Wow.

[H2O Man]

I've just gotten home, and saw a bit of the news on McCain on MSNBC. I think Obama's answer was perfect. During a commercial, I did that which I rarely do -- I turned on Fox News. And all three of the fellows on their panel said that it was too obvious a political ploy. One said McCain was merely trying to get off the escalator before it reaches the bottom.

Of course, it reminds me of something from the good old days when I used to box. If you are in the middle of a fight, and your opponent says, "Hey, why don't you and I stop for a few days, and do something else together. We can continue fighting at a later date," well, the fight is almost ever.

[Beetwasher]

1. TIME OUT!!! DO OVER!!!

Wahhhhhh!!!! Please stop pummeling me!!!

I can't believe he wanted Obama to stop running ads!! :rofl:

[H2O Man]

3. Sad.

I wonder if the people around him recognize that he isn't up to the debate?

[msallied]

2. McCain is a total and complete WUSS

Nuff said.

[H2O Man]

4. I think the pace

of the campaign has taken a toll on him. The republican primary was no where near as tough as the democratic primary. John McCain didn't have it so rough. But now, in when McCain is coming to the Big Dance, he seems to be running out of steam.

[Blue_Roses]

59. makes me think that all the hair-pulling and teeth-knashing

we did during the primary season was worth it now:) At the time, it seemed like a never-ending nightmare. However, it really did help Obama in the long run. Nothing could have prepared him better for the GE than the political fight he and Hillary had for the nomination. For that, I am deeply grateful to Hillary. Seriously. Hindsight truly is 20/20.

[H2O Man]

60. Right.

Campaigns take a toll on people. The amount of travel alone is tiring. The fact that McCain has been less than "on target" in the past week or so is telling.

[nyc 4 Biden]

66. I would have to respectfully disagree...

In terms of helping Obama's endurance, I do not think the grueling Democratic primary helped at all. The reason I say this is because Obama went right into campaigning for the GE after the primaries. If he would have had a year off to rest after the primary it would be a different story. IMHO, this only makes Obama's current lead even more amazing.

I look at it like this:

Obama runs a marathon (primaries) and upon finishing immediately starts a 5k (general election). Well, Obama just blew by McCain who was hunched over puking halfway through the 5k.

[Me.]

5. I Think He's Boxed Himself Into A Corner

So what does he do now, show up, not show up? Either way he loses because Obama smartly called his bluff. McSame is in another corner too, because the dems have said if he doesn't vote for the measure, they won't either. He may be responsible for it failing.

[H2O Man]

6. He has to show up.

Obama called his bluff.

Also, McCain plays no central leadership role in this. He is not going to be involved in the high-level meetings in DC.

More, the biggest division appears to be in his own party. It may be that the president's speech tonight indicates how divided the republicans are.

I still think that it is a bluff being attempted because his people recognize he is not doing well.

[Me.]

10. Now They Want To Cancel The Veep Debate

Is this what this is all about?

[H2O Man]

13. Good question.

That is pathetic. Really.

I'm thinking that McCain's people recognize he won't be ready Friday night. He has been attacking journalists, and for that reason, kept in "isolation." I'm thinking the Will column upset him.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

24. McDouchebagg seems to be in meltdown mode.

Honestly, I'd be pretty frustrated running against this too:

[MadMaddie]

22. They want to move it out also...

I think to give them more time to prep Palin...and McCain just isn't ready to debate...that's the bottom line.

[Me.]

25. There Isn't Enough Time In The World To Get Her Ready

[rebel with a cause]

30. My sister has the best line for this.

How can they depate when they (cain and pain) have nothing to say.

[abumbyanyothername]

76. I don't think he needed to "suspend the campaign" but . . .

In fairness to McCain, there was a revolt brewing on the Republican side of the aisle and Bush was totally incapable of providing leadership after completely blowing up the party. It was necessary for McCain to show up to have any chance to get the Republican caucus in line on this -- and the Democrats were justifiably insisting that this be a bipartisan bill (meaning, even if the Dems had the votes they wanted assurances that most Republicans would be voting for it also) so they would not have to campaign as being in bed with the Bush administration and against the Republican party.

Going to Washington = maybe necessary, and perhaps even sacrifice for country over self/campaign.

"Suspending the campaign" = political stunt.

And, my friends, need I remind you that for 5 1/2 years John McCain didn't have a campaign to suspend.

[Whisp]

62. the Mississipians will be ticked if he's a no show - they spent 5 mill setting up for the debate. nt

[dgibby]

65. McCluless may be responsible for turning Mississippi Blue!

Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet! That's what I call poetic justice!:evilgrin: :bounce: :rofl:

[casus belli]

7. All in, John? Sorry, Obama actually had a hand. n/t

[H2O Man]

9. I'm guessing that

Senator McCain made an impression during his debate preparation that was less than positive.

[casus belli]

23. Oh, no doubt. This was the exit they've been waiting for.

I'm just curious how they'll sell Palin's postponement. There's absolutely no reason for her not to be there. But, I've no doubt they'll try to cancel or move it anyway.

[H2O Man]

35. I think that

they will focus on the fact that one can see Russia from Alaska.

[berni_mccoy]

8. I was shocked when I heard the news. I told my friend who told me to stop trying to get me

:rofl:

[H2O Man]

11. A couple weekends back,

Showtime had a championship boxing match scheduled. The challenger came in overweight the day before. He was given an extended period to drop the weight. He said he didn't want to. The champion offered to fight him anyhow. The challenger refused. My guess is that challenger was upset by the economy.

[Aloha Spirit]

12. Haha, today reminded me of boxing too, for a different reason:

When McCain said yesterday that he hadn't decided whether to support the bailout proposal, and then admitted that he hadn't even read it... I felt bad for McCain. Like, for his own good, please let a referee stop the fight before it gets worse :(
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7169305&mesg_id=7169514

[H2O Man]

14. His corner

may throw in the towel if the ref doesn't stop it.

[ReadTomPaine]

15. And now Bush has called them both back to DC for meetings tommorrow....

Should be an interesting few days, indeed.

[BlooInBloo]

16. ur doin it rong. ITSAGRANDMASTERROVIANTRICK!!!!

There, see how to do it?

[myrna minx]

17. Obama called McCain's embarrassing and ill thought out bluff.

I swear, this campaign becomes more surreal every day.

[H2O Man]

39. Not only have I

never witnessed so strange a campaign, but I cannot think of any historical example that it so curious. And I think that "surreal" is the best word to describe this.

[suffragette]

18. I've been thinking more on that great chess thread you posted long ago

I think this is an orchestrated ploy by the GOP to portray McCain as a leader.

I think Obama is likely better at chess and hope he will outmaneuver them.

[H2O Man]

38. Yep.

Boxing is often compared to a physical form of chess.

I think that the McCain camp knows that their candidate is tired out, and not up to the debate. If he has a poor showing, they will attribute it to his being more focused on saving the public from an economic crisis.

[suffragette]

78. Yep and acting like a leader by "convincing" the Republicans

who are currently supposedly "opposed" to join with the Democrats in approving a plan.
And that will be portrayed as McCain being able to bring the parties together in a bipartisan fashion when it's just the opposite - a coordinated political ploy by Bush, McCain and the Republicans in Congress.

It all makes me so angry.

By the way, the chess thread was the one where you quoted "Your Move" by Yes.

[RagAss]

19. "NO MAS" ... H2O Man !

[H2O Man]

31. That's it.

Perfect!

[Patsy Stone]

20. As much as I hate to say it

FOX has been harder on McCain than most of the other channels.

It's such an obvious ploy that even the most partisan Republicans among us can't help but point out how obvious it is. I mean, we're talkin' obvious.

He knows he's losing badly, and it's incredibly satisfying watching the Republicans implode like this. It's been a long time coming.

[elzenmahn]

29. I think that Fox...

...is looking toward 2012 - hence some of their negativity towards Grampy.

They know McGrampy is toast. Done. Baked. Fini.

So Fauxy Noise's next task will be to try to ensure that President Obama is a one-term phenomenon. Get ready. If you think what you're seeing now, and what you will see before 11/4, is nasty, that's nothing compared to what Fauxy Noise and the rest of the Right-Wing media will be slinging Obama's way.

[marlakay]

68. they want to leave obama with a huge mess let him fuck up

with it and get nothing done since he was left with so much debt, then come in and take over once it is partially better in 4 yrs.

[H2O Man]

34. Right.

Mourning Joe Scarborough is doing more to support McCain on MSNBC than the weasals on Fox have been doing.

[snappyturtle]

79. I listen to Joe every morning and e-mail MSNBC regularly! nt

[Patsy Stone]

80. It seems even Citizen Joe doesn't know which end is up anymore.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7187522

[Uncle Joe]

21. The questions I have.

Is McCain asking to stop for a few days, do something else and to continue fighting later or this his version of rope a dope?

On another level, is this McCain's attempt at an economic surge vote?

He and the corporate media have used the surge vote to mask his piss poor national security judgment in waging a war based on lies with Iraq while Al Qaueda got off scott free and our forces in Afghanistan were weakened.

I wonder if he's trying to use the same M.O. with this economic crisis which doesn't need his presence, in order to mask his poor economic skills. Of course this also serves as a buffer between his disconnection of the dysfunctional fundamentals in our economy and having to answer for it in a Presidential Debate.

I believe he has his gloves up covering his face on the ropes but the major advantage he has over Ali is that Ali didn't have the referee on his side as McCain has with the corporate media. My own gut feeling is, the corporate media as an institution with isolated pockets of credible journalism notwithstanding, because power, money and fecal material roll down hill will get in line after the bailout vote behind McCain and praise the rooster because the sun rose.

[H2O Man]

33. Good questions.

The debate on Friday, which focuses on foreign policy, is supposed to be McCain's strong point. The economy is his weak point, not only because of his lack of knowledge, but more, because of his history of advocating for those who have destroyed our economy.

He almost certainly is trying to find a way to look like he is "in control" of the crisis, as you say. But I also think it is unlikely that his camp would attempt this obvious a gimmick, were he doing well in his debate preparation. I think that his handlers are concerned that he isn't up to the debate.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

26. When you are late, join another thread, don't start one with a meaningless title. Nothing new here.

[H2O Man]

37. "Wow"

is not meaningless.

[Marrah_G]

75. Bah- ignore him!

Someone must have peed in his Wheaties this morning!

[OneGrassRoot]

40. I rarely post my thoughts in reply to a comment such as yours...

but this morning, before the day gets insane, I would like to ask:

What prompts you to post such condescending, arrogant remarks when they add nothing new to the conversation? In essence, you are doing what you accuse the OP of doing.

There are a handful of your type here and I'm always intrigued with the hypocrisy. Do you simply like to hear yourself speak, even in the form of reading back what you have typed?

I'm truly curious.

:shrug:

[H2O Man]

49. Thank you. n/t

[dgibby]

67. You are sooooooooo right!

I have 2 names for this behavior: DRIVE-BY SNARK ATTACK, or, if you prefer, HIT & RUN SNARK ATTACK. It could be shortened to SNARK ALERT, too. I invite everyone to call out this behavior whenever and wherever it occurs. It is tacky and boorish
and as my mama used to say, "Good breeding (or lack thereof), will out".

ENOUGH!
:grr:

[canichelouis]

71. I have one name for this kind of person

Jerk

[dgibby]

72. You are entirely too kind!

:hi: :rofl:

[Ignis]

73. Perhaps we need a "Snark Alert" button?

:shrug:

[dgibby]

77. Good idea!

I'd much rather be able to hit a button than have to type. Talk about the height of laziness
1

[symbolman]

43. Whoa

who stomped on your kittens today?

Take a chill pill, pal.. H2OMan is a beloved figure here, with much to impart..

[H2O Man]

44. Hello

Have you ever seen anything as strange as this campaign? (I thought "wow" was a fair description!)

[symbolman]

55. I've said this time and again to my wife

This campaign by McCain and associated Rovian wannabees is nothing short of MADNESS..

It's INSANE, and an Insult to the American People, and for the Media to prop up McCain instead of the Sane alternative is SICK.

I saw a guy on KO tonight actually APOLOGISING to the McCain camp for their Poll showing him being NINE Points behind Obama.. So what is it going to be, either McCain is LOSING in REALITY LAND, or else you are admitting that your Polls are USELESS..

like I said, MADNESS.. WOW, and WHOA :)

STEP DOWN McCAIN, for the Good of your Country, and for the sake of not frightening the American public, for God's Sakes man, STEP DOWN.

[Me.]

52. Who Made You Hall Monitor?

[racaulk]

57. Geez, what an assholish thing to say!

:eyes:

[dgibby]

70. SNARK ATTACT!

[Marrah_G]

74. Why would you feel the need to post something so mean?

[Bubbha Jo]

27. The boxing bit is a good analogy.....

[Bubbha Jo]

28. The boxing bit is a good analogy.....

[cali]

32. Well said and rec'd.

I can't believe anyone thinks this is a good move for McCain.

[H2O Man]

36. Have you ever

seen anything as strange as the McCain-Palin campaign? I really can't think of anything quite like this.

[cali]

42. I have never seen anything like it. Hell, I've never even dreamed anything like it

it's beyond passing strange. And through it all, Obama keeps sailing serenely forward, as if all the antics around him were simply the normal course of events.

[tannybogus]

46. The Wallace/Lemay ticket in 1968 was pretty weird.

However, they were two scary peas in a pod. McCain/Palin is an exercise in cognitive dissonance for me. McCain has morphed into some strange political form, and Palin is

an off the charts wingnut. He didn't just reach into the conservative base for a VP. He reached into the basement and look what he found. A "Crackerjacks" ticket."

[H2O Man]

47. Wallace-LeMay!

At least they were focused in their approach to campaigning in a way that advocated hatred and violence.

Maybe Pat Paulsen's 1968 special on CBS?

[tannybogus]

50. Lyndon LaRouche and whoever!

That man has been a source of amusement for me for years. He has held some positions I agree with, but sorting through his myriad beliefs is like a trip to the funhouse.

He put up a huge billboard in N.Virginia with a picture of George H. W. Bush beside a clump of broccoli.(I believe Bush had stated his aversion to that vegetable.)

He shared a cell with Jim Bakker of PTL fame. I would loved to have heard those conversations. LOL

[obiwan]

41. I think the reason for all this...

...is that Sarah Palin is a short-timer. McCain's people are realizing she just can't cut it. Aloha, Caribou Barbie.

[H2O Man]

51. She has not

held up well under close examination.

[symbolman]

45. Yep, the old man is getting tired

and his Rovian team doesn't have half the "class" or brains that Rove does - now THAT is a "WOW" if I've ever seen one :)

Hey H2OMan, take a look at this Link:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x4081096

It's the New York Time article about how I'm giving away a house in maui for a $100 and an Essay - but you knew that :)

There's a pic of my lil SymbolFamily there..

[H2O Man]

48. I saw that!

Very cool. Great photo.

In regard to the other situation we discussed yesterday, we ended up spending many hours in the ER yesterday. Not to make excuses, but perhaps my being exhausted and at my half-wits' ends is the reason my OP did not meet the high standard the one fellow demanded elsewhere on this thread. (Wow!)

[symbolman]

54. Sorry to hear that...

Let's all hold H2OMan in our hearts, he has a sickness in the family, and he needs our prayers or vibes, whatever works for folks here.

You've got my sympathy for your plight my dear friend, tell that loved one to GET WELL SOON, eh?

[dgibby]

69. Pay no attention!

Just another inferiority complex going somewhere to happen. Sending you and your family good wishes and positive vibes. May the Force be with you!:hug:

[Sugarcoated]

53. I feel like, what's he gonna do next to try to stop this election's

inexorable historical course, lift his shirt and show his tits? McMonster really and truly is a man who will do anything, anything to win. He is light years past dishonorable.

[spanone]

56. words fail me ....this election would be comical if our future wasn't at stake

wow says it all

[workinclasszero]

58. McBush is a typical republican chickenshit

I need a time out Mommy!!! WAHHHHHH!!!

[CharmCity]

61. McCain should step down as candidate.

If he can't handle the heat, he needs to get out of the kitchen.

[bleever]

63. It's like he's madly punching buttons in the cockpit,

trying to get an engine to re-ignite, and hits the button for the ejector seat by mistake.

It's good to remember that he got this nomination because he was the last guy standing, and not because of deep support from voters or his mastery of electoral strategy.

[Gregorian]

64. It means they know they can't steal the election with Rove's Math.

And now you know why I posted the question regarding the VP debate. I felt strongly that they would pull a stunt.

Cut 'N Run Maverick.


I'm permanently cynical. Partly because of how many of our good guys they've killed. And partly because unless the polls were 90/10 it indicates a country of less than intelligent people. This is why I hid for twenty years. I want to hide again. But that's THE problem. Participation. No, GOOD participation.