If John McCain doesn't have the guts to do a 10-minute segment on "Letterman," the thought of having to face Obama, obviously, scares the Hell out of him. After all, he'll have to do more than use a lot of buzz words and remind everyone for the zillionth time that he was a POW. He will actually have to think on his feet and formulate ideas. In short, he is afraid that Barack will, as we say in the South, tear him a new one.

Which is exactly why McCain is working hard in Washington as we speak, to create total gridlock on the economic bailout.

McCain is looking increasingly erratic. The non-suspension suspension of his campaign doesn't erase that point of view. He flies back to Washington just in time to witness a Republican rebellion against the Paulson bailout lead by Senator Shelby.

We really need somber judgment. Not a gambler.

Maybe McCain can wear an ear piece like Bush did during his debates and have Cheney or Rove or a trained ape tell him what to say. *(The phrase is, in fact, "RIP him a new one."

Hey, this is easy. Just move up the VP debate to Friday night.

Sarah Moosejaw is ready to lead the western world. Surely she needs no more coaching for a debate.

From the intro to the article:

"Leading Republicans say that, short of total gridlock on the economic bailout, a McCain no-show on Friday would be 'a huge political mistake'."

Folks, the criminal enterprise known as the modern-day GOP does not make political mistakes. No doubt there is a lot more going on here than we realize, and however this shenanigan unfolds, they'll gain from it.

Here in Arizona McCain ads are running nightly on TV. If he has to spend TV dollars to convince voters in his "home" state, it's all over.

Dim and boring. You guys are all talking to each other and puffing your chests why your guy is right. He simply isn't. He missed his opportunity to be a statesman and decision maker. He's got his finger in the air figuring out what to say based on public opinion. McCain, as always goes to the fight, your guy hides in the weeds. (or perhaps smoking them) once again phoning in a "not present" vote on the matter. Change we can count on from him?

Bizarre moves by McCain yesterday and today, somewhere between a sincere effort to represent a conservative splinter represented by Newt Gingrich and who knows the Palin worldview and the seeming election grandstanding, obfuscation, in a spirit of righteous indifference to the people who have been working toward an agreement. Bizarre and perhaps a demonstration of the maverick identity that the Senator has reclaimed since Palin happened. I was disappointed to learn the debate needs him to arrive in order to happen. I would be most interested in Obama's answers to Jim Lehrer's questions. But unless McCain shows up, I don't get to hear Obama. As for the maneuver, if McCain intends to represent that conservative splinter as president, he certainly has to do it now. So it may be in the eyes of his supporters and advocates an act of wisdom even though it appears to everyone else to be completely self-serving and self-defeating all at once. He's allowing Obama to demonstrate a far superior executive skill and capacity. It's wonderful for Obama to refrain from cheap shots and to focus on the constructive. Dang, it's great!!

It is the job of the VP to act when the president can't. McCain is in Washington saving civilization as we know it, so Palin has to act in his place in the debate. What better way to know if she is to be the person who is a heartbeat away from the presidency..

I am sure Obama being a nice guy will go easy on her.

Apparently, he now wants even LESS regulation imposed on Wall Street. Not that the old regulations were ever enforced. I really think that the public must insist, based on his bizarre and erratic behavior and appearance, that McCain subject himself to a mandatory and exhaustive psychiatric evaluation, because if, heaven forbid, he's elected President, the first thing he'll receive would be the nuclear code. I have no doubt that if there's ever a nuclear war, a crazed and senile McCain would be the one to start it.

"Prominent Republicans" now say it would be a mistake for John McCain to be a no-show.

However 100% of Republicans, without a single exception, will declare what a brilliant, presidential move it was for him to stay in Washington. That is what 100% Party Loyalty means.

McCain hasn't voted in the senate since May...Why's he opting in now?

If McAncient is having memory problems that are grievous enough to become apparent during this debate, does Obama win by default, or will the Republicans run someone else, like Romney? Or maybe a McClone?

That's one way to look at things, your trollship. Of course, it's a delusional and grossly stupid way, but whatever puts wind in your sails. We in the reality-based community see McCain as a panicked old fart desperate to grab a headline in a situation that didn't need him, running off in all directions like a headless chicken while Obama stayed cool and--what's the word I'm looking for?--oh, yeah: presidential.

Presidential vs. Panicked. Add in one of the most pathetic, overmatched performances I've ever seen from a politician by Sarah "Georgia Bush" Palin with Katie Couric (Katie Couric, for God's sake, not Edward R. Murrow) and the McCain campaign is teetering on the edge of oblivion. Tomorrow's debate will bury it.

Mourners please omit flowers.

McClone? Maybe a wax statue with an endless tape loop reminging us that he was a P.O.W.

For some reason McCain doesn't want to debate Obama at OLE MISS. Why? Cause he know's he'll lose. And, losing at Ole Miss is very symbolic! That's it. The wall street problem gave him an out.

Just look at that hole!

And you're the one who dug it!