McCain's Campaign Suspension: Bold or Bonkers?

[tekisui]

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/election2008/story/53069.html

Republicans and some analysts saw John McCain's suspension of his campaign as a savvy way to gain the upper hand on the issue that now dominates political discourse — the economy and the $700 billion bailout package now under scrutiny on Capitol Hill.

Others weren't so sure.

"Nothing short of brilliant," said Bill Lacy, key strategist in Bob Dole’s 1996 campaign.

"A very thin line between bold and bizarre," was the take of Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri. "And I think Senator McCain may have crossed it."

The move came on the same day as a new ABC News/Washington Post survey chronicled McCain's sinking fortunes on the economy. It showed Sen. Barack Obama had opened a 53-39 percent gap over McCain on whom voters trusted most to handle the economy. On the whom-would-you-vote-for question, Obama was up nine points, although other polls found the race closer.

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[grannie4peace]

1. HE'S STILL SHOWING ADS IN VA !!!!!!!

[tekisui]

5. Not surprised about another lie. The Lying Express.

[qanda]

2. I just saw a campaign ad in Maryland for John McCain

I thought he suspended his campaign.

[Starry Messenger]

3. "Nothing short of brilliant," said Bill Lacy, key strategist in Bob Dole’s 1996 campaign.

Heh. And how well did that go?

I vote for bonkers.

[napi21]

4. The local people I spoke to are calling McNuts....McChicken!

This morning, my very non-political husband said "What the hell is wrong with him? He must know he's going to lose so he's running away."

[wishlist]

6. Cynical political grandstanding attempt at one upmanship, not bipartisan

Since Obama was the one who called him first and made the first overtures about a joint statement and bipartisanship about the bailout issue, McCain couldn't resist immediately turning around to grab the center of attention and try to make political points.

[Perky]

7. NeitherL They are Machiavellian

[voteearlyvoteoften]

8. McAttackAd will blame media & refuse to pay for them

Another way to get freebies when you're broke

[Aloha Spirit]

9. There are dozens of strategic reasons to suspend the campaign. I'll go with:

-Delay debates because Palin needs more prep for next week
-Pull Ads because most current ones are guilt by association which will look petty and result in backlash.

But there are dozens of other possible explanations that don't start with "country" and end with "first."

In any risk-based strategy game though, you choose what leaves you the most options. Which is what he's done.

[tekisui]

11. This wasn't strategy. It was a desperate reaction.

His options are reduced. He can go back to the debate and look like a fool, who's bluff was called, or he can skip the debates and look like a chicken.

The Dems hold the cards in Congress. They have a bill agreed upon, and do not need mcPOW there to help shape it, and his vote won't affect it. He hasn't voted since April 8th, we don't need him now.

He painted himself in a corner, and looks like a petty, hotheaded reactionary.

[izzie]

10. I may be in error but is not McCain a person that loved RR?

I think it is bonkers to think the people that gave us this mess are going to fix it. I am sure McCain will try and take the credit if it goes good but not the mess he made for the last 25 years. Freedom of the market in all ways are McCain's thing or so he has said for all these years. Put a lot of money out in the general market, as this country can do, and stop all rules and you have to be crazy to think that greed will not take over. This is a thing to get us to talk about what McCain is up to not any plans he has or what he has been up to for the last 25 years. The TV shows are talking around the problem and not the problem. It is the Iraq war, Enron, Saving and Loan and 911 once more. Use this to get some thing else done you want.

[Window]

12. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

[Fleshdancer]

13. Boldly bonkers

He didn't hold back on how batshit crazy he is this time. He gave it all the crazy he has.