Home > Jay Bookman > Archives > 2008 > September > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBluff called, McCain set for debate
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On Wednesday, John McCain announced that little inconsequential things such as a presidential campaign and a long-scheduled debate would have to be set aside until Congress had an agreement on a Wall Street bailout.
Patriotism required it. Leadership required it. There would be no campaigning until the republic was saved.
By today, however, patriotism apparently no longer requires it. There’s still no deal — the agreement that congressional leaders and the administration thought they had cut Thursday morning has fallen apart. But McCain has nonetheless abandoned his operatic grandstanding and hustled down to Oxford, Miss. for tonight’s 9 p.m. debate.
The setback comes at a tough time for the Arizona senator. He’s declining in the polls; his vice presidential selection has been exposed as hopelessly, embarrassingly unprepared. But the subject of tonight’s discussion — foreign policy — plays to his strengths. On this topic, he has a credible story to tell, credentials to offer and experience to cite.
However, all Barack Obama has to do on this occasion is attain a draw, and I think he’ll accomplish that. He lacks McCain’s credentials and experience, but the foreign policy he advocates is more realistic and intelligent.
So feel free to post your expectations, the questions you hope get asked, the things you most want to hear — or not hear — from each candidate. I’ll post a fresh thread when the debate actually starts.
UPDATE: Oh, and let me say one more time: Lou Dobbs is unwatchable.
Comments
By getalife
September 26, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this
Dobbs is against this bailout and just ran a segment on the negotiators involved and the lobbyists and money that bought them off. It will pass.
The reference is here
Is it because he bashes dems Jay?
By RW-(the original)
September 26, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
UPDATE: Oh, and let me say one more time: Lou Dobbs is unwatchable
Maybe less people would see him if your candidate wasn’t text messaging the whole country telling them to tune in CNN.
Jay B,
It’s two floors down now on your chick flick post, but you’ve got a namejacker run amok.
What I’d like to hear from Obama would be a coherent position he can stick to with respect to Iran, Israel, and Pakistan. Being in Mississippi though he’ll probably tell us he favors the Confederacy.
By BBSROrissa
September 26, 2008 7:39 PM | Link to this
At this point, McCain has proved himself to be nothing more than a comedian and a crass, manipulative person. His foreign policy credentials rest on his time out in Vietnam after he crashed a plane. It is all a hoax.
By JAY BOOKMAN
September 26, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
No Life, it’s because he’s so pompous and full of himself that he makes a gasbag like O’Reilly look downright humble.
By getalife
September 26, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
RW,
I like Dobbs. He is Independent but supported Hillary, bashes both sides and does not trust any of him. My positions.
Allow me to inform you about Obama’s positions. Iran, talk to the nutjob. Israel, let them bomb the nutjob and Pakistan is what we are doing now.
There ya go.
By getalife
September 26, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this
Jay,
True. It is fun watching him go off.
By T
September 26, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this
I would like to hear a rational plan. One that can reasonably reduce troop size in Iraq. One that can hold Iran off without war. Maybe one that can handle the issues in Afgan. Would love to hear something rational about getting the approval and backing from Pakistan to go after Osama Bin Laden and bring him to justice. All the big talk about just sounds like WWIII to me, besides most of our troops are in Iraq.
By getalife
September 26, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
I think the first segment will be on the bailout. We will hear, change, reform bipartisanship, need to pass, blah, blah, blah and Obama will do better because he did not panic and cut and run.
McCain will spew surge, bomb Iran, bomb Pakistan, bomb Russia, etc… and will do better on foreign policy. America loves bombs.
Probably a lame debate.
By AJC/DNC Management
September 26, 2008 8:09 PM | Link to this
I’ll be surprised if Oblahma doesn’t start whimpering.
By AmVet
September 26, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Of course Dobbs is POMPOUS!
But his righteous indignation is not misdirected.
He slams the border equivacators.
He slams the classist economics of this country.
He slams the job exporters.
He slams the do nothing talkers. (Ironic isn’t it?)
And neither the Dems or the Pubs like him, I suppose.
A Bill O’Reilly? In some ways, perhaps. But at least he hasn’t forever been dead wrong about the neo-cons…
By T
September 26, 2008 8:10 PM | Link to this
Beers cold. I’m ready.
By RW-(the original)
September 26, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
America loves bombs
I didn’t see that coming. Too funny,
By crudmudgeon
September 26, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
How come not a word anywhere about Sarah Palin’s extramarital affair with her husband’s former business partner, Brad Hanson?
By Mike
September 26, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
Just like a Democrat, play for a tie, Jay, you people are all a bunch of baby cats
By AJC/DNC Management
September 26, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
How come not a word anywhere about Barak Obama’s extramarital affair with Larry Sinclair in that Chicago alley?
By AJC/DNC Management
September 26, 2008 8:24 PM | Link to this
So what does everyone think of McBushie’s strategy of calling out Oblahma to Washington, thereby totally disrupting his three days of debate “preparation?”
By Midori
September 26, 2008 8:26 PM | Link to this
T,
I scored a bottle of Cognac. :)
this should be very entertaining.
Andy has several cases of vodka, but being the stingy person that he is………
Hi Andy - you still with us? Haven’t passed out yet?
By getalife
September 26, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
Andy,
Sinclair posts at No Quarter. The other Larry claims the gop has a “whitey tape” on MO.
They would love you over there.
Kook city.
By Taxpayer
September 26, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this
The only thing that matters to me is getting someone in office that will actually deal with the real problems in a logical, well thought-out manner. They’ll both pander in order to get the votes and that’s just a part of reality in the world that we have made. I know that McCain is not the person that this country needs going forward because I have heard enough of him to make that determination for myself. So, the only question for me is whether to vote for Obama or for a third-party as a protest vote. I’m actually leaning toward Obama because I want to reduce the odds of McCain winning if possible. Unfortunately, that’s an uphill battle here in Georgia. Therefore, the protest vote might be just as valuable as an Obama vote here in Georgia — the land of the dead heads like Newt and Sonny and Casey and Glenn to name but a few.
By AJC/DNC Management
September 26, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
Gee, it looks like Sinclair sure got a rise……
By getalife
September 26, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this
Don’t know Andy but heard that cheney told them all to GFY. Then it was on.
By Mike
September 26, 2008 8:34 PM | Link to this
Jay,
I’m a Republican and I’ve agreed with you at least twice this week (Palin & Dobbs). I don’t know which of us should be more worried…
By T
September 26, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
Midori
Ah, my drink of choice.
Sounds like Management is already drinking. LOL. That was funny though. Thats why you stick to the main streets.
Later, I might be drunk blogging.
By Dottie
September 26, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this
Bookman is a lot like those wallstreet ceo’s…his paper continues to lose subcribers and ad revenue, and they never endorse the candidates that the MAJORITY in this state actually vote for, but yet they continue to be arrogantly smug ..enjoy the end of your chosen profession, paperboy…you could always go into community organizing…
By AJC/DNC Management
September 26, 2008 8:39 PM | Link to this
al-Gitmo: That “No Quarter” deal sent me straight to Madison Square Garden 1973 Zeppelin.
Thanks, man!
By JAY BOOKMAN
September 26, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
So what channels are you folks gonna watch on, and why?
By getalife
September 26, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this
T,
Andy aka AC/DC is always drunk blogging.
Why so angry at Jay Dottie?
By Jen
September 26, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Taxpayer, it’s not a complete lock for McCain here. I know that most of the state that is not Atlanta is for McCain but Atlanta is heavily in favor of Obama…and local Dems have been really making efforts to get likely Dems but unlikely voters to register and vote this year… I mean going out to register people, voting early, and driving people to early voting and on election day.
Maybe I am just hopeful but perhaps it will actually be enough to turn Georgia blue…
I know, I can hear everyone laughing…but you’re not spending time in Pittman Park registering the parents of the youth football players.
By Dusty
September 26, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
Well, I am thinking that it is essential for McCain to win every debate and the next election. If ever we needed a strong man, it is now.
McCain has shown nothing but strength. He is experienced in politics, in making b ig decisions, in enduring hardships. If he does not come across as a movie star, who needs one. There is no “bluff” about McCain(as Bookman huffs and puffs).
Maybe some of you prefer a graceful neophyte who claims great wisdom but has no special showing for it (community organizer, bad friends and mentors?)
So let the debates begin. Let it not be some set up farce to trap one or the other. Let it be honest and truthful.
If it is, McCain will be the winner.
By getalife
September 26, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
AC/DC,
Saw Plant in his first solo tour at the Fox second row. Every other song was Zepplin and his songs were awesome too.
That new Metallica is good.
By JAY BOOKMAN
September 26, 2008 8:46 PM | Link to this
Just a warning/reminder, fresh debate thread going up at 8:55…
By Jen
September 26, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this
Is drunk blogging like drunk dialing???
By T
September 26, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
Jay, might be watching some of it on FOX.. Forgive me… but I like O’Reilly.
Beer… Check
Popcorn… Check
Got to turn up the surround..
By AJC/DNC Management
September 26, 2008 8:52 PM | Link to this
I’m listening to it on Fox so I don’t have to hear a bunch of libs whine and moan about it.
It should be brutal and that will make all the pinkkkos angry, well, more angry.
By RW-(the original)
September 26, 2008 8:54 PM | Link to this
Jay B,
Did you get the delay taken off for the 8:55 so we really can live blog?
As for your question, it makes no difference which channel one watches on since it’ll be one feed, but once it’s over I try to flip around fast and furiously to get a flavor of how it’s being analyzed. Generally I’ll start with the networks since they don’t stay long. I would usually go from there to Fox and CNN, but I’m suspicious of CNN since Obama advertised for everyone to watch there so I’ll substitute PMSNBC.
By Rick
September 26, 2008 8:55 PM | Link to this
Silly me, I was under the impression that the taxpayers in this country arepaying our senators and congressmen to be in Washington when they are needed. Like now! I guess obooma can have a pass, it’s not like he is used to actually doing anything productive when he is there. Also , I want to see a new law, If a person in public office decides to run for another office, they must retire, quit whatever, from the old office. Lets see them put their money where their mouth is. Or in the case of obooma let him put his muslim friends money up. Have you ever seen the list of his donors? It looks like the Iranian phone book!. He crys CHANGE…CHANGE…CHANGE…TRANSLATION = TAX & SPEND…TAX & SPEND…TAX & SPEND…SAME OLD SH** DIFFERENT DAY. t
By Dusty
September 26, 2008 8:57 PM | Link to this
I will probably watch on PBS Channel 30. Lehrer tries to be fair and impartial on his News Hour on PBS. I feel that he will continue the debates in the same manner.
Maybe PBS will skip all the “interpretations” and leave us without any fluff from extraneous commentators. Most of them were born with nothing but a left turn indicator and never overcame the handicap.
By getalife
September 26, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
Thanks Jay,
I will watch it and CNN.
Our friends on the right will spin it as a glorious, POW like victory for McLiar no mater what he spews.
By JAY BOOKMAN
September 26, 2008 8:58 PM | Link to this
No RW, the delay is built into the system, I’m afraid. I’m told we’ve got new techology coming, but I acknowledge the truth of what your complaint about the somewhat archaic nature of this software.
By T
September 26, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
getalife
You know AC/DC’s coming to town.
By Midori
September 26, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
I’m watching on MSNBC.
See RW - if you weren’t such a humongous jerk, and if I didn’t have to leave you, we could have watched together.
By Midori
September 26, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
getalife, T: let’s play the drinking game.
ya gotta down a shot every time McInsane says “my friends” :)
By RW-(the original)
September 26, 2008 9:04 PM | Link to this
Jay,
I think they’re pulling your leg. The delay isn’t on all your AJC blogs.
Moving to the live thread….
By ML
September 26, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this
Wow… So you criticize him for taking care of business. What if he had said, “No way! I’ll be there”. Would you have criticized him for NOT taking care of business? All you liberal talking heads really do suck.
By AmVet
September 26, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
Saw the legendary Led Zep in Mobile, May 1973
Rock & Roll Celebration Day Black Dog Over The Hills And Far Away Misty Mountain Hop Since I’ve Been Loving You No Quarter The Song Remains The Same The Rain Song Dazed & Confused Stairway To Heaven Moby Dick
The cops were getting high with us.
There’s a debate going on?
Who’s winning?
Too much pennant race baseball going on…
By HEMIN8R
September 26, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Good thing your bias isn’t showing…please be careful, you might fall off the LEFT side of your chair.
By Dennis
September 27, 2008 6:23 AM | Link to this
Summary: House Republicans refused to join the fake deal. McCain went to Washington and supported the House Republicans. Reid and Pilosi did not have the guts to pass a bill with out this small group of House members. Then Reid-Pilosi-AJC and other cowards blame McCain. This blame McCain cadre has no itegrity and no honor.
Meanwhile McCain, unfazed and comfortable that House Republicans had things under control, flew down to Oxford for the question answer session. Performed very well I thought.