Say Anything Blog

John McCain has stated that he’ll stop campaigning and return to Washington to help with the current financial meltdown. Obama, naturally, isn’t taking this too well:

Obama said his intent was focused on issuing a joint statement first.

But shortly after the call ended, Obama said, his rival appeared on television announcing the suspension and the subsequent debate no-show.

“I think the only possible miscommunication that might have been how quickly there was an announcement and someone was on television. I think my assumption was that the joint statement would go out initially,” Obama said.

Obama and his cronies on the left are already starting to whine that McCain is just jockeying for political advantage. The odious Harry Reid and the equally despicable Charles Schumer and Dick Durbin are calling it a “stunt”:

Congressional Democrats accused Sen. John McCain on Wednesday of potentially upsetting negotiations over a $700 billion bailout package by injecting presidential politics into the process, while Republicans welcomed his decision to return to Washington to participate in the talks.

I doubt that they’d have such negative opinions if their candidate who, by the way, is also a U.S. Senator - although one of much, much smaller stature than McCain, had made this move first? Instead of complaining they’d probaby be crowing about what a selfless and great leader he is.

So, did McCain just take the high ground on the leadership issue? Could be. Let’s see how loud the left squeals about this today, then we’ll know.

UPDATE:

Obama’s saying that even though McCain will be in Washington tomorrow, he’ll still go to Oxford, Mississippi and debate all by himself. That may seem like a selfish and ridiculous thing to do (which it is) but it’s also a tactical move on his part.

There are three debates scheduled. This is number one. If McCain isn’t there, then Obama can say, hey, we had a debate, you didn’t show up. Now there are just two left. Why would he do that instead of rescheduling?

Simple: McCain will show him for the empty suit/windbag/neophyte that he is during a real debate. That’s why Obama has ducked him so far, refusing “townhall” type debates. If he can minimize the damage by playing this card, he will.

Just win, baby.

UPDATE #2:

Obama now says that he intends to turn the debate into a one man town hall meeting if McCain doesn’t show, at least according to a piece up over at the Huffington Post.

A quick note to all those who accused McCain of political opportunism for going to Washington - check out this move by Obama. He refused townhall style debates with McCain but will take this opportunity to turn this into a one man political commercial. McCain will have to choose - let him do it, or go to Oxford and debate him.

Okay….now McCain is in a position where he HAS to go. Obama may have just made a crucial mistake.