It was so laughably apparent, when McCain needed to rush to the side of Daddy Bush to resolve the financial crisis, that he was SO grateful not to have to attend the Debate with Obama. And now that he DID make the Debate, after contributing nothing toward a solution, we know why he was nervous. There is nary a spark of anything going on inside that blob atop his shoulders. Yes, he moved his lips and sounds came out, but he said nothing of substance. All he relies on is a sympathy vote for having been a prisoner of war. But, of course, he doesn't want people to know he ratted on his fellow POWs. Or that he graduated fourth from the bottom of his class at Annapolis. Or that his father was a drunk.

How any thinking person can possibly endorse this loser is beyond comprehension. I look forward to future debates in which Obama can show him up without even trying. Obama has class--a quality missing in the White House these past eight years.

McCain can't solve the economic crisis.

This is just a ploy to look more powerful than he is.

Something smells fishy.

He wouldn't go running to "help with the economic crisis (sic)" and cost himself his credibility.

Something smells Silverado. Does McCain have something to do with this Wall Street crisis??

Even the most obtuse McCain/Palin supporters would have to admit that McCain is backing out of tonight's debate because it's highly likely that the subject of the economy will come up. McCain has already publicly stated that he does not understand the economy or how it works. He's afraid (with ample justification) that he will look like a fool trying to answer questions in an area where he is ill-prepared and basically unqualified.

John McCain has been accused of bizarre behaviour in this run-up to his first debate with Barack Obama...

...but US citizens did it first! They accepted GW Bush as President in 2000 and then again in 2004!!

That was extremely bizarre behaviour both times around - and the costs to the world have been huge.

I wonder what bizarre behaviour will US citizens show us now... will they choose McCain+Palin and send the world further down the road to disaster?

-- GSC

McCain might want to smooth those waters over _real_ quick--unless he wants 40-some-odd more days of being called a coward in front of a massive viewing audience...:)

It will be so much fun watching the first debate, with Barack Obama answering serious questions and the empty John McCain chair keeping mum. Debate moderator: "And now for John McCain's response..." Camera shows an empty chair. Moderator: "And now John McCain's view of world events..." Camera shows an empty chair. A quiet, thoughtless empty chair. But at least not an erratic chair. Oh, I am going to enjoy all of that! And there is always the chance that an empty chair will actually help McCain. I mean, after all, look at how Sarah Palin helped his campaign and that reminds me a lot of the concept of "empty."

Why in the world would Obama's refusal to give in to McCain's bluff be dispositive for you? Obama has been more involved than McCain in attempting to find a solution to this crisis. As of Tuesday McCain hadn't even read Paulson's three page proposal. Conversely, McCain campaigned just as much after putting his campaign on hold as Obama did. Finally, it is unclear what McCain's participation has done to move the deal forward. It is possible he is actually giving aid and comfort to the freedom fry republicans in the House who refuse to get on board for purely political reasons. It is possible he won't even support the bill himself (though he has not said why).

I just don't see how there is any way Obama's approach would cost him your vote. I think you probably have other reasons.

"@ red_gti2000

And we hate you. Whether or not you get your Messiah into the White House, that does not go away. We will still hate you.

Gad, man - are you drunk or mentally ill?"

If you're a proud supporter of the Mccain ticket you're probably both.

He can't debate on Friday. Doctors say that it takes a while for the Aricept to kick in. Maybe next time, barring a flood, hurricane, financial meltdown, crisis in the Middle East, or Cindy needing a new shot of botox. Sorry.

I don't think McCain thought up a new way to shake up the campaign at all. I think he's feeling too tired for a debate. Copping out with an excuse may or may not rile the voters, but it's still better than going into a debate with the certainty that you'll lose.

This is part of a pattern. McCain lost the press. Let me write that again, McCain, yes McCain, he who said that the press was his base, lost the press. Mister Access Himself has become totally inaccessible. And the real reason, hidden behind a spin of media critique (partisan media, etc.), is that he doesn't have the energy for that anymore.

Add the errors on foreign policy matters (confusing Shiites and Sunnites, insulting Spain, and so on). I know McCain wasn't very present at work during his years of Experience. Even so, I presume that at age 60 he would have shown some interest for the local circumstances his beloved army must work in, or that he could list the members of NATO. Add the teleprompter problems. The weird way of reading speeches. Even the pick of a veep who's values he does not share (except for the business above all part) and who's ignorance he must disdain. It all fits into the same picture. He's losing it; he's too tired. And in his attempts to hide that fact, he's running from one excuse to the next.

It's becoming clear that McCain is not running because he wants to do anything in particular as president. He wants the presidency as a distinction, something he'll pin on his chest beside the Purple Heart. The administration will be run by others.