It's On!
Filed under: Politik > Barack Obama > John McCain
Republican Presidential hopeful John McCain isn't ready to face his first presidential debate, set for this Friday in Mississippi.
As we mentioned earlier, McCain wants to "suspend" campaigning to go to Washington and "help negotiate a financial bailout bill, a dramatic move designed to seize a powerful issue."
But Barack Obama's side isn't having any of that!
A senior Obama campaign official has responded saying that Obama "intends to debate." Adding that, "The debate is on."
McCain is even going as far as calling on the Commission on Presidential Debates to postpone the debate scheduled for this week in order to "ensure quick congressional action."
In a statement released by McCain's camp, the potential future Pres says, “I have spoken to Senator Obama and informed him of my decision and have asked him to join me. I am calling on the president to convene a meeting with the leadership from both houses of Congress, including Senator Obama and myself. It is time for both parties to come together to solve this problem.”
When asked about McCain's plan to postpone the first debate because of the administration's bailout plan, chief debate negotiator, Democratic Rep. Rahm Emanuel, said that "we can handle both." Adding that progress is being made on Capitol Hill and that should not stop the debate from taking place.
Amen!!!!
An Obama campaign official added that Obama is willing to go to DC, "if it would be helpful," but stated that they still intend on debating this Friday as they see no need to postpone.
Mike DuHaime, McCain's campaign political director said McCain is "going to do what he thinks is right. He’ll make a vote as a leader in this country, and people will look to him."
DuHaime added:
“Quite frankly, I think you could ask Sen. Obama if he’s going to do what he thinks is right. I mean, he has never — I believe — never once made a decision that is an unpopular decision or went against the orthodoxy of his party, and was one that was a tough decision to make. . . . Sen. McCain has done that throughout his entire career, his entire life — not just in politics, but his life.
When you start talking about $10,000 per household or per family to go toward bailing out Wall Street, they have legitimate questions about it. People understand that that is a big thing and it affects them, and they do legitimately have questions about, is this really going to go to bail out companies or leaders of companies who now are relying on taxpayer dollars to bail them out, and are going to get these huge compensation packages after they come to the taxpayers for it.
There is some frustration, certainly, in that, and it’s understandable to say the least. And it has not been a quick rush to say yes or no. People understand the gravity of this, want to see it done right, while still understanding the timing factor.”
So what do U think?
Should the debate go on, or should McCain be allowed to go to DC and fight for what he believes in?
I like brains
debates should go on…..in d.c.
Toby says " It's on like Donkey Kong!"
Let the debates go on as scheduled.
McCain knows he doesn't need any debates, his followers will blindly vote for him no matter what.
McCain is a wimp! Go Obama!
actually, i do agree.
kill me now.
i hate myself and
will regret this
but, um, he is kinda right
delaying the debate
ain't gonna cure
the freakin' mess we
are in right now
Obama kicks ass! He's not letting that wimp McCain puss out! Go Obama!!!
These people are running for PRESIDENT. John McCain can't work on the economic situation and talk about foreign policy in the SAME WEEK? How's he going to run the country?
What McCain can't handle two things at once, is he not able to multi-task? I don't want a president that can't handle more than one issue at a time. I want someone who can do more and then some.
I think the debate should go on. It should go on because we need to see how unprepared he really is. Just because you're old and have been in politics all your life doesn't really mean you have what it takes.
I say let it go on. Let the American people really see what's going on at hand.
oh and as for him being "special" cause he was a POW….well, he really wasn't that good of a soldier if he got captured now wasn't he?
O-B-A-M-A 08!!!!!
Re: mamajud –
right…..go to DC but have the debates there.
Is it wrong that once again- this makes Obama seem like he's more concerned with coming out on top and the "celebrity" status of things than McCain being scared.. because to me it seems like his reason to postpone had nothing to do with being a bitch.. it all seems quite logicial and he even asked Obama and the parties to come together.. I am not on either side, but while Obama seems to have in mind this debate and not coming together with McCain to help a serious issue we have going on, it almost looks like McCain is the one really concerned with the country and not just the election… but what do I know, start the insults my way now.. go
DuHaime saying McCain always makes orthodox decisions, even outside of politics… is a bit odd, considering McCain is an adulterer…
What's he pointin' at, the KFC across the street.
I see no need to postpone it even though I understand that this is an economic crisis but Its not like the whole country is going to fall apart if McCain isn't in Washington for two days. Nice try though.
Re: noneoftheabove – So then what's the plan to "fix" the economy? It sounds like McCain is just buying time because he didn't plan anything to say at the debate. Scared, maybe? One thing Obama is not is scared. McCain would probably like to send Sarah in instead. She's his bodyguard. LOL.
I'd rather have both of them working on the real problems of the country instead of a debate where each will just stick to their talking points and repeat themselves. Maybe funnel some of their campaign money to the American public as well.
this is a lieeeeeeee,, obama agreed ya dumbasses'
MCCAIN ALLLLL TTTTHHHHEEEE WAYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!
COUNTRY FIRST NOT CRACKHEADS FIRST
the debate should still continue
all the leaders in dc say mccain and obama being there will not help, but rather hinder, their progress. debates should go on, f'sure.
oh harry!!!!!!
3 avitars on the same post, Magic!
Re: mb00 – "he really wasn't that good of a soldier if he got captured now wasn't he?"
___________
that is not cool. not at all. regardless of who is running or not.
have respect for those who are fighting and who have fought.
I WANT TO SEE A DEBATE AND EAT ME POPCORN!
Why can't they vote and THEN debate???????
the financial crisis is a much bigger deal than the debate. if the senate is making the decision he has to be there because its majority democrat. And if the situation isnt fixed, none of us will be able to get cash out of an atm. Thats more important than the debate. obama is a cunt
Congress does not need John McCain to fix this issue. I think that the rest of the hundreds of politicians can handle the situation. He is so self-important he thinks Washington will not run without him…Also, he is just afraid of Obama's charisma, confidence and common sense. McCain is going to look like the old incompetent fool that he is. He is just using this economic crisis as an excuse. By the way, last week John McCain was quoted as saying "The fundamentals of the economy are strong," and now all of a sudden he can't participate in a debate. Give me a break. Anyone who votes for McCain has no intelligence. He is going to be a disaster just like Bush. And–don't even get me started on that right-wing, creationist, global warming non-believer Palin….
Re: harrysnatch – Which one do you like the most?
Re: harrybalsac – are you sure it's not the Chick-fil-a? or a chicken n waffles place? lol! people are so serious on here! it's perez hilton! give it a rest!
Re: harrybalsac – which which? huh?
Fuck that debate. This country is about to go under financially.
McCain voted with Bush 95% of the time. Nothing will change.
…
VOTE FOR THE SMART GUY!
OBAMA OBAMA OBAMA!
Right, the nation really needs the guy who describes himself as "not a financial expert" much more than we need the people who will help guide this nation through the aftermath of the bush/cheney administration.
SERIOUSLY GUYS!!!
OBAMA AND MCCAIN NEEDS TO GET TO DC ASAP BECAUSE IF THEY DON'T THE COUNTRY WILL FALL APART AND WE'LL BECOME A THIRD WHOLE COUNTRY!! AFTER ALL THEY ARE THE ONLY TWO GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS THAT CAN FIX THIS PROBLEM.
The debates should be going forward- there is not a limitless amount of time for the American people to become more informed about the candidates. To me it seems like McCain is just trying to buy time and run away.
oh dang! i see now! you are so good! um….i don't know which one i like the best.
Barrack don't care about America.
World leaders have to be able to multitask.
Re: harrybalsac – "What's he pointin' at, the KFC across the street."
omg
i just read that
that is fucking funny
it really is in the grand
scheme of things
wtg on all the avatars
"This is exactly the time the American people need to hear from the person who in about 40 days will be responsible for with dealing with this mess," Obama said. "In my mind, [the debate] is more important then ever."
Re: noneoftheabove – Re: noneoftheabove –
Is you head buried in the sand? You won't vote for Obama because he wants to debate, did you not read the full post? He's willing to work on the economic issues AND still have the debate. That's leadership and determination if I ever saw it.
But you really weren't gonna vote for Obama anyway right?
McCain back-stabbed Obama. You'd think the President could handle multiple things at once. Bring on the debate… That's what the American people want right now.
If this is something he feels passionate about, which you would think Obama and his repetative "change" speeches would be all for- he seems like he is more concerned with being able to debate with McCain.. which in all actuality is helping who? His vote? Not likley.. most voters have already decided who they are voting for, the debate process doesn't change this.. why they could not relocate the debates or postpone them and why the hell it's okay for Obama to not want to be there fixing this problem, I don't really understand, I'm not big in following politics at all.. But his statement just seemed cold to me.. If the "change" Obama keeps railing down our throats is that he cannot be bothered to support an issue UNTIL AFTER HE IS ELECTED.. I think McCain should be able to go to DC and fight for what he believes in, I actually didn't really have anything nice to say about McCain until this very moment..
OBAMA IS AN IDIOT. the economy is way more important that debating this week, instead of next. the focus should be on what we can do to fix the current economic crisi facing wall street and americans - no debate will fix that!
If you still need an atm to get cash then you are already done. See you in the soup line bitches!
Re: harrysnatch – Cyber affair, sound like anyone we know?
.
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Is paris on the debate??
Obama keeps saying change. Do you know what that means? C.H.A.N.G.E. Come Help A Nigga Get Elected!
I don't think it's any coincidence that McCain decided to bail out on the debate THE SAME DAY that news dropped on Palin's affair. Many believed that Friday's debate would decide the campaign, as it would feature a show down between Palin & Biden. Coincidence??
Since Barack Obama
only spent 144 (one hundred forty four)
days in Congress before he left town
to start running for President,
it is no great loss to Congress if
he does not go back now,
he was hardly there
before anyway.
Re: amylala – A little trick of mine.
Re: mb00 – are you trying to imply McCain is not prepared to debate foreign policy?………if mccain had his way they would have been running this election in townhalls….face to face with the voters, side by side his opponent, debating the issues, answering real questions. The screamers on here would actually be able to base their rants on facts, and the regular folks could base our votes without giant question marks imprinted on their brains
I am an independent voter. I looked forward to the debates to help me make up my mind….this does not look good for McCain…1) The American People want to hear what these two have to say 2) McCain can clearly not handle more than one big issue at a time 3) A high level Republican Senator just stated that they do not NEED McCain in DC…this smells like a stunt
They both need to to return to Washington and work for a bipartisan solution. Thats what they are being paid to do. The annual salary of each senator, as of 2008, is $169,300; the party leaders receive $188,100. We the people are paying them, to work for us & find solutions to our problems as a nation.
Politics can wait! They are both Senators, and need to deal with the responsibilities of that office . Seriously, if they can't do that, then what kind of presidents will they make!
Re: harrysnatch – i'm gonna get shot for that one, huh?!
Re: && I got a thing for you! – just an fyi… obama's camp had tried to get in touch w/ McCain for most of the day so that they could release a joint statement. They didn't get to talk to them until moments before McCain made the announcement… so they were trying to work together…
Re: guliajulia – you miss the pint….obama does not wish to vote on the matter
Re: amylala –
I'm not saying it to be funny. If he was THAT great, he wouldn't have been captured. See THEY use those techniques to gain sympathy from the American public. They want you to know that he was POW and so now you'll feel sorry and feel like you MUST vote for him. I don't think it's funny that anyone gets captured and tortured. It isn't what I'm implying at all. It's the use of those side handed techniques to gain the publics sympathy which will then equal more votes for him.
Try seeing just a little outside of your thinking box.
Re: harrybalsac – BONED……4sure…..it's so u
Can't McCain multi-task? Seriously. That's like saying you can't talk on the phone and sweep the floor at the same time. It can be done; and, more important, should be, in this case. It just seems as though McCain is postponing the inevitable. Let the rest of Washington figure this out. Two Senators (particularly two who are presently campaigning to be president?) is seriously not much of a loss. Besides, God forbid the man become president, he should be able to multi-task.
Debate. Don't wimp out. There is no excuse.
mb00- McCain wasn't that great of a soldier because he was captured?? Are you kidding me?? Do you understand the gravity of the situations that John McCain was in in Vietnam? He STAYED by his own free will in a torture camp for the sake of his fellow soldiers. He endured torture sessions that included the breaking of several limbs so to instill strength in his fellow soldiers. Are you out of your mind? I'd like to see you make that statement out loud, face to face to any former or current soldier and/or their families. I'd love to see them rip you to shreds. Think twice before making a statement like that again, there are people out there fighting with bravery that you won't ever be able to comprehend yet alone espouse, and they're doing it all for you.
Obama is scared to step up and lead.
He'd rather talk about what he'd do.
Wow…actually this in Obama saying "Oh crap….everything I memorized…I will forget if we postpone the debate…must get it over with"
Seriously people….this IS a crisis for our country. McCain is doing the right thing…while all Obama knows how to do is disagree with McCain. He's acting like a 5 year old right now…whinning about everything! OBAMA…GROW UP PLEASE!
What exactly would it hurt to push the debate back until after this weekend? It's a whopping 4 days. Let's get this thing figured out before this country crashes and burns. I don't think it has anything to do with multi-tasking and has everything to do with being able to recognize a crisis and deal with it - especially when you consider what kind of solution the Bush administration is currently offering. If what's on the table passes then we're all screwed.
Since when HAS obama ever made it a priority to work for the people? He's more concerned about his popularity contest than actually addressing a REAL problem that is currently going on in Washington - Perez, I love you - and I appreciate the fact you let us post opposing views - but what's with ALL THE DRAMA with Palin/McCain - you're starting to sound Mc Crazy with your constant bashing.
Re: longhorn – you are such an idiot. neither obama or mccain can do anything about the crashing of major financial services.
I like the idea that Obama can continue to campaign, still plan on the debate and be available in Washington "if needed." Apparently as President, John McCain would only be able to tackle one important task at a time. I guess he'll give the slack to Sarah Palin, since she's so experienced….
McCain is simply not prepared for the debate and has grabbed onto the economy problems as a way to buy some time. He recently admitted he hasn't paid much interest of attention to economics in his life, now he's going to take charge???? Baloney!
Re: RashManly – HE LEFT US HIGH AND DRY.
An Obama campaign official added that Obama is willing to go to DC, "if it would be helpful," - YEAH, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL. It's only your JOB, Barry. How can you Libs applaud this nonsense? Talk about being scared. This man is a joke. McCain didn't say to cancel the debate, only to reschedule so they can take care of business. Barry's change is politics as usual. Weak.
UHHH HELLO??? I think they want to postpone the debate because Sarah Palin isn't ready and they want to coach her. Ahem, only PHOTO-OPS were allowed at her meetings with international leaders, right? That's because she's completely incompetent.
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the show must go on. like (future President) Obama says, a president must be able to multi-task. we are assuming the reason McCain is unable to multi-task is because he is too old. so, again, as we stated earlier, the show must go on. Mississippi has invested millions of $$ to host this debate. it would not be prudent to cancel or postpone this scheduled, highly anticipated event. rock on Obama! power to the people!
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I say let the debates begin. As Obama said a few hours ago, they both have private planes that can get them to the capitol and back at the drop of a hat. The American people want to hear from the presidential candidates about the crisis, and the debates are the perfect time to do it. What exactly is McCain scared of??
DUH - they are senators right now!!! Do the job that you already have before you try and get another one! THIS IS THE BIG ISSUE RIGHT NOW THEY SHOULD BOTH BE 100% involved in the bailout decision.
Re: noneoftheabove –
Obama either has to vote yes or no, that's not getting his hands dirty.
And there is NOT a lot of time before the election, it's less than two months fool!
Re: acm0592 – Oh wow, you idiot -as if ONE SINGLE DAY and missing a VERY IMPORTANT DEBATE will fix the economy.
IT is CLEAR that McCain isn't ready.
THIS NEEDS TO BE HANDLED!
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MCCAIN HAS BEEN WANTING TO DEBATE ALL SUMMER AND OBAMA HAS BEEN A PANTY WAIST! MCCAIN STILL PLANS TO DEBATE THE LITTLE WEASEL OBAMA.
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JUST ONCE BUSINESS AT HAND HAS BEEN DONE!
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BIDEN SOULD GET HIS BUTT BACK TOO!!
thank God obama's people are talking and helping perez decide what to think about this issue!
Re: Melissa is always right – HA HA HA -Looks like the real JOKE is McCain….he's too wimpy to debate Obama because he knows he will SHRIVEL!
Re: amanda_barr –
if he won't go….it seems he can't even vote present on this one
Thank goodness one presidential candidate is concerned about the country and not just being a "rockstar"……Obama is just concerned about his "celebrity" status. He's not for postponing the debate because he didn't think of it first. All the democrats know how to do is slam Palin……that's kid stuff, they wouldn't know the first thing about running a country.
Re: sweetpiece #41 – The election is 40 days, the swearing in isn't until January. What, he's only going to go back to Washington and work after the election, just like he wants the Iraqis to wait until after the election to do anything. Bush will still be President in 40 days. I want to know why Barry is so scared to go and do something NOW.
THIS IS ALSO A TACTIC TO DIVERT ATTENTION AWAY FROM BIDEN'S GREAT SPEECH TODAY!
,
Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden on Wednesday questioned John McCain's judgment to be commander in chief, arguing that the Republican presidential candidate would keep digging the United States into a hole of isolation and insecurity.
"Our country is less secure and more isolated than it has been at any time in recent history," Biden said in a speech to supporters. "This administration has dug America into a very deep hole around the world at a time our leadership is needed to meet the challenges of the 21st century."
Biden said a central question for the election is which candidate can get the U.S. out of that hole, and he said it is Democrat Barack Obama.
"Nothing is more important than judgment," Biden said in his remarks. "But time and again, on the most critical national security issues of our time, John McCain's judgment was wrong."
The speech offered some of the Obama campaign's strongest criticism to date about McCain's leadership abilities. It was scheduled two days before the first presidential debate, which will focus on foreign policy, and was billed by the campaign as a major speech on foreign policy by the veteran chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Biden listed several examples of what he described as McCain's wrong judgment, such as his contention that the U.S. would be greeted as liberators in Iraq and that the Persian Gulf nation is the central front in the war on terrorism. Biden argued that the president should focus the full U.S. might on al-Qaida in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
"John is more than wrong — he is dangerously wrong. On a question so basic, so fundamental, so critical to our nation's security, we can't afford a commander in chief so divorced from reality and from America's most basic national interests," Biden said.
**DEMOCRATIC** SENATE MAJORITY LEADER, HARRY REID, SAID YESTERDAY THAT MCCAIN WAS NEEDED IN CONGRESS NOW TO WORK ON THIS!
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NOW THAT MCCAIN IS GOING TO WORK TO HAMMER THIS OUT, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF DETAILS THAT NEED WORKING OUT, HARRY REID IS CALLING IT A STUNT AND SAYS, WE DON'T NEED HIM.
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HARRY REID NEVER ONCE SAID HIS OWN CANDIDATE OBAMA COULD PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE!
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TO RESTATE… MCCAIN HAS BEEN CALLING OBAMA OUT ALL SUMMER TO DEBATE!! OBAMA IS THE WIMPY LITTLE GIRL!!
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TO LET YOU GUYS KNOW ME BETTER… NOT THAT YOU WANT TO… I AM A DEMOCRAT WHO IS PRO-CHOICE, PRO STEM CELL RESEARCH AND WISHING FOR A BETTER HEALTH CARE SYSTEM! I AM NOT FOR TAXING EVERYONE TO DEATH TO INCREASE WELFARE (NOT A RACIST THING SO DON'T GO THERE). I AM AGAINST THE IRAQ WAR, BUT AM NOT FOR PULLING OUT AND LEAVING A TERRORIST VACUUM.
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IMO MCCAIN WILL NOT APPOINT RIGHT WING EXTEMISTS TO THE SUPREME COURT IN ORDER TO OVERTURN ROE V WADE.
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OBAMA CAN'T TAKE A STAND ON ANYTHING AND BACKS DOWN ON EVERYTHING HE HAS SAID. HE HAS ALREADY SAID HE WILL NOT PULL OUT OF IRAQ AND WILL ATTEMPT TO INVADE PAKISTAN NOW!!
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HE IS NOT FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE, JUST A WATERED DOWN VERSION OF WHAT LOBBYISTS DID TO CHANGE HILLARY'S PROGRAM!
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HE HAS NO SPINE!! AND HE STANDS FOR NOTHING!!!
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NOR WILL HE EVER STAND UP TO ANYONE ON ANY ISSUE!! I CAN'T BRING MYSELF TO RESPECT HIM!
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HE JUST WANTS TO WIN SO HE CAN BE… "PRESENT"!!
Paraphrasing what McCain said many months ago "I don't know much about economicd….". Now he wants to postpone the debate to go help save the economy?! He's just afraid to debate, like how he's afraid to let reporters talk to Palin! You want to see the economy start to get fixed? VOTE OBAMA! Granted, it won't be fixed immediately, but at least it will get a little better.
Obama should get his ass to D.C. also…
Maybe a good days work would enlighten him…
Team sports Obama…
Team sports…
Are you a bad sportsman Obama?
Do the right thing Brother!
McCain knows jack diddly squat when it comes to the economy, and yet now he is saying that he is going to fix the economy. He is too chicken shit to debate. Obama Biden 08.
It would be different if they weren't still both Senators. But they are still obligated to do their job in Congress, and if this isn't a big enough deal to stop the campaigning for a minute and get your ass to those meetings in DC, what would be?
I can't believe so many people are getting on McCain's ass about this.. he really doesn't look like the bad guy here to me, if anyone does, it's Obama.. Yes they said they don't need them there, but the fact the he WANTS to be there speaks volumes for him. Maybe he really is passionate about the country and helping us get our shit together- why does it ALWAYS have to be negative when it comes to him.. he can't debate against Obama because he's scared? PLEASE. I've heard alot of shit about Obama which I have not liked, I let most of it go, same with McCain and Palin because I try to focus on the issues, not the little things that really don't matter.. this matters to me, and the fact that Obama wouldn't even offer to move the debate to DC so they could both attend or show some kind of concern disturbs me.. they make it seem like he's a joke, like I said before, WHY? Because he is trying to be involved in the issues at hand, BEFORE ANYONE GETS ELECTED?
"But Barack Obama's side isn't having any of that!
A senior Obama campaign official has responded saying that Obama "intends to debate." Adding that, "The debate is on."
So fitting that Obama would be prepared to take part in a ONE SIDED debate. How perfect for him!!! Dough head.
McCain is plenty ready for the debate, he's always been strong in debates. The fact of the matter is that McCain is following his campaign slogan "Country First." McCain and Obama are essentially the leaders of their parties and the things they say and do influence a lot of people. They should both be in Washington right now to help encourage their parties to work together and find a solution. They're both still members of Congress and as Senators have a job to do, that job should come before their campaign. McCain is putting aside his campaigning for the moment to help the country, and Obama needs to put his presidential aspirations to the side and put the country first like McCain. Don't talk about solutions, make them happen.
Shit, Palin just learned the names of the middle east leaders yesterday! Kissinger had to keep whispering in her ear to remember.
…
VOTE FOR THE SMART GUY!
OBAMA!
These are just the kinds of times that you need a moose shooting, rural Alaskan mayor, 1 year and a bit Alaskan governor running the show. Go Sarah Palin you're just what the USA needs right now!
fucking stall tactics - the debate must go on!
i dont think Mccain wanting to go to dc to help solve the financial problems of our country is him not being ready for the first presidential debate. it shows he is willing to sacrifice being president to help out the country. it shows his dedication. and lets not forget that a couple of months ago mccain challenged obama to townhall meeting debates and obama didnt want to do it because he knew he wouldnt fare well. i think if obama really cared about the well being of the country he should be willing to go to dc as well seeing as he is a member of the senate and all. the current problems our country face are more important than an election 2 months away. im sorry but our economic worries are a little more important than a debate.
We'e talking to bloody hours of talking, two hours will not make much difference in the economy…sounds like someone is too scared to take on someone in a debate .
Someone is acting very childish
Yet another example of McCain making a dramatic, hasty decision…
@ noneoftheabove #7… you have got to be kidding. It's clear that you have no clue what you are talking about. Please read #5.
@storytellin #19===Obama agreed only if it is going to help the situation.
Re: swellcityguide.com #81 – Umm, ya, right. They've debated once at Saddleback. And I can't wait to watch Barry duck and dodge once again, like the hack he is. He'll be the JOKE, running around begging for votes while his peers and opponent are doing their jobs.