I think the McCain campaign is in bigger trouble than anyone thinks.

[Erin Elizabeth]

Because I think there several sources of trouble, not just one or two.

These are the ones I'm sure about:

1. Palin is woefully, cringingly unprepared and to put her up in a debate anytime in the next two months would be a disaster. Well, there's LESS than two months until the election. Basically? She's not going to be ready. Her hoped for affect wasn't as big as they thought it would be and is already disappearing.

2. The media is getting more pissed off by the day at this cloistering of Palin. I think Rachel Maddow also talked about the McCain campaign's treatment of the media and how it's very hostile.

3. The financial crisis has *really* put a dent in their workings and will continue to. It's like a daily, vivid, in your face reminder of how bad the last eight years have been.

These are ones I'm not sure about, but I suspect:

1. Financial troubles are causing them to pull ads, possibly in states where he's approaching spending limits. Financial troubles overall are damaging the campaign in general.

2. Health/medical issues for McCain

3. Internal strife in the campaign/party--they're usually really good at hiding it on the right, but we've been seeing cracks for a while now and they're getting deeper. Whatever we're seeing, the reality is probably far worse.

[phantom power]

1. The fact that McCain pulled his ads tells me something weird is up.

I mean, even taking the weirdness of "canceling his campaign to work on legislation" at face value, there's no reason to halt his ads. He'd want them to keep running.

It's weird.

[Erin Elizabeth]

9. Yes, if anything, you'd have to have your ads do the work for you

if you were cancelling campaign stops for a while. That's all you'd HAVE. So you definitely wouldn't want to do that. Maybe put out MORE ads.

[Midlodemocrat]

63. If he hadn't made that ridiculous announcement yesterday

would anyone seriously have noticed if he cancelled his campaign stops? No. Of course, not. If the ads were running as usual, and they are here in VA, it would like business as usual.

It's grandstanding.

[offog]

107. Yeah, it's grandstanding.

I agree with Obama that a President needs to be able to handle more than one thing at a time, and that now it's more important than ever to debate issues, especially regarding how each candidate would handle the financial crisis.

I also worry about the big cost to the University hosting the debate. I read an the other day about how the University is going to be out millions of dollars if the event gets canceled or postponed, which would be really unfair. Will McCain and/or his campaign be willing to reimburse the University? I would like to see people talk about that.

[ContinentalOp]

28. Nah, the ads make sense.

He's pulling them from what... now until Friday? Big deal. So he saves a few bucks, gets to pretend like he's not being political and he gets a bunch of free publicity out of the whole thing. Plus I guess they thought there would be a chance that Obama would take the bait and pull his ads or that the media would take the bait and pressure Obama on the issue.

Luckily it appears to be backfiring pretty badly.

[ShadowLiberal]

40. He hasn't pulled his ads in PA, I'm still seeing them

[Claire Beth]

66. McCain's campaign has money problems...

so they figure this is one way to save dollars and appear "patriotic" at the same time. Of course WE know it for what it is, just another political stunt.

[The Wizard]

95. And it makes a false assumption

Anyone who doesn't do what he wants is somehow unpatriotic.

[Claire Beth]

115. Exactly! n/t

[kerry-is-my-prez]

81. I think he's trying to look like he's "above the fray" - it could be a trick.

n/t

[JDPriestly]

103. They are changing their ticket. Palin had that affair. It's probably true.

Either that or McCain is ill. It's one or the other of the two. They aren't running their ads because the ads are not relevant at this time.

[blossomstar]

2. All of the above together are major.

[anigbrowl]

3. All good points - recommended. As for the base...

they seem to be in full meltdown mode. Some of them think Palin should debate Obama. Most of them seem to wish McCain would just disappear. A few are trying it off as a brilliant move while everybody laughs at them. They are in total WTF? mode.

[Erin Elizabeth]

14. Palin debate Obama?

Well, then to make it fair and not a total bloodbath, he should just send his youngest daughter to debate her in his place. With instructions not to be TOO hard on Palin.

[sunnybrook]

34. good one!

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[volstork]

74. Love it!

:rofl:

[NYC_SKP]

4. Rated: "MUST READ", nt

[crazy_vanilla]

5. you are right, and isn't that great ?

:woohoo: :woohoo:

[BlooInBloo]

6. I think we're all pretty clear on the huge problems with McPOW and his campaign.

[Erin Elizabeth]

12. Oh, ok.

Sorry, then.

[BlooInBloo]

13. It's ok. Nothing wrong with a summary recap.

[krkaufman]

49. WTF with that response?

Truly, thanks for your input.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

27. I always like to see them all laid out with a nice bow on top!

:nuke:

[BlooInBloo]

37. Nothing wrong with that, as I said. It's just tedious listening to people say...

Oooh! **I** know something NOBODY else does!

And then proceed to state what's patently obvious to EVERYBODY.

[dgibby]

47. DRIVE- BY SNARK ATTACK!!!

How tacky!

[dmr]

53. I didn't sense that. Not at all. Just the opposite. n/t

[nini]

73. 99% of DU is exactly what you just said

doncha ya think? ;-)

[Erin Elizabeth]

88. I didn't think I gave the impression that I knew something

no one else knew. I saw a lot of individual threads talking about this problem or that problem and I wanted to argue that I feel it's the cumulative affect of multiple problems.

[blueclown]

7. mccain has no financial troubles.

he is well-funded and will continue to be until the election.

all your other points are very good, though.

[Erin Elizabeth]

10. What makes you say he's well-funded?

And if you were suspending your campaign and canceling campaign stops wouldn't the last thing you'd do be take your ads off the air? You'd want them to keep going, maybe even step them up a bit, especially this close to the election.

[blueclown]

67. he is getting tons of free air-time due to this announcement.

he doesn't need to pay for it at this point. it would be counterproductive.

the reason he is well-funded is because he has found loopholes in his own campaign finance laws and the rnc is funnelling money to him under the name of the "rnc victory fund".

[lurky]

11. Yeah, but how much is he spending?

He's accepting public financing, which means he has a hard limit he can't exceed.

What happens if he hits the wall with three weeks to go in the election?

[quakerboy]

52. But he has the GOP

I have been reading that McP has been stretching their publicly provided dollars by having the GOP cover half the price of his adverts, taking advantage of some loopholes in the bill with his name on it. Or is that not true?

[blueclown]

68. that is true.

he is taking advantage of a loophole in the system. the rnc is funding john mccain's campaign, and particularly his ads.

[CitizenPatriot]

8. and rick davis scandal

as yet not discussed in msm (well, I haven't heard about it on TV- only in NYT)- that was HUGH. they lied to the public and Davis was still tied to Fannie and Freddie even last month. Not good.

Palin's affair, which was broken out today via NE (who has earned the right to be taken somewhat seriously on these matters-- they also got two affidavits from witnesses). she cheated with a MARRIED man, which basically takes away the midwestern hockey mom vote. The women who were voting for her just because she was like them will not like her having an affair with a married man. No way.

this campaign is in serious trouble, but the freepers seem blissfully unaware. What can you expect, though? since they can't read, they have to get all of their "news" via Hannity and Enemies.

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

18. Rachel had a segment on this last night

I think it was with Michael Isikoff. My eyebrows shot up when he said that Davis was still being paid some pretty big fees even though he was supposedly doing nothing. This is a ticking bomb (another in a long line) for Grampy McChicken's campaign. Must really suck to be them right now.

[Erin Elizabeth]

21. Wow, really?

I didn't know that, either.

[CitizenPatriot]

39. NYT did an article on this and blew it out of the water

mcCain camp accused NYT of lying basically but they never denied what NYT reported; Davis still owns equity shares of that company and that company was being paid 15 k a month even last month for the influence pedaling he got via his relationship as McCain's campaign manager. Remember that McCain blamed this economic melt down on lobbyists of Fannie and Freddie? and then he denied that anyone in his campaign had any relationship to the companies. Not good.

[704wipes]

24. Palin had an affair with a Married Man

I am waiting to hear more about
this

[CitizenPatriot]

38. National Enquirer, that bastion of investiagtive journalism

who actually came out first with the John Edwards scandal ran it. The threatened to run it weeks ago and McCain et al threatened to sue...but they got witnesses who signed affidavits so now, there's not much they can do. We'll see what happens with it. I am sure they vetted it well, but obviously no one else is going to touch it for a while.

[L0oniX]

72. Well that's to be expected. What I am waiting for is the video of her with a moose.

:evilgrin:

[Mopar151]

101. Moose have more taste then that n/t

[Mabus]

108. The Globe has big headlines that Cindy McCain is a drug addict

I saw The Globe next to the National Enquirer this morning at the grocery store. Two great headlines that go together: The VP had an affair and Cindy is still a drug addict. :rofl:

[Bluestar]

33. This actually made our local newscast here in Los Angeles

this morning from a right-wing-owned station, KTLA. I was shocked and surprised.

[CitizenPatriot]

36. Are you kidding? I used to watch that in stunned silence it was so bad nt

[Essene]

96. THIS IS THE BIG STORY... indeed. Total campaign meltdown...

Ive been saying this is the reason his campaign went into total meltdown yesterday.

Mccain must have flipped his lid when he learned about this...

[Essene]

97. Rachel Maddow digs in... (video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fAN7f9-xnM

[Essene]

99. Katie Couric catches Sarah Palin offguard on this issue... (video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbQwAFobQxQ

Notice Palin's hesitation and the "i hope so" frankness...

[JDPriestly]

106. If true, the affair would constitute adultery according to the Bible.

That's a big No, No for Christian conservatives.

[lamp_shade]

15. Recommended. Excellent post.

[Willo]

16. Add attempting to cancel the VP Debate

which falls outside of the crisis date.

[Erin Elizabeth]

22. No way. Are they now trying to do that, too?

Where did you hear/read that?

[zuzu98]

26. Apparently someone

suggested that they use the Oct 2 VP debate date as the substitute for Friday's presidential debate in Mississippi and that the VP candidates would then debate at Ole Miss sometime in the future.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x7172840

[Tallison]

79. Brian Williams reported this Wednesday night

That McCain wanted to move tomorrow's pres debate to next Thursday, and reschedule the VP debate to a to-be-determined time/date.

[CTyankee]

105. I was suspicious when I heard this.

I thought "that's the REAL reason for all this." Kinda elaborate plotting on their part, though...

[Tallison]

110. Postponing that debate is what his campaign is ALL about right now

Should it go on, McPalin's only hope is that viewers buy the sympathy card, which is why Biden's got to stay jocular while mopping the floor with her rat's nest.

[Erin Elizabeth]

Yes.

He can't make it into a bloodbath, though he could very easily do so. Honestly, all he has to do is let her hang herself with her own Rope of Ignorance.

[Willo]

32. On Huff...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/24/mccain-camp-wants-to-post_n_129079.html

They have video


John McCain's campaign now wants to suspend the VP debate?

CNN's Dana Bash reports that McCain officials are "trying to negotiate with the Obama campaign and the presidential debate commission" to change next Thursday's planned vice presidential debate into a McCain-Obama affair. The VP debate would be postponed to another date.

"That is what they are proposing," Bash reported. " understand very well that both the Obama campaign and the debate commission have no intention of delaying Friday's debate, but...if there is no bailout deal by Friday, McCain has no plan to go to debate."

[pointblank]

17. I am inclined to think

mcsame is pulling this stunt to make him look like the 'adult' in all of this...no more. to read more inot it gives their ilk more credit than they deserve IMO...

Obama stressed the point early in his conference today thwat HE initiaed the call...

I have a feeling that the call was made, mccain agreed but some Rovian mccain campaign syncophant jumped and put mccain out there as the 'level headed insider' coming to the rescue...

It reaks of karl rove, but I think the people are wise to his bullshit and aren't buying it anymore.

[voteearlyvoteoften]

19. Campaign shenanigans

Maybe lack of bucks is what all this is about. No media at UN...free coverage with of course every outlet showing her legs as much as possible. Debate cancel so McLeader can take a rest....free coverage.

[jberryhill]

20. Number 2 - The man's face is FALLING OFF on his left side /nt

[quiet.american]

56. I noticed that, too. It looks very painful nt

[TheDonkey]

23. Is he saving money for a Rev. Wright media blow-out?

One last hurrah before he blows out.

[mzmolly]

25. Not to mention Rick Davis ey?

:hi:

[PATRICK]

29. the risk of risk

coming out badly. There must be an unreal approach to a loser campaign like this. The catch is that the risks are all well planned but the responses and the ability of the McCain team to capitalize are not.

The very next step, rather than escalating more risks, must naturally be for these despicable people to look to saving their own skins, making private deals. This is good because it may spiral down the lies and vote fraud and bring justice if not clarity to the landslaide outcome approaching.

Still, panic moves and inertial drive of these people will persist in either the madness of arrogantly trying to power ahead or seeking ways out. This is dangerous for all, the cornered beast, the chaos. There have been losing campaigns before but this has spectacular, frightening potential which the media and others are breaking apart off script under the pressure and faltering of control.

Those who believe in the evil masterminds would rightly see this as another shock replacement to a losing campaign, which would lead to the WH supporting the move(apparently it isn't because painfully conflicted in its last dictatorial gasps) to cancelling the Palin/Biden debates for the same reason, to using the next great shock to cancel/postpone/martial law the election or some other heretofore tinfoil extreme. They just blew the moves in Pakistan, the assassination of Chavez, the bailout panic, the primping of Palin, the marshalling of the MSM among many, many others- all made with their pants down and bungling.

I would rather have the election degenerate into a fatal circus for the GOP than have the fraud that the GOP is offering a fair choice(gag) persist to an undeservedly close election ritual wrecking the real mandate for change(rarely clarified in its brutal, alarming reality and necessity). They deserve it and so does the fake system and I hope progressive reform can capitalize on it to build a new America(as my stunning determined and progressive NY-29 candidate Eric Massa rolled out as a stunning hope in the midst of certain upheavals facing us in the next several years).

The election could have been falsely close and people could have been wooed instead of intimidated and enraged. The WH never ever chose otherwise. McCain simply can't stray from that closely guarded herd of cronies. The HOPE of not getting a terror hit or something as bad in the next month increases as the lie unravels with each reversal. Now a risk is just a risk and they are just cowards.

[SwampG8r]

41. you can say that again

[krkaufman]

50. "you can say that again" .... chuckle. n/t

[SwampG8r]

51. its a compulsion

when i see multiples i gotta do it

[PATRICK]

30. the risk of risk

coming out badly. There must be an unreal approach to a loser campaign like this. The catch is that the risks are all well planned but the responses and the ability of the McCain team to capitalize are not.

The very next step, rather than escalating more risks, must naturally be for these despicable people to look to saving their own skins, making private deals. This is good because it may spiral down the lies and vote fraud and bring justice if not clarity to the landslide outcome approaching.

Still, panic moves and inertial drive of these people will persist in either the madness of arrogantly trying to power ahead or seeking ways out. This is dangerous for all, the cornered beast, the chaos. There have been losing campaigns before but this has spectacular, frightening potential which the media and others are breaking apart off script under the pressure and faltering of control.

Those who believe in the evil masterminds would rightly see this as another shock replacement to a losing campaign, which would lead to the WH supporting the move(apparently it isn't because painfully conflicted in its last dictatorial gasps) to canceling the Palin/Biden debates for the same reason, to using the next great shock to cancel/postpone/martial law the election or some other heretofore tinfoil extreme. They just blew the moves in Pakistan, the assassination of Chavez, the bailout panic, the primping of Palin, the marshalling of the MSM among many, many others- all made with their pants down and bungling.

I would rather have the election degenerate into a fatal circus for the GOP than have the fraud that the GOP is offering a fair choice(gag) persist to an undeservedly close election ritual wrecking the real mandate for change(rarely clarified in its brutal, alarming reality and necessity). They deserve it and so does the fake system and I hope progressive reform can capitalize on it to build a new America(as my stunning determined and progressive NY-29 candidate Eric Massa rolled out as a stunning hope in the midst of certain upheavals facing us in the next several years).

The election could have been falsely close and people could have been wooed instead of intimidated and enraged. The WH never ever chose otherwise. McCain simply can't stray from that closely guarded herd of cronies. The HOPE of not getting a terror hit or something as bad in the next month increases as the lie unravels with each reversal. Now a risk is just a risk and they are just cowards.

[SwampG8r]

42. you can say that again

[PATRICK]

31. The risk of risk

is loss of control, coming out badly for the manipulators. There must be an unreal approach to a loser campaign like this. The catch is that the risks are all well planned but the responses and the ability of the McCain team to capitalize are not.

The very next step, rather than escalating more risks, must naturally be for these despicable people to look to saving their own skins, making private deals. This is good because it may spiral down the lies and vote fraud and bring justice if not clarity to the landslide outcome approaching.

Still, panic moves and inertial drive of these people will persist in either the madness of arrogantly trying to power ahead or seeking ways out. This is dangerous for all, the cornered beast, the chaos. There have been losing campaigns before but this has spectacular, frightening potential which the media and others are breaking apart off script under the pressure and faltering of control.

Those who believe in the evil masterminds would rightly see this as another shock replacement to a losing campaign, which would lead to the WH supporting the move(apparently it isn't because painfully conflicted in its last dictatorial gasps) to canceling the Palin/Biden debates for the same reason, to using the next great shock to cancel/postpone/martial law the election or some other heretofore tinfoil extreme. They just blew the moves in Pakistan, the assassination of Chavez, the bailout panic, the primping of Palin, the marshalling of the MSM among many, many others- all made with their pants down and bungling.

I would rather have the election degenerate into a fatal circus for the GOP than have the fraud that the GOP is offering a fair choice(gag) persist to an undeservedly close election ritual wrecking the real mandate for change(rarely clarified in its brutal, alarming reality and necessity). They deserve it and so does the fake system and I hope progressive reform can capitalize on it to build a new America(as my stunning determined and progressive NY-29 candidate Eric Massa rolled out as a stunning hope in the midst of certain upheavals facing us in the next several years).

The election could have been falsely close and people could have been wooed instead of intimidated and enraged. The WH never ever chose otherwise. McCain simply can't stray from that closely guarded herd of cronies. The HOPE of not getting a terror hit or something as bad in the next month increases as the lie unravels with each reversal. Now a risk is just a risk and they are just cowards.

[SwampG8r]

well said!

[PATRICK]

118. Argh!!!

I did not delete in time and damned if I know how my trembling fingers did that, but as fate would have have it maybe it was worth it. It's probably on my journal too.

[harun]

35. 2. Media is turning on McCain is the big one. They are pissed they are not

getting interviews or new conferences so they are striking back to show who is boss.

[dgibby]

46. And to think, these are the people McClueless

used to call his "base"! Note to Idiot-in-Chief Wannabe--Never piss off or on your base!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

43. I really think this is a panic move to shield McCoward from declining poll numbers...

...and to shield Palin. The Repukes probably saw her very poor performance with Katie Couric and decided that she was not ready to debate Biden next week.

This is a ploy to delay the VP debates, not his debate with Obama.

[Erin Elizabeth]

90. Yep that's certainly another factor.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

44. This is the kind of thoughtful thread that's useful, not crap about Alan Keyes.

Thanks! Good thread!

[LiberadorHugo]

45. Maybe McCain is doing this intentionally...

The crotchety old bastard chose the most incompetent person possible so that he can stab his backers in the back for not letting him choose Loserman.

[farmboxer]

48. I only worry about the Republica manufactured and programmed

voting machines. Obama will win, but who will program the voting machines? Two fixed elections in a row.

[dmr]

54. Yup, their hope in Palin has pooped out.

I get a lot of pleasure in this too. The arrogance and smug smiles she, they, Todd have had on their faces irritated me to no end.

As an American citizen, watching Palin's photo ops with the world leaders embarrassed me. Here we have an opportunistic wannabe posing with these leaders - they being used by the wannabe's handlers to prop up her creds. I kept wondering what were these world leaders truly thinking about?

Lunch meat?

Somehow, using world leaders as a political prop strikes me as a bad example of International Relations. The State Department has lost their mind to go along with this charade.

[Frank Cannon]

59. I don't think they knew she was so phenomenally, transparently stupid

Every time she appears on television and has to answer a spontaneous question, she fails so miserably that if it were scripted by the writers of "Green Acres", you wouldn't laugh because it would seem too outlandish.

I'm sure the McCain campaign had high hopes for Palin and thought the whole inexperienced/not-too-bright thing would not be a problem, given that it never hurt George W. Bush. But she makes Dubya look like Freeman Dyson.

[MaryEllen9399]

60. I think they knew she was stupid

but I also think they thought that the American people were stupid and were going to fall for her hockey mom act.

[SheilaT]

61. They would have assumed that anyone

who is a governor of any state is a skilled politician. They'd have seen one or two small things about her record, how she cut certain programs, got LOTS of earmarks for her state, which Republicans think is good so long as those earmarks benefit fellow Republicans. They would have seen that she is nominally attractive, and the five children, including one with Down Syndrome and a son recently enlisted in the army all added up to a Middle American Archetype. The part about the pregnant daughter wasn't known yet, so that was included.

Also, every so often someone says something like McCain (or the Republicans) are deliberately trying to lose the election, or, as someone above said, chose Palin to spite the party elders because he couldn't have Lieberman. Don't ever think that way. NO politician at any level ever wants anything other than to win.

[OakCliffDem]

55. It is time for all Democrats to press home our advantage and elect Obama

[cjsmom44]

57. RE; Right on

I think you are right on here...especially the health issues...his health is a real concern...He has been looking worse on the campaign trail...and what is up with his left eye? I thought I was the only one who noticed it...and then I saw that Huffington Post has a link up on that very issue....My health background says possible stroke or metastasis ???? I would never wish ill on anyone...but is he ready to lead the nation?...absolutely not...even if healthy...

[greyghost]

82. He's shown, without a doubt, that he's not up to the job mentally.

[No Elephants]

58. "Suspending" the campaign is not to help with the crisis. It's to get McCain and Palin up to speed.

[Erin Elizabeth]

93. It had to be a bigger problem or set of problems to suspend the

campaign. I agree it was NOT about this crisis. But I think their lack of readiness for the debates is just one of many reasons.

[Myrina]

62. I beleive that the GOP does not WANT to win ..

.... which is why McCain had a 'miraculous comeback' from next-to-last in the primaries to take the nomination over more affable/media friendly/generic candidates like Mittens.

.... which is why they let McCain pick an obvious ticket-sinker like Failin' as his running mate.


They know the gravity of the situation and the amount of intellect and cojones its going to take to bring the country back from the hellhole its become ... and they don't want to clean up George's dirty diaper. So put your lamest horse in the race and let the Dems win, so we have to make the hard choices and fix all the broken shit.

Then in 8 years, when there's another budget surplus, they can steal another set of elections and begin to re-embezzle on behalf of their war-profiteering/financial market cronies.


:shrug:

[BrainStorm]

64. I agree. They know what crap needs to be cleaned up in the next 4 years.

They're hoping that Obama will crash and burn and they can run in 2012.

[workinclasszero]

78. I agree with this:

***Then in 8 years, when there's another budget surplus, they can steal another set of elections and begin to re-embezzle on behalf of their war-profiteering/financial market cronies.***

No doubt. The republican thieves and war mongers will be foaming at the mouth to piss away our children's peaceful inheritance.

[faithfulcitizen]

65. The simple truth is he is panicking! When we were dropping, Obama was "as cool as a cucumber".

When things start to look bad, McChicken PANICS!

[Stuart G]

69. It is one person's opinion, but this reminds me of...

The last few weeks of the Watergate scandal before Nixon resigned. One thing after another. Quick, unbelievable stuff, never ending. That is what this feels like. Who knows what is going to happen, but that is what I feel about the last two weeks of combined events.

[progressoid]

70. I expect a couple top advisors to quietly step down this weekend.

[K8-EEE]

71. I don't understand how pulling his ads "helps him solve the economy"

The ads weren't working -- when they go back up there will be new ones. Howe else can you see it, he wants a time out, he was sinking like a rock!

[Ganja Ninja]

75. Something is up.

This whole "suspend the campaign" stunt is just too weird. The idea of trying to look presidential by suspending the campaign is a wild gamble at best. If the financial crisis is real then there must be problems with the internal politics of the GOP. Country first or not the Republican's aren't use to doing anything that will piss off the base and the bailout will do just that. They must be having a terrible time keeping the indians in line.

[felinetta]

76. Rick Davis liability too!

Now with the news media talking about his campaign manager still having ties to Fannie May, it is one more strike against McCain.

[felinetta]

77. McCain is like a fly caught in a spider web

This image of McCain caught in a spider web has been my thought for many weeks. Every time he throws out a stupid comment, I see him twisting and turning in a and getting more tangled and trapped. The web just gets tighter.

[D23MIURG23]

80. Their recent behaviour reeks of desperation.

McCain asking for debates to be postponed? This is a major showing of weakness; he is grasping at any gimmick he can possibly find to buoy him. This campaign is frantically looking for ways to change the race and they are willing to take big risks. I'm expecting some dramatic meltdowns in the comming weeks.

:popcorn:

[samuraiguppy]

83. I agree with you 100%

Mccain is imploding! On election day I expect him to get about 20% of the vote.

[blue-kite]

84. Palin replaces her running mate

I like all these ideas so far.
However this is what I think is really happening.
Palin is staging a coup.
Actually she has pretended to be lightweight but in fact...
So she replaces McCain with Cheney. (4 more years!)
Thats it...
Ciao ciao

[Rosa Luxemburg]

85. The GOP are trying to find a way through - McCain is gambling politically

[defendandprotect]

86. Agree ... and wasn't McCain borrowing from party to keep campaign going -- ???

On the other hand, the GOP has always been lucky in having their BS and

corruption, crimes ans lies covered up and working for them ...

Their LUCK seems to be holding ---

[Name removed]

87. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[leppie]

89. McCains drooping eye during press briefing a health problem?

Did anyone else notice McCain's left eye was severely drooping during his press conferences when he was announcing the suspension of his campaign? I had not noticed it before.

[Marrah_G]

91. I think you are right

I think McCain is in huge trouble and he knows it.

[whistle]

92. McCain IS IN TROUBLE if he put Hank Paulson in charge of his $500 million

...campaign trust fund!

[grantcart]

94. I don't think that the McCain campaign thought that they would have to fight in 15 swing states

[Erin Elizabeth]

98. Oh wow.

Yet another drip on the pile of bad news drips that probably did contribute to this.

[Essene]

112. ya, that's a huge factor as well. i think it fits me theory....

that his campaign is just melting.

i think the rick davis thing prolly pushed mccain over the edge, along with all the polls and other stuff from yesterday.

[Major Hogwash]

117. Well, yeah, then there's that election thingy going on.

And now his wife is asking for more vicodin.

"John, my arm hurts again. I need more vicodin."
"Wow, honey, did someone shake your hand too vigourously again?"
"Uh, yeah . . yeah, that's what happened. Sure, whatever."

[Virginia Dare]

100. Mark Shields said that a McCain campaign person told him off the record..

that any day that the economy isn't in the news and George Bush isn't on T.V. is a good day for them. OOPS!!!, stormy seas ahead for the Bad Ship McCain...:P

[HopeforChange]

102. They ran out of Lipstick n/t

[Hepburn]

104. Excellent analysis...

...and, yeah, I do have to agree. Particularly with the point that McCain was TOTALLY clueless as to what a slug Palin is. Hopelessly unaware and way too self-impressed. Hmmmmm...remind anyone else of the POS who currently occupies the Oval Office?

[scytherius]

109. You nailed it N/T

N/T

[1776Forever]

111. Some guy told me today Palin knew more then McCain! How can there be people like that out there?

It is beyond belief that there are really people like the guy I spoke to today who believe Palin would make a good President, even better then McCain! He was about 60 years old and a Veteran and had 4 kids that were in the Iraq/Afghan Wars. I tried to tell him about McCain's F rating with the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) but he just said he wasn't going to vote for McCain or Obama. What a waste. But at least if he doesn't vote for McCain here in Ohio it will be one less vote he might have gotten!

:shrug:

[stuntcat]

113. I'm crushed.. crushed I tell you! :(

I'll be so sad if she doesn't get to debate anyone, I've been waiting :bounce: just to see her try and have a conversation with Joe Biden.

[H2O Man]

114. Right.

It is in far greater trouble than the general public is aware of.

[Major Hogwash]

116. Awesome post!! Right on the money. Or should I say, 'nail meet hammer'?

Excellent analysis.