disintegrating before our very eyes.

He hasn't shown up in the Senate since last April. Why is he needed now since he admits he isn't good on the economy? And then he does one-up-manship by doing the media blitz moments after Obama asked him to do a joint statement. Blnidsided him. Yes this is just more of McCains manuvering to try to take credit for the end results. Sure hope he is shown up for what he is–McSame McBush. Have you noticed that a large majority of the world leaders are in the 40-60 yr age range? McCain does not even look like a President. But then neither does Bush. He can't even talk like a President.

What else can I think? Aspirations to the White House have unraveled the substance of John McCain. He has traded in his stature as a bona fide American hero, praised for his honor and integrity, to become a weaselly old duffer with an out-of-touch campaign and a cartoon VP. It's very, very sad.

Christine from Edmeston, New York

Have you ever seen someone play basketball, baseball or any game where they don't know anything about it: Well it's pretty comical. That's how John looks right now. He's TRYING to play, but he's only making himself look silly. I can almost hear him saying: "Pass me the puck so I can make a slam dunk in the endzone."

L. Sharfner
Bloomington, IN

Yes, indeed he is. No surprise there.

Peg from NY

Yes, Jack, I think it is painfully obvious that McSame is using the "crisis" to try to gain points with the American public by appearing to be sympathetic. McCain is so out of touch with real live Americans it is a joke. I hope that everyday Amercians will not fall for this stunt. I think that it is extremely arrogant of him to think that this crisis cannot be solved without him.

Sonya
South Carolina

Hell yes he's playing politics–and it angers me to no end. Answer me this, Jack: if he wasn't playing politics–and was actually rushing back to DC to deal with the crisis–how could he have the extra time to sit down and chat with Katie Couric, or give a speech at Clinton's Global Initiative summit this morning? Isn't he supposed to be doing something else–like, say, working on the crisis?

Which is it, McCain? Are you in DC to push Congress to move forward on the financial crisis, or are you in DC to push the financial crisis and move *your political campaign* forward? I think we know the answer to that one.

Jack, this North Carolina independent has just made up his mind on who he's voting for this November...and it isn't McCain.

guess he may be a little worried there needs to be some fall guys. he's just making sure he's not one. arlene in clinton iowa

It appears so Jack as most polls when asked over 70% say yes McCain if grandstanding as for me I almost fell off my chair laughing when CNN broke the news.

It's actually hilarious that the guy who knows virtually nothing about the economy has decided to swoop into Washington like a super-hero and save the day by solving the biggest economic crisis of the century. I wonder how he'll look in tights and a cape.

Yes Jack, he is. He is in his prime now–spinning–that is what he knows how to do best. He can't stick to the script, so, he makes one to suit himself. What does he know about economics anyway? Did he just confer with Phil Gramm, or Fiona? Yeah, what a great economic panel, huh? Oh, I know, let's quote Palin, from Katie's interview - let me think about that, and I will get back to ya."

Give the guy a break. Why didn't you ask if Obama was playing politics by NOT trying to be involved in a solution? The winner of this election inherits this bail out plan. If I was likely to inherit it, I darn sure would want to be sure I had some say in it. I think he's doing what he thinks is right. Perhaps he actually IS putting country first. It's called integrity, something the media would not understand, hence dumb questions like this one.

Chatham, VA

Yes and so are the rest of the Republicans.They are now saying "not so fast".This is a ploy to wait until after McCain's ( and Obama's) meeting with Pres. Bush to claim their Pres. candidate rode into town and persuaded them to back the bill.

Mortgages Mass Distruction

John McCain is definitely playing politics. It almost looks like he's trying to keep Sarah Palin from having to debate Joe Biden. I can't blame him for that. She comes off pretty empty headed in interviews. Anybody can read from a teleprompter or memorize canned answers. Here's the thing: If McCain can't debate tomorrow, he can't be president. It's as simple as that. This financial crisis isn't the only issue facing our country today. We also have to worry about Korea taking down the surveillance equipment on nuclear facilities, Russia quickly regressing and becoming an enemy, catastrophic hurricane damage leaving entire communities homeless. If he can't conduct a campaign in the midst of this financial crisis, how will he be an effective leader in our country today?

Jack: there's old adage: "when they know they cant win, they wont compete."

sam, south georgia

Of course he is.

can we say deja vu for McCain. I think he is having panic attacks and need to get a prescription of Prozac. He is such a "change agent" makes me laugh daily how much he is sounding like Obama. Funny how Bushes dadddy had the failure of the saving and loans and the saying like father like son comes to mind. I am sure if the FBI really does its job they will find his name inside it or Cindy's name. He is a do as I say not as I do politician like Bush. Throw them all out this year.

OH YES he's got the big white mustang out of the barn and parading around like he's the second coming . riding into town to save the day VERY VERY BUSH LIKE.. HE IS MAKING SUCH A FOOL OF HIS SELF someone should tell him, you got to quit this nonsense IT'S NOT WORKING!!!!!

This is the first maneuver by the Republicans to call off the 2008 election. Due to the financial crisis and ensuing civil unrest, I believe Bush will impose martial law since it is pretty clear McCain can't win.

Is Wolf's beard grey? ofcourse he is playing politics with it. The crazy part about it is that he will say it is because he is putting the "country first".
Please Mr. McCain please put the "country first" and get out of this race if you can not handle more than one thing at a time.

akins
Boston MA.

John McCain is using the financial crisis as an excuse to interrupt Barack Obama's momentum and buy more time for Sarah Palin's crash course in national and international politics. In spite of denials by his fellow Republicans, he also appears to be nervous about going toe-to-toe with Barack Obama in a debate. His recent track record shows whenever he feels outgunned, he abruptly changes course and heads off on his own. This is not a great quality for a potential president of the United States.

Absolutely! John Mcain hasnt even read the administrations bail out plan. He knows nothing abt the economy. The day this entire crisis began he said" the fundementals of out ecomony are still strong" .
He is just pandering and putting presidential politics into the new bill congress would like to pass.
Shame on him. His behavior is not putting country first.

McCain is pulling another Hail Mary. If he can appear to garner a resolution of the bail-out while reaching across party lines, he will have a pretty powerful line going into the debates or the rest of the campaign in general.

If, on the other hand, he gets further aligned with Bush and the deal fails, he's toast.

This whole thing has to be awkward for Obama. He is a studied, level-headed, pragmatic person. While he adapts well to changing situations, he has to be a bit annoyed with McCain who doesn't seem to know how to run a fair campaign.

Boise

Gee what a great question!!!

You remind me of the police chief in "CASABLANCA" who is shocked that there is gambling going on at "Rick's" . Last time I checked it is a political year and both OBAMA and McCain are trying to use this crisis to their political advantage. I don't think I've heard BO give McCain any credit for co sponsoring a bill callling for stronger regulation in 2005. Nor have I heard BO castigate Barney Frank or Chris Dodd for blocking action on all of the administrations requests for increased regulation of Fannie and Freddie. (But then he is the second highest beneficiary of their alrgesses isn't he?)

Am I to assume from your question that you really claim that only one candidate is playing this game. Do you really think that the public is that stupid?

If McCain wasn't playing politics with the economic crisis, he would explain to congressional Republicans that this is almost as important as the Terri Schiavo Resuscitation & Perpetual Sustenance Act. That was promptness and process extraordinaire – and subordinated all other institutions of government to the result!

He is the Senator with the worst voting record for being present. He admits that he doesn't grasp the economy and told us just a few days ago that the economy was strong. Meanwhile, he fought against regulation just before the S&L scandal, he has called himself "The Fundamental Deregulator", he was on TV in a interveiw just a couple of days ago saying that he was proud of his deregulation because it helped grow our economy. And all his economy advisors are deregulators. Now he must go to Washington to help bring regulation? No this wasn't politically motivated. Why isn't Sarah Palin taking over the campain? She's the number two that's a heartbeat away!

Of course he is. It's all grandstanding. Disgusting, actually.

Ding, DIng Edith......
Even Archie would have seen through this one.....

Out of the blue of the Western sky comes – "Hurricane McCain." This self-confessed economic lightweight now flies into town like a modern day Mighty Mouse to save the day. He hasn't had an original idea on the fixing the economy yet. This guy is as reckless as the proverbial bull in a china shop. Threatening to cancel the debate in the name of putting the country first in this crisis is a shameless act that belongs in the Grandstanding Hall of Fame. Gil from Pennsylvania

How much longer do we have to listen to the "great patriot" preach to us about how wonderful he is? It is wearing very thin. This may be the last straw. I certainly hope so. He is beginning to sound like Digger O'Dell " the friendly undertaker" talking to the bereaved.

John McCain wanted to ride into Washington on a white horse and save the day in order to save the elections in November for himself and all other Republicans running for re-election. It is thought that if he endorsed the plan that the other Republicans in Congress could freely vote for it, thus saving the day on the bailout crisis. No politician ever walks away from a chance to take credit for something and have a photo shoot to back it up.

Ya Think!! I'm just anxious to see what he will come up with next week to get Saint Sara off the hook, it should be interesting.

YES.
Politics mixed vwith temper.

Pullman Washinton State

He is using this as a pathetic excuse to call off the debate. He made sure he was in New York today and can make it to the White House this afternoon, so why can't he vote Friday, if this is what it is all about, and have his wifes plane transport him to Mississippi? Is it that he is afraid of how Palin will come out against Biden and wants to hold off the debates so that he can rectify the damage she will do?

What a JOKE to think that McCain is pulling a stunt! The man has over 2 decades of service in the senate! He can debate Barack Obama with his eyes closed and one hand tied behind his back! This is hilarious – John McCain is finally sick of this ridiculous political process and wants to actually get something done – exactly the quality I want in my President. Wake-up people. Obama has NO CLUE how to handle this, unless his teleprompter is working… If I were the people of Illinois I would be so upset. Maybe he should donate the money Barbara Streisand gave him to Wall Street – talking about finally doing what he preaches. McCain is exactly the President I want. Good riddance to a stupid debate when if you don’t know how they stand on the issues by now, you don’t deserve to vote.

Yes he is.

Stalling as usual. The McCain way. He cannot do anything in DC that he cant do from Mississippi. He is not on the committee, he cannot attend the meeings, so what is his point for cancelling. Go to DC meet with Bush and get his behind on a plane to Oxford and lets have a debate about why we are in this mess and what are they gonna do to help lil ole me. The Wall Street gang knows how to take care of themselves.

He is playing politics. Sorry Mc we are not buying it this time.

For sure! In my opinion is more worried about his failing campain.
If he can't be at the debate, why doesn't Sarah Palin debate for him?

Both McCain and Obama have responsibilities as leaders of their respective campaigns that cannot just be suspended! This is especially true with only a few weeks left before the election . To be able to focus on the big picture while handling any immediate crisis is the hallmark of a good leader and McCain, by stepping down from his campaign, is either playing politics or is failing horribly at being a true leader!!!

Of course John McCain is playing politics. He has no clue about the economy and wants to avoid a debate while this is unsettled. What is going to happen to sideline the VP debate? I'm sure they will come up with something. If not, it will only be scripted.

Of course he is Jack. I liked what David Letterman said (paraphrased)
Are you going to go and suspend your presidency when a situation gets too tough or there is too much going on?
The president of the United States needs to know how to multi task! Besides, the deal was already done...but hey let McCain go ahead and lie and say he saved the world. That's what he's best at: lying.

Sure looks like it from out here in middle America.

You are damn right he is. He is truly going on script. This was all planned. He jumped in as they were getting ready to make a deal. How come he was never tinterested in being a part of the negotiations. The whole Replublican ticket is a joke. They are buying time. They don't want a part of Obama and Biden. A pair of intelligent Lawyers against Who?

Dear Jack,

Of course he is. I hope! If he truly believes that he can make one iota difference by "suspending" the campaign, then he's way past the halfway point to nutty. Playing politics is just common and scuzzy; delusions of grandeur are the real-deal scary!

Of course he is Jack,
why would anyone vote for someone that is so impulsive, unpredictable, irrational, total lack of control and totally self serving. He could not give a darn about this country, getting the headlines is all he is concerned about. Can you imagine giving someone like that the control of an atomic bomb.
Sarah
Dade City, Fl.

are you kidding me jack, another hail mary from mcsame.. am sorry this one is not gonna work.what in the hell he take us for , idiots i dont think so . american are smarter than that,he is even trying to change the date to waive VP debate. lol boy plz

Absolutely Jack, he admitted he doesn't understand economics but now he thinks he can solve the biggest finacial crisis in our history? I think he needs medical attention...is he in the early stages of dementia? God help us, we'll be left with Palin!!!!

Of course he is, that's all all anyone in his campaign does. Why won't he agree to go ahead with the debate when an agreement has been worked out and will be passed this weekend? All of this done without his presence in Washington, I might add. It must be killing him that he couldn't look the part as he wanted to as the savior of our economy. I'm sick to death of him and Palin and their games. Always trying to be one-up and always falling behind. So now today since Palin let four questions come her way from her taveling press corps they say shes opening up?! Give us a break. I believe this whole boycott by McCain was done so his campaign could cancel not this debate between Barack and him but the one next week between Joe Biden and Palin. We all know she's not ready – look at her deer in the headlights interview with Katie on CBS. "I'll see if I can find some and I'll bring them to you."

Of course he is. He's not been part of the discussions. He has no ideas of his own on the economy; he's even admitted he doesn't know much. His best buddy financial advisor, Phil Gramm, deregulated the markets that caused this mess. McCain himself is a member of the Keating 5 responsible for the S&L crisis. His campaign is in a tailspin, so he tries to call time out. It's not as if Senator Reid will call a vote on the economic package that Senator Obama and Senator Biden can't get to, so Senator McCain would ALSO be able to get to it. If any of them have ideas, they can phone them in, set up a conference call, or pass them off to one of their allies. McCain's little stunt is pure politics and nothing else.

Davis, California

Jack I truly do feel really sorry for the people who have already cast their early election vote for John McSame/Palin ticket. TRULY SORRY.

How can almost 50% of the people support McCain and all the comments you get are 95% negative...What does that say about the people that watch CNN ,or are you screening them and throwing out PRO McCAIN ones.??????......

McCain/Obama and most of our elected leaders are the cause of this financial crisis. They sold out long ago to the big corporations and will make sure their big campaign contributors get their share of the Bailout Pie. This election has convinced me of one thing. That is that when a senator or congressman chooses to run for president, he/she should vacate their seat in Congress and should not be paid to do a job they don't do because they are too busy running around the country seeking a higher office.
Brownwood, Texas

Everyone knows what McCain is doing. Stunting! Everyone knows he's not very smart – he even admits it. Americans know he hasn't the temperment nor the morals to lead this country.

The media, being bought and paid for by the powers that be will find the ONE favorable blog out of 100 to read, and never mention that the majority of us Americans want more than McCain and Palin are offering. The media keeps saying the election is close. ON WHAT PLANET??? Wake up america. This is how they will steal the election. By saying it was close.

It doesn’t matter if he is, or if he is not. What will matter in November is whether the voters THINK he helped solve the financial crisis. If they do, he will win flat out, as opposed to winning in a close race.

And if he is playing politics (like Obama doesn’t, right?) and if this helps break the deadlock and gets the bailout passed, so what is the harm? Presidents play politics all the time, because they have to, to get anything done. This is hardly new nor is it peculiar to McCain.

How else do you explain a candidate's actions after he admitted economic issues are not his strong suit? Perhaps McCain is hoping to cash in on some of the multi-million dollar deals the CEO's hope to get out of their failure. That way he can finance his campaign!

Yes and I am mad as hell. He saw his numbers in the poll falling so he took the easy way out. He never got a chance to do anything to help out Congress after stating he was suspending his campaign . He lied to Letterman about going back to Washington D.C. Now that both parties have agreed to a solution does this mean he must debate on Friday night?

Of course he is. His decision to "suspend" his campaign was just a gimmick. If McCain really wanted to put the country above politics, then all he had to do was pick up the phone and personally ask Senator Obama to join him. Instead, McCain held a press conference and publicly called on Obama to join him.

By doing it the way he did, McCain can now portray himself as a "leader" who cares more about the country than politics while labeling Obama as a follower. This was pure political BS!

In A word YES

i think that mc cain is just trying to be a good republican. if they can not retain hold of the government they want to make sure that it is broke when they turn over the reins. in the last eight years the republicans have run up 3 trillion in charged debts , give or take a few 100 bill. i guess if you want to call it political you can i call it criminal

yes, of course he is. McInsane will do anything he can not to have to debate Obama. McCain knows that Obama will take him to the wood shed.

K. TX

John McCain is portraying the Knight in shining armor putting country before self. To bad all this chivilry is wasted on those already rich and wealthy to continue this false precept of trickle down economics. We dont need drastic measures that only continue to make the actual problem even worse. Thanks john for adding more anxiety and feeling of urgency that only fuels the fire. Keep the fear card close at hand mr bush.

John McCain seems to be scrambling for anything that'll keep him in this race. He can't stay true to his own words, he now realizes that he screwed up with his veep choice, and he's running on a non-existent platform. He uses silly tricks, cheap attacks, and grandstanding for political advantage. All very sad.

John McCain make a financial disaster into a political ploy-ASOLUTELY! I had thought him a man of honor based on his war record. Now I look at his face and internally scream "Liar, liar pants on fire!" How can so many Americans not see through this? His 96 year old mother should take him into the back room for a good thrashing or at least put a bar of soap in his mouth!

Isn't it obvious he is playing politics. For someone who wants people to believe him he sure gives them enough ammonition not to. Voter are smarter than that. As soon a Obama called him he tried for find the quickest way to take advantage of the situation, and the reason he doesn't want to debate with Obama is because Obama will make him look even sillier.

Jack I can sum it up in one word YES!

No ,and McCain is a GREAT LEADER... and HE will make a great PRESIDENT......

I absolutely believe that McCain is playing politics. His poll numbers are dropping and it is his worst nightmare to face Obama in a debate. Bush played his game and asked Obama to come back to Washington too. In the face of all the huge problems this country is facing, I think it is deplorable to play with our minds like this. Agree on a plan regarding our financial catastrophe, debate the issues and let's quit playing these stupid games at such a critical time. This administration was asleep at the wheel; it wasn't that long ago that Bush said "our economy is strong".

Would a man of honor play politics? Yes, because he wants people to think that he cares about the people when in FACT he got a call from Barbies accountant and told him she's going to lose a lot of money if he doesn't get this deal through to help Wall Street. And that's no bull.
Will Rogers said it best, "Politics it great, it's just too bad we have to have politicians."

Jack,

Hillary tried throwing the "kitchen sink" at Obama, and she couldn't make him drop his theme and poise.

McCain is tossing a "toilet worthy" campaign at Obama, however, he's trying to steal his theme, drag the campaign into the mud, flail around with disturbing decision making, pit a Harvard law scholar against a foolish sounding, nutcase named Palin...

Honestly, I can't fathom how republicans sleep at night knowing that this their horse for the race and that they will support him no matter what nonsense he and Palin are pulling.

Jack,
Absolutely, Mccain could careless about the American people, it is obvious since this crisis hit, he has changed his mind on whether or not this economy is fundamentally sound eight times. John Mccain doesn't have a clue on what the average American is enduring in the world. Jack tell me how can a person who makes 80,000 a year, working extra shifts, average middle class family be struggling to keep food on the table and gas in the cars? This is all because of Bush-onomics. The so-called Righteous Rich Republican Party getting richer, squeezing out the middle class until we are forced to be in the lower class. This is all bull shiggity !!!! I am not bying the fake concern and I hope the American people can see right through the deceit and lies.

Jack,

everything McCain does is politically motivated, particularly the Palin appointment and now the Campaign suspension. He really should do the honorable thing and suspend the campaign indefinitely thus avoiding complete embarrassment on November 4th when it should become crystal clear that this country will embrace Real Change and not this fake morphed version served up by arguably the most incompetent, inept and out-of-touch political sham of a party this country has seen in its entire history.

Simply answered – YES!!!

Last night when he made his announcement, after blindsiding Obama, he looked tired, drawn and completely deflated. This was an effort to get his debate postponed and the VP one as well pushed back to a date to be decided.

McCain/Palin look more and more like actors in a soap opera and, frankly, their respective performances are just as pathetic.

David
Westborough, MA

I agree that McLame was hoping to postpone the debates indefinitely, since he has a hard time talking with a script let alone without. Folks talk about Obama as the Messiah.......McLame is trying to be Mighty Mouse. Sad that the old man can't walk and chew gum at the same time. Americans aren't all stupid, this has been nothing but a stunt, that is making him look worse than ever!! "Suspend" the campaign? My foot. Where's Caribou Barbie, or isn't she trusted to go out alone?
BO/08

The debate is an hour and a half long. Given that each candidate has a private jet, you can figure travel time at about an hour each way. Add a couple hours just for extra stuff and you get about six hours. Big deal. If McCain really thought his presence was so all fired important on capitol hill, then why didn't he go there yesterday at 2:30 when he finally called Obama back? This is a load of political crap.

Yes Jack: This is Mccain advisors using him as a puppet. Just like Edgar Bergen used Charley McCarthy.

Good afternoon Jack,
I couldn't help but notice that J-Mcs sudden realization of his need to postpone his campaign came sandwiched between two photo ops. Yesterdays trumped up press conference where Gov. Sarah Palin was highlighted with foreign leaders (yet once agin, no questions were asked) and todays White House visit, with a speech thrown in this morning in NYC for good measure.

This is the greatest farce Ive seen in my 50 years on this planet. If McCain isn't at the debate tomorrow night, I expect to see him on C-Span hammering out some crucial legislation or Im going to doubt his straight talk slogan.

John McCain is part of the problem. A few weeks ago he proclaimed he did not understand the economy. Now the fool is claiming he knows how to fix it.
He is just using it for an excuse so he does not have to meet a superior force in the debate.
The best and most honorable thing McCain could do would be to drop out of the presidential race.

John McCain was never going to get my vote, but he used to have my respect. Not anymore!

Barack Obama is a bigger person than I am for not calling McCain out on this little stunt. If it were me, I would have taped, transcripted, and time stamped every message and conversation with John McCain. And I would have given the media a copy...the minute McCain showed up on TV with his “bold” announcement.

McCain not only lost the election, he lost his integrity.

Is he a Republican...then YES!
Marjorie
NY

Yes, McCain is clearly playing politics with the nation's financial crisis. McCain is trying to tell voters he's a leader however, there's a major problem with his message.

First of all, if McCain is such a great leader, then why isn't he the republican senate minority leader? Either republicans don't want him as their leader or McCain doesn't like the congressional leaders the republicans have chosen for their party. No matter how the question is answered there is clearly division within the republican party.

Second of all, why can't McCain effectively communicate with republican leaders without physically being in Washington? Either there's (again) division between McCain and the republican party leaders or McCain lacks effective communication skills. No matter how the question is answered McCain has a communication problem.

Jack,

Democrats, Republicans, Independents and my old Aunt Edna all tacitly understand that McCain is doing this to try and drum up some credibility on this economic disaster. The 40% of the population who are going to vote for McCain no matter what are looking past or praising the stunt, and the other 60% are shaking their heads in disbelief.

Sure he is, He's a politician! Do the American People have to have an other "Boston Tea Party" for Washington to wake up? ....We are obviously not being represented for this to go this far.

Of course he is trying to save his campaign. He is embarrassing himself by changing his positions frequently. I do not recognize him anymore.

Will the real Senator McCain please stand up!

There was one issue I never thought I would question John McCain on and that waswillingness to stand tall for what he believed in.

Sorry to say just like truth and judgement now bravery is something I think McCain lacks. He is afraid to face Obama one on one in front of the American people.

Yes Sen. McCain you will always be an American hero, but now you will always in my house be a political coward.

Yes he is playing politics. He says he has suspended his campaign, all ads and all fund raising. I guess he thinks people in PA are stupid? His as ran on our TV this afternoon at 2:30pm and it is a new one that he is using his going back to Washington to try and make himself look like he is riding in and saving the day???

As for the debate being canceled on Friday and the VP one put off till another time….perhaps he wants the VP one put off till after the election in Nov and then none of us will get to find out that Gov Palin is unqualified.
Cathy from New Oxford, PA

Quit picking on McCain. He's old, give him a break.

It makes sense that John McCain has to suspend his campaign. If he selected a suitable and qualified VP that person could carry on the campaign. Senator McCain is now realizing what the world already knew…It was a bone headed move to select Sarah Palin.

It's like the GOP postponing the convention for Gustav, like they were going to help out somehow? Give me a break!
On with the debate! Now more than ever!
Denver

Of course he's playing politics! He already said he doesn't know much about the economy!! Just what we need, another clown pretending to rescue us from the crisis that he helped cause!!

McCain appear to be initiating his Republican domestic version of the 'Bush Doctrine'. (Could someone explain that to Sarah please.) This is the saddest political ploy I've ever seen. Congress reached an agreement before he even arrived in Washington. Maybe he had a chance to read the 3 page original bill while on the plane. Sad, just sad.

So interesting, this gathering of Bush & McCain & Obama. We may have been spared this disastrous presidency had not Bush used such vile campaign tactics and lies about McCain in 2000. Now McCain stands in Bush’s White House, privy to a close-up of calamity. Stands there next to Obama – against whom he using vile campaign tactics and lies. I wonder if that’s crossed their minds.

El Sobrante, California

What a dumb question ! McCain has always put his Country first and it was McCain's idea to have this meeting. McCain had the plan a week ago that is coming about.
Obama has been twiddling his toes doing nothing...he's nothing but a mouth.
Jack Carson
Denver CO

The media needs to stop saying he suspended his campaign. His campaign continues at full speed. All McCain did was inject politics into the negotiations around the bail out. This man will say anything and do anything in an attempt to swing the media coverage and the polls in his direction. I am really hoping he crossed a line that will make Americans understand his pandering and games.

We need to keep talking about how he was part of the leadership in the Senate that led us down this path and his campaign manager has been getting paid by Fannie Mae.

Does the average American really not understand what he is doing?

Jack.....go long!

Yes...McCain is playing the economy to his advantage. Can't he use modern technology like cell phones, blackberry or laptop to stay in touch? Has the Senate stopped working for the last nine months that he has been on the road running for office? Also, when he met with economic advisors why wasn't Governor Palin present?

You bet. I also believe that it was predicated on his rehersal performances vs a sparing partner... the sparing partner won!

from, Branford, Ct.

Yes, this is all about Mc Cain politics! A news organization said this morning that McCain suggested moving the first Debate with Obama to next week in place of the Vice Presidential Debate. This of course will allow the inept Vice Presidential candidate time to study what goes on beyond Wasilla!!!!! I pray the American voters see through McCains' transparency.

Sure he is playing politics, he is trying to escape all of the embarresing questions on the economy that he will have to dance around. He has no clue about economy and he knows Obama will run circles around him on the issue.

yes it is political move . why is he not working on AZ issues

Of course he is playing politics. MaCain had time to conduct a medaia interview with Katie Curic after canceling an appearance on Letterman and he had time to speak to the Clinton initative
in NY before heading to Washington but he can't find time for a 90 minute debate? The deal had been cut befoire he even got to Washington. How stupid does he think the public is. He is just trying to deflect attention from the fact that he has been one of the biggest proponents of derergulation over the last 30yrs and that is what caused this mess

Yes he is using this as a stalling tactic. I don't think he's ready to debate with Obama. He can't win. He should not delay his debate.

Without a doubt. However, I will say this about McCain, he is consistent on his game of politics. From his campaign deceptions about Mr. Obama, to Trooper gate, and now this fiasco. I tell you, I am an opened minded person, trying really hard to give McCain the benefit of any doubt, but this is the last straw for me. If it were not for Barrack leading in the polls, as well as the electoral map, I may be a little worried about McCain, but his goose is cooked and I'm feeling sated.

Jack –

What is he thinking? Is he stupid enough to think that we do not know he is running scared. The balance of the economy is not in his hands. He is not involved in any negotiations – they have already stated that the first vote can not even happen until Saturday.

If he can not be the "stand up" guy he claims to be and honor the commitment he made to debate Barack Obama on Friday night I think the American people should look long and hard at him again.
This is nothing but a political stunt.

Can he chew gum and walk at the same time? After the past few days I think the answer is NO!

Jack most definatley YES not only is he playing politics with the economy problems but it was clear Mccain choosing Palin was also a political pick

The bailout deal is done.

We've just bet the solvency of our country on three men who have proven themselves incompetent up to this point; Ben, Henry and George.

God help us...

I do believe that John McCain is trying to use this situation to his advantage by trying to say that he is sympathetic to the average americans plight. I personally don't believe for one moment that he cares at all about average americans. This is all about politics and trying to change the minds of those americans who have not made up their mind on who to vote for. This is shameful and disgraceful. This also gives us a hint of what is to come if he does become the next president of the United States. At lease when he loses the presidency he may have a future in Hollywood.

Let's face it Jack , the only thing that John McCain cares about the economy is , "Cindy and I are doing just fine thank you "

Jack, obviously yes. The Congress has to meet and enact some legislation. He is finally doing his job. Along with the rest of them.
John
Pampa, TX

Yes he is. This is another distraction from the presidential debate. albeit it is an important issue, McCain is doing what Republicans do best DISTRACT! He has admitted that he doesn't know any thing about economics, so why would run off to the White House? What suggestions does he have to make. He consistently piggybacks off of Obama's comments. That's why his comments sound similar to Obama's otherwise how do you account for him tyring to appear as though he knows what he is talking about? He doesn't! Remember he said the "economy is fundamentally strong" at the onset of this crisis?

YES! What a rotten trick to pull on Obama who first suggested a joint response. McCain is grinning, like a cat after licking up all the milk, at getting the attention on himself. It definately put Presidential campaign in the midst of the talks that were on a course to settlement. The common people are outraged at such schenanigans. Let Friday's debate be about economics. Is McCain afraid to come together face to face with Obama where he can't control the proceedings? And without President Bush's manipulation, too.

Yes, McCain is playing politics.

A week ago, McCain repeated for the umpteenth time that the fundamentals of the economy were strong. Only days later, McCain declared that the economy was in such dire danger that he had to skip the debate and stop campaigning. What?

McCain now looks desperate and frantic. He appears not able to handle the kinds of crises that presidents must be able to handle. Isn't a president supposed to be calm during desperate times? Isn't a president supposed to be able to walk and chew bubble gum at the same time?

Absolutely this is a political ploy!!! I was still in the "pros and cons" on which person to vote for. After this stunt – I am so disappointed.

It’s sad to say but yes McCrisis is at it again. When one lacks substance, one has to go back to politics as usual and, this is a way for the maverick financial wizard to shy away from a failing campaign. I have the impression that we haven’t seen McPalin entire repertoire yet. Let’s debate now.

I bet the answer you get here is as polar as the parties. Wonder why?

Jack this man Mc Cain is a disgrase to the presidentila campain. How could anyone that cares any thing about this country go along with ths. The republicans think that all Americans are are stupid not just ther own party. these people can not be playing with a full deck can they Jack ?.

"You ain't seen nothin', yet!!!!" MCCain and company have big plans in store. When the plane touched down there was rumor of a possible tentative agreement that some how vanished between last night and this morning. (Seems there is now dissent rising in the Republican ranks.) Do not be surprised if that dissent melts away once McCain arrives on the scene and sprinkles his "magic compromise" dust, wherein suddenly everyone will be all smiles and reach an agreement ..... all due to the great skill of one.....John S. McCain! Bottem line: It will be a staged theatrical production starring McCain.

McCain is certainly playing a political game here wanting to make
the American people think HE is going to correct our situation. Just listening to his comments, he really does not have his heart in this campaign. He only wants to "get in the white house" for his own political gain(prestige), the same reason that he selected Mrs. Palin.
People who lie, always eventually bury themselves, and he will, and
good!

John McCain is playing some of the most patently offensive games I have ever witnessed by a politician. He had a modicum of integrity before his choice of Palin as VP. Since then, his whole campaign has spiraled out of control and his antics are downright embarassing. Palin's catastrophic (and limited) press escapades combined with his ping-pong-ing statements and policy proposals are beyond ludicrous. What bizzare excuse will he come up with now to avoid a debate? What – "the dog ate my teleprompter..."???

Are you kidding? Of course its a political move! What...do you think he heard about this yesterday and thought "my God, they REALLY need my economic expertise". A better question would be, when is the FBI going to investigate the administration's financial architects of this disaster? Do you think these guys had no clue until last week that there might be an issue here? How much do they get paid for NOT doing their job!
LInda Shepherd
Sun Lakes, AZ

he is playing politics that is why we call them politicians

Good question. In the words of Sarah Palin, and I quote "I will have to get back to you on that one"

Yes, Jack you know the answer to your question. McCain has no answer and not his not even interested in the economy of this great Nation. What you are seeing is a guy that have said several times ecconomics 101 is not his best subject.

yes he is!!!!!!!

This is a man 4 days ago who thought the fundamentals of this economy are strong but now he figured that since Bush is not declaring "mission accomplished" and now he has to run to the other side and seem like he was there all along, i never understand why people buy this kind of tricks time and time again, this is the same movie we've been watching for the last 8 years with diff casts.

Of course he's playing politics. According to McCain just 2 weeks ago, "the fundementals of the economy are strong". It's obvious he has no clue. This ploy has another effect advantagous to McCain. he wants the debate rescheduled until next week when the VP debate is scheduled. It is quite clear that Palin is unprepared and they are using this as a smokescreen to buy more time.

Jack,

Everyone is playing politics with this situation. The problem is the very people who are trying to fix the problem were the cause. the Democrats like Schummer/Dodd are using it to promote Obama. I am just sick and tired of watching these so called "Leaders" try to tell Iwho's fault it is. I might be a common man but I am not stupid! I fought for this country too. The politicians of both parties don't have a clue. It was congress and the presidents watch have them bail out Wall Street with their millions.

You bet your life it was a political stunt. This man is out of touch with anything that pertains to truth or decency. He is lowdown and to make matters worse, if he by hook or CROOK wins the whitehouse we have to worry that as bad as he is, if his toes curl up we would have to have palin in the white house and from what I've seen of her interview with Katie...........I am damned near scared to death.

Please America use our heads, vote Obama 08

Yes he is using this as a political stunt. When he said that he thought the VP debate should be postponed and he and Obama take that slot, I knew the reason. Neither he nor Palin must be prepared and this was the opening they were looking for.

hey larry its pretty easy to explain, it either says that the 50% support for Mc???? is a load of crap or that the 50% of the voters are uneducated rednecks that can't use a computer so they wouldn't know how to post a comment on here if they wanted to. I see that there is 5% of the morons who acutally went to school to learn how to use a comptuer but nothing else!

I beielve he is, but to some degree so is Obama. Rushing to Washington to do what? Inject more confusion? And why the rush to an answer? Sounds like Iraq all over again. If we approach this enormously important issure the same way we went to war in Iraq, then I say, don't vote for either major party but support the third party candidate of yuor choice. It can't be any worse than the way we "seem" to be doing business now!

Competely, he has sold his soul for a new job, now he runs from debates that he himself has been calling for, what a coward and sellout!

Of course, he was trying to get 'one up' on Obama. And by the way, while they are bailing out Wall Street, putting the burden on citizens who are not in favor of bearing this debt, tell them to 'bail out' the college graduates who have these debts and erase the student loans that have astronomical interest rates and holds the citizens who desired higher education hostage. (No one has recommended that yet!)

First McCain said he's cancelling the debate. Then he says that the first debate should be on 10/2, the date set for the VP debate. Why didn't he suggest that the VP debate be held on 9/26? Unfortunately, I think we know the answer – neither he nor Sarah Palin are prepared.

Of course he's playing politics. I think that John McShame has realized that voters are swaying towards Obama because Obama has a tangible message which is CHANGE. McShame's message is STATIC. He's trying to fool us by appearing sincere. But the truth is that his campaign is in trouble and the Palin excitement has worn off.

Absolutely a political stunt! Who gave him permission to cancel a debate? Why does McCain constantly tries to pull the wool over the heads of the American people? He acts like we just jumped out of a cracker jack box!!! We can see right through his game plan...pretending to be able to work with everyone, right? He parades Palin around in an effort to convenience America that she is qualified. She is so stressed out trying to remember everything she is suppose to say, it seems that she just rattles off, like like a runaway train with no substance! Now, that the young people and Americans are all in to politics (thanks to Obama), the children are laughing about how much more they know about politics than Palin! McCain definitely does not want to face Obama in a debate tomorrow night. He is still trying to buy time. ..won't work! If he sends Palin in his place, it will be the biggest disaster in the history of this country. She doesn't seem to know the sun is shining!!! Barack Obama is ready for McCain!!! (He knows that, too!!!) McCain NEEDS to show up for the debate with Obama!!! Avoiding the issues is not going to help our economy. Taking Obama's speeches and making them meet your speech needs by substitution, it appears, will not satisfy the American people. McCain needs to RESCUE Sarah Palin! He can't rescue this economy!

Jack, . . . McCain is not playing politics. McCain just punked out, plain
and simple. Jack, it makes one take a mental trip back to the vietnam
war and makes you wonder if McCain really is incapable of finishing a
mission. Was McCain really shot down a few times or did he put the
plane in a death spiral on purpose, eject, and surrender to get attention.

Yes, anybody in they right mind can see right to that little political stunt he pull. If he want to be my president he need to learn how to multi task

I think, it is more a reflection of his inability to handle the mess on his own. He does have an economic plan, but it does not capture this bail-out well. So, he needs to know the result of the bail-out first, then modify his plan, and then tell the American people that it has been his plan from Day One.

Students use to do that. These are not the most creative and intelligent ones, though.

If this had been sincere, McCain would have been in Washington since last Friday. Notably, the President is trying to help him with this one by making a last minute speech and having a minute that only distracts those writing the actual legislation from doing their jobs. McCain is not one of those legislators. What's funny, McCain's spokesman Tucker Bounds has already began to take credit for the agreement reached basically before McCain reached Washington. Oh, I forgot, McCain's campaign is suspended.

Why should he? Because his running mate thinks that living next to foreign country makes her a diplomat? I live in MInnesota and would like to be the vice presidential candidate to anyone willing to take me. I am a swimming mom, no lipstick needed. I do have a couple of big dogs though. I can't actually see Canada but if I go to International Falls, I might...

Jack. I will ask you this. If you graduated at the bottom of your class would you want to debate a Harvard educated, former Constitutional law professor? I wouldnt.

McCain has not been involved in the negotiations and his presence in Washington was not necessary. This was pure playing politics and grandstanding on his part. This sounds like a scheme by the Republicans to make him look like "he rescued" the day!

Of course. He is just playing us as fools.And if anyone believes him this country is in for 4 more years of the same . The republicans won't be happy until there is no middle class. Which is about 4 years more of their policies for the rich and big business. Then we can sit back a say we need a change but it's going to be too late. What a joke this country is becoming.

The reason McCain wants to cancel Friday’s debate. If they cancel the debate, in order to do at lease 3 presidential debates. They would have to cancel the Biden/Palin debate. Country first! Who does he think he is fooling! McCain is playing a shell game. What is he afraid of? That we'll find out that Palin is a good looking woman, and that’s all she is, period!!

How is this a political move by McCain?McCain is putting the country first.Congress is doing nothing,they are not getting anywhere.McCain just wants something done.Obama is making it a political statement not McCain.Obama to should go to Washington to make sure something gets done too.McCain does still care about the presidential debate and there still will be one,but what is more important right now a debate or a US financial fix.I can hear both candidates talk another time,right now people need to focus on the US crisis.

McCain thinks he's Obama's father where he tells Obama what to do and expects him to follow. Last month he said he was punishing Obama for not doing town hall with him by running false ads against him. Now he suspends his campaign and expects Obama to respond and if he doesn't he will not label him a nonleader. McCain is not Obama's father as to dictate to him how to run his capaign. Each runs his campaign as he sees fit. I guess McCain as in his foreign policy ideas doesn't have enough strategy but tactics for his campaign.

Sounds like a political stunt to me. This falls under the issues of accountability, integrity, multi-tasking, and being reliable. If John McCain does not show up for the debate tomorrow evening, it will only prove to us that he will not be a good candidate for president. There is no reason why he cannot jump on his jet and fly back to Washington after the debate on Friday.

Our economy has been extremely messed up for years - the situation will not get solved overnite. John McCain is only looking for an excuse to put off the debate because he finally woke up and realized he did not pick a suitable candidate for vice president.

hi jack,
mccain is playing politic with financial what ever.the debate is only 2days to go,what game of politics is he playing? alot of good American volunteer their time to set up the stage for the big debate.i don"t think he know what his doing first the economic is foundamental,now shift the debate. thank s am not for him anyway.

funmi
wisconsin

Jack: I am a life long registered Republiican who believes McCain's actions are the worst form of political trickery. McCain is not the head of his party–I think Bush will hold that job for another month or so. Further, McCain is not a member of the Senate Committe working on this issue nor is he a member of the Joint Economic group that is or has been assisting in finding a solution. Yesterday, before McCain's dramatics, it was announced that an agreement was close. This morning, before McCain arrived in D.C., it was announced that a tentative agreement in principle had been reached. Amazingly, the agreement was reached without John Boy's interference. Why the rush on McCain's part? This is a very serious issue and the Congress should take the time needed to get it right and not be bullied into a quick but wrong decision for pure political reasons. McCain is behind in the polls and the GOP will stop at nothing to retain the White House ergo cheap political tricks. It scares me to think how McCain/Palin will handle equally tough or tougher problems if, God help us, they are elected in November. Will they rush to decisions without proper deliberation and thought? Rather that the label of "mavericks" I think McCain/Palin should more appropriately be labeled "loose cannons". I am one of many Republicans that intend to vote for Obama. Bob Dempsey, Lincoln Nebraska

Of course Mr. McCain is playing with the American people. He does not know anything about economics. He even acknowledge that to American citizens. Whe is he now in Washington? Propaganda. He craves to look very good as the next President. He cannot even run a computer for heavens sake. He owns seven homes and his wife owns 13 homes. Do I believe that he really cares for the American people. He craves for power and influence. He is not a 21st century politiion. Look at whom he picked to be the Vice-Paresident! She might be good at killing a moose. Not much chance for the moose since he looks as big as a house. She cannot, so far, even take questions from the Media! I hope that he loses and loses BIG! Kim M Hunter

This isn't about politics, it is about fear. FDR got us out of the last Depression saying there was only one thing to fear. Seems Bush and McCain still haven't learned anything from history.

Yes! It is incredible to me that anyone could see it as anything else. Even his most avid followers can't be so ignorant (or blinded by their loyality) not to recognize a half-baked political ploy when they see it.

Yes. He wants us to forget about the recent disclosures concerning his campaign manager RICK DAVIS RICK DAVIS RICK DAVIS taking money from FANNIE MAE FANNIE MAE FANNIE MAE.

Don't let him get away with it.

In the movie Top Gun, Tom Cruise played a Maverick, a reckless Navy pilot who because of his false instincts killed his co-pilot. We don't need a "Maverick" in our Commander in Chief, because if he is reckless, it is us who might get "killed" in a financial sense.

I think this is political bunk! McCain is loosing the campaign and his intention take the "credit" for an agreement and photo opps. I question if McCain is really prepared for the debate. Even though national security is the topic, I am sure some questions/answers will turn to the economy. God help us if McCain is elected president! He can't multi-task, runs off with a hair up his rear to Washington, D.C. and can't even email.

Even Bill Clinton praised John McCain for putting America first and politics second, he introduced him at a rally, you would swear Bill was endorcing McCain not Obama. Wow he is smart, Bill that is.

I think John McCain is playing a game and trying to make himself look good. I am so tired of hearing about his VietNam experience and hearing people say he does not expoit his experiences when he uses it every time he can. He and his campaign have used every dirty trick in the book. Judy Prescott Valley, Az

Hell Yes!!! The debates should go on! McCain is not going to change or help anything except for himself and his “Barbie Doll” VP choice! He is playing a game, running away from the things that he must face within the debates. Suspending his campaign due to the ”crisis” and meeting with George Bush $$ (forcing Obama to do the same with Bush) is nothing but a cheap trick on the American Voters to gain points from them for which he does not deserve and extend his time air / prep-time before his and the VP debates! As it was said by the people that are taking care of this "crisis"... "We do not need politics involved in this process"," McCain and Obama cannot help this process and are not needed". We voters are smarter than WHAT YOU ARE THINKING MCCAIN!

the key word here is to multi-task, doing two things at one time maybe he just can't do it .......or maybe it's just his old age.

I believe that what congress should vote on is that Obama and McCain should sit on the sideline and NOT have a vote on the bailout plan, that way neither of the two will be able to use the bailout plan for political gains, I just can't see what does McCain think he's going to gain if he's not part of the bailout plan, He's been pleading to put politics aside, is he talking to himself?. Is McCain showing signs of no having what is takes to lead this country for the American people. Someone please throw in the towel he’s been through enough embarrassment moments in the past few weeks

Jose
NYC

Well, Jack, talk about putting lipstick on a pig! In this case, the pig is his campaign and the lipstick is this political stunt.

Jack,
You are the only reason I still watch CNN. Wolf is too much of a company man and Lou has no solutions to what he complains about. My question is this: WHEN are the major networks going to start telling the truth about the actual lead that Obama has inthe polls? I realize that you guys have to have something to talk about but this insulting to the American public, or better yet is it?
Thanks
Tom
PS: Keep telling it like it is!!!

No ....he is acting Presidential...he will deliver the Republicans and come back on the White Horse to Ole Miss and destroy Obama on Foreign Policy which is in a way like 'taking candy from a baby"....Obama in the other hands serves no purpose there so he should go back and do the only thing significant he has done since becoming a senator...CAMPAIGN...lol

McCain/Palin 08

Of course he is playing politics, trying to squirm out of the debate CNN reported on Tuesday he wasn't really preparing for and to keep the VP debate from happening altogether. But I think he is also really as panicked as he looks. Remember, McCain doesn't know much about the economy and the whole situation seems very confusing for him. He can't leave his campaign in the hands of his VP choice while he goes to Washington on business, because she isn't anywhere near ready to take over for him at a moment's notice. Worst of all, he is realizing that if elected he will have no money to "Bomb, bomb, bomb Iran". It's been a bad few days for him, Jack. Give the old man a break.

john mccain is more of a man than any of you butt heads on cnn and oobama to you have nevere done any thing for this country unless you talk trash like you know how better than any one else.

Jack,
McCain is playing politics, but the simple truth is he is affraid to debate Obama, he knows his party is mostly to blame for this economic crisis, and simply can't defend himself or his party for there actions.
Carl

For all the negative comments out there about Senator McCain, let us not forget that both he and Obama are Senators first, candidates second. We elected them to do a job. With serious problems in front of us, we need each of them to do their part, participate, input, and be present for a vote on the issue at hand.

We still have a long time until we pull the respective levers on the voting machines and a few days will not be a problem. We should look toward how each of them did their job as elected Senators first and as political candidates second.

The debates will go on, and everyone will have their chance to decide based upon what they see in those debates. There is way too much at stake for this country to be so narrow minded that all we focus on is every single day of a campaign. The world did not come to an end when both candidates took a day off from the campaign trail to pay respects to the 9/11 families.

Finally, Letterman, get a life. Your show is funny, but if you think it is more important than the mess the country is in, you are living in your own world. Take your cheap shots at McCain, get your laughs, and moan about him canceling on you. But there are a lot of people hurting out there and to them you were not funny or that important. I am sure if Obama was scheduled to be on your show that night he would have done the same (he did it on Saturday Night Live). At least they weren't cry babies.

Sheer, unadulterated grandstanding, a lousy display of bad manners and undoubtedly, I'd say , getting tepid, if not outright cold, feet re the debates given Barack Obama's civil and reasonable response to the bailout crisis and his 'can be there when needed' comment. Coupled with his weird pick of Palin, one senses this is more grist for McCain losing big time come Nov 4th

Kay B.

You know, if McCain was REALLY sure he's the best candidate for the presidency, he'd just keep on campaigning and being as public as possible. After all, what better position to be able to solve all this mess than POTUS? As messed up as things are right now, the fact is the Christmas season is coming, which always helps the economy at least a little. I don't think the economy will implode that spectacularly until January, so this is obviously a desperation move from McCain. If he were smart, he'd keep on campaigning and not cancel debates and public appearances. After all, in times of need, we need our leaders to be VISIBLE. Right now, the only visible leader, and obvious choice, is Obama.

Of course he is playing politics. He high tailed it to DC for a photo op with Bush and lunch with Lieberman, not much work to take cedit for since the deal was already done. Maybe McCain is trying to mask health issues, noticed his left eye look discolored and droopy. What will he use to distract us on 10/2, will Bristol have contractions?

Jack,

Wonder what would of happened if he hadn't said he was coming?? Would they have rushed to a deal so quickly or dragged it out as they have been doing??

My guess is we wouldn't be talking about a plan being reached right now if McCain hadn't taken the bold move of stepping up and going back to Washington to do the job he currently holds (as does Obama and Joe Biden) a US Senator.

John McCain was informed that very few Republican were on board and he went back to help resolve the issues for the Republicans. After all he does have a record of working across the isle and getting his patry on board for the good of the country.

Uhhh, YES! What people don't know and the media won't say is that neither McCain, nor Obama are on the Banking/Finance committees that re negotiating this bailout! So, there's not a thing McCain can do but vote when and if a plan is finalized.

He's running from the debate, the news about Rick Davis taking $15K from Freddie Mac u til last month and a chaotice campaign!

Unfortunately, the American people remain ignorant and will only see him as a leader who ran to DC! (Barack was the one who porovided the conditions by working with the principles last week!

p.s. Dodd said McCin had only called him once since the crisis happened!

I am a 64 year old divorced lady who pays over 25% of my income in taxes, reared 2 wonderful kids, have lost I do not know how much in my only savings in a 401-K and a Christian. I would never vote for McCain/Palin if my life depended on it and it would if they are elected. I resent the fact that if you are a Christian, you should not vote for a Democrat; that the Republicans are the only ones who care about family and the only ones who love their country! I cannot believe that because McCain was tortured, he would be a good President, that because Palin has a child with Down Syndrome, was a mayor and Governor and Christian, she would be a good Vice President! Has anyone listened to her recently? No wonder the Republicans are not letting her answer questions from the media. God help us if these two are elected.

I knew this was a political stunt as soon as McCain suggested they rebook tomorrow's debate for the TV time slot that the VP debate between Biden and Palin was originally book! How convenient is that? Anything to stop Palin's debut ... I used to respect McCain, now I think he's pathetic. Country first my a$$ ...

Yes, but what do you expect from the man who stood on a platform and declared he supported George W Bush in 2004; ;the very same George W Bush in 2000 who said McCain turned on his fellow POW's and fathered an illegitimate child. If he could sell his soul then for the desire to be president he could sell the nation down the river now

Jack to put it simply, McCain and his campaign are one big fat political joke just like their Republican administration.

- Micke, San Francisco

Jack,

He's playing this like a piano. I can hear it all the way here in Michigan. Tell him he's way off key! Seriously, he needs to get a grip and get down to Old Miss and show us that he can walk and chew gum at the same time...I doubt it but what the heck....... This playing Senator and getting in the way of progress isn't fooling anyone and it's looking like he's running scared instead of helping along the process by the hour. I don't buy that Maverick BS for one second ! I'm glad Barack's there to bring some intelligence and sense to this madness.

Absolutely!!!
I was front and center at the Obama rally in Dunedin, FL when McCain made his annoucement. I don't blame McCain – Obama is on fire. McCain has plenty of reason to run for cover.

Jack, that is exactly what he is doing. It is all designed to deflect attention from what is probably the largest political and economic screw up of the last 50 years or more. John McCain has been all over the map, looking completely lost and confused. He thinks this ploy will earn him some redemption and by making him appear as if he is somehow in control of the outcome. He isn't. He offers nothing other than a sideshow. It is very sad that the Republicans have him as their standard bearer. There were much better choices.

McCain has hijacked the debate! I do not believe it is fair or ethical to not allow the citizens, myself, other Obama supporters, and Obama himself to even HAVE a debate! Who does he think he is? McCain is a such a wildcard and so unpredictable it scares me.

HAH! The republicans made this mess,now the republicans don't want to fix it.Are you kidding me.They don't want to help the taxpayers,just themselves,i just hope the dems don't cave like they usually do.And I also think they may be holding out just to make McCain look like he sealed the deal,again,what a joke!

McCain is playing politics pure and simple. It is an unnecessary ploy. Additionally: Obama, his opponent, was asked to join him but then not given time to decide nor advanced warning of his announcement. Sen. Dodd, Chair of the Senate Banking Cmmtttee., had not been contacted yet McCain alleges phone calls to Washington. The debate organizers said they had not heard from him, and they are on the line for $5 million.

Whether he shows up now or not has become irrelevant. He has shown disrespect to everyone involved and he has revealed just how much his arrogance rules his behavior. A few well placed calls from him or his staff could have avoided this, but instead he wanted to have the attention for himself rather than do the right thing. Obviously, arrogance vetoes experience and/or judgement for this Presidential candidate. This is just more of the same...

Mc Cain has brought us to his political campaign's lowest gutter level...nothing but a disgusting photo op! Shame!

Jack, when ISN'T McCain playing politics?

yes he is .... another mccain scam....shady shady shady,I was a REPUBLICAN at the start of this campaign I have recently changed my party and updated my voters reg. I am now a Barrack Obama supporter,I no longer want to associate myself with such a shady campaign as the McCain Campaign...and Palin oh my..... Mr McCain what are you affraid of debate already it's not like you can make yourself look any sillier than you portraited yourself to be in the last few weeks.....

The McCain wheels are coming off. Ducking the debate, grandstanding yesterday to outshine Obama, saying he had to rush to DC to save the day and yet it took him until today to get there, keeping Palin under lock and key so no one can talk to her, suggesting that the VP debate be postponed are all signs that this is spinning out of control for McCain.

He is a nice man, who gave a lot to his country, but its time for him to retire and turn the leadership over to someone that has been groomed to lead.

Total Notional Value Of Derivatives Outstanding Surpasses One Quadrillion Dollars
By Jim Sinclair
6-10-8

The notional value of all outstanding derivatives now totals approximately $1.144 QUADRILLION DOLLARS.

The Bank of International Settlement announced the largest gain in derivatives outstanding since they started to report the number. As of the last report it appeared that both listed and OTC derivatives was under $600 trillion. Now listed credit derivatives alone stood at $548 Trillion. The OTC derivatives are shown as $596 trillion notional value, as of December 2007. One can only imagine what number they are at now.

Well we hit ONE QUADRILLION DOLLARS. We have more than $1144 trillion dollars in all derivatives outstanding. That is simply NUTS because notional value becomes real value when either counterparty to the OTC derivative goes bankrupt. $548 trillion plus $596 trillion means $1.144 quadrillion. That is 1144 TRILLION DOLLARS. This cannot be BAILED OUT it is TOO BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!

He most certainly is playing politics with the lives of the American People! John McCain should hang his head in shame for his actions. While McCain states : lets set politics aside he taking advantage of the situation. Its nothing more than a "photo op."

#1 The debate is more important during this financial crisis. We don't need a president who cannot multi task.

#2 Why should we bail out big business. Nobody is bailing me out! I am furious that we are bailing out businesses and rich people What about us common folk???

#3 This situation didn't happen overnight. Where was the current administration for the past 8 years? Where was John McCain? Where were all of the parties? Out partying?

#4 Why is the government not taking ownership of these companies if we are "bailing them out?" If I didn't make my house payment, they would take my home in lieu of the money owed on it. I am not in the practice of paying for something and getting nothing in return. Where is the money coming for this bail out? From us, the taxpayers? While the Republicans always say "no new taxes" we the people will be paying for this one way or the other.

#5 Why are they not firing the head of the SEC and Treasury Secretary Paulson? If we led a company into financial disaster we certainly would loose our job...FIRE THEM IMMEDIATELY!

Please people...rethink your voting position. Our country is in a very critical position.

Thank you
Dianne Campanelli

Yes who is running McCains race, Bush, Roe, or Mcain! Bush comes in to save him from the debates, is that a yellow streak I see running up McCain back!

John McCain is a war hero. His story is familiar to most. His campaign has been a parodox. As many are learning, John McCain has no integrity. He'll essentially do anything to be President. That includes some of the most dishonest campaigning that is discredits himself & the republican party

Of course McCain is playing politics with the nations financial market. He's trying to manipulate the situation to his advantage so he looks good; like he's the leader in this situation. I hope those republicans who are so smitten with Palin take a good hard look at the lack of leadership that McCain has shown over this crisis, because it's McCain who will be making the decisions if he's elected. Palin is just his little pawn who he winds up, and sets out in front of the people like the energize bunny because McCain can't energize a dead frog. He manipulated this whole meeting with Bush so he would look good in front of America. He looks like an ass, and the American people aren't stupid. We're on to his dirty, manipulative politics. Numerous senators have said today on CNN that no decision would be made about this crisis until Saturday anyway, so why wouldn't he come to the debate Friday night? Because he's scared. He's no leader, he's just another manipulator like bush. He could fly to the debates and fly and fy back to Washington if he felt he had to. So there is no logical reason why he can't attend the debates is there? Again, who does he think he's fooling? America isn't stupid !!!!!

YES! Beacuse our country is in deep trouble and what we need is a concret plan to right ourselves. It is my opinion that since these two
men seek to lead this country they both should have whatever airtime
is required to fully layout there plans for the nation. That way we have a choice about which is the best course for our nation to take. I would assume any rational human being agree. These plans should answer 3 questions. 1. Where do you want to lead us? 2. Why do I want to go there? 3. How will you get us there? Now from where I sit neither of these guys will represent my interest as well as I will myself and I have a plan for the nations problems. I challenge both presidential canadates to put there plans up against mine.
A Voter

of course he is. If John McCain can find any reason not to debate barak Obama he'll find it. This is just another way to get around what the country really needs right now. the two people who are vieing for the top job in the country need to have discussions on issues close to the american people, i.e., the economy, the mess in Iraq, and the future of our survival may depend on who gets that top job in the white house.

Jack Senator McCain needs to stay in Washington and never leave,he should also buy Gov. Palin a one way coach ticket back to Alaska. my answer is yes he playing polictics.

What a stupid question! Jack, Maybe the question should be Why did Obama what to deal with this until the President call him

This really is a no-brainer. Of course he is! And quite frankly it is embarrassing to his supporters.

Yes. All politicians try to get the spotlight. I think Senator McCain had a bad week and is trying desperately to show he is not a flip flopper and is concerned for his Republican friends in the House of Representatives. The polls showed he was being challenged in some very Republican states. Senator Obama is tackling those states bit by bit and connecting with voters. Senator Obama is the underdog in this campaign and has endured some very harsh vetting from the media.

What a stupid question! Jack, Maybe the question should be Why did Obama not what to deal with this until the President call him