Jay Allen's Blog

Jay - may I remind you that McCain is the one who foresaw this in 2006 and tried to get reform and regulation through the senate, guess who blocked it? Also, it's not just a couple of hours, it's the prep time that goes into it.

May I also remind you that Obama refused to do any townhall debates because he realized that those are his weakness and McCain's strenght. What was that about cold feet?

Mike - McCain has stated that economics is not his area of expertise (he of course has flip flopped on this statement).  Specifically what can McCain do in the next 48 hours to fix this multitrillion dollar long-term problem?

Jay - Perhaps he can pay for it from Cindy's bank account?

Tchaka, that would be about the only logical reason for him to cancel the debate.

McCain is simply posturing to delay the vice presidential debate in an attempt to give Palin a bit more time to study-up on global matters.

It's a cheap shot .... but hardly surprising coming from the Republican Spin Machine.

Jay - let me remind you of two things, this debate was to be about foreign policy, not economics. Also, McCain is the one of the two candidates who foresaw this problem and tried to get legislation through that would prevent or mitigate the problem. As for what he can do, what he has done in the past, get both parties working together for a solution.

I am watching the Late Show.  David Lettermen just made a great point about McCain suspending his campaign.  If Palin is prepared... McCain should go back to Washington, and Palin should take over the campaign until McCain gets back from fixing the economy.

Mike beat me to it, but the debate is on foreign policy - even the Dems I know recognize that McCain is way stronger than Obama on this. Could his motive actually be "Country First"?

Simon

I agree with your comments on this one. I think McCain is putting country First.... something which is rare in this world but not from him.

What is McCain going to do between now and Friday night?  If this were a Rambo movie, the impossible can happen, but we're talking about Washington.

   Your question was what would Mccain do "between now and Friday night":  I believe the answer could be the job he was elected to do by the citizens of Arizona as a U.S. Senator.  I've used this line before, but I'll use it again.  I don't know John Mccain to be a liar, so when he says that he is suspending the campaign to work on the financial crisis, without evidence to support a different point of view, it seems reasonable to believe that is his motivation.  I am not psychic either, so I can't read his mind to tell if he is lying. 

   It seems to me that people do not realize the seriousness of the economic situation, so they "play politics while Rome burns".  Much as we as a country rallied together when attacked on December 7th, 1941 or 9/11, we as a country need to put politics aside and fix the problems that have befallen us.  For either Obama or Mccain to use this crisis as political theater would be reprehensible.  Both Obama and Mccain were elected by their respective states, and are paid a salary by the country to serve as U.S. Senators.  For them to not work while being paid is one thing, but, given the crisis we face today,  to play politics in order to get elected is selfish

Everyone should stop being so nieve and realize this is nothing more than a political move by McCain to try to score points. Watch it backfire on him!!

The Washington Post:

 Neither McCain nor Barack Obama is on the Senate Banking Committee, the lead panel in this crisis, nor is either man a member of the leadership. If they were not presidential candidates at this moment, there is little reason to think either would be heavily involved in Senate negotiations on the bailout package. And this will backfire on McCain. .... Nothing could do more harm than to "suspend" his campaign and give us the notion that doomsday is ...

Cold feet?  He has been practically begging Obama to do the Town Hall meetings all summer and Obama turned him down. He is just trying to prove that he is still doing the job he was elected to do, even if he is in the middle of campaigning.  You can call it a bold political move or a selfless act of putting the country before the election but it is definitely not cold feet.

As far as the economy, as others have pointed out that is not the subject of the debate anyway.  When did Obama become the economic expert?  McCain's only fault was that he was honest enough to admit that wasn't his strong suit.  That's why we have advisors.

Michelle wrote: McCain's only fault was that he was honest enough to admit that wasn't his strong suit.  That's why we have advisors.

That is correct and is even more reason why McCain's action is dumbfounding.  Let the experts and advisors handle this.

Warren Buffet made a statement that this crisis is the "Pearl Harbor" of the economy.  Senator McCain has his priorities in the right order.  I agree with Mike the debate was to be on foreign policy not economics. A debate can be postponed but America can not.  John McCain has his priorities for America and "Country First".  The only spinning I see are the circles that Senator Obama talks and never does. 

Now after earlier today Senator McCain invited Senator Obama and then later President Bush asked Senator Obama to be in Washington, it appears Senator Obama will now also be there.  It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out leadership qualities.  It seems quite clear. Definitely not cold feet.

It amazes me how people can interpret anything in a way that justifies their opinions. Kind of like skewing polls for the outcome you want to achieve.  Either side can spin McCain's postponing of the debate into anything that serves their purpose.  How funny to read the comment that the real reason was to give Palin more time to study up!  Give me a break... 

The Democrats where already playing politics with this.  Harry Reid said on Tue, this bailout will never pass unless McCain gets involved - so yesterday, McCain says OK and Harry Reid responds with "we don't want you here". Go figure....     Say what you want, but John McCain has shown over his many years that he is a principled, honest man who has always put his country first, even when it is not the political expedient thing to do.  And it now looks like McCain is leading the way to Washington and Obama is following him today. Having said that, "Obama is right to have the debate go on. He has spent all that time prepping. He is memorizing clever lines, many of which will ring hollow, while talking about foreign policy in the middle of a domestic economic crisis. McCain, who has been immersed in this stuff for 30 years, should be able to discuss foreign policy with half his brain tied behind his back. He will have no problem stating his views on, say, Iraq, or Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, because he has had years to hone them. Late deciding voters - and the nation's pundit class - depend on the debates. In this tight a race it would be wrong to deprive the electorate of the one to one comparison."

quote by Lisa Schiffren, NRO

John McCain has once again proved himself to be an honorable man willing to do the job he was hired to do even if it is not in his best interest.

Obama once again chooses change. Changing us from a proud country to one that onl serves his self interest.

Obama is a self serving jerk

McCain is serving the people

Let's get that straight!

John McCain is an opportunist who has sold his soul for a last ditch chance at the Presidency. He has made a litany of questionable decisions over this campaign trail. This is just the latest attempt at diverting the American public from the truth. Congress and the oval office have all the appropriate parties already involved in the discussions. We don't don't need partisan politics played out now. We don't need someone like John McCain who admits he knows nothing of economics involved in talks that will just be over his head anyway. What we need is to move forward and to let this congress do what it thinks is right for now. After the election, the next president can proffer his opinion on what we should do to make sure this never happens again!

John - McCain IS part of Congress in case you forgot about that. Oh and so is Obama, but he will probably just vote "present" if the opportunity presents itself. McCain is putting the country ahead of his own ambitions. Why can't you simply admire that? He more than anyone can get both sids of the isle to get things done. He is in the right place.

Of course he's a jerk.  Obama doesn't care about anyone but himself and Democrats have totally politicized this.  John McCain and Republicans are the only honorable ones here.  Oh, and these follow up comments are not at all biased.  They're well-balanced and thoughtful.

Tchaka - I think Obama is making a political decision as opposed to a decision that would put country first. I think it is fair to question (again) Obama's judgement. But I'm pleased you finally recognize him as a jerk :)

Simon McCain is putting his ambitions first. He can not possibly add anything to the discussions when he admits he doesn't know much about the topic. As for being part of Congress then he can take  his share of responsibility for its failings also. By the way he hasn't appeared in congress since April. Obama was there in July.

Here's what your boy Bill Clinton said about this. Apparently he disagrees with your assesment Jay.

"We know he didn't do it because he's afraid because Sen. McCain wanted more debates," Clinton said, adding that he was "encouraged" by the joint statement from McCain and Sen. Barack Obama.

"You can put it off a few days the problem is it's hard to reschedule those things," Clinton said, "I presume he did that in good faith since I know he wanted -- I remember he asked for more debates to go all around the country and so I don't think we ought to overly parse that."

Jay,

After all is said and done, these guys are still politicians first and statesmen second. Webster's unabridged dictionary has this entry. Politician suggests the schemes and devices of a person who engages in (esp. small) politics for party ends or for one's own advantage.

I suspect after today's meeting with GW, the debate will be back on. The country needs to hear from these guys on their conflicting views of the world. Sound bites do the electorate do good.

Carl - A few months ago, McCain had delusional confidence in his ability to contend with Obama during a debate.  What we are seeing now is the same thing that is seen in boxing.  When a contender is intimidated by their opponent they find a way to postpone/cancel the fight.

Why did McCain need to suspend his campaign?

Doesn't he have the confidence to let his running mate keep it running while he flies back to Washington to save the economy?

Did McCain really suspend his campaign to save the economy OR was it because of his faltering campaign and the latest poll results which show he is slipping quickly?

I may be partisan on this but I think:

Truth be told, I wouldn't be surprised if Karl Rove's behind all this.

Actually if you look at the REAL poll numbers and not those incorrectly wieghted to give the predicted result, then you will see that McCain is actually up on Obama by six right now. You see what you can't understand is that McCain is not interested in the consequences to himself, he is interested in putting the nation first. I don't agree with the bail out and probably won't agree with McCain's take on it, but that does not detract from the fact the man is doing the right thing here. He is probably harming himself by taking this action, but he doesn't care (kinda reminds you of him saying he wouldn't leave the POW camp when it wasn't his turn doesn't it).

Tchaka wrote:

That is correct and is even more reason why McCain's action is dumbfounding.  Let the experts and advisors handle this.

Handle what? Voting in the Senate? It is really that important to be on the campaign trail that you can't do the job you were elected to do regarding the biggest financial crisis probably ever?

McCain is just trying to change the focus and grandstand. His problem is that the people who are working to get an acceptable deal don't want his help. and would prefer him to keep his politics out of the way.

Simon - LOL!!  Good one.

Michelle - Yes, it really is more important for him to be on the campaign trail this close to the election.  Either candidate will do more for this country as Prez than as 1/100th of a bloc that only has some influence on what happens.  And stopping in Washington (welcome back Sen McCain, it's been a while!) is not reason to stop the campaign.  Sorry. 

I think we all are jumping the gun here.  I believe we did leave this mortgage mess up to the so called professionals and look what they did.  If I were either canidate, I'd go to Washington and get involved in this bailout.  One of these canidates is going to adopt this mess and have to handle it.  Both should understand the ramifications and how this changes their economic plans.   

Truely are you guys looking at the big picture?  Hasn't this country had enough of the political BS.  We are at war, our financial system is threatened which puts our country in a serious situation.  We need accountability not finger pointing or broken politics.

Although this doesn't contribute the the debate one bit, I'd like to say that I've been to Washington more times in the past 2 weeks than McCain has in the past 4 months.  He should let me stand in for him while he goes to Mississippi.

I agree with Simon on this ... McCain is part of the U.S. Senate and is going to Washington D.C. today to do the job he was elected for by the people of Arizona.  It seems to me that McCain is putting the USA in front of his own presidential election ambitions and should be admired for that.  He is helping to move this economy situation and proposed US Congress action for bailout forward.  He will help get some of the conservative Republicans to go along with the bi-partison proposal.  If McCain's help on this now means that the debate can't place on Friday, so what?  McCain and Obama will both take action and do whatever is possible to participate in the debate.  Harrison

This year, McCain had missed roll call more than 60% of the time - far more than Obama.  So, can we say that he has failed the people of Arizona 60% of the time this year.  Is he feeling guilty and now wants to show up?

Tchaka-

How many clients of yours are now in default?  If none then your not part of this Mortgage Mess.  Dishonest Americans (tax Payers) who lied on loan applications (committed fraud) are just as responsible as the Realtors, Mortgage Brokers, Wall Street investor's and the leaders who obviously over looked the ramifications of their actions.

Americans don't care that you have been to DC in the past two weeks.  Those of us who care about our children's future and the future of our country, want to know what both candidates plans are for dealing with this mess.  Frankly how can either have an economic plan without understanding the working parts of this bailout.  They should both be in DC, our government should be looking at all viable options!  We don't need a knee-jerk reaction, we need a well thought out plan.

Jay come on Obama doesnt vote so they are even.

Both Democarts and Republicans appeared to be reaching consensus until McCain rode into Washington this afternoon. Now it appears that McCain is trying to simply "make a statement" for political purposes only.

Why doesn't John MccCain address the Nation and tell us his thoughts and plans?

Just like Palin, he's now hiding away from the media. What is he hiding?

Remember, only last week he was telling us how "fundamentally strong" our economy is.

Gary - As far as I know none of my real estate or mortgage clients are in or have been in default.  But I'm not surprised given that I turn down clients that I don't think are truly qualified to buy.

Since you missed the jovial nature of my earlier comment, I'll just flip it back on you.  There are some Americans who care that I've been to DC TWICE in the past two weeks (did you not understand where I said I've been there MORE times that McCain?).  Those are some cool Americans who love to hang out with me and man is it fun being home!  Oh, and they care about their children's future as well.

You have not given a good reason why the debates should not go on as scheduled, please provide something of substance.  The question you meant to ask but worded incorrectly is:  how will this bailout affect the economic plans the candidates have in place.  See, if either doesn't have any idea yet, then President shouldn't be in their plans.  Lastly, most of us intend to use the debates (starting tomorrow) to get a feel for how they will deal with this situation.  Going to DC to get involved in finding a solution and debating tomorrow are not mutualy exclusive.

Trluly, Obama looked like a little kid in the Oval Office. He certainly was out of place, he hadn't been back to Washington since he got elected. He probably couldn't find the Congress for that matter. He should of stayed out there and voted present as usual. Phone him in case of emergency.

Sure Obama looked like a kid next McCain... Robert Byrd and Jimmy Carter would look like kids next to him too.

Nicholas   "Obama looked like a little kid in the Oval Office" He has spent more time and missed fewer votes in congress this year than John McCain.  As far as looking like alittle kid I agree with David Letterman who thought that Sarah Palin at the U.N. was like sending your daughter to work day. She was as out of place as McCain would look at an economic meeting. 

Now that McCain realizes that his child-like and "un-presidential" behavior has backfired on his credibility, he has finally agreed to attend the debate tonight.

For all of his talk about not attending the debate unless there was a finalized "Rescue Deal" .... he flip-flopped when he realized his ploy was hurting, rather than helping his "suspended campaign".

Politicized or not, I could not vote a Presidential candidate who put partisan electioneering BS above his obligation to ME. This issue is probably among the most critical to our short term well being and that of our industry as any vote in the past 20 years. Whether or not they make a signifant contribution to the discussion, for either of these men to purposely absent themselves from the table just to continue their campaign is inexcusable. One or the other will be inheriting this mess in a few months and they'd better be involved in the decision and know what the deals about - intimately, not by 'staying in phone contact' with Harry Reid. At least Obama mcan now say he was 'present' (again).

Three decades ago, when McCain entered politics, we didn't have the technology to hold virtual meetings.  Now we have that technology.  McCain does not need to be physically present in Washington to understand what's going on.  Now if McCain's like Bush and wants to hold hands with Saudi Arabian princes, then yes, he would need to be physically present.

Jay - Remember McCain is not up to speed with technology, so I doubt he knew about virtual meetings and video conferencing.

No-one from the Republican side has yet explained why he needed to suspend his campaign, nor why Palin couldn't "hold the fort" while he was attending the debate.

Jay - I'd like to redirect you to:  McCain & Technology (with kudos to Stewart).

Tchaka - sorry I missed why you were in DC and who you were hanging out with.  I never said the debate should not go on.  I only suggested, that both candidates go to DC.  I thought it would be beneficial for both Obama & McCain to see whats being placed in this bailout.  Both candidates may need to adjust their economic plan and how they intend to debate the economy.  As I stated one of them is getting this mess.   Jay correct me if I'm wrong aren't both Senators being paid to do this job.?

Turns out they did both go.  Looking forward to the debate.

Hi Jay ... I'd really like to know that our president can multitask and delegate! 

On the contrary, this week is about foreign affairs, which may have been pointed out already in the comments (sorry, I didn't have a chance to read them).  And I hope our next president can prioritize, focusing on important issues when appropriate.

Margaret, are you suggesting that McCain is the multitasker because he is Washington and, after feeling lots of pressure and hearing many questions about his judgment, decided to also attend tonight's debate?

What would be really great is if ANY of the politicians in Washington would focus on important inssues period.  

YES, you liberals are right Obama has voted 136 times present in the Senate. He will go down in history and the most unproductive and least effective senator in history. Great choice for preseident guys and gals. Get your liberal glasses on, your going to need them. Blind leading the blind. McCain will win, and then lets hear what you have to say. The election was stolen, racism is alive in America. The liberal spin doctors are already planning this defeat.