McPresidential, O Not
I haven’t had a chance to see the big McCain speech but some lefty pals who did were visibly impressed. Almost ashen. He looked and sounded presidential, was displaying leadership. Apparently the country’s economic woes are such that we can forego Friday night’s bickerfest for the moment. Normally I’d say the last thing we need is more pols involved in a process that has not benefited much from pol involvement to date. However, one of these guys will inherit this situation and both of them are likely to weild more influence as Senators who are their party’s candidates than they would otherwise. They should be directly involved. It was a brilliant political move, but a risky one, as he now owns the result.
The initiative has been seized just as Obama thought he was gaining something from our nation’s pending disaster. Now Obama is in the unfortunate position of insisting business as usual is good enough. Insisting on debating the debate when there is more urgent business at hand. Because a momentary stop in the politicking would be “disruptive,” presidents need to be able multi-task, and we really need to hear more smears, charges and promises right now. Sentiments a little incongruous ahead of these remarks, which appear to be attributed to Obama but sound more like what McCain was saying:
“There are times for politics and there are times to rise above them, do what is right for the country. This is one of those times,” he said.
OK, roundup. Lefties first:
(Welcome, Alicublog … anti-Tabloidist? Me?)
Moderate Voice, Assessing the Stunt: Desperate. The crisis doesn’t need the involvement of U.S. senators who might be president. It’s all a ploy to delay the Palin-Biden debate. Because McCain’s big priority right now is given Palin more time to cram.
Joe Klein, Swampland at Time: Oh please … Gimmicks R Us.
Ben Smith at Politco: Gambit. Adds this interesting remark without elaboration. “Both candidates have been marginal players; McCain, though, seems to have the potential to make himself a major one … ” So he doesn’t think Obie has the potential? The way things are going now, I’d have to agree.
So far, they are all sounding a little like sour grapes. Looking a little ashen like those lefty pals of mine. Too bad Obama can’t think on his feet fast enough, multitaks if you will, to set aside the rank ambition long enough to figure out he has a stake in what happens in Washington this week.
Malkin with the weird news that Bush has invited Obama to DC for econ talks. Ouch. He’s actually invited McCain as well. Michelle’s sick to her stomach. But I think it’s big of Bush. Obama’s accepted, maybe recognizing that if he turned it down, he’d look like he isn’t interested in being part of the solution at all, and won’t sit down with the current president of the United States. That he’d rather play politics.
Which is how he’s going to look if he shows up at that debate in Mississippi by himself Friday night and McCain is able to argue he has more important things to do. Either that or McCain declares he did what he set out to do in Washington and he’s ready to politick again.
Update on that. The presidential debate commission says the debate is still on. Which probably means it is.
Here’s a thought about the gimmick, political poll-reveral slams on McCain. Do you think a modern American president doesn’t need to have the ability to change or at least direct the conversation, and seize the high ground? Will it end up looking like a cheap ploy? If he screws it up it will. Again, that’s the risk McCain takes. He’d better be in a position to deliver, or at least show a significant, credible good faith effort.
Wall Street Journal reports it was about exerting leadership, but notes it’s not clear exactly what McCain will do or who he will talk to. Harry Reid, one of the most ineffective, nakedly political pols of our time, says he doesn’t want politics injected into the process. No indication Reid intends to uninject himself.
The bad economy had been good news for Obama. Now its looking like bad news for the National Enquirer. With the candidates jockeying to see who can look more presidential, and the voters actually interested in matters of substance … who’s gonna care about NE’s WORLD EXCLUSIVE: Sarah’s Secret Lover!
Surber: Obama Mae and some “authentic hippy gibberish” re McCain’s move.
Topics: McCain, Obama, money, pols
Posted by Jules Crittenden at 8:46 pm on Wednesday, September 24, 2008
3 Responses to “McPresidential, O Not”
Leave a Reply
Trackback URLYou must be logged in to post a comment.
September 25th, 2008 at 12:10 am
It’s definitely a good move. This is important. And, it’s a no lose situation for McCain, if he sticks to his guns. If the organizers insist on holding the debate, it won’t help Obama to be standing there in the klieg lights all alone while the big boys are in Washington tending to business.
September 25th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Obama demonstrates his stunning ability to be all blow and no go.
September 25th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Jules, you can see it here.