McCain camp: Let’s postpone the VP debate, too
posted at 7:31 pm on September 24, 2008 by Allahpundit
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An ultimatum via Grahamnesty: If there’s no deal in Congress on the bailout by Friday, McCain’s not going to Mississippi. Even though an early poll indicates that that would be an exceedingly poor decision.
The plan instead is to move the VP debate back to some unspecified date and reserve October 2 for the first Obama/McCain debate instead. That’s not going to do Palin any favors with the media crowing about her unwillingness to answer questions, particularly with the left already starting to buzz about this exchange from tonight’s Couric interview. Full video will supposedly be at the CBS website shortly. The Freepers are grumbling that it looks heavily edited, but while the published transcript of this part does include a bit more conversation than what you see here, there’s nothing materially different.
Update: Here’s the full interview.
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For the love of God. The answer should have been we don’t need more regulation, we need to stop forcing the industry to do things it doesn’t want to do. We need to stop forcing the industry to give out risky loans. If the federal government (democrats) hadn’t forced these banks to loan to risky individuals we wouldn’t have this crisis right now.
Jim C
JimC99 on September 24, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Roger Waters on September 24, 2008 at 11:21 PM
In the early years of Thatchers career, she most certainly was considered very attractive.
Saltysam on September 24, 2008 at 11:23 PM
She didn’t have to wear a bikini. She’s already been called gorgeous looking how she is.
Point being: Palin has good policy. And she is a great voice (and face) for America.
With all the “Left” saying how Obama’s ascent into power would be “transformative” you want to make a knock at Palin’s good looks? No one has said “OH! A BLACK MAN! COOL!” But right off the bat, Palin has been called “gorgeous.”
Who wins at indentity politics now?
But Palin has the policy to back it up. Sarah’cuda!
lansing quaker on September 24, 2008 at 11:23 PM
Dude! There’s international relations protocol. Don’t you know anything? You can’t go insulting the diplomats! Babes in bikinis are the ones that visit with Gov. Spitzer, not The Governor herself. I thought you said you were smart or something like that.
Sultry Beauty on September 24, 2008 at 11:24 PM
You go, Sultry. And Murietta Lady too….cool.
Patrick S on September 24, 2008 at 11:28 PM
McCain should come out tomorrow morning and say “Because Senator Obama does not wish to suspend campaigning during the most serious economic crisis our country has seen in 100 years, I will honor his wish to continue the campaign so effective immediately, Governor Palin is taking over the campaign while I participate in the resolution of this crucial issue. Governor Palin will now hold her first press conference while I fly back to Washington. Thank you, Sarah.” [McCain shakes her hand, and leaves. Sarah then proceeds to knock the socks off of every reporter in the room.]
JustTruth101 on September 24, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Look, Sarah didn’t hurt herself tonight. This was a personal vendetta by the MSM to destroy her. Does anyone really think that her response will stop 60,000 people from coming to hear her speak? No. The liberals are satisfied and the Indies don’t care what the VP’s say.
Relax. John McCain is the candidate and everyone who likes Sarah understands that the MSM are looking to do a hit job on her.
csdeven on September 24, 2008 at 11:39 PM
You need to read your history. She was attractive and it came in handy for her, politically.
She would disagree with you on the making of a leader too:
And she might advise you to choose your arguments carefully because she was exceptionally keen about the attacks on Palin:
Saltysam on September 24, 2008 at 11:42 PM
This is a foolish move by McCain. #1 The idea that McCain is going to bring republicans and democrats together over a huge (several billions of dollars) bill in an election year is never going to happen. This will essentially kill McCain’s image of a maverick who can bridge the divide. #2 This will put a time limit on McCain to work a legislative miracle within a few weeks. #3 Asking your opponent to postpone a debate is not the look of someone on offense. It creates the appearance of weakness. #4 This makes McCain look like he wants to go back to congress and not to the white house. This move gives democrats all the power. McCain needs to scrap it now, claim Obama doesn’t want to solve the problem and only blame others for it, and move on.
Dollayo on September 24, 2008 at 11:45 PM
I thought this was a little over the top, Roger. And I asked you once, and perhaps I am not understanding your position here, but…one more time:
What distinguishes a person from the religious right as a “bigot”?
Saltysam on September 24, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Those subatomic particles must be hitting each other because I’m living in a parallel universe right now. When csdeven becomes the voice of reason on a thread I know I’ve entered The Twilight Zone.
Sultry Beauty on September 24, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Geez you people are paranoid. I watched Sarah’s interview. It was okay, she handled the Perky Hag pretty well. As for the regulation bit..she can’t really say much one way or the other with this whole bank/credit debacle in Congress hanging fire. Whatever she says one side or the other will find fault with it.
You are forgetting how bad most of the candidates are at interviews and off the cuff replies. After listening to them for more than 40 years I can tell you Sarah did a better job than most and way better than Biden. So take some chill pills and deep breaths, get some rest, and go out and help the campaign. All we can do is spread the truth and hope the people are smart enough to see past the lies and the media bias.
Deanna on September 24, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Is it me, or does it seem like the McCain campaign is trying to make her appear not capable on purpose–limiting her exposure to outside means, and making some of them appear bad–for the express purposes of her showing up at the debate, and going pitbull all over Biden, and shocking the country?
Enoxo on September 24, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Mickey Edwards, former Republican congressman, on McCain’s stunt today:
starfleet_dude on September 24, 2008 at 11:53 PM
No wonder he’s a Former Republican congressman.
Patrick S on September 24, 2008 at 11:56 PM
From:
To:
So, you’re hanging on to the dream that McCain and Palin will drop out and Romney will step in and lead the GOP ticket?
Or is your use of Democratic talking points at this time just a way to vent?
Saltysam on September 25, 2008 at 12:02 AM
Deanna on September 24, 2008 at 11:52 PM
I agree Deanna. She did fine.
Saltysam on September 25, 2008 at 12:03 AM
****************Breaking news here in Pennsylvania
MARINE SUING JOHN MURTHA
http://kdka.com/local/Marine.Murtha.Slander.2.825039.html
battleoflepanto1571 on September 25, 2008 at 12:06 AM
I can’t bring myself to watch it, because this media unfairness is a real hot-button for me…but it sure sounds as though Governor Palin came off as sincere, and Katie Couric made Charles Gibson look genuine and positive. Is that about the case?
I keep reading about the utter look of contempt Couric had on her face.
It’s hard for me to imagine that neutral voters won’t pick up on that.
capitalist piglet on September 25, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Dollayo on September 24, 2008 at 11:45 PM
McCain just has to show up and crack the whip, and he’ll bring enough Republicans around to pass it… he’s the Republican candidate, and the fortunes of a lot of those legislators hinge on his success in this election, to some extent.
In other words, he has leverage.
He can also probably talk the Dems down on some of their sillier demands… he has a lot of goodwill on that side of the aisle.
DaveS on September 25, 2008 at 12:09 AM
From Hugh Hewitt
The financial crisis continues and Congress is deadlocked.
John McCain leads by suspending campaign, postponing the debate, and urging the president to call a key leaders summit, to include himself and Barack Obama.
Obama refuses McCain’s call, demands the debate go forward, and sputters about being available if he’s needed.
President Bush convenes the meeting that John McCain suggested.
Obama blinks and agrees to attend.
The president addresses the nation, explains the history of the cris, and describes an outline of the proposed action. “It should be enacted as soon as possible,” is the president’s bottom line. “In times of real trial, elected officials rise to the occasion,” the president noted. That’s where we are tonight. Let’s hope he is right. The Congress needs to act soon.
These events should impact the presidential election in a profound way.
Today was Obama’s Katrina moment and an example of great leadership by John McCain. This contrast was telling and will matter.
Obama’s complaint about the debate postponement made him look exceptionally petty given his refusal to debate all summer long. Obama’s reversal suggests he did not understand the seriousness of the moment and was pursuing a purely political approach to the crisis.
John McCain, by contrast, acted with speed and resolution. McCain did not wait to see which way the polls were trending and he did what he has often done over the years –demanding what he saw was necessary action and appealing for bipartisan support. I have opposed some of these calls in the past, but today’s call was clearly the right thing to do.
What an extraordinary demonstration of the differences between these two nominees.
Keemo on September 25, 2008 at 12:12 AM
battleoflepanto1571 on September 25, 2008 at 12:06 AM
A “legal fund account” needs to be set up for this soldier! Things are tight in my home, but I will find a way to contribute if a method develops. Murtha should have been forced to resign by his own party, let alone the citizens of America. The man is a corrupt evil human, and doesn’t deserve the privilege of stepping foot in the halls of Congress.
If there ever was a worhty cause to support as an American citizen, it is this one. These soldiers put their lives on the line for all of us, and this Murtha creature stabs them in the back repeatedly. Murtha, Kerry, and Obama should all be shunned from public service for their despicable behavior towards our soldiers!
Keemo on September 25, 2008 at 12:21 AM
HEH! HH is reading my stuff!
csdeven on September 25, 2008 at 12:21 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2amXLa-iZGw
Lookie what I found.
Enoxo on September 25, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Bingo.
I think they put her on Couric’s show for a reason, and I believe Couric gave them the performance they were looking for!
As far as the question goes, it only plays to Obama’s loyal supporters.
Saltysam on September 25, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Or it could be that John feels this crisis is sufficiently important that it requires his full attention.
csdeven on September 25, 2008 at 12:22 AM
The examiner endorses McCain/Palin
battleoflepanto1571 on September 25, 2008 at 12:06 AM
Keemo on September 25, 2008 at 12:23 AM
SaltySam:
a bigot, in this situation, is somebody who votes or doesnt vote for somebody based on their race, gender, ethnicity, or religion.
Like it or not, and I assume you arent one of them, there were a lot more religious right bigots in the South than we cared to believe before the primaries.
I will concede your points on Maggie Thatcher. Actually, I had read that before, and I typed without thinking when I made that comment.
Roger Waters on September 25, 2008 at 12:24 AM
“So, you’re hanging on to the dream that McCain and Palin will drop out and Romney will step in and lead the GOP ticket?
Or is your use of Democratic talking points at this time just a way to vent?
Saltysam on September 25, 2008 at 12:02 AM”
Uh, no. Why do you think I have an agenda? That is the way a lot of hot air people are I noticed. They always think you have an agenda if you make a point.
No democrat talking points and no illusions that the ticket will change. I am just making an obvservation that Palin will continue to sow seeds of doubt and McCain will ultimately pay. And I would love to be wrong.
Roger Waters on September 25, 2008 at 12:27 AM
The brilliance was always there, you just didn’t see it until now. ;-)
csdeven on September 25, 2008 at 12:28 AM
Sarah just needs to be herself. She’s in culture shock right now. Throw away the notes and just talk, she’s wonderful that way. She’s the most popular governor in America for a reason and it’s time to just let her do her thing.
Mojave Mark on September 25, 2008 at 12:29 AM
http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/daily/site_092408/content/01125114.guest.html
Good work by Rush Limbaugh; as usual…
Keemo on September 25, 2008 at 12:33 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbW64215HA8
THIS!
Enoxo on September 25, 2008 at 12:35 AM
I’d like to see the debates as scheduled, especially the VP debate.
nazo311 on September 25, 2008 at 12:39 AM
Okay. Let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. Just take the compliment.
BTW ~ Was that a wink? Don’t scare me by flirting. I always preferred thinking of you as a female. ((I kid, I kid))
Sultry Beauty on September 25, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Letterman just savaged McCain and Palin for the entire length of his show for cancelling. And then brought out Olberdouche as the replacement guest for McCain, and let him comment on the situation. UGH
OneEyedJack on September 25, 2008 at 12:48 AM
Hah!
It was a wink, but not THAT kind of wink.
csdeven on September 25, 2008 at 12:50 AM
Letterman has a tin ear.
No one will fault McCain for failing to appear on his has-been show when there’s a crisis at hand. The classiest thing Letterman could have done would have been to suspend his ridicule just for tonight, but he had to reinforce everyone’s impression of how tightly his lips are suctioned to Obama’s rump. No one will be impressed except those competing to occupy the same space.
capitalist piglet on September 25, 2008 at 12:56 AM
Yes, I was thinking that with Gibson, too. It simply reinforces people’s impression of the media, which is already negative.
capitalist piglet on September 25, 2008 at 12:59 AM
Nyah – not really. As a few others and I have noted, we’ve got some nervous Nellies here. Gibson was much more insufferable – so much more that in a way he did Sarah! a bit of a favor, being so obvious about it.
Nice point whoever it was about why Palin might not have been setting out to make antagonistic headlines with comments on regulation that might have seemed like genius to the rightroots but would have created unneeded complications when the ticket is focused on Country First.
Don’t get me wrong: Katie was trying to gotcha Sarah, but the worst thing she did was actually the “Great Depression” set-up noted earlier – and it was deployed against McCain to minimal effect. Overall, the whole CBS news show worked out closer to an extended campaign commercial for McCain-Palin, whatever the intentions, than a hit job. Still, I think Sarah! is probably getting used by now to just what slimy dishonest two-headed lizards we have in our national media.
To be fair or at least balanced to the perky one, she was pretty rough and tough with the A/O on the Summer trip.
CK MacLeod on September 25, 2008 at 1:04 AM
Letterman wouldn’t know the difference between a one-eyed-jack and a suicide king.
McCain postponed the debate. That’s not a cancellation.
What a dolt!
Saltysam on September 25, 2008 at 1:05 AM
Newsflash: Letterman is useless tool. Remember him trying to hit O’Reilly over the head with Cindy Sheehan’s ABSOLUTE MORAL AUTHORITY?
CK MacLeod on September 25, 2008 at 1:06 AM
To paraphrase, apart from the one major thing that’s related to the issue under questions, name ten other irrelevant details that you think are related to the issue?
Gee,with questions like that, our Sarah did very well indeed.
promachus on September 25, 2008 at 1:51 AM
Is it too late let McCain go back to the senate on a long-term basis to work this whole thing out, and just have Mitt or Fred replace him as the nominee? You know, for the good of the economy and whatnot? I hate for McCain to have to take his attention away from something so crucial just to campaign for a different office.
thecountofincognito on September 25, 2008 at 2:27 AM
too late to let
thecountofincognito on September 25, 2008 at 2:28 AM
you nailed it
Janos Hunyadi on September 25, 2008 at 2:48 AM
Even if McCain does die, can’t Palin just ask that genius Mitt Romney to serve as her VP? The world won’t blow up.
Speedwagon82 on September 25, 2008 at 2:50 AM
How about asking barry what he has done? He gives more vague and convoluted answers about his own record.
peacenprosperity on September 25, 2008 at 3:00 AM
But the Senate probably won’t need him on Friday evening. What you’re saying is that he won’t have a chance to adequately prepare for the debate, which though probably true, isn’t our problem.
YYZ on September 25, 2008 at 3:21 AM
This is the next segment they are going to air: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFXo3B9MeJg
D0WNT0WN on September 25, 2008 at 6:00 AM
…….Time for another poll.
try again later on September 25, 2008 at 7:01 AM
The question itself is stupid and is nothing but a “gotcha” moment. WTF…is she suppose to know every single piece of legeslation that MaCain ever propose? Geez
Dritanian on September 25, 2008 at 7:03 AM
Sarah did fine.
She could have hit it out of the park by noting that what seemed like small details in regulations created the current problem, and repeating that John McCain proposed the answer in time. Too bad the “other party” opposed common sense regulation to use taxpayer money (as guarantees) in ordEr to buy votes.
Right_of_Attila on September 25, 2008 at 7:17 AM
Letterman is a Liberal weenie hack. The dude is a typical elitist arrogant POS who has no connection with the people who make this country work, who make this country great. The dude lives in a Liberal bubble, and has no clue that he offends the working class on a regular basis.
Letterman reminds me of the Liberal media heads when Nixon won the election in a landslide “how could he have won that big, I don’t know one single person that voted for him.” These people live in a Liberal bubble.
Keemo on September 25, 2008 at 8:03 AM
Actually I am saying that the priorities of this countries economy is more important than a debate. To treat it as something your staff can handle is typical Washington insider crap.
People like Obama who think this a political ploy are simply unprepared to lead and project their cynicism on others. Obama CANNOT comprehend the feelings of duty to country that John feels and are motivating his actions right now. The ONLY WAY Obama would EVER put country before self would be, first and foremost, to get some political gain from it.
John McCain is the quintessential embodiment of the value that our venerable citizens have to this country. While Obama is mocking his age with his despicable ad criticizing his ability to email etc, John exhibits the qualities that a half century of unselfish service to this country teaches.
Obama is an empty suited disrespectful punk and John McCain is the elder statesman leading the way in this time of national crisis.
Irrespective of the outcome of this election, those are the facts. Hopefully, the youth of this country who really care will see the stark difference between the acts of a selfish public servant and that of a dedicated public servant and make the choice to serve a cause greater than themselves.
This is what John McCain was talking about when he sat in the “service to country” forum on 9/11. He leads by example through his actions. Obama pontificated on the subject, but when the call to duty came, he voted “present”.
Thank the Lord for servants like John McCain. We thought they were all dead.
csdeven on September 25, 2008 at 8:15 AM
“The question itself is stupid and is nothing but a “gotcha” moment. WTF…is she suppose to know every single piece of legeslation that MaCain ever propose? Geez”
No she is not, and if she said hey Katie, thats a “gocha question”, that is irrelevant to my being ready to be VP it would have been better than the none-answer she gave.
Borislav on September 25, 2008 at 8:57 AM
McCain isn’t afraid to debate. He requested ten town hall style debates over the end of the summer which Zero turned down because he knew he would lose them. Obama also wanted the capability of bringing FOUR teleprompters to each of the upcoming debates. McCain will mop the floor with Zero’s smug face. He just wants to solve this issue before doing so.
ErinF on September 25, 2008 at 9:30 AM
I don’t care now nice Couric was COMPARED to Gibson. What bothers me is the “gotcha” Couric had with Palin that she has NEVER EVER had when interviewing Obama.
marklmail on September 25, 2008 at 9:57 AM
its nice to know we had an election and threw out the GOP rubber stamp congress prior to 2006. They would have rubber stamped this DOA proposal no doubt … and all you wingnuts would have gotten in line and supported it also, simply because the president put it forth.
Monkei on September 25, 2008 at 11:18 AM
Why should Palin stop campaigning and also postpone the debate? She was drawing bigger crowds than McCain anyway, so I say let her continue drumming up support at scheduled campaign stops. She also will do well in the debate with Biden.
Seems as though McCain is doing his campaign in here.
ErinF on September 25, 2008 at 11:43 AM
So, McLiar, whom has stated that he is weak on economic matters, pulls this stunt because he is terrified to debate Nobama on the economy!
And by pulling his little stunt, that will also delay Cruella De Vil’s debate and will give her more time to figure out what the VP does and how to do it before she has to debate Biden in front of millions of people! Laughable!
Shelby on September 25, 2008 at 12:31 PM
Okay. I guess my Palinmania is now officially over. McCain is still an a**. And all Palin is doing is spouting jaded, erroneous McCain talking points.
Or am I wrong? Is McCain right not to say ‘I warned of this two years ago’? Is McCain right not to say ‘the Republican administration warned of this two years ago’? Is Palin right to parrot McCain’s ‘Wall Street greed is the problem’? Is McCain right not to say that this is all the fault of misguided directives from the Dems via the CRA?
Am I crazy or is the conversation completely fictitious? How can we fix a financial crisis that was caused by socialistic governmental mandates and perpetuated by the Democrat party’s ideologically inspired indifference to the impeding calamity without mentioning the actual causes?
Or is McCain just doing what he has to do to win, and then he’ll show he’s a conservative true believer?
Somebody help me here.
flicker on September 25, 2008 at 1:56 PM
Please Palin, be yourself!
What I would have liked: “Katie, lookie here… I’ve spent the last x years managing Alaska… if you want to know what McCain has done, ask him. Your viewers don’t care if I’ve done a crash course on his x years in Congress… he can take care of himself. If you want to get to know me better, then ask questions about me and my opinions… but stop wasting my time with these silly little gotcha questions.”
This isn’t change, this is more of the same… liberal media.
hipgecko on September 25, 2008 at 5:56 PM
We can’t be cancelling debates. Whats the deal with that? That shows somethings not right. Debate. I think Biden will eat her alive, but well… she’s pretty spunky, I’m sure she’ll throw him a spear or two.
johnnyU on September 25, 2008 at 7:49 PM
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