By Theda Skocpol - September 25, 2008, 9:48AM
Upon hearing the news of McCain's latest gambit -- campaigning/distracting by claiming to "suspend" his campaign and ditch the debate -- a friend of mine suggested it shows his racist attitude toward Obama, his unwillingness to accept him as an equal competitor. McCain has certainly repeatedly showed this disrespect throughout the campaign, and has often tried to insert himself as Obama's manager. But I responded to my friend that the real issue here is McCain's obvious disrespect for American democracy. He is running a campaign in which he and his ridiculously unqualified running mate refuse to answer press questions and confine their appearances to stage-managed events. Now, with a major event that would be partially unscripted and very telling on the horizion, McCain suddenly decides to appoint himself President and "go to Washington to resolve a pressing national crisis." Who does he think he is kidding? He is just trying to avoid laying out his views and taking questions so voters can evaluate him compared to Obama.
Can we imagine the hue and cry if Obama had tried this stunt -- appointing himself President, trying to dodge a debate, and trying to shield a running mate from a debate a week later? Why are press people (and Bill Clinton no less) going along with this?
Obama must NOT blink on the Friday debate -- even if he has to appear alone in Oxford. He must cast this as a dissing of the voters, and a clear test case for whether McCain believes his fellow citizens have the right to evaluate him. He should also make it clear that Bush and McCain have no right to try to railroad a huge bailout for their friends on Wall Street. Congress either does or does not decide right away, but should take time to do things right.
Nailed it!
Printer-friendly format
Email this thread to a friend
Bookmark this thread
(1000+ posts)
Send PM |
Profile |
Ignore
