Everything happening today is simply face-saving for McCain. He miscalculated horribly yesterday.

[Brotherjohn]

It was a desperate ploy, sure. But there was a chance it would work. It did not. This game was over yesterday.

He didn't count on Obama calling his bluff and sticking with the debate.

He didn't count on the Debate Commission doing same.

He didn't count on 3/4 (in several online polls) saying that postponing the debate would be a horrible idea.

He didn't count on polls likewise saying that while most people don't LIKE the bailout, they agree that something has to be done, and soon.

He didn't count on most people balking at the Bush plan and agreeing with the Democratic Congressional delegations conditions.

He didn't count on David Letterman asking, about 10 times during his show: "But you don't suspend your campaign, DO YOU?!"

By insisting on not taking part in the debates unless a deal is reached, and by Obama not playing along, he boxed himself into a corner in which a deal HAS to be reached. Now the only thing he can do is save face, and Bush's meeting at the WH will try to help him do that.

But make no mistake: this game was over yesterday. McCain lost.

[samuraiguppy]

1. I agree. Game over!!!

[FLyellowdog]

2. How will he vote?

[sharp_stick]

6. He will vote yes

because there will be no deal if he votes no.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

7. He'll probably vote Obama.

It's in his own best interests.

[Jackpine Radical]

3. Ya thnk maybe McCain can't count?

[mzmolly]

4. The next think we need to do is submit the bill for a vote on Friday

when Obama is in Mississippi for the debate.

[blm]

5. I absolutely agree. Yesterday was a 10 point day for McCain - 10 points he'll never recover by

election day, no matter what. All they have left now is MASSIVE election fraud on a scale larger than 2004. I doubt BushInc would take THAT big a risk in this political atmosphere where McCain's campaign has blown every softball pitch tossed to them....even by the corpmedia.

[musicblind]

8. Why was Gallup tied today?

That is what I don't get. I had thought it would go even lower. McCain is fucking this up so badly. It is like we are being handed everything we could ever dream of on a silver platter: Palin as VP, First Day of RNC cut down to almost nothing, hurricane crashing RNC, gas prices going up HUGE, economy collapsing, McCain fucks up about suspending his campaign and postponing the debates. Someone explain to me why he is not 20 points down?

[writes3000]

9. I agree. And that's what the politicians are saying behind closed doors, too.

McCain took another stupid risk. Obama looks like the calm, Presidential leader.