McCain Becomes the Statesman

Published Sep 24 2008, 05:31 PM by Steven Stark

Yesterday, we posted an item, urging the candidates to take a step away from their political roles and deal with the financial crisis as true leaders. One of the candidates is doing that. Unfortunately (and we write this as an Obama partisan), it's John McCain who has suspended his campaign and headed to Washington, even asking that Friday night's debate be postponed. (Obama refused.)

This isn't only good statesmanship; it's great politics. In a year in which both candidates are claiming that they will govern in a new fashion, "above politics," this week it's McCain who's not only talking the talk, but, well, you know the rest. It also conveniently lowers his expectations for Friday (he didn't have time to practice!) and has the potential to change the whole dynamic of the debate. Stay tuned.

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2 Comments

LorenzoJennifer said:

While the terminology may not be exact, John McCain all but "suspended" his campaign in July 2007 as he replaced his campaign's senior managers. Could be that the 2008 post-convention campaign has thus far not produced the desired results. An abc news/Washington Post poll, taken from Fri 9/19 through Mon 9/22 shows Barack Obama having a 9 percentage point lead over McCain. Respondents gave the economy and other domestic issues as the reason. The poll was published Wed., 9/24, a day that would see McCain suspend his campaign. The expressed desire to go to Washington and deal with the Wall Street-based financial crisis may appear commendable. Yet, getting involved in the inner workings of Congressional campaign committees and dealing with the White House and politically appointed Treasury Department officials immerses one in partisan politics and most certainly doesn't put one "above politics" as noted above. Cannot believe that a man who endured years of torture as a POW would be so easily sidetracked by one single event in which he is but a player and not yet a principal. Still, when important events happen in our own lives, do we stop everything? Do our lives stand still as we ignore our daily duties? Certainly not. Obama gets it right in observing that a president has to deal with more than one issue at the same time. Multi-tasking should not be an impossibility for an Annapolis graduate and seasoned senator such as McCain. Chances are that McCain's laudable and applaudable stated reasons are mere window-dressing for some troublesome in-house issues.

Interesting that McCain and Obama are reportedly to meet with Bush in the White House today (Thurs.) Will McCain reverse at least one of his decisions and show up at Friday's debate after he's met with the man who is nominal head of his political party? Is McCain that closely influenced by Bush? Bad move, Johnny Mac, you old maverick you.

September 25, 2008 2:17 AM
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October 10, 2008 8:48 PM