US Features
McCain, Obama debating over debate
By Mike McCarthy Sep 26, 2008, 4:42 GMT
Stage hands work on the set of the first 2008 U.S. presidential debate at the University of Mississippi in Oxford, Mississippi, USA 25 September 2008. The first debate between Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate John McCain is scheduled for 26 September 2008. EPA/LARRY SMITH
Washington - Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama are scheduled hold their first presidential debate late Friday, but now the two campaigns can't agree on whether they should proceed or stay in Washington to address the nation's financial crisis.
McCain kicked off the uncertainty Wednesday when he announced he was suspending his campaign to return to Washington to work on emergency legislation that the White House wants from Congress to rescue financial markets.
McCain said that the planned debate at the University of Mississippi should be postponed so the two senators could work on the 700-billion-dollar bailout package and attend a White House meeting with President George W Bush.
Obama agreed to join the meeting, flying to Washington and joining McCain to sit down with the president, his economic team and top leaders in Congress. But Obama insists the debate must go on with the November 4 elections looming.
'It's my belief that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who in approximately 40 days will be responsible for dealing with this mess,' Obama said.
But McCain has not said whether he will attend the debate in the town of Oxford, Mississippi, even as the university has continued to prepare the stage for the first showdown between the 72-year-old McCain and the 47-year-old Obama.
McCain's ambiguity has left the university, media and public wondering when they'll get the chance to see the candidates square off in what was billed as a foreign policy debate but will now surely include a questions about the economic crisis and Bush's bailout proposal - the largest in US history.
Obama said he would like to see his opponent join him on stage.
'I hope he does,' Obama told CNN late Thursday. 'I'm not going to speculate at this point. ... I'll be monitoring the situation.'
McCain's announcement on Wednesday that he was putting his campaign on hold appeared at first to be a cunning move to upstage Obama on the economic crisis and halt a trend among voters who believe Obama is more qualified to manage the economy, which has become the top issue in the presidential race.
'Now is our chance to come together to prove that Washington is once again capable of leading this country,' McCain said.
But by Thursday, McCain found himself the target of Democrats who argued he was politicizing the economic crisis and that his presence in Washington had become a distraction from congressional efforts to hammer out legislation and reach a deal with the White House.
'This is what I need to do for my country, and if that hurts me politically, well, I'll gladly take the penalty,' McCain told broadcaster NBC News.
'I'm very hopeful that we'll get enough of an agreement (Friday) that I'll make this debate,' McCain added.
Bush administration officials have been in discussions with Congress about the emergency proposal since last week but face growing criticism from conservative Republicans who believe the proposal violates free-market principles. Majority Democrats argue it lacks adequate protections for taxpayers footing the bailout cost and homeowners with failing mortgages.
A Washington Post-ABC News national poll released Wednesday gave Obama a widening lead of 52 per cent to 43 per cent over McCain, with voters expressing more trust in Obama on the economy.
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Older Talkback
page: 1
SP4 has finally flipped - head in the sand still blowing hot air through the bit of him that is then highest up
McCain is going nuts and Palin IS nuts - a perfect pair!
Interestingly Americans in parts of the World other than the US are overwhelmingly in favour of Obama. It seems clear that the incestuous media brainwashing in America is the reason so many Republicans are unable to see how stupid they appear in the eyes of the World, but when Americans travel abroad and are exposed to more rational, unbiased opinion and information, they rapidly understand the folly of voting for another Bush clone like McCain
Sounds like you are the one on the bottom of the shoes and thick at that!
'Interestingly Americans in parts of the World other than the US are overwhelmingly in favour of Obama.'
They should staty in those other parts of the world then, they have 'gone native'.
'It seems clear that the incestuous media brainwashing in America is the reason so many Republicans are unable to see how stupid they appear in the eyes of the World, '
You don't speak for the rest of the world, your media is a joke, you look like an idiot to me and you are just jealous because the decisions we make here effect you and nothing you could possibly do can effect us. Therefore you are reduced to whining on the internet.
'but when Americans travel abroad and are exposed to more rational, unbiased opinion and information,'
You pompous twit; the BBC and CBC are leftist indoctrination machines and you are too stupid to see it.
Obama Avoided Debates for Months, Now Claims They’re Most Important Thing In The World
Since the day when Senator McCain clinched the Republican nomination, he put out an offer to Senator Barack Obama to go on the road and do a series of town hall meetings with the American people. The idea was to campaign together, face to face, and inform the American people in the most direct, honest, and forthright manner. Senator Obama refused. He avoided facing Senator McCain time and time again. Only when the Presidential commissions on debates scheduled tonight’s Presidential debate did Senator Obama agree to face Senator McCain.
Enter: A National Crisis.
Now, whether one believes that the economy is on the brink or not, the fact is that it’s been described that way by very intelligent, important, and influential people. Banks are failing. Unemployment is rising. Inflation is rising. Homesales are declining. Large purchases are declining. Overall consumer confidence is extremely poor. These are problems that need to be addressed. When people like the Secretary of the Treasury get down on a knee and beg for bailout money it’s got to be addressed. When financial legends like Warren Buffet and Jack Welch describe the situation as a financial Pearl Harbor, or as the biggest financial meltdown since the stock market crash of 1929 that set America into the Great Depression…that’s a signal that addressing the problem is more important than campaigning for personal power.
Well, it is for most people-not for Senator Obama.
Sen Obama believes that having a debate (after he avoided debats for months-saying they were not necessary), is the most important thing he can be doing right now; more important than his job as a Senator.
One can be reminded of how Pres Bush was chastised by Democrats for sitting with children and not fleeing in panic during the 911 attacks. If the financial crisis is half as bad as described, millions of people will be in serious trouble. One wonders what the left would have said had Pres Bush addressed the cameras during the 911 attacks and told the world that it was more important for him to campaign or do something/anything else at a time of national crisis rather than do the job he’s paid to do and lead?
NOTE: Senator McCain halted his Presidential campaign, and at the direct, specific urging of Sen Majority leader Harry Reid (D), of Treasury Sec Paulson, and of President Bush…returned to DC to do his job. He says he’ll debate when the job’s done, and the crisis is dealt with rather than seek personal power in the meantime.
All I can say to your comment is - let those handful of Americans more intoxicated with overseas opinions than home opinions vote for Obummer and the other 200 million will vote for McCain, providing they turn up.
In 2004, the total number of eligible voters was 216 million and only 57% actually voted. 93 million never even bothered, they were more interested in in the important things in their daily lives, than some crooked bums wanting to be President.
'This was an 'Independent' survey showing 80% of Americans living outside the USA and with the right to vote, would vote for Abama. '
Sure, they have been bombarded with your whiney, leftist press since they hit the land of irrelevance.
'How you manage to try and turn this into an anti-BBC and similar rant simply exposes your ignorance and inability to accept facts'
It is exactly the heart of the issue. Look, you are not going to be able to have an effect on US elections with passive aggressive rants, in order to do so you need to flee your socialist utopia for the USA, many people do. You need to get a green card, immigrate, pay taxes and take a test, finally, after your swearing in ceremony you will be given the opportunity to participate in our democracy.
Be forewarned though, having fled the mess that Obama wants to bring over here you might not be so quick to bring your mess with you.
'Clearly you are so brainwashed you are incapable of coherent and rational thought'
No, I have just had to live in europe and I still have a house in Canada... Having seen firsthand your propaganda that poses as a free press and having seen first hand the damage a nanny state does to freedom I DO NOT WANT IT HERE.
We know you want Obama because you want us dragged down to your level. No thanks.
@Not a citizen, no vote ian
You seem to have overlooked the fact that American citizens abroad DO have the right to vote, and their numbers are quite sufficient to sway the vote in many s States.
Your continuing comments are simply providing further examples of your obvious ignorance about the country you live in
What a madhouse - is there anyone actually supposed to be running the asylum ?
'IanSep 26th, 2008 - 18:55:11
You seem to have overlooked the fact that American citizens abroad DO have the right to vote, and their numbers are quite sufficient to sway the vote in many s States.'
No idiot, had you read what I had written you might have seen that I did address the fact that they can vote, however their numbers have never been enough to sway anything.
'Your continuing comments are simply providing further examples of your obvious ignorance about the country you live in'
Spoken from someone with obvious ignorance about the country he DOES NOT live in. Fix your own mess Ian before you presume to lecture us about ours.
I am going to vote for McCain precisely because he will not surrender American sovereignty to arrogant foreign schmucks who think they they ought to have a say over our freedoms because they can whine loudest. We do not live for your approval.
Here I am slumming again! This website get's the absolute dumbest of the dumb when it comes to necon dingbats. It's good for an occasional laugh, but geez guys go back to high school and make something of yourselves.
@Go read the guardian and call it 'news'
You wrote - 'however their numbers have never been enough to sway anything..'
Instead of your bone-headed refusal to face facts, perhaps you should educate yourself a little and try to widen your understanding of the current situation. The following extracts from the news today may help-
Around 6 million U.S. voters live overseas .
Democrats and Republican Party activists had increased their efforts to court voters overseas
``There are voters here in Britain from battleground states like Florida and Ohio, and when you remember what happened in Florida ... it's clear small numbers of votes can make a difference,'
If (as you claim) these voters can't have any effect, why are both parties putting so much effort into attracting the votes, with canvasers travelling to various countries to spread the parties' messsages ?
RUBBISH !
There is NO poll organisation that can take a minute sample of public opinion and extrapolate it into a forecast for the total population.
A sample of a mere 5,000 to forecast the intentions of 220 million !!!!!!
It is too stupid to even waste time considering. It is pure mathematical bullshit gone mad.
Regardless of what any expert pollster says -IT IS IMPOSSIBLE.
A human population is not homogeneous and actions are both suspect, deviant and infinitely variable. Lies, deception and many other human factors can be present in abundance. So you get 5,000 pieces of paper or answers that are not worth the paper they are written on.
PERCENTAGES are even worse ! Percentages treated logically in a scientific sense can mean a great deal and ARE a vital method of evaluation in many cases, but they are often used to deceive the more gullible amongst us. Especially in media, authority and Government circles.
? 10,000 people live in an area of Florida. One year a person is killed by an alligator. The second year two people are killed.
HEADLINES in the press and a national emergency is declared !
' DEATHS DUE TO ALLIGATOR ATTACKS INCREASE BY 100% ! '
The intention here is not to compare these two deaths with the fact that 1,000 people died falling out of bed over the same period, but to create panic and concern against a creature that has been with us since before the Dinosaurs.
Absolute crap - just forget polls, they are as idiotic as the people producing them.
'Instead of your bone-headed refusal to face facts, perhaps you should educate yourself a little and try to widen your understanding of the current situation. '
LOL, Absentee ballots have been a fact of life for ages... They do not swing elections unless you are counting the military vote as absentee and they vote Republican overwhelmingly.
'Around 6 million U.S. voters live overseas . '
Yes, but only about a million vote and most of them are military, even according to the article you that you only posted the details that make your case...
''There are voters here in Britain from battleground states like Florida and Ohio, and when you remember what happened in Florida'
In Florada most of the absentee vote is military and members of the military have a good voting infrastructure already.
'If (as you claim) these voters can't have any effect, '
I didn't say they 'Can't', I said that 'their numbers have never been enough to sway anything.' I should have been more specific: The non military absentee vote from goddamn europe has never been enough to sway anything. So by all means, lets get the military vote counted. Anyone else stupid enough to vote for Obama you can keep, and you can take a whole bunch of 'X-Pats' back while you are at it.
1) He spoke with authority on the economy, which was supposed to be his 'weak suit'
2) He spoke with experience in warfare, which Obama is woefully ignorant of.
3) He put out his record for all to see of his disagreements with Bush
4) He kept his calm every time Obama interrupted him, numerous times
5) Obama looked aggressive the whole debate, and did not keep his facial language cool. McCain did.
6) McCain finished strong, Obama did not.
And consider: this was after Obama had spent a few days down in Florida preparing for this debate, while McCain had no time to do so.
So the next debate that comes up - a townhall event down here in Nashville - McCain will clean Obama's clock.
The American Republic returns on September 11, 2008,
----------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------
A Letter to The United States Congress and to The American People
Americans have lost their way by choice and coercion propagated by those that wish to have it all. Americans that have plenty are not bothered by the confusion and rape of the land and its people. The Americans that outnumber the wealthy are the ones that suffer in America. The idea of a Republic of America was an original perfect form of government. The ones that made the choice to write on paper their ideas for a perfect form of government were themselves imperfect. The document called the Constitution is a promise on paper and in spirit to Americans to protect and to serve Americans, our Nation with truth. That has not happened, thus the discord and confusion within our nation to Americans.
Our Nation, our Homeland has been sold, raped, and ravaged by many outsiders and insider traitors, which have allowed our eagle our National symbol to be locked in a cage with little sustenance. Our Star our symbol of truth has been buried in the sand with the trash of other nations.
This is not acceptable, and will be resolved.
Our current Congress has forsaken our nation by giving little and taking so much for themselves and their financial supporters. Congress has allowed Capitalist Businesses from within and out to take over our Nation and rule by the power of selfish money and lies.
Our Great and once powerful Military are ruled by those that give false and deceptive orders coupled by untruthful commands. They, the soldiers of our fortunes are engaged in ambiguous battle campaigns fighting under and for False Flag counter intelligence fueled by deceptive propaganda rhetoric. Human lives on all sides are dying for the few that have lost their way thru choice.
Our President, our leader of our Nation has with his advisors and financial empire brokers reinforced the ultimate crime to humanity by lying to himself, his family and his country. Our business leaders have lied to our Nation and prostituted our ingenuity to others for unnatural profit.
There are too many Americans that have some or little or none, and that Ladies and Gentlemen is not acceptable. Congress and others have failed to provide even the basics for our Nation to thrive. Too many selfish secrets, many which are known amongst a few, are tearing our Nation and Planet apart. By allowing those that know what lies behind the looking glass, to control the masses at will is an affront to GOD.
There is too much advertised hatred and racial prejudice fed by ignorance and choice. Religions have taken front seat to freedom and truth, thus confusing those that wish to know the truth, by self-choice.
On September 11, 2008, in Los Angeles, California, United States of America, we Americans can and will make a choice to free our Eagle from its cage of captors, allowing it to be stronger and fly higher than ever before, and unearth and restore our Star to its rightful brilliance from the sand of trash of other Nations, and take back our country from those that have stolen it from us all. Annuit Copetis.
We have learned from the past, and we have learned from the present, now we will make a choice to either continue with America as is, or Change America to a True Republic that truly represents the sincere interests of its people and other Nations. It is not an impossible task to overcome; all it takes is an honest choice and the will to sacrifice.
We are a Legion of many, who will live a life of peace, and have respect for all living things, while having considerations for those who are different, and look for ways to truly accommodate those who are slow in understanding.
We support the poor, helpless, and defenseless people. We support the freedom of Women, we support the sane treatment of animals and the environment, and we support the freedom of religion and expression. We do not support ignorance, period.
We are a growing nation of people that encourage all Americans to become part of the New American Republic!
CHANGE FOR AMERICA FOR AMERICANS!
NOVUS ORDO SECLORUM
Judah Ben-Hur, Sui Juris
Ambassador
The American Republic
Diplomatic Mission: North America
A Sovereign Republic
As a dying 3rd rate power with crumbling infrastructure, overcrowded schools with high school children who cant find Canada on the map. As a country rife with corporate corruption and voting fraud. As a bully 'bullying' smaller countries. As an insecure military power intent on adventure and eventual self-destruction. As a country with a financial crisis that seems to be unending and an economy that is collapsing. As a country with a president that NEVER had a clue, and who let an insane vice-president, former gung-ho defence secretary and jew deputy defence secretary run his foreign policies.
You and 'reasons' make you stupid as a post!
Barack Obama as next President of The United States of America
The die is cast and for reasons that only a privileged few know, you Sir, will be the next President of the United States of America. Your next 4 years will be a turning point in US history and planet earth. CHANGE, your advisors and high stake investors offer the nation will undoubtedly be the same rhetoric and empty promises that make up a political campaign, that campaigns for appointment for any public office in America.
The White House will be the Black House to some, the Aryan Brothers of America will not be so happy, but yet will blame you and your staff if you fail, which will reinforce their belief that the Aryan Nation is the true leader for America. The religious zealots will be busy bees making nests to survive the onslaught of lies, corruption and deceit. Business enterprises and other competing nations will capitalize off of your inexperience in the art of corruption and murder. The organized crime organizations from different nations including our own will benefit from the lack of control over national crime.
Military governments including our own will test your tolerance to pain and deception and trick you into needless and profitable domestic and international conflict. You will no doubt attempt to colorize your staff to soften the race conflict once in office.
As President you will be President. Nations will respect you only for your title of office. Americans will soon see after your appointment as President that your intentions were manipulated by those that make the rules. You will fill the spot in history as planned, and nothing more.
You will never while in office be able to pull the troops from conflict in any land we are engaged in. As a matter of fact we as a nation will be engaged in a new conflict of war, which will galvanize Americans to seek a different form of government and a different and honest Congress.
You will attempt to shore up Americas problems with false promise and lies, because you cannot directly affect the CHANGE you promised.
Your frustration will be your downfall while in office, and your co-dependence on those that you trust will also add to your demise.
Our Armed Forces in rank will respect you as good soldiers they are, but those under them will not, and for good reasons, that only a good soldier knows.
America will not be America until its government respects the People, and tells the truth. America is a Republic, not a Democracy or Fascist Government or is it?
Until you can walk thru the streets and neighborhoods of America unaided by Secret Service or any other law enforcement agency you will not be respected by the many, only by the fearful and selfish few. Americans can protect their leaders if they are honest and respectful of the people they were elected to serve. Our Government has forsaken us for many hundreds of years, and now we will wait until your 4 years are finished for us to come to fruition.
CHANGE FOR AMERICA FOR AMERICANS!
The American Republic
A Sovereign Republic
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SP4Sep 26th, 2008 - 04:54:28
As a matter of fact there is nothing wrong with the economy. The whole thing is a plot by the libnazi press to discredit Bush and destroy McCain's election hopes. The Dems are behind this fiendish, outragous lie campaign. They will stop at nothing to get Obama elected. I wouldn't be surprised if they have a hit team ready to inject John with Ricin or Anthrax.
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