First McCain-Obama debate remains doubtful

Let's get it on !

And the popcorn next to the microwave !

LET'S GET IT ONN!!!!

THAT'S WHAT I LIKE

LIFE WOULD BE BORING WITHOUT THESE EVENTS

WE ARE LIVING IN THE MOST EXCITING TIMES

LET'S REPUBLICAN/ DEMOCRAT PARTY LIKE IT'S 1999....

OHH SHOOT, I GOTTA ECONOMIC HANGOVER

LET'S WORK LIKE IT'S 2009 - NEW SONG

Here's my scenario:

McCain goes to have a biopsy performed on what appears to be skin cancer on his face. It occurs right in the middle of a Presidential race. McCain anxiously awaits the results. He's on pins and needles because so much is riding on it. The election, his future and not to mention his life hangs in the balance. So much is at stake.

Fast forward a few days later and the Doctor calls McCain for him to come into the office so that they can discuss the results. McCain's worst fears are realized as the team of Doctors inform him that they're afraid the growth in malignant and he has only 6- 9 months to live, maybe a year at the most. McCain is suddenly aware that his life long dream of being president will not come to fruition. All his dreams and aspirations are dashed and the burning ambition he's has coveted for so long have just been destroyed. McCain goes into a silent but extremely intense panic. He was so close. He is the presumptive nominee of the Republican Party. Finally, there was no one who he considered a threat to keep him from attaining his goal.

Based on his lack of character and moraless fiber he would pretty much sell his soul to the devil to become what he has always wanted to be, 'President of the United States'. Nothing in his mind would satisfy this lust except that goal. It's not because he has lofty ideas or that he has a deep desire to better mankind or anything as noble as that. He knows that for the most part the office of POTUS is really just one in title and that the real people in control are the power brokers like Dubya and Cheney and the rest of the PNAC organizers. He just want the masses to address him as 'Mr. President'. Awww, it does have a most pleasant ring in ones ears, one that is just too alluring to ignore.

Suddenly, the McCain maverick reputation as one that bucks the status quo starts to disappear and he starts to openly side with the current administration even though he knows that is almost political suicide. He begins hiring those very men that have been lurking around the White House doing all the shot calling. People like Karl Rove and the likes. The same men associated with Georgie and Cheney start appearing on McCain's campaign staff. The next thing we know all the promises of a cleanly run campaign are thrown out the window. We, the public, begin to see a distinct change in how his campaign is run. It becomes dirty and derisive. Complete with lying and distortions and deceptions and lets not forget fear mongering. Even with all of his well documented flip flops he still had some sense of who he was and his self imagined integrity. All that has gone by the wayside. Its Rovian politics that run his campaign now.

Since McCain knows he is terminally ill, he really isn't concerned with what happens to the American people after his demise. To get to the Presidency he is more than willing to let the PNAC people take over in the White House and continue their agenda of military dominance and the hoarding of as much wealth as can be garnered. We will jump from one war to another, until finally we are completely decimated and depleted of people and resources. The PNAC group would not give a damn because they already would have bleed us dry. The selection of this VP, in light of this, makes so much sense now. Any other person suddenly thrust into the Presidency would not allow others to run the country by proxy. Anyone else would insist on making executive decisions of their own and would not stand idly by while others impose their will in the White House. One could easily tell by her first public appearance that Gov. Palin has no thought of her own. She stood at the podium and waited like a trained seal for the nod from McCain to start her little speech. One could even see McCain following along with her scripted acceptance speech and at times mouthing the words along with her. She would make an easy mark, the perfect doltz controlled by the PNAC group. She would literally be a dummy President, brought out in public only when absolutely necessary or for dinner parties. PNAC would be in complete control. We, the people won't stay stupid forever but, by the time we wake up it will be too late. The Aztec prediction of 2012 will be realized and the European Union will, by then, be the dominant power on the world stage. We will have proven that we are incapable of making prudent decisions for ourselves let alone for the World. We will have shown that we can't even run our own country with logic and reason therefore they know that they cannot trust our thought processes.

In the meanwhile, we the people, will continue down the path of destruction and financial ruin. Nations of the world who are not blinded by our political ineptitude will have already started distancing themselves from this country with our self-destructive tendencies. They will not come to our aide because they would know that we brought this upon ourselves. Even Great Britain would have no other alternative but to disassociate herself from us. And we couldn't blame her. The move of electing McCain with his mindless selection for VP will leave them with no other options. We will have sealed our own fate.

This is how I see it playing out. This is the inevitable outcome of electing this self-serving fraud as President. It also stands to reason given the fact that McCain barely made it out of Annapolis. That doesn't speak well for his level of intelligence. This is a scenario we will have well deserved and earned. And for all those that will have voted for this failure will have no one to thank or blame but themselves. I always wondered what would happen to the United States during the great tribulation; I wonder no more. I am convinced that our National future is hanging in the balance. Fail now and we are doomed, literally.

So go ahead and vote for McCain and his puppet VP, my salvation is secured in Jesus Christ. I know where I'm headed. However, for those that don't believe and for those that think Darwin was right, or those that don't fully ascribe to those beliefs; well good luck because you're going to need an untold measure of it. Mark my words.

Mmmmmmmmm, nice hypothetical theory... I have one. Let's say that you are right. Now McCain has skin cancer... Dr Mitchel from NASA claims that aliens have been to earth and will be coming to earth again soon. They come back and with their modern science they cure McCain...

Mark:-464288

Glad you liked that one. Here's another one, go to google and type SERPO and start reading. You might find it more interesting than the scenario.

BTW, McCain as had four bouts with skin cancer. Melanoma is one of the worst forms of cancer. If it becomes malignant it is extremely terminal and death is eminent. Since John McCain had four occurrences it becomes virtually possible that it will occur again. One can stand only so many bouts of this deadly.

Don't get me wrong, I wish nothing ill for McCain I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy; however, it is a distinct possibility. With that said, guess who'll assume the duties of President. Yes that's correct, unqualified Palin. Now, you and I both know she is a disaster waiting to happen. Others, more equipped to run the country would step up behind the scene and pretty much run the country.

So, before you cast that all important vote just ask yourself:

Do I feel comfortable with a President Palin at the helm of the ship? That's like having a tugboat captain run a luxury ocean liner.

Hey, if he wants to go back to the Senate, I say we let him. Running against McCain or running against no one - it's practically the same thing.

No you got it wrong it is MCCAIN FIRST. If it were COUNTRY first at least he would have selected an able VP to run with not the nitwit palin - just check out her Couric interview.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=186055&title=mccain-returns-to-washington

I wish McCain wasn't running. He could have went to his grave with the reputation as a war hero and respected public servant. Because of this campaign McCain will be forever remembered as someone that makes bad choices, does not think before acting, and will do anything for political gain.

Nixon had many accomplishment in his career, but Watergate is the only thing remembered. Clinton would have been viewed as a great President if it wasn't for his extra-marital affairs.

Thanks Hopeforabetterusa
Daily show link=hilarious

Dave Letterman is added to the list of Obama supporters after Mccain lied to him. DO NOT LIE TO DAVE!!!!

Yes! because there is no more respected political forum like the Letterman Show? What are you taking about? Is this where you get your political news from?

MarkL, the fact that David Letterman was pissed off isn't the point. The point is, John McCain sat there and told a bold faced lie, one of many I might add. This indicates the type of character he has or the lack thereof. Point in fact: McCain did not RUSH back to D.C. McCain sat down with Katie Couric instead, who incidentally just not to long before happened to have finished an interview with his VP who looked totally stupid and inept. McCain didn't get to D.C. until at least 26 hours later. That doesn't look like he felt any sense of urgency there, does it? That would make him an abject LIAR.

It's McCain obvious attempt to spare Palin further embarrassment by having her scheduled debate with Biden postponed or even cancelled. It was nothing more than political grandstanding and an extremely feeble attempt at that...

McCain is a $hit bag for pulling a stunt like that. What a idiot. I hope he gets his @ss kicked tonight all over the place. He does not deserve to be president. What a flip flop, says one thing one moment, and another the next. F*ck him.

had enough,
Do you kiss your mama with that potty mouth of yours? Oh and we should all definately listen to the talk show hosts of the world. If I hear someone like Letterman, Oprah, Ellen supporting a candidate I am assured I DO NOT want any part of them or what they stand for. McCain/Palin 2008

If I hear someone like Letterman, Oprah, Ellen supporting a candidate I am assured I DO NOT want any part of them or what they stand for.

Yes, it's best to base your vote for the President of the United States on which celebrities may or may not support that candidate. That makes much more sense than choosing someone based on how your life may be impacted by the decisions they will make in office.

Steve-505729 said:

"LLM Truth... i mean Rachael...

get a life"

Sorry to disappoint you Steve, I and Rachael are not the same person. Maybe you're spreading yourself a little too thin here. What, too many fronts for you to cover at one time? I know it is becoming increasingly difficult as more and more people are starting to question your candidates knee jerk decisions.

The points I've made in my posts are legitimate concerns and you know it. That is obviously why you are a little flustered. And well you should be. Your candidate may have a serious health issue and all you can think about is tell me to get a life? C'mon Steve I'm sure you're getting paid way too much to make an immature comment like that.

Here's what you can do; tell your GOP representative that I said McCain is seriously ill and that you think it would be a good idea for him to let the public see his medical records so these unfounded rumors can be silenced. Isn't that a good idea, Steve? As I think about it, maybe not because the check you just received will be your last one.

To LLMTruth:

I agree with you as you have a valid point. At 72 years old, skin cancer four times, and the empty headed Palin a heartbeat away, we have every right to expect to see McCain's medical records.

My employer and my life insurance company has the right to see my medical records. Aren't we supposed to be the president's employers or has McCain/Bush changed that?

I also agree with you, LLMTruth, that there is no cause for anyone to have a personal attack on you and tell you to get a life. Just like all of us, LLMTruth has the right to his/her own opinions being that this is America, last time I checked.

The stunt that McCain pulled by going to the White House was the biggest bunch of $hit I have ever seen. And then he wants to postpone the debates. That's F***ing funny. A time out if you will? Ummm, it sounds to me like a page out of the Bush/ Cheney/ Rove playbook of politics. Listen, this country has had enough of their $hit. They want to distort and distract what may be the most important bailout pkg to save our banking system. They know their going to lose this election, and that's due to the failure of the Bush Administration and his high and mighty henchmen who took a perfectly sound economy and F**ked it up. All that we ever expected out of Bush was to lead us forward, not backwards as he has done! Bush has vetoed every bill from the Democrats that would have been good for this country. DON'T BLAME DEMOCRATS. I can promise you this if Barack Obama gets elected, he will clean house like never before.

I would like to know who advised McCain to make such an ill-thought out move..or who tried to talk him out of it.

I can't tell if his camp is on his side or not.

Not to mention the fact that he's NOT ON THE COMMITTEES INVOLVED. And neither is McCain!

These things don't happen by putting all of our senators and all of our reps in the same room and making them hash out a deal. The people who are on the committees who know what the problem is must draft legislation FIRST, THEN everyone else has something to do. Standing around for photo ops isn't part of the process.

Go back and watch Schoolhouse Rock again.

Oddity, Name a important pieces of legislation that has Obama's name on it. Check his voting record and the number of times he voted "Present" to avoid making a decision. OF his three years in the Senate he has Congress has been in session 149 days a good part of that he spent on the campaign trail. Even now the campaign is more important then the job in was elected to do. If not he would be in Washington doing his job.

cal g. And the number of days that McCain has been in the Senate and voting are....?

calg - I ask you the same question - tell me ONE IMPORTANT PIECE OF LEGISLATION JOHN MCCAIN had passed in 20 plus years of congress???

Heck, for the last two years McCain hasnt even attended his congressional committee meetings...

McCain has missed 412 votes during the current Congress whereas Obama has missed 295 votes. So, what was that about voting present? Since 2005, Obama has sponsored 136 bills and cosponsored 619 bills. Obviously, there are too many specific bills to list here, but you can easily look them up. Whether the bills are important or not is all relative. Each piece of legislation has its own significance, but whether they are considered to be important to you or others is more of a matter of opinion than anything else.

Vulgrin At just makes sense that the two contender who will have to carry out the plan put in place be involved in the process. As far as School House Rock I stopped watching cartoons a long time ago, you can feel me in on the next episode.

Here's the problem with all of the anti-Obama statements:

This isn't about Obama any more.

This is about McCain. The GOP do not have a viable candidate, they have a nutcase that makes erratic decisions without any thought or consideration to the consequences of his actions. McCain's judgment and temperament are in question, not Obama's.

McCain is also showing physical and mental deterioration. Campaigning is stressful and McCain is not proving that he can hold up through this process, let alone hold the office of President for 4 years. And Palin's no help. The McCain camp knows that she is so unprepared for this position that they are afraid to allow her to speak.

The GOP need to pull the McCain/Palin ticket. They have plenty of qualified people to run...and I'm guessing that someone as intelligent and business minded as Romney is looking very good right now..

cal g: Name a important pieces of legislation that has Obama's name on it.

okay. This bill helps with U.S. participation in destroying conventional weapons as well as helps prevent terrorists from getting weapons and materials of mass destruction.

I'd say that's pretty important. Wouldn't you?

Lugar-Obama Nonproliferation Legislation Signed into Law by the President
Thursday, January 11, 2007 WASHINGTON – President Bush today signed the Lugar-Obama proliferation and threat reduction initiative into law. Authored by U.S. Sens. Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Barack Obama (D-IL), the Lugar-Obama initiative expands U.S. cooperation to destroy conventional weapons. It also expands the State Department's ability to detect and interdict weapons and materials of mass destruction. "The United States should do more to eliminate conventional weapons stockpiles and assist other nations in detecting and interdicting weapons of mass destruction. We believe that these functions are underfunded, fragmented and in need of high-level support," said Lugar, Republican leader of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

"Check his voting record and the number of times he voted "Present" to avoid making a decision. "

Let's also be clear and truthful. Voting "present" is not avoiding making a decision. Voting "present" means that the voter feels the bill needs to be further discussed or altered before passage. Seems like a calm and rational way to go about making laws, no?

Thanks Stars35 you are the first person to respond with facts that can be verified instead of just turning the table around and not answering the question. I must return to work at this point but I will look it up later thanks.

Voting "present" in the Illinois General Assembly is a signal that the bill isn't finished, that some aspect of it may violate the U.S. Constitution, that there is more negotiating going on, or that the bill needs to be amended in some way before an up or down vote can take place. It isn't a case of refusing to vote on the matter, but a way of saying the bill needs more work before voting.

Because Barack Obama taught constitutional law for 12 years, he certainly may have more understanding about the constitutionality of bills than most legislators.

According to FactCheck.org, Obama voted "present" 129 votes out of roughly 4,000 votes, or about 3% of his votes.

"I would like to know who advised McCain to make such an ill-thought out move..or who tried to talk him out of it.

I can't tell if his camp is on his side or not. "

I think he is getting bad advice because there are a lot of people in the republican party who dislike John more than any Democrat. He was out of money out of touch and ignored this year in the Republican debates. All of a sudden boom he has a lot of money and he moves right to the top. How did that happen?

The Repubs brainwashers and mind programmers have resorted to this experience, "thing" regarding Obama because it is all they have to take hits at the gifted, superbly intelligent Obama.

Cal doesn't seem to realize that Bush has had 8 years as prez, and 8 yrs. would qualify as experience as president of the US ; however, this hapless, dude, who has dumped on this nation in any and all capacities, is still an idiot. It isn't experience; it is inherent intelligence and insight, and quality of experience. Duhhhhhhh!

Only 24 % of America's brainwashed drones would vote for the experienced Duhbya, again. Yet, Bush has gobs of experience as president. Does this qualify him to be commander in chief for another 8 years? If experience is a criteria, why even have presidential elections. Just keep em dar experienced dudes until dey mold!

White trash- McCain is past moldy he has progressed on to the decomposition stage now.

Running offstage crying? What an incredibly sexist remark. Oh wait, liberals can't be sexist, right? Being Governer of a state that borders another makes her more of an expert on foreign policy than someone doing a speaking tour of Europe. Liberals have absolutely no basis to criticize Palin's lack of foreign experience or any other experience for that matter. It's hypocrisy at its finest yet liberals simply dismiss it as such. For you dimwitted liberals, I will spell it out Palin does not have the experience to be president but neither does Obama. The problem is, only one of them is running for President.

Sexist, when convenient, I guess. A world leader says that she is gorgeous to her and it is not considered sexist. Saying that she would be ill-qualified to have a debate with another Presidental debate, where she would be "crying offstage" is sexist. Hmmm.

And get off the "She governed Alaska, so she's got foreign policy experience" B.S. If you want to see what lack of foreign policy experience can do to the world, just revisit the last 7 years. If everyone remembers, lack of foreign policy experience was one of Bush's key negatives. And he was Governor of a state that bordered Mexico.

Just because you live next to someone, doesn't mean you know what goes on in their bedroom.

Also - it's the McCain campaign that's being "sexist" with Palin. Otherwise, they would let her actually go out and speak for herself to actual reporters, at a press conference and prove that she's not some "wilting flower."

What's the point of breaking the glass ceiling, only to be put into shrink wrap?

So you automatically assume that only women cry, oh yeah talk about being sexist. Where is the hypocrisy when McShame says he is willing to put his country first only to sit back down in New York, attend a fundraiser and wait another day! Obama maight not have experience being a President or a Governor, but wait... neither does McShame, i would rather have someone smart and inexperienced in power than someone not smart in the same position (894 out of 899 student rank for your candidate, of yeah he's a maverick!!!). What a mcshame!!!!

Oddity - like Letterman said about McCain LYING to him - something smells, but he said it more distinctly - Letterman said something STINKS ABOUT MCCAIN...

LOL and bravo, Vulgrin! Excellent points!

Palin wouldn't run off crying...she'd just sputter along...which would be worse.

There was a NYT editorial written about how they are starting to feel sorry for Palin because she's obviously so far over her head. They mentioned that she wore "danging earrings that were maps of the state of Alaska" to meet with international heads of state.

Vulgrin, not an excellent point. It's called sarcasm and I said that she does not have the experience and being a neighbor of another foreign country does not give her the experience, just more experience than Obama. I was simply pointing out the hypocrisy of the left pointing to her inexperience when their candidate for the presidency has none himself. You are missing the point but that does not surprise me. And yes, when you state that she will run from the stage crying that is an implied sexist remark and I did not assume it was because she was a woman, it was implied by Oddity. Definition: attitudes, conditions, or behaviors that promote stereotyping of social roles based on gender. You did not, and it is safe to imply that you would not have made this remark about John McCain, Joe Biden or Barrack Obama. I am sure you will not admit it but it was certainly implied. Implied: involved, indicated, or suggested without being directly or explicitly stated; tacitly understood. Democrats are perfectly happy using the race card in this campaign but conservtaives are not allowed to use the sexist card?

Buyer's remorse is when you put a socialist in charge of the country because, despite it not working anywhere else in the world, it will work here.

In all fairness Illinois is just as close to Canada as Russia is to Alaska, but you don't see Obama putting that on his resume.

I can see Mexico from my house PLUS I had Chinese food for dinner!! Can I run for President???

LU, that makes you more experienced than Obama.

And Palin is NOT running for President.

socialism is actually working GREAT in Sweden right now.

LU-404506 you should be on saturday night live!!!

Wait I live next to dc- in maryland - I'm running for senate next year.

Let's call it the PALIN PRECEDENT.

After watching that Couric interview she may never show her face in public again. When asked in another run by the press on the way to the waiting car she was asked did she still support Ted Stevens since he was being tried. She responded that lets wait to see how that turns out....

I love how Socialists always point to Sweden. How about China, USSR, Cuba, Nazi Germany (yes the Nazi's were Socialists), Venezuela....

I cannot pretend to be an expert on Sweden's economy or vouch for the authenticity of this site, however it is an interesting read about Sweden's economy:

#sol

ttt, Bush has gobs of experience as prez; however, only 24% of Americans would vote for that dude again. Don't you realize, the Repubs have used the experience thing to brainwash the programmed robots. If we believe experience is the qualifier for the job, let's just vote for Duhbya again causin, he, right now, has the most presidential experience -- far more than ole Mac.

I have had 50 years experience at baking pies, and viola, I still cannot make a decent pie. Experience is just a label and has nothing to do with reality, including the fact, that Obama possesses a gifted mind, intellectually, which is a given, all of his life experiences have been with greater and keener insight, reasoning, logic and that vital, higher level of consciousness.

Let my start by saying I don't like either candidate at all.

The truth is neither McCain more Obama are on the committee debating this bail-out.

They don't get a say until the vote. If they go to Washington they will just be waiting until they can vote. They will get more than enough notice of the vote to be able to return in time. As far as talking and swaying people on the committee they can't do that they same way they would in Washington from anywhere, use a phone.

And this GOP- Republican sponsored bail-out IS socialism. Granted it is corporate socialism but it is still socialism. (Seriously do people not know what this word means when they use it?)

White Trash, the point is why is everyone criticizing Palin's lack of experience if it has little impact on how well the individual performs? I was not suggesting that experience is important, just pointing out the hypocrisy of it when Obama has none. Why can't we elect someone that is both smart and experienced? My preferred type of experience for the President would come from some that has had both private sector and public sector experience. Is that too much to ask? Say Mitt Romney. And please do not relate experience making pies to running the country. Experience has much more value than a "higher level of consciousness", whatever that means.

ttt, experience itself is not always a good thing. For example, there are a lot of CEOs on Wall Street that have a lot of experience, yet I think they should be fired.

Obama has experience in state government and Washington. Plenty of people have also rightly pointed out that the sound bytes about missing votes and 'present' voting are also red herrings that sound damning but aren't when you look at the numbers and what they mean. I believe the news last night said McCain hasn't case a vote in Washington since April! He's missed way more votes this year than Obama has.

Anyway, you don't always get two senior statesmen on the tickets. Sometimes you don't want them anyway.

Let's talk about successfull socialist countries, not only sweden but England, Spain, France, Germany well heck all of the EU, then there is Canada, New Zealand, Iceland, Australia and many more... They might not be 100% socialist, but they have a socialist healthcare system, and most of them a socialist educational system. United States does not have to be like them to be successful, specially since we have our own regulations and laws, however we are already looking to change the structure of our system (by granting Bail Out money which is short of being state owned by "this" much)...

ttt, Bush has 8 years of experience. And Bush has singlehandedly brought down the (previously) strongest nation in the world. How many trillions has he spent in Iraq to rid the world of Weapons of Mass destruction? That says it all.

McCain has experience, did you know that he wrote the law that degregulated banks, lenders, wall street, etc, in 1999? McCain helped get us into this mess.

We need change.

Also, has anyone who defends Palin watched the Katie Couric interview?

Palin says that "Putin rears his head as he flys over Alaska." So, is that Palin's foreign policy experience, waving at airplanes? Oh I forgot, she can also "see Russia from her house."

Do you know your neighbors business? Does that mean Palin understands Russia and Canada? You want to bet your life on that? Because Palin said she supports Bush and his policies (when she was at the 9/11 memorial), and she would be okay with declaring war with Russia.

http://rawstory.com/news/2008/Palin_tells_ABC_War_with_Russia_0911.html

Rhonda, you are correct Palin is a scary prospect. Whether she is VP or by happenstance she becomes President. She is nowhere near ready to assume a leadership role in the White House. Every interview she has given she manages to shoot herself in the foot. When Katie Couric asked her what legislation McCain introduced to regulate the Banking industry she said; "I'll have ta git back wit ya." Honestly, what kind of way is that to respond. It certainly wasn't with much dignity involved and not very articulate.

And before anyone says; 'she's not running for President'; she is definitely way too close to the office for comfort. Also, and probably most telling; it shows how McCain does not put country first as he claims. His decision to pick her was strictly pandering at the highest degree, pure and simple....

Town Hall meeting is an excellent idea. As he has steered clear from this format, this would be an important test for him.

But he could really hit a home run if he pulls it off.

What he can NOT due is something that would be perceived as weak or ineffectual.

Maybe the moderator can continue to ask him the tough questions like the rest of the media...."Senator Obama...if you were a tree....what kind of tree would you be?"

What next? Cancel the Election?

Actually the McCain camp is trying to push the VP back from next week to an "undetermined" time. I guess Palin is too busy in Washington working on the bailout.

But McCain was a one trick pony show in Washington yesterday as he ran interference on this neoCon "bailout." He was the reason things did not get done. EVERYONE was frustrated. This man is losing it - playing the political card wherever he can - hardly a maverick that he markets himself to be. The only way that he will not lose this election is if it was rigged.

So McCain decides that we should not rush through a policy that will cost the tax payers over $700 billion, we should hash it out, make sure there is oversight and the proper protections for the taxpayers. He goes against the current republican administration in doing so and this is pandering. I am taking out the crystal ball here; the democrats get their way and rush through this legislation that the majority of republicans oppose. McCain gets elected and during his term this rushed through bail out blows up and the taxpayers take it up the butt. The republicans are in control of the White House so they get the blame. Sound familiar? It should because I just described the democrat policy of pushing the mortgage industry to loan to risky lenders (CRA) which has in large part created this mess, the decimation of the intelligence industry, the military and the lack of fortitude to go after islamic terrorists by Clinton which led to 9/11, the lack of oversight on Freddie and Fannie pursued by Bush in 2003 by the democrats, et al.

The problem with McCain's "master plan" was that it was only coordinated with Bush. The rest of the GOP were not happy to play along with the show.

Obama has been invited numerous time to town hall meetings from McCain. What makes you think he will do one now? He's afraid a common American person would ask him something he couldn't answer, and thats a lot.

Obama rejected McCain's offer for 12 Town Hall debates months ago. Obama has to hide his inability to make a comment or decision when he doesn't have a script and a. teleprompter

HEAR ABOUT BARACK OBAMA'S BRILLIANT ECONOMIC STIMULATION STRATEGY?

Raising the Capital Gains Tax?! That means people will be dissuaded from selling stock and property thereby torpedoing the economy even more. As well? Raising taxes typically DECREASES government tax revenue! Torpedo the Economy and Torpedo Tax Intake? Great Plan, Junior! Here's Barack showing his ignorance on the entire matter and some facts about what happens when you raise capital gains taxes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?aq=f&emb=0&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fvideo.google.com%2Fvideosearch%3Fq%3Dobama+capital+gains&v=po7J0f5TMrQ Look. We have economic issues obviously. Severe issues. And raising taxes? Will make things worse. In fact? It's utterly insane. Our economy is really bad and the only way to get out of it is for some sort of steady and consistent economic growth. Big growth in fact. Ideally a boom. Raising taxes is exactly the opposite of what you want to do to make that happen though.

The big losers, should Obama be elected? Are the middle middle-class and lower. Sure you guys will receive at $2000 rebate if Obama holds up to his promise. But your small businesses will be hammered. You may get pay cuts. Or you may get laid off. The people making $200K a year? If they take a pay cut they'll still be fine. If they get laid off? They probably have enough saved to weather the storm. However if you make $50K a year and you take a 10% pay cut? You and your family are hurting. Does anyone here understand this stuff? It's serious.

Nobody cares about McCain's Town hall meetings, Heck, most people could care less about McCain ! Some one who has the ineptnss of John McCain, doesn't deserve any consideration or answers. His reasoning traverses the Gamult from ODD to TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. Sarah Palin INDEED ! What a Joke! If this is an example of the kind of decisions that he will make as President , MAY GOD HELP US! PLEASE !

Nobody cares about McCain's Town hall meetings, Heck, most people could care less about McCain ! Some one who has the ineptnss of John McCain, doesn't deserve any consideration or answers. His reasoning traverses the Gamult from ODD to TOTALLY RIDICULOUS. Sarah Palin INDEED ! What a Joke! If this is an example of the kind of decisions that he will make as President , MAY GOD HELP US! PLEASE !

US Freedom

Obama does and did and will not OWE McCain any debates outside of the ones scheduled. Who is McCain to demand that Obama have townhall meetings with him. Obama understood that he needed to get out there and campaign, he does not have to work his schedule around McCains. Obama was also smart enough to understand that McCain wanted the townhall meetings so that he could receive free publicity. We're not fools....that is exactly what happened to Hillary, she thought she could bully Obama into doing what she wanted him to do....Obama has got to be the one of the absolute smartest politicians that I've seen in my lifetime and they all hate him for it. McCain sound like a complete idiot everytime he says "this would not be this or that if Sen. Obama would have had the townhall meetings"....we are not playing tic tac toe....this is America, the free country of the world and you want to say this wouldn't be if he just woulda....

Any adult that tries to defend the townhall meeting scenario has truly shown just how ignorant Americans are...

US Freedom, why don't you get the facts before you post nonsense. And while you are at it, WHAT IS JOHN MCCAIN'S ECONOMIC PLAN??

He has none. US Freedom, GET YOUR FACTS.

Here is Barak Obama's economic plan (part of it, there is much more).

Enact a Windfall Profits Tax to Provide a $1,000 Emergency Energy Rebate to American Families

Provide a Tax Cut for Working Families who make under $250,000 a year

Eliminate Income Taxes for Seniors Making Less than $50,000

Simplify Tax Filings for Middle Class Americans

Amend the NAFTA agreement to keep jobs in America

Invest in the Sciences

End Tax Breaks for Companies that Send Jobs Overseas

Provide Tax Relief for Small Businesses and Start Up Companies

And BEST OF ALL:

Reward Companies that Support American Workers:

Barack Obama introduced the Patriot Employer Act of 2007 with Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to reward companies that create good jobs with good benefits for American workers. The legislation would provide a tax credit to companies that maintain or increase the number of full-time workers in America relative to those outside the US; maintain their corporate headquarters in America if it has ever been in America; pay decent wages; prepare workers for retirement; provide health insurance; and support employees who serve in the military.

Please feel free to look at Obama's economic plan at:

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/

OK so now I see truth is not acceptable. If they don't like what you have to say you get censored. Liberal policy why should I be surprised

Like most liberals you simply spew hatred by casting dispersions at Republicans. More issues and less rhetoric. For instance, how will Obama's platform of increasing taxes help the economy? I honestly do not think that giving rebates to the 38% of the populace that pays $0 taxes will help the economy much. How will the democrat led initiative Fannie and Freddie lining his pockets help the economy? How will liberal policies like Clinton putting the CRA on steroids help the economy? How is it that both senators running for office keep their senatorial positions yet abstain from the most important piece of legislation put in front of them? Seriously wondering how the redistribution of wealth helps our economy? Also wondering how Dodd and Frank are in charge of this bailout when they were at the congressional helm when the crisis hit. Also wondering how the Bush adminstration gets blame for this when they pursued oversight of Fannie and Freddie in 2003 along with John McCain and were quickly dismissed by the democrats who were feeding from the trough at the time. So many questions but all I see is name calling, no intelligent responses.

Well ttt you need to toughen up if want to debate, no one is here to talk about the weather, we are debating important issues and they are linked to our future, you are hearing what most of the population in this country believes about McCain and Palin, you have a facts and shielding yourself from them won't make it any easier, we need to accept what this administration and the republicans have done, here is a fact, McCain has voted 90% of the time with BUSH, that alone should be enough to steer away from him! I hope this debate is still on, maybe we will know once and for all what McCain plans to do

Code of Honor. With all due respect - Insulting things like McLame, McSame calling the President of the United States an idiot. Thinly veiled profanity and name calling of anyone who disagrees with the Liberal line are OK and not considered immature and does not violate the code of honor. I honestly don't get it. Who decides?

Stav00, the point is I do not see anyone here debating important issues, just calling names. And quoting an Obama commercial does not make your case very well. One of the 90% vote agreement was to have federal oversight on Fannie and Freddie. Yes, they both voted for that and the democrats shot it down. What most of the population believes is pure rhetoric and the population should educated themselves on the issues prior to voting. Just because Bush was at the helm during the mortgage crisis does not make it his fault. People should look beyond their nose when trying to figure this stuff out.

I believe to be educated, i also follow the news and the facts, but no matter how much time i devote to understanding McCain and his policies, i just don't see how someone who did not do a good job when being educated would make the best decisions for my Country! He is a hero! a great military record is fine, maybe he should be in charge of the armed forces, but not in charge of the economy or domestic/foreign policy making. Unfortunately, bush was the helm and the head of state during this crisis, whether his fault or his administration fault he was the ONE in charge of the most powerful country on earth... at least at the beginning of his mandate... now im afraid we are not quite as strong or fundamentally strong for that matter

ttt-512875

Stav00, the point is I do not see anyone here debating important issues, just calling names. And quoting an Obama commercial does not make your case very well. One of the 90% vote agreement was to have federal oversight on Fannie and Freddie. Yes, they both voted for that and the democrats shot it down. What most of the population believes is pure rhetoric and the population should educated themselves on the issues prior to voting. Just because Bush was at the helm during the mortgage crisis does not make it his fault. People should look beyond their nose when trying to figure this stuff out.

How did the Democrats shoot it down with a Republican majority in 2005 -2006?

The Democrats killed this measure in Committee preventing the full Senate Vote.

Quote from Barney Frank as the Republicans were pushing this bill:

''These two entities -- Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- are not facing any kind of financial crisis,'' said Representative Barney Frank of Massachusetts, the ranking Democrat on the Financial Services Committee. ''The more people exaggerate these problems, the more pressure there is on these companies, the less we will see in terms of affordable housing.''

He is getting his wish because housing is now more affordable and the taxpayers are making it so. The problem is now, nobody will be able to get a loan.

Wasn't debating your ranked stat, just did not know what it was in reference to. I am not quite sure how reaching that far back has any bearing on what he has accomplished since. That being said, I am not a big fan of McCain due to many of his policies. Just the lesser of two evils.

So let me get this straight, the Democrats are at fault for not cleaning up the complete incompetence and unrestricted spending of the Republicans for the 6 years they were in control of everything. It was the republicans that removed all the safeguards from the lending industry and the oversight for fannie mae and freddie mac lies with the executive branch. More lies from the typical kindergarten finger pointing conservatives that can only wrongly blame everyone else for the mess they create.

ttt-512875: Okay, I'll take a shot at some of it.

To begin, I'm a liberal Democrat and I don't hate anyone. Being a Catholic and all, we don't hate. So, your wild generality about Liberals takes your comment off the track already. In any case, Obama's campaign clearly states that anyone making under $250K gets a tax cut, and he itemizes how he will pay for it. Have you actually seen the platform, or are you depending on the Republican talking points? I don't know about you, but I don't make over $250K, so a cut would help. Whom do you include in that 38%? The working poor who make under the poverty level? Or, maybe the folks that depend solely on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid to help them live? Or is it a veiled shot at the illegal immigrants? Don't give me anecdotal examples of "all those people on welfare." Give me a clear demographic of just whom you are putting in that 38%. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been around from 1938 and 1970, respectively. Who exactly is lining their pockets? If you have clear evidence, it is your duty to turn that information over to the authorities. Accepting bribe is a felony. Give us some proof. Even just going back to 1970, that sure is a lot of opportunity for anyone. I guess no Republican took any campaign funds. You mention 2003. Who controlled the White House and Congress in 2003? Wasn't Gingrich in charge of the House with his Contract for America? Neither of these senators is on the congressional committee responsible for this issue. Maybe those with the responsibility should be allowed to do their jobs. And, I thought the War on Terror and the War in Iraq were the top priority of the Republicans in this campaign. This crisis had its origins in the deregulation policies of the Republicans beginning back in the 1980s under Reagan. You see how deregulating industry works so well. All the safeguards put into law by FDR have been systematically removed or weakened by Republicans for years. You can check that by going to the government's Congressional Record website. Researching the laws passed by Congress and signed by a President is pretty easy with the Internet and all. So, you want to debate issues, I'd be happy to do that. The current state of global financial markets goes a bit beyond McCain/Obama. Maybe you should cutback on the phony claims and talk about finance, capital markets, and what can be done about this crisis.

I am also Catholic and by default that does not mean you cannot hate. That being said, I am not accusing you personally of being hateful, however many of the comments in this thread are hateful and put forth by left leaning individuals. I am not insinuating that conservatives are exempt from this either. Just asking that people use facts to back up their rhetoric.

A tax increase on those earning more than $250,000 will affect small business which is truly the bread and butter of this country and will affect everyone. We can argue about the concept of wealth redistribution until we are blue in the face; I am not a proponent for it. The Laffer Curve, a well known economic concept and one I subscribe to, states in part that increasing taxes can decrease tax revenue. 30% of $1 million is more than 35% of $500,000. The question is, what is the tax level that provides maximum efficiency.

I do not really care who makes up the 38%, just care that more wealth distribution, in my opinion, hurts an economy.

I was suggesting that Fannie and Freddie are doing the pocket lining. Lining the pockets of both Republicans and Democrats. The largest recipients of their donations are Dodd and Obama.

It is difficult for the war to be the top agenda items when the general population believes that "Bush Lied, People Died" and "it's a war for oil". What should be the top agenda item is how the current candidates view the war and what they would do about it. I have studied in depth about the Saddam dictatorship, how the French supplied him with nuclear capability (later bommbed by Israel), the Germans chemical weapons, and the Soviets convential weapons. I do not hold their opinion on this war in high regard. In fact, knowing what we did about Hussein, his infatuation with these weapons and the repeated use of these weapons on America if he had them, it would have been a derelection of duty had the President not done something about him. In fact, it should have happened sooner. How Bush fought the war is a legitimate debate; the point is let's have a debate not empty phrases. Point of fact, Bush went against his top advisors on the war in pursuing the surge, of which has had a tremendous impact on the war.

We can also debate about whether regulation (CRA) or dergulation (Gramm et, al) has gotten us into this mess. I do however firmly believe markets, when left to their own are efficient. It's when Government regulation is involved that the markets become unstable. I am not suggesting for complete open markets, just as little government intervention as possible. I also believe this mess started with Fannie and Freddie, both government sponsored programs.

If you are going to insult me with phony claims, please point them out. A point of view that differs from you does not make it phony, just different. I try to base my view on fact.

JD: A libral catholic? So what are your stances on Abortion and Gay marriage? I would love to hear your thoughts on these issues.

Being Catholic and believing in GOD does not mean we should allow the wrong person into power, one that could run the economy and the country into the ground, even though i'm catholic and i don't believe in abortion I believe God gave us the power make our own decisions, if CTHEK wants to vote for someone who does not allow people to make their own decisions that's fine (dictatorship anyone?), but that was not the intention of God, we are "free" as individuals... we make our own decisions and are responsible for the outcome of it... allowing Gay people to get married does not affect you one bit, that's Gay's people's decision... I respect other people's ideas and decisions and that concerns them... so let's get to the point of what concerns us all, the Economy, the future of our children and the Safety of our Country, our "Free"dom...

That being said, I am not accusing you personally of being hateful, however many of the comments in this thread are hateful and put forth by left leaning individuals.

Wow guess you missed the other million or so seeds (including this one) Where repubs constantly belittle, name call etc.

They can't talk about the issues--and you cloud them with irrelevance.

For instance the bill you cite from repubs in 2005 -06 was killed by repubs --had to be the had control of congress and executive branch. Not to mention the bill you cite wax about a completeley different matter entirely. How come McCain didn't support the bill when it was re-introduced in 2007?

How come republicans --YES REPUBLICANS --were telling us all is well with the economy?

I don't mind debating the issues --I'm tired of the twist and spin of the news by repubs trying to get out from under the FACT that this was their platform for years. Trying to pretend that you were for regulation all along won't work I've followed repub drivel for years. Trying to blame Jimmy Carter is absolutely PATHETIC! So you can quit trying to imply all you want to do is debate fairly with the facts --because it is obvious from your posts that is a total lie.

ttt-512875, prove your comments. What is your source?

Uh huh. None. Thought so.

Hey Rax, you're an idiot and it's stupid people like you that shouldn't be given the right to vote.

Rax.....I think you've got your candidates reversed. McCain has been running the slimey campaign. They've pulled out the Carl Rove play book, but it's been backfiring on them.

Is McCain any better or Palin for that matter? They should both stick to the issues.

because promoting his parties ideas will not get him elected. He knows if he really talks about what he wants to do as president he will sink.

FactCheck.org thoroughly discredits another slime-hurling McCain ad that bashes Obama for his Chicago associations.

"A McCain-Palin ad says that Obama was 'born of the corrupt Chicago political machine' and implies that the candidate himself is corrupt by association with four local political figures."

The entire ad - LIKE THE MCCAIN - PALIN CAMPAIGN - consists of lies, distortions, fallacy, deceptions, bunk, baloney, nonsense, malarky, falsehoods, hooey, twaddle, deceitfulness, hypocrisy, dirty tricks, fraud, dishonesty, fabrications, fibs and deliberate and calculating boo-boos.

Neither MCCAIN nor PALIN could be elected to public office if they ran a clean, honest campaign.

Pulling out the Rove handbook? Come on, we need something better than that. More empty rhetoric. As if the democrats have no playbook they read from. It's only bashing when the repbulicans do it. It's called "failing policy" when the democrats do it. Criticizing Obama is racist but criticizing Palin is not sexist. Double standard?

wake up ttt, you need to listen to what people are telling you, there is no empty rhetoric, yours are filled with division and hate, two different point of views that can't merge. Republicans against Democrats! You think you have the right candidate in mind, then vote for him! I DO defend my thoughts and my vote, i say NO to the bottom ranked of his class! I say NO to the same administration! i say NO to empty statements and dirty politics! I say ENOUGH to McCain and Palin...

More empty rhetoric Stav. Please point to the hate in my responses. "The bottom ranked of his class". What does that even mean? Enough with the cliches.

Rax, apparently you haven't been paying much attention or if you have you need to remove the blinders. If you compare Obama's speech at the DNC to McCains at the RNC you will see that Obama laid out what he planned to do. Now, one can easily argue about how he will pay for such plans, but he at least has a vision. Now, look at McCain's RNC and did he lay out any specifics? I waited, waited, and waited to hear but no, nothing, nada, zip. He talked about himself as a POW..check...Talked about how the Republican party let the American people down...check....Talked about his plans as president...unchecked

Yay Sunny T - someone besides me reads factcheck.org.

Why does his class rank matter? Are you serious?

Look, I spent a lot of time around the Naval Academy and I can tell you- though it's a fine institution- there are a lot of privelaged morons who legacied their way into a squandered opportunity to get a great education. Having met these people myself (great guys, fun to hang out with), rest ASSURED that NONE of them are fit to be...wait for it...PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

John McCain was a legacy and John McCain finished near the bottom of his class. He was also taken into POW camp after crashing (that's right, crashing) his THIRD American plane.

The guy has failure written all over him.

Bottom ranked means being 894th rank out 899, that is no cliche, that is a fact, look it up, why wouldn't that be important? We are talking about someone who plans to be in charge of my country... even if he is more intelligent now, his answers about not knowing too much about the economy don't help

Are you serious!!! Apparently you don't listen to the news too often, where McCain has been questioned about his campaign ads being lies. Unfortunately throughout political history democrats have to fight back and lower themselves to the republicans, because most Americans don't pay attention to the facts and watch a 1 minute commercial on TV and believe it. Why do you think we have had 8 years of crap in office. You as an American have been lied to and deceived for the last 8 years. The only reason we went into Iraq is to finish Bush Sr.'s job. There were no weapons or other BS the white house made up. Think about the promises of oil that were made, how much do you pay to fill your tank? Corporate america is running the white house. GET A GRIP AMERICA - WAKE UP!

Obama bashing? Get real. McCains ads are all bashing

What Stav00 means is that McCain graduated 894 out of a class of 899 in the Naval Academy. Bottom of his class. DUMB.

See:

http://buzzfeed.com/scott/mccain-894th-out-of-899-at-school

Also, while we are at it, let's look at Obama's accomplishments.

Graduated top half of his class at HARVARD.

Obama was President of Harvard Law Review. Obama taught Constitutional Law. Obama was in the state legislature for 7 years. US Senate for THREE YEARS.

And also also, while we are at it, I have a question:

WHY CAN'T THE MCCAIN SUPPORTERS SAY ANTHING THAT MCCAIN DOES TODAY THAT IS POSITIVE?

Why is McCain's only accomplishment that he was a POW 45 years ago? I know that made him a true hero (then).

The old, senile, slimy, sleezball McCain is not the maverick McCain of the year 2000.

But, eight years ago, McCain was only 64. Today, he is 72. Lots of brain slippage can happen in eight years when you are as old as he is.

What are you talking about. Exactly and I mean exactly whathas Obama done. He has only been a senetor for 4 years. Really how much coiuld he accomplish in that much time. Foriegn policy what a joke, he has a VP, that said Russia and Iran are not enemies of us. Do you actually believe that Obama himself said, that he does not see them as a threat, because and I qoute, "WE are so much bigger than them, what do we have to worry about". You only listen to what you wan to hear, but that is not your fault, Obama changes his mind so much, that it is hard to keep track of what he says.

Sen. McCain has spent his life in service to his country. How dare you question his love for this country. What have you done in comparison in your pathetic little life.

You say Palin has no real experience. She more executive experience that Obama and she is only the VP nominee. It scares me to death that the Democratic candidate has NO executive experience and barely any congressional experience. He declared his candidacy with only 143 days worked in the Senate. If I declared that I wanted to be the CEO of my company after being on staff for only 143 days, I would be laughed out of the office. How dare the democrats even begin to challenge the experience of the Republican VP nominee (who is a heartbeat away) when their own PRESIDENTIAL candidate has no executive experience, yet wants to be the Chief Executive of the free world. Send the Junior Senator back to the Senate floor, let him finish his term, then, when he has the congressional expereince to really make a difference, then try it again. Personally, I do not believe a sitting Senator should be permitted to run for office. He/She should have to finish their term first, then give up their seat to run. The justification is obvious, Obama was elected to serve in the Senate. He is being PAID for a job he is NOT doing. He served 143 days before he abandoned his job to run for President. Granted, McCain has abandoned his seat as well, but he has almost 30 years of experience, not just days!!! However, I would hold that both Obama and McCain should have relinquished their seats when they declared their candidacy, but the base line requirement should be the completion of at least one full term in office.

As to the debate...of course Obama is talking a hard line, because if McCain follows through and does not show up, it is a win for him. However, if an agreement is reached in a timely manner that allows travel time for both to make the debate, Obama better get ready. We do not have time for another Bush Bashing, we must address the issues. WAKE UP PEOPLE, McCain is not a Bush third term, he will reform Washington. So let's discuss the issues and forget about this personality bashing. Only then can Americans make an informed decision based on real issues rather than perceived personalities.

Senator Obama has spent his life in service to his country. How dare you question him, you pathetic, little man.

See what I did there?

Do you have anything of substance to add, or do you just enjoy bomb-throwing?

BeachBob - your candidate is afraid of the debate (or 10/2 for Sarah) and that is why he is keeping his options open about attending. If they cannot come to an agreement, let the candidates fly back and work late tonight, tomorrow, and Sunday. And, by the way, McCain most certainly is a third Bush term.

Chinese regulators have told domestic banks to stop interbank lending to U.S. financial institutions to prevent possible losses during the financial crisis, the South China Morning Post reported on Thursday.

Da bill might not even have the financing if the Chinese quit lending the republicans money!

McCain is as much a third Bush term as Obama is a second Carter term. Neither is appealing. My candidate is no longer on the ballot unfortunately, so I am stuck voting for one of these. But I am so tired of hearing from the Democrats how the debate is the critical event right now. It is not, it is the least important issue today. The debate can be held anytime, anywhere. We must come to a resolution about the economy NOW, we cannot afford to wait any longer. Congress cannot afford to take off the next three months. What purpose is served for Congress to hit the campaign trail if the average American is going under, and our economy is spiraling into a depression. If they really want to make a statement about the integrity of America, then stay in Washington until the answer, whatever that may be, is accomplished.

McCain is not afraid to debate, but it is simply not the priority right now. Obama wants the debate so he can read his prepared statements and have people fainting in the audience "Our Savior has spoken!!!" If McCain does not come to the debate, Obama will fall flat on his face as he cannot function in an impromptu environment and answer questions off the cuff with any intelligence.

We shall see tonight!!!

I will dare to question McCain's love for his country. His ambition and legacy are supremely important to him, and love of country has absolutely nothing to do with his egotistical character. He is a hero and a maverick in his own mind, still as reckless, impulsive and hotheaded as he was in his fighter pilot days. He has demonstrated throughout this campaign that he will sacrifice honesty and integrity for votes. I respected the man once, as many people did, but that was before I gave him much attention and saw that he was not capable of running a clean campaign as he promised us. His lies and political manipulations have shown us "the real McCain." On top of that, he has no problem sending 170 thousand men and women to fight Bush's war of lies in Iraq, but as a veteran and former POW, why won't he support our troops after they come home? If that is the kind of man you want leading our country, speak up with your vote.

Abraham Lincoln had no executive experience, John Kennedy had no executive experience, George W. Bush did have executive experience.

Executive experience - utterly meaningless twaddlespeak, Republicans.

ObamaMama - You are wrong again. Repeating a lie does not make it the truth. It is laughable to say that McCain is AFRAID to debate BO - The liberals continue to IGNORE the FACT that McCain has tried AGAIN and AGAIN to get OB to agree to go toe-to-toe with him in debates and take questions from the public . . . . But it is SO obvious that OB is the one who is afraid to talk to real people - without a scripted response - can't risk taking any unexpected questions . . . what a PHONY!

You are wrong also about McCain being third-term Bush. McCain has his OWN vison of change for America. He is the complete opposite of OB, who has spent his life in service to HIMSELF and his own best interest - Exactly why would we want that type of person as our president ?!?

Crises don't come in singles, Bob. While Wall St. is crumbling, we are engaged in two wars, the Gulf coast of Tx is a disaster, North Korea booted out nuclear inspectors, Russia is sending war ships to the Carribean, and the list could go on.

Now McCain wants to pretend that nothing else matters except for the investment banks. So he went to DC, had the prez twist Obama's arm into going also and the deal blows up in their faces. Where was of Johnny-Come-Lately's across-the aisle magic yesterday? By all accounts he sat there in silence while negotiations fell apart around him. And he still doesn't think he can squeeze in a 90 minute debate? McCain's a trainwreck.

Obama is proving himself to be an executive who can handle more than one thing at a time, especially an economic meltdown.

Stav00 means that McCain graduated 894 out of a class of 899 at the Naval Academy. He did not qualify for West Point.

That is what Stav00 was saying when he said McCain graduated at the bottom of his class.

Just what we need, another DUMB president. I thought Bush was the dumbest candidate until McCain. McCain is not only DUMB, but SENILE as well.

What a combination! We get Palin as pres when McGEEZER dies or goes senile, whichever comes first.

Did I mention DUMB? Palin = DUMB. She thinks waving at Russian airplanes flying over Alaska is a foreign policy. Oh, and she can see Russia from her house.

NotN

The liberals continue to IGNORE the FACT that McCain has tried AGAIN and AGAIN to get OB to agree to go toe-to-toe with him in debates and take questions from the public .

and what is your point?? so what McCain has tried to get him to do townhalls, just why do you right-wingnuts think that Obama owes that to him. There are 3 scheduled debates and those are the ones that he will attend. I think the true problem with the townhall meetings is that, these old white men thought that they would be able to bully the little young black boy into doing what they wanted him to do...but he is a man, a man that was able to bring all of America together not just the wealthy few and he has the support that is needed to win this election.

You are all running scared because your lies and deceit didn't work, you are all running scared because this black man was able to unite the world...my goodness after the last 8 years, I can't believe that some of you ignorant fools would get upset because an American can pull together 200,000 Germans to come and hear him speak...it pissed you the hell off, that this Black man has the support of the majority...it pisses you the hell off, that people are finally standing up to this administration and it's crooks and cronies, it pisses you off that we did not fall for the Palin trick (God Bless her soul)...I even hate the way McCain used her....but most of all, it pisses all of you haters off, because Barrack Obama is on the verge of being the first African American President of the United States of America.....and you are afraid, that he will open the door for many more to follow.

Agreed, Obama can Multi-Task, I'm sure he can walk and chew gum at the same time!
Big @@$# deal. I can not believe that this "HUGE, OMG, THE WORLD IS ENDING, GEE, ANDY WHAT DO I DO?" has caused such an absurd commentary all day long. Oh, McCain is planning something, he's up to no good, he's scared of Obama, he's shielding Palin, oh no. Get Real. This is your most interesting topic? This Hypes you people up? Oh please
put the pepperoni back on your pizza and settle down.

To Pray08:

You ask what exactly has Obama done.

Graduated top half of his class at HARVARD.

Obama was President of Harvard Law Review. Obama taught Constitutional Law. Obama was in the state legislature for 7 years. US Senate for THREE YEARS.

Director of Illinois Project Vote! He had a staff of 10 and 700 volunteers.

Crain's Chicago Business named Obama to its 1993 list of '40 under Forty' powers to be, because of this accomplishment.

His sponsorship of a bill that brought health insurance to 150,000, including 70,000 uninsured Children, again, during his time serving in the Illinois Statehouse:

http://factcheck.barackobama.com/factcheck/2007/12/14/f...

http://mediamatters.org/items/200712170003

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4578207

mCCAIN WENT THERE AND THREW A WRENCH INTO THE DEAL , HE IS ALL SHOW, HE HAS MISSED 422 VOTES THIS YEASR , OBAMA 211 JOHN MCCAIN IS HARDLY EVER THER , IT SEEMS TO ME THAT WHEN WE ELECT SOMEONE THEY SHOULD HAVE TO HAVE AT LEAST 85 PERCENT ATTENDENCE , LETS PUT THAT IN ONE OF THESE BILLS . MCCAIN HAS NEVER DONE A THING FOR AZ BUT THE REPUBLICANS ARE BRAINWASHED , AND KEEP ELECTING HIM , HE IS NEVER THERE ..... HE SHOULD BE SUSPENDED WITHOUT PAY ,FOR POOR ON THE JOB PERFORMANCE . THEN HE SELECTS A DINGBAT TO RUN FOR VP WITH HIM , NOT TO BRIGHT UMMM WELL I DON'T KNOW KATIE I'LL LOOK SOMETHING UP AND BRING IT BACK TO SHOW YA. FIRST I HAVE TO GO GET THE WITCHES OUT OF MY BODY. OR WHATEVER. SHE SAYS WHATS THAT WORD KATIE YOU KNOW KATIE SAYS MOCK ,,,SHE SAYS THAT COULD BE IT.
GIVE US A BREAK CHANGE VP NOMINEE

Rax, you seem to think Obama has no issues to debate. That is because you don't listen.

WHAT IS JOHN MCCAIN'S ECONOMIC PLAN??

He has none. Rax, GET YOUR FACTS.

Here is Barak Obama's economic plan (part of it, there is much more).

Enact a Windfall Profits Tax to Provide a $1,000 Emergency Energy Rebate to American Families

Provide a Tax Cut for Working Families who make under $250,000 a year

Eliminate Income Taxes for Seniors Making Less than $50,000

Simplify Tax Filings for Middle Class Americans

Amend the NAFTA agreement to keep jobs in America

Invest in the Sciences

End Tax Breaks for Companies that Send Jobs Overseas

Provide Tax Relief for Small Businesses and Start Up Companies

And BEST OF ALL:

Reward Companies that Support American Workers:

Barack Obama introduced the Patriot Employer Act of 2007 with Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) to reward companies that create good jobs with good benefits for American workers. The legislation would provide a tax credit to companies that maintain or increase the number of full-time workers in America relative to those outside the US; maintain their corporate headquarters in America if it has ever been in America; pay decent wages; prepare workers for retirement; provide health insurance; and support employees who serve in the military.

Please feel free to look at Obama's economic plan at:

http://www.barackobama.com/issues/economy/

Oddity -

You continue to be a DEM paid blogger. Your comments should be removed as a violation of Newvine policy.

If McCain really wanted to help the country he would retire period.

Oddity/USFreedom ----- I do not vote.

Consider this...which would you rather have:

(a) a commander in cheif who thinks twice and/or consults advisors before he acts ... or.... (b) a commander in cheif who pushes the button and says 'There!!!!! Let them chew on that for a while'

I don't care how experienced or inexperienced the candidates may be.....NOTHING in this world prepares anyone for the presidency of the United States of America.

The candidate who wins the election will go into the oval office fresh and ready to take on the world and will exit at the end of their term aged, tired and worn out, if, that is, (in the case of McCain) he lives long enough to complete his term.

Oddity...I think your comment is absolutely right on,why anyone who professes to have country first would pick such a person and such a hypocrite to be Vice president MAYBE BIG MAYBE President is absolutely mentally staggering.

Oddity, hang in there, because you do a valuable service to this post.

Everyone knows that McCain chose Palin for purely political reasons that same as Obama picking Biden. Big surprise, their both politicians. Everyone dumps on McCain for picking Palin though, but not so much on Obama's pick. I wonder about that since Obama wants to also reform Washington and take it back from Washington insiders, who Biden just happens to be one.

I think both candidates screwed up equally on their VP picks and both picks contradict their message.

Doesn't he have a jet (at least one), he can go to and from Washington to Mississippi in about two hours each way? Okay, the debate is 2-3 and 4 hours flytime within the time zone on a Friday afternoon/evening. Oh yes, if he wants to be President, shouldn't be able to multitask too? (I guess his brain cells are dying, big time!) This debate no-show is a just a political gimmick because he and Sarah know that they are about to lose big time in the election (unless rigged.) It's horrifying that Gov. Haley Balbour is a good friend of his and many inside Republican state supporters have given $5 million to hold this event in Mississippi. What a slap in the face. It is very evident that the American people (or least the high majority of them) don't want this ludicrous lack of out-of-touch leadership anymore.

He has a jet but they won't let him fly it.

He'll disobey orders and get shot down again.

Hopefully this is not a ploy to keep Sarah from debating. The October 2 date was suggested by the McCain campaign as an alternate date for tonight's debate, knowing that there are no other dates available for a VP debate before the election. As Letterman said last night, "and Sarah Palin wants her debate after the election".

The debates are nothing but air time. There should be very few people in this country by now that haven't made up their minds. It's a waste of money. If you actually follow the campaign trail you would know Obama is an empty suit...why would we want to listen to his snakeoil salesman talk?

Let's talk about the fact's regarding Osama Obama

Obama's very questionable associates Khalidi, Black Panthers, American Communist Party (Frank Marshal Davis a card carrying communist and member of the comintern) Barak idealizes in his book.

Then there is Khalid al-Monsour anti-Semite and Christian hater who apparently had a lot to do with the largely fake resume created for Obama over years of time including his admission to Harvard and his appointment as Pres. of Law Review (those on law review typically, as was required of my son, numerous articles worthy of a peer review journal of this type--Obama never submitted a single article.

At the prestigious law firm where he "worked" he never tried a single case--bet the picture--his resume was structured to put him in as President someday bought and paid for by the Saudis and other enemies of our state).

Somewhere in the deserts of Nevada a cement bunker filled with guns and land mines misses you dearly.

US FREEDOM....please pass the peyote pipe down here. That @!$%# you are smoking is powerful!!!

Yes, the deputy press secretary actually came out and said that this has been in the works for months. This was their last opportunity to rob the bank for their buddies at taxpayers expense before they are voted out in November. It is grand larceny of astronomical proportions.

And the timing is suspicious. Congress planned to go into recess today, which puts additional pressure on them to push through the bailout.

I know that everyone loves to turn every situation into partisan politics, but we really need to come together as a nation and realize that our paid political leaders are screwing us over..on both sides of the isle...

No but ask me if their inept fiscal policies did. Some people are only looking at the end result which is the bail out. It goes back to 6 years of fiscal irresponsibility on the Republican side that led to this. In 2007 alone there were 2.2 million home foreclosures. This glutted the market. Banks lent money to anyone that came in the door knowing they could dump them on the financial industry and fannie and freddie. Republicans argue that people over bought LOL and did it to themselves. I am sure there are cases like that but are there or were there 2.2 million people that stupid in 2007. All in all it all boils down to fiscal stupidity by republicans and their quest to deregulate every business in America. Do not be fooled by these troll posts that somehow John McCain and Bush are regulators. The reverse is true.

Hey wait a minute, Al Gore is Mr. Global Warming, if anyone arranged the timing of a hurricane it would have been Gore to take the focus away from the Republican Convention. Yet another Democrat idea that backfired!!!!!!!

Economy, it was Reagan that had to clean up the mess caused by Carter and now it will be McCain that will clean up the mess iniated by Clinton and maintain by this Democratic Congress. I am not a big Bush fan, so I cannot give him any credit, because he has not done anything, but this current mess is all in the hands and pockets of the Democrats.

To spreadex, this goes back even further than you know.

It is John McCain himself that started this financial disaster.

In 1999, McCain helped write the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which passed in the Senate by a vote of 54-44. The deregulation bill loosened restrictions on the activities of banks, brokerage houses, lenders, and insurance companies.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_John_McCain

Some maverick, huh. And suddenly it was so all-fired important for him to put "country first" and vote, and guess what?

Before this bail out chaos and drama, John McCain had not cast a single vote in the senate since April 2008.

Knock 'em dead tonight, Obama!

*experts

Yeah, Obama needs tall the help he can get. He is going to need these people to help him figure out, how he is going to do his job, but maybe not, since he has been in government so long. I figure, that with having for years in the senate and with half of that campaigning, then he is well, if, not over qualified to run a trillion dollar government, keep us safe from the little countries that do not matter, and make sure that we have all we need to prosper. Yeah, he can do it, then I woke up.

The McCain camp is at the debate site doing a walk through, so apparently they are hoping that McCain shows up as well.

I guess it all depends on McCain. Can't someone in his camp control him..or are they???

Obama has Warren Buffett as his financial advisor. You cannot get any better that that.

Who does McCain have since Phil Gram, the "nation of whiners" guy?

Oh, that's right, McCain has Doug Holtz-Eakin, the very guy that took money from Freddie Mac just last month. Oh, and Holtz-Eakin also reported that McCain "invented the blackberry" even though McCain cannot even send an email.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080916/ap_on_el_pr/mccain_blackberry

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08097/870634-176.stm

Phil Gramm championed the commodoties modernization act that lead to the situation that we have today. Phil Gramm should be lynched for treason.

McCain would never have fired Phil Gramm if Gramm had not said that we are a nation of whiners directly on the air.

McCain liked Phil Gramm, and liked everything Gramm stood for. What does that tell you?

Again, another reflection of McCain's judgement. Or, should I say, lack of judgement.

Obama = cool, calm, intelligent, appropriate, and capable.

McCain = knee jerk reactions, hasty decisions, chaos, drama, and unstable.

Whose finger would you like to see on the nuke button?

Reid called four days ago and told him to come back to Washington!

I dont think so. Ried probably asked him if he knew where Washington was any more with his 63% voting record.

probably asked him if he knew where Washington was any more with his 63% voting record.

I believe you meant that he missed 64% of the votes this term.

link

Gee...I don't know Anthony. A few years back when you get a blow job in the oval office, tie up the American taxpayers money for almost two years, lie, deny, and become on the border for being impeached...no, that was INTEGRITY.

Reason, here is some reasoning for you. How does a man go from being the 99th ranked senator, to being a presidentail cantidate in just four years. If this is a true rags to riches story then it should be made into a t.v. movie. But he had help, did he not. Obama has always been backed by somebody and will continue to be backed by somebody, and they are hoping that Americans will not figure out how he accomplished this astounding feat in only alittle amount of time. People wake up and see that he does not have your best interest at heart and is going to bring this country down. He promises you everything and will give you nothhing.

A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is a government that is big enough to take everything you have.
Thomas Jefferson

Pray08, Tell me how corporate socialism doesn't increase the size of the government and their power? The GOP is trying to push through this piece of corporate socialism without any kind of over sight.

It disgusts me. I used to primarily vote Republican, but that was when they still were for small government and had a strong Libertarian lean. Now I don't even recognize them anymore. However I guess there will always be people out there willing to suck up the partly line.

I dislike both candidates; we the people deserve either a better choice or more choices. This election is like a bad joke.

The GOP you are describing disappeared with Barry Goldwater in 1964.

If it's cynical I'm right there with you, that's the first thought I had last night after they announced the impass.

He certainly didn't say anything helpful.

No there was no deal the House Republicans have stated this repeatly last night and this morning. Barney and Company had no deal but in typical Barney fashion he just mumbled mumbled and mumbled some more and the news media thought he said "Deal" it kind of is like "Present".
The American people have expressed to their Senators and Congressman a lot to a little no deal, we do not want to bailout Wall Street nor do we trust the government to run this program. Loan the money at an interet rate well above prime, let Wall Street bail itself out. It seems the Republicans are listening to their voters, and again as always Nancy and Barney are doing what they want.

Ask yourself this and it may answer your question. Why would a Senator come back to washington and meet with a group of house member anyway? Are ther no Republicans in the Senate? Why the House and only with those that ended up disagreeing with their leadership.

However, the media is not coming out with the fact that HE was the reason yesterday that the proposal did not make strides. He was playing the POLITICAL CARD for 2-3 hours during the meeting and made lawmakers on BOTH SIDES very frustrated and angry. McCain is becoming a senile old man taking on a life of his own. He is being told by Karl Rove-ian machine what to do at this point, he is not the lawmaker he was even six months ago. Unfortunately, the American people (including most lawmakers on BOTH SIDES) are seeing through the transparency and are beyond sick of it and his destiny is pretty much laid out unless the election is cancelled due to martial law instituted by "economic emergency" or the machines are rigged by DieBolt.

Rich,

Tell us how McCain has helped the process.

Be careful. If you don't say something nice about Obama your comments will be deleted.

That's rich Rich teaching grandma how to suck eggs, are you? How primitive not to know that one can resort to telephone and conference call.

Obama initiated a joint statement in the first place so as to avoid conflict of interest (do you know what that means?) and I'd like to know where the joint effort finally ended up.
It was to be a bi-partisan statement before that son of cain the two-headed chicken as usual played to the gallery again.

If you have nothing to contribute start counting the lies from Abel's brother at the debate and later from his post-debate Ads and report; make that you job.

Jack23. I tell you what. I won't say any comments about him but will let him say it for himself....below are just a few comments from his own books.

From Dreams of My Father:'There was something about him that made me wary, a little too sure of himself, maybe. And white.'

From Dreams of My Father: 'It remained necessary to prove which side you were on, to show your loyalty to the black masses, to strike out and name names.'

From Dreams of My Father:'I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn't speak to my own. It was into my father's image, the black man, son of Africa , that I'd packed all the attributes I sought in myself , the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, DuBois and Mandela.'

And FINALLY the Most Damning one of ALL of them!!!

From Audacity of Hope:'I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.'

Congratulations, jw. You have taken all those quotes completely out of context in a vain attempt to show a different meaning and scare Obama supporters. It won't work, of course, because it's an old cut and paste Obama-bashing hack job that lame haters use when they don't have anything intelligent of their own to say.

It's only taken out of context if your're against Obama. Look at the garbage the liberal slanted media spews out each day about Palin and McCain. Obama has deep routed ties to the middle east and he won't forget them. He is articulate and charasmatic, just like Castro was to the Cubans. THey all rallied around him to he could lead them to nowhere. He is scarily similar to Castro.

Rich, McCain is not in charge here. All he can do is cast one vote like all the other senators, and it's not even at a vote yet. He's not on the committees or drafting the legislation.

The campaign doesn't stop because McCain just says it does...he's STILL campaigning.the cameras are still rolling, the media is still making this the lead story...nothing is suspended...this whole stunt exists as part of his campaign. He's grandstanding, not "putting country first"..he's putting politics first. He wants to ride in on his white horse and claim credit if a deal is reached, even though he has almost no power one way or the other.

If you fall for this, you have a dangerous inability for critical thought and for reading inbetween the lines. You, as well as people who belive as you do are the sort of people dictators and advertisers love. You are unquestioning and easily fooled.

to jcostello -who are you and what plant do you reside on. your partys a sinking ship and you are angry.

Thank you jcostello! So True, and very well articulated!

Costello, first of all, when calling someone dumb you should first start by learning some grammar yourself, the verb "to be" usually follows the actual subject, so repeat with me "you are" a dumb fag, even if you wanted to shorten it, you would need to put the apostrophe and write "you're" a dumb fag. I'm sure the irony of your writings don't stop there, it's ok to make mistakes but why call someone dumb? However you could start debating properly if you wanted to get some attention, name-calling will only make you seem mentalliy challenged and immature. But then again, your history lesson is a far outcry of civilization and proper understanding of our forefathers. I believe it was Benjamin Franklin who said: "The great secret of succeeding in conversation is to admire little, to hear much; always to distrust our own reason, and sometimes that of our friends; never to pretend to wit, but to make that of others appear as much as possibly we can; to hearken to what is said and to answer to the purpose."

Tyler,,,, Good job, tell your supervisors I highly recommend you for a raise & a promotion.

Roy Blunt is now in charge of the massive paint job to paint McCain as a great leader in this failed GOP political trick ----- He needs a hell of a lot more paint

Bring on the Debate, YEEEEEHAAAW --- McCain is sweating like Niagara Falls

If sen O is so great then why early on did he repeatedly refuse to debate McCain? Now and only now does he want to debate, because he thinks he will win. I am not sure about that. I do not trust either man. What makes me cringe is that both of these men are debating and planning our futures! Congress ( to which they both belong and participate in ) is what got us into the mess we are in, and I can't believe that anyone with a lick of sense thinks that one of these guys can get us back on our feet! What is frightening in here is that we are all pointing fingers and collectively saying he did,, did not did so did not etc.
Trust me both of these guys voted the wrong way and both had a big hand in our present circumstance!

McCain's running from the debate and then running to it reminds me of Bull Halsey at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. First he chases one Japanese fleet and fails to catch it and then realising it was a diversion chases another fleet and fails to catch that. He lost two battles because of his impulsiveness.

We don't need another overly impulsive Pres.