He was a man of action don't ya know?
He showed true leadership, don't ya know?
He got the conversation moving, don't ya know?

"All lies and jest, still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest..."

(The Boxer, Paul Simon)

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/09/mccain_wins_debate.html

Au contraire....

THIS IS THE FUNNIEST DAMN ELECTION I'VE EVER SEEN OR HEARD OF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nate Silver's theory is that this head-fake was a deliberate move on Johnny Drama's part, to increase the importance of the debate.

I like Nate a lot, but that's pretty far out there. McCain is winging it folks. He's been winging it for a couple of months now.

Like I wrote elsewhere, the obvious contrast is how calm, cool, and methodical Obama has been, leading to pundits basically criticizing him for the same, as in "Is Obama too cautious?!?!?" They may as well be asking if he "looks too Presidential to be President?"

I think John McCain needs to be looked at with some admiration. After all, he has performed a miracle. He has made George W. Bush look statesman-like. Who could have believed it?

Boehner and McCain discussed the bailout plan, but Republican leadership aides described the conversation as somewhat surreal. Neither man was familiar with the details of the proposal being pressed by House conservatives, and up to the moment they departed for the White House yesterday afternoon, neither had seen any description beyond news reports....

At the bipartisan White House meeting that McCain “didn’t speak until 43 minutes into the meeting.� He “sat silently for more than 40 minutes, more observer than leader, and then offered only a vague sense of where he stood, said people in the meeting.

I pray Jim Lehrer demands specifics tonight at the debate of what McSames input was. Should be quite the trainwreck!!

Indeed, McCain gave his word

And his word proved not worth a bucket of piss? You don't say...

Obama has the most incredible luck when it comes to his opponents: one by one they either drop out or completely lose their heads and turn insane.

It was how he became a senator back in Illinois; it was how he beat Edwards, Bill, and Hillary; and now here's John McCain, doing his best to combine the roles of King Lear and Rufus T. Firefly.

Amazing.

Does anybody see a behavioral parallel with "Sen. Johnny Iselin"?

my view of the Palin interview:

http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c197/Peregrinor/misc/cm03b1.jpg

Anyone care to take bets on how many times we'll hear the phrase: "My Friends"?

The McCain campaign will go down as the most use of smoke and mirrors campaign in history.

When you've got nothing to offer and running on fumes, punt.

The McCain campaign will go down as the most use of smoke and mirrors campaign in history.

When you've got nothing to offer and running on fumes, punt.

Obama has the most incredible luck when it comes to his opponents: one by one they either drop out or completely lose their heads and turn insane.

I think the New Yorker article pointed out his impeccable sense of timing.

But you know, some people make their own luck. And I suspect one contributing factor here has been Obama's resolve and steadiness. People can't get under his skin, which drives them nuts. He's got to be the coolest motherfucker walking the Earth.

Seen at fark.com:

Brave Sir McCain ran away.
Bravely ran away, away!
When danger reared its ugly head,
He bravely turned his tail and fled.
Yes, brave Sir McCain turned about
And gallantly he chickened out.
Bravely taking to his feet
He beat a very brave retreat,
Bravest of the brave, Sir McCain!

\

"The difference between Barack Obama and John McCain was apparent during the White House meeting yesterday where Barack Obama's priority was political posturing."

There never miss a chance to shit on the carpet do they?

Anyone care to take bets on how many times we'll hear the phrase: "My Friends"?

I was going to take a drink every time McCain said it but I decided that I wanted see more than the first fifteen minutes of the debate.

Palin will excuse herself. But what about McCain, how will they get him to step down.

Watching him throwing tantrums from now until Nov. 4 is going to completely destroy the GOP "brand" - as if that was possible.

>He's been winging it for a couple of months now.

Much longer than that! Check out this analysis from BAGnews Notes:

"Speaking as a clinician now and not just a visual analyst, what McCain demonstrates time-and-again -- as the hallmark of his psychology -- is oppositional-defiant disorder. What McCain gets off on, also reflected in the expression above, is throwing over the status quo. (Although the disorder is primarily attributed to children and closely fits McCain's repeated, indulgent descriptions of his earlier acting out, his touchiness, anger and authority issues are all still very much in evidence.)

Without an appreciation for the psychopathology underlying this behavior, people tend to chalk up the swerve-after-swerve in McCain's career to independence of mind or this ridiculous "maverick" label. I say ridiculous because what we are seeing play out once more is not a constructive trait but an impulsive pathological reaction -- one which manifests itself in a pernicious and destructive way. "
(http://bagnewsnotes.typepad.com/bagnews/2008/09/old-mccain-cw-b.html)

Watching McCain is like watching the very embodiment of Lucifer Himself .........

For all the talk of "debacle," erratic," "huge mistake," "cringe-inducing," and so on, an awful lot of Americans seem to think McCain's their guy.

I know the polls are imperfect and lagging indicators, but for so many Americans to continue to support McCain is not an encouraging sign for the future, quite apart from their role in selecting our elected officials...

McCain is in New York and there's good progress on the response to the economic crisis in Washington.

McCain shows up in DC and the bipartisan agreement falls apart.

McCain leaves for Mississippi and, lo and behold, there's progress again on an agreement.

This is Republican leadership? Yikes!

The only thing scarier than John McCain and Sarah Palin is all the idiots who are going to vote for them.

That Democratic Lie Counter must be going HAYWIRE!

Didn't someone offer to make up the Buzzword Bingo cards for tonight's debate?

I was looking forward to those to help me stay calm and focused.

McCain is what is known as a Seagull Manager.

Flies in unannounced/uninvited, makes a lot of annoying noise and shits on everything.

It gets better! His campaign has already released an ad claiming McCain won the debate!
There's even a quote from Rick Davis Claiming, "McCain won the debate-- hands down."

You can't make this stuff up.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/09/mccain_wins_debate.html

I don't know whether Democrats are going to be able to sustain the narrative that McCain is a befuddled stuntman who scuttled the "bailout" for political profit. It's true, but it runs up against a bedrock problem: most Americans hate the $700 billion giveaway and don't trust anyone who says they should like it. And they don't do nuance.

So I can see McCain pulling off a hero stunt with this play -- unless either, the market crashes today (not happening yet) or Obama can explain in a sound bite why acting responsibly requires taxpayers to kick in for plutocrats. It's a tough sell and Obama seems boxed in to having to make it.

"In perhaps the single most unintentionally hilarious line of the entire campaign, McCain's statement added, "The difference between Barack Obama and John McCain was apparent during the White House meeting yesterday where Barack Obama's priority was political posturing." Seriously. The campaign actually said that."

That's been their tactic the entire campaign: Shameless Projection! Do they think we are stupid? Yes, they do.

I think McCain was hoodwinked by the house GOP. They told him that had a secret alternative plan and gave him a chance to fly in and save the day. But the truth is that the house GOP plan is crap, it is nothing. They fooled themselves into thinking that they had something when it was just a bunch of empty catch phrases -- just like a Palin interview. No one takes this "plan" seriously.

Conservatives believe we can get something for nothing, and that's why we have a big deficit and a broke financial system. And that's why McCain looks like a fool right now.

If McCain had not already demonstrated his incompetence, this past coupple of weeks has demonstrated all of this for him. Sarah Palin is a disaster, (perhaps a disaster on Meth?)and McCain doesn't have time to get through a three page document. His stunt in Washington yesterday only demonstrates further how much of a BS artist he is. I really think he would have skipped the debates if the public outcry was just a little softer. He and Palin should both step down and let his party put up someone with a brain. Just because such a thing hasn't been done before does not mean it shouldn't be done. Those two people are not fit to lead.

In most countries of the world they would kiss Obamas shoes if he were willing to be their president.
But American voters? They don't like presidential presidents. They prefer Sarah Palins.
It's a strange world.

I look forward to six more weeks of Letterman ripping McLiar a new one for lying to his face.

"Hey Senator -- need a ride to the airport?"

Wouldn't that be a great sign to see at every McCalin (that's the new Bennifer) event?

He and Palin should both step down and let his party put up someone with a brain. Just because such a thing hasn't been done before does not mean it shouldn't be done. Those two people are not fit to lead.

I'd go for that even if it meant a Republican win.

I honestly feel that a McCain/Palin presidency is an existential threat.

I hate to admit it, but I'd rather have four more years of Bush/Cheney.

McCain just realized that 80% of success is just showing up. Better late than never.

"The difference between Barack Obama and John McCain was apparent during the White House meeting yesterday where Barack Obama's priority was political posturing."
-----
The man was asked to come to Washington by the president. It is no business of the McCain campaigns what or how Obama handled himself in those closed door meetings.

What is below shameless?

This whole debate/campaign-suspension-but-not-really debacle shows one thing: McCain is only worried about winning the news cycle. Period.

Think about all the decisions he's made lately, and what they all have in common: they're all rash, irresponsible, and idiotic decisions ... that the media dutifully covers.

It's not about coherent policy. It's not about leadership. It's not about his vision for the future of our country.

It's about getting the media's attention and, thus, keep McCain in the news. Period.

The tactic is a basic PR maneuver, used by businesses, and even famous people (the paparazzi doesn't just find those idiots by accident, you know -- they're contacted).

But it's just plain damn scary to see it used as the central theme and goal of a presidential campaign.

I thought the next line of the statement was also noteworthy:

John McCain listened to all sides so he could help focus the debate on finding a bipartisan resolution that is in the interest of taxpayers and homeowners

That's right, McCain is going to focus the debate, not by participating in it , but by listening to it. It sounds like they're not disputing the Democrats' claim that McCain didn't say much during the meeting, but that it's a good thing because he was listening. The framing of political posturing vs. listening sounds like spin on the fact that Obama participated in the discussion and McCain didn't.

So to sum up, participating in the discussion during a private, untelevised meeting is political posturing ; watching silently is leadership through listening.

This episode shows McCain's flakiness. He's a flake. McCain is the Peter Principle in action. He has risen to his level of incompetence.

What is below shameless?

Republican.
.

"That's not change we can believe in"
SMILE

........

I am reminded of the Cheshire cat in Alice of the Wonderland book.

When you think of McCain, remember his "smile" (more of a grimace?) and let that indelible image
imprint on your brain.

That's not change we can believe in.

I'm not smiling. Not after watching his VP choice blather incoherent babble with Katie yesterday.

I'm not smiling after his bizarre, absolutely bizarre propensity to focus on inane "issues" like lipstick on a pig, and his inability to
embrace veracity on any level.

Give this to McCain... he's consistent.

He tells us there's been "significant progress" in Iraq repeatedly just as IED's go off in a Baghdad market and he's claimed the most recent activity as "significant progress" towards an economic recovery package.

After "Country First", maybe that should be his new slogan?

John McCain: "Significant Progress" for America!

It'd be amusing if it weren't so absurd.,

No. It'd be amusing if it weren't for the fact that this man has a real chance to become our next President.

If McCain's original intent was trying to divert attention from the debates, it just backfired big time. Before now, most people may not even realize there was a debate today, but now everyone knows it and they'll be paying particular attention to the economics portion. I hope Obama pounces on McCain's Freddie Mac connection and the walking & chewing gum theme.

Buzzword Bingo
S
U
R
G
E

What he calls "leadership", the rest of us call a panic attack.

So they had ads up and running about the debate even while they claimed the campaign was "suspended" and they weren't coming? Looks like this whole "suspension" was a complete sham. They've been planning on going to the debate along, to the point of even releasing these web ads early.

Just when you think they've hit a moral bottom, they reveal an even lower level they're willing to try out. Kudos McKeeting, kudos.

"In perhaps the single most unintentionally hilarious line of the entire campaign, McCain's statement added, "The difference between Barack Obama and John McCain was apparent during the White House meeting yesterday where Barack Obama's priority was political posturing."

Didn't Obama bring a legislative aid, while McSame brought along a campaign staffer?

I guess they needed someone to keep him off of his cell phone.

So to sum up, participating in the discussion during a private, untelevised meeting is political posturing ; watching silently is leadership through listening.
Posted by: ibid on September 26, 2008 at 1:05 PM | PERMALINK
*****************

of course, and when Dems attempt to bring Dems and Repugs together for the good of the country, it's only because they want political cover and are cowards. When repigs do it, they are bipartisan public servants who are putting country first. Riiiight.

So I can see McCain pulling off a hero stunt with this play -- unless either, the market crashes today (not happening yet) or Obama can explain in a sound bite why acting responsibly requires taxpayers to kick in for plutocrats. It's a tough sell and Obama seems boxed in to having to make it.

Thankfully, normal Americans have nothing vested in Wall St. and their 401(k)s, pensions, mortgages, jobs and retirement savings (or hell, their regular savings) are immune from fiscal collapse. Because of that Obama has absolutely nothing to say about being responsible not only to the economy, but also to the citizenry.

Nothing like making a firm decision and then reversing it!

McCain seems to be frantically trying to guess what the voters want, and then taking shortsighted steps to please them: PANDERING!! Sarah Palin was a tasteless effort to PANDER to women - as if women are ignorant of real issues and vote happily for anyone who menstruates. Sexist!

Then the "campaign suspension" - obvious PANDERING to economy concerns, hoping it would boost his ratings... Until the polls showed 90% of voters want the debates to go ahead, and then he switches back to PANDER to the polls.

Yeah he shoots from the hip - and hits everything but the target.

This is not a joke and it is not to be taken lightly. We are witnessing a man who is losing his mental and emotional center. The statements he is making and his overall behavior are being denied by most news outlets. They are still referring to his suspension of his campaign, absent any evidence that it was ever, for one moment, suspended. His running mate is making absurd and disconnected public statements on worldwide television and the interviewer is not saying anything except re-asking the questions.

If we, as Americans and as citizens of the world, do not stop this course, we will have allowed the country and the world to fall into a shambles. The financial market meltdown and our response to it is a symptom of the thinking and race consciousness. Unless we wake up and make significant changes in our personal lives, this will play out fully and we will get to experience the most catastrophic event in our country's and, perhaps the "civilized" world's, history. We may look at this as a play and we are the writers, producers, directors and actors and even the audience. We can change the script, but it will not change without our participation.

I am committed to Oneness through Justice and Transformation
peace,
st john

Whatever honor McCain banked serving this country has long been spent. Today, he is a hollow, dishonorable joke.

Someone here theorized that Rove was rat fuckign McCain.

Sure as hell looks that way today with that premature declaration of victory. That's an inside job if I ever saw one.

Have no fear for Lehrer is here. He'll manage to make McCain look good, just as he did Bush in 2000. Lehrer let Bush get away with the most egreious misinformation, didn't ask follow-up questions, and changed the subject whenever it looked as though Gore might get some traction.

Let's see what how he does it tonight. I don't think I can stand to watch it. The circus must go on!

Well, slap my ass and call me Sally -- John McCain says he won the debate!

Um, er, did they have the debate already? Where was Jim Lehrer? Did I miss something? Damn alarm clock . . .

Someone wrote that Obama was lucky, with all his serious opponents either dropping out or losing their minds. I submit it's not luck at all. He is a formidable opponent without much 'dirt.' They lose their minds because they see what they're up against. It really started when they watched him deliver the keynote speech at the last Democratic Convention. They started digging for dirt the following day.