How About a Sub?
John McCain is suspending his presidential campaign tomorrow in order to return to Washington to work on the economy, and wants to postpone Friday's scheduled debate with Barack Obama.
The Obama campaign, however, wants the debate to continue. What to do? My friend Ray Robinson emailed me with an excellent compromise: have Sarah Palin step in Friday in McCain's place at the debate. The proposal—if accepted by the Obama campaign—would solve several problems at once. For better or ill, the national spotlight on Palin would reveal whether or not Palin is capable of holding her own in the national spotlight, and depending on the questions asked, could shred light on her suitability to lead if needed. The Obama campaign has bent over backwards to belittle Palin as a small town mayor incapable of performing under the pressure. Now is a great time to prove it.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at 03:43 PM
Comments
1
My son just made the same suggestion! Let the debate go on!
Posted by: Roberta at September 24, 2008 03:46 PM (jqm25)
2
I wonder how Greasy Joe is going to explain to his son's that he got beat by a girl...
Posted by: Buffoon at September 24, 2008 03:57 PM (nx4ox)
3
Yessssssssss...this was my first reaction, as well.
She does not have to be in DC, can't vote anyway unlike the 3 others.
Unleash SarahCuda on Obambi seeing him running for the hills at Ole Miss!!!
She does not have to be in DC, can't vote anyway unlike the 3 others.
Unleash SarahCuda on Obambi seeing him running for the hills at Ole Miss!!!
Posted by: Carlos Echevarria at September 24, 2008 04:15 PM (CsNoJ)
4
This is a pure political stunt pulled by McCain and it's not going to work.
I don't know what Kool-Aid you're drinking if you think that Palin could actual beat Obama in a debate. Palin could barely answer the questions in the interview with Charlie Gibson.
McCain is like a little kid who walks away from the game when he starts losing.
I don't know what Kool-Aid you're drinking if you think that Palin could actual beat Obama in a debate. Palin could barely answer the questions in the interview with Charlie Gibson.
McCain is like a little kid who walks away from the game when he starts losing.
Posted by: mj at September 24, 2008 04:27 PM (bIZLx)
5
@mj:
This is a pure political stunt pulled by McCain and it's not going to work. .....McCain is like a little kid who walks away from the game when he starts losing. McCain is like a little kid who walks away from the game when he starts losing.
Given that consensus opinion was that McCain did better than Obama at the Saddleback Forum,and is much more willing than Obama to participate in a Townhall-type forum, that argument doesn't carry much weight.
This is a pure political stunt pulled by McCain and it's not going to work. .....McCain is like a little kid who walks away from the game when he starts losing. McCain is like a little kid who walks away from the game when he starts losing.
Given that consensus opinion was that McCain did better than Obama at the Saddleback Forum,and is much more willing than Obama to participate in a Townhall-type forum, that argument doesn't carry much weight.
Posted by: Gringo at September 24, 2008 04:31 PM (2oa2Z)
6
You think Obama will let that happen? He knows Palin is much more intelligent and knowledgeable than he is.
Posted by: Capitalist Infidel at September 24, 2008 04:39 PM (kNqJV)
7
mj
You are being so nice as to protect us from the embarrassment of Obama destroying Palin in a debate. How thoughtful of you.
But maybe we consider the risk of Palin debating the tongue-tied, dishonest one worth it, despite the certainty of failure. We (the people) need someone responsible and informed--and not bought off by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac crooks-- in Washington as our government decides upon how to protect our financial system.
Seems reasonable to me. Obama debates with the person the most equivalent to him while the Senator who has been warning the USA about this current financial disaster goes back to Washington to take care of business.
You are being so nice as to protect us from the embarrassment of Obama destroying Palin in a debate. How thoughtful of you.
But maybe we consider the risk of Palin debating the tongue-tied, dishonest one worth it, despite the certainty of failure. We (the people) need someone responsible and informed--and not bought off by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac crooks-- in Washington as our government decides upon how to protect our financial system.
Seems reasonable to me. Obama debates with the person the most equivalent to him while the Senator who has been warning the USA about this current financial disaster goes back to Washington to take care of business.
Posted by: iconoclast at September 24, 2008 04:44 PM (ex0JG)
8
Palin would clean his clock and he knows it. He would never agree. I love his reaction, so presidential, to the financial crisis, "IF you need me, call me." Is that what he plans to do if he is president? The guy is such a narcissistic weasel.
Posted by: Sara at September 24, 2008 05:51 PM (Wi/N0)
9
Didn't Palin just have her first meeting with a couple of foreign leaders this week?
Posted by: smitty at September 24, 2008 06:03 PM (DVEYo)
10
"Palin would clean his clock and he knows it. He would never agree. I love his reaction, so presidential, to the financial crisis, "IF you need me, call me." Is that what he plans to do if he is president? The guy is such a narcissistic weasel."
Posted by: Sara at September 24, 2008 05:51 PM
Seriously, you're completely wasted, right?
Posted by: Sara at September 24, 2008 05:51 PM
Seriously, you're completely wasted, right?
Posted by: jlo at September 24, 2008 06:40 PM (7FxR2)
11
I hope you don't mind, but I have to ref this on the radio this evening...genius idea. Wish I had thought of it. Will give you all the credit, trust me. 9 PM ET
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/HeadingRight/ASKShow
Good luck to us all!!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stations/HeadingRight/ASKShow
Good luck to us all!!
Posted by: THIRDWAVEDAVE at September 24, 2008 06:53 PM (aU+VM)
12
Wow. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. Palin cleaning the clocks of Biden and Obama in a debate? She has one format where she is competent, and that is the on the QVC infomercial format with Hannity, where the "questions" are all orchestrated and the responses boilerplate talking points. The campaign knows she can't handle much else, hence they are barring reporters from covering her meeting with foreign leaders, and allowing only photographers to snap the pageantry.
Posted by: StJoe at September 24, 2008 06:57 PM (IIdii)
13
St Joe
Then you have no problem with Palin debating Barracky as well as tail gunner Joe, right? Watching Palin vs the drooling idiot (Joe Biden) or the handpuppet (Barracky) would be lots of fun.
Can't edit out responses, astroturf, or read a teleprompter at a live debate. Definitely a problem for Barracky or tail gunner Joe.
Then you have no problem with Palin debating Barracky as well as tail gunner Joe, right? Watching Palin vs the drooling idiot (Joe Biden) or the handpuppet (Barracky) would be lots of fun.
Can't edit out responses, astroturf, or read a teleprompter at a live debate. Definitely a problem for Barracky or tail gunner Joe.
Posted by: iconoclast at September 24, 2008 07:21 PM (ex0JG)
14
I think its a wonderful idea. I have no doubt that Palin would clearly demonstrate just how qualified she is to hold the office she is seeking.
Posted by: JamesA at September 24, 2008 07:26 PM (h3zht)
15
There's no comparing Palin's experience to McCain on foreign policy. She's never even voted on an international conflict, much less shaped doctrine. Even with Obama's minimal experience, how would she be any more prepped than the name at the top of the ticket?
The proximity to Russia angle can't be a serious part of her experience. I live near an office building, doesn't mean I have the faintest idea what goes on inside.
The proximity to Russia angle can't be a serious part of her experience. I live near an office building, doesn't mean I have the faintest idea what goes on inside.
Posted by: smitty at September 24, 2008 07:26 PM (DVEYo)
16
Huh, if you liberals are so certain that Gov. Palin would get her hat handed to her in a debate with either candidate on the Democratic ticket, I'd have thought you would welcome this with open arms.
Instead I see a lot of hand wringing. Kinda like Obama and this mess his party created.
Instead I see a lot of hand wringing. Kinda like Obama and this mess his party created.
Posted by: Conservative CBU at September 24, 2008 07:28 PM (M+Vfm)
17
Funny, isn't it? Obama and the Democrat Party are screaming that this is the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.....but that it isn't important enough for Obama to stop campaigning.
That alone should tell you where Obama's priorities lie; he cares more about raising money and his own self-aggrandizement than he does about the United States being thrown into a depression.
Then again, look at Stalin; he cemented his grip on power by causing economic misery. Obama would love nothing more than to do the same.
That alone should tell you where Obama's priorities lie; he cares more about raising money and his own self-aggrandizement than he does about the United States being thrown into a depression.
Then again, look at Stalin; he cemented his grip on power by causing economic misery. Obama would love nothing more than to do the same.
Posted by: North Dallas Thirty at September 24, 2008 07:35 PM (E3Yxq)
18
I think we should round up every last liberal in this country and put them in detention centers. Let them whine all they want, it's the only American thing left to do. While they are in there with their ipods and homosexual propaganda, we real patriots can take back this country and make it what it once was. Hail the United States!
Posted by: Joe Ritter at September 24, 2008 07:44 PM (9zeMg)
19
As a resident of Illinois, I'm just fine with the idea that Obama isn't hanging around the Senate actually voting on thing.
Oh, wait. . .
Oh, wait. . .
Posted by: Trish at September 24, 2008 07:48 PM (bV0Py)
20
Holy cow, Joe Ritter: that's so over the top, I don't know what to say. Don't pull your punches -- tell us what you *really* think. You're kidding, right?
Does Uncle Joe here speak for anyone else on this thread?
Does Uncle Joe here speak for anyone else on this thread?
Posted by: kentropic at September 24, 2008 07:55 PM (D06iB)
21
No, absolutely. I mean it. These people aren't americans, they're communist pigs. How are we gonna fix this mess they made with them still hanging around second guessing every good idea? Take this bailout plan for instance, all the liberals are whining about it from every direction while the good ol' Americans are trusting their leaders like their leaders trust God. Maybe instead of complaining about the supposed "golden parachutes" given to executives of "failing" companies, these liberal scumbags should get off their butts and make some of their own money for a change. These corporations deserve our help, they're what makes America great. Equal rights means equal effort, pinkos.
Posted by: Joe Ritter at September 24, 2008 08:00 PM (9zeMg)
22
No one should be voting for a Palin ticket, they should be voting for a McCain/Palin ticket. The vice-presidential nominees will have their time to debate, but right now the presidential nominees are up.
You don't start game 6 with a player fresh from the minors. You put in the veteran, literally and figuratively.
You don't start game 6 with a player fresh from the minors. You put in the veteran, literally and figuratively.
Posted by: smitty at September 24, 2008 08:02 PM (DVEYo)
23
PLEASE GOD!!!!
Let McCain send Sarah to tear up on Obama for Friday debate....
If BObama declines, he eats crow for backing down...
If he goes forward, Palin kicks his ASS!!!!!
Please God, Please God, Please God......
Let McCain send Sarah to tear up on Obama for Friday debate....
If BObama declines, he eats crow for backing down...
If he goes forward, Palin kicks his ASS!!!!!
Please God, Please God, Please God......
Posted by: babj615 at September 24, 2008 08:08 PM (q3zNO)
24
That's right, babj. Then maybe all the losers out there will realize what a horrible choice Osama would be. He's not even American; bet you liberals didn't know that.
Posted by: Joe Ritter at September 24, 2008 08:10 PM (9zeMg)
25
Hello, troll!
The raving racist "conservative" Joe Ritter is posting from 24.185.85.189 in Centereach, NY, accessing the page in Firefox on Linux.
He came over from a liberal blog... I'll let you guess which one.
The raving racist "conservative" Joe Ritter is posting from 24.185.85.189 in Centereach, NY, accessing the page in Firefox on Linux.
He came over from a liberal blog... I'll let you guess which one.
Posted by: Confederate Yankee at September 24, 2008 08:25 PM (HcgFD)
26
I don\\\'t know why all these liberals think that Palin isn\\\'t cut out for debate. Just one look at the woman and you know that she\\\'s educated and eloquent. Unlike stammering Obama.
Posted by: hrams35627 at September 24, 2008 08:31 PM (MUq23)
27
Gov Palin better be educated, she went to six different schools!
The idea is very entertaining, but right now we need to stay off the ropes. Palin hasn't endured a primary race against Huckabee and Romney, McCain has. She hasn't gone up against Hilary either, and like him or not, Obama has.
So let's be serious here. McCain has nothing to be worried about in an impromptu setting. Suggesting Palin has proven herself is wishful thinking. She has a long way to go.
The idea is very entertaining, but right now we need to stay off the ropes. Palin hasn't endured a primary race against Huckabee and Romney, McCain has. She hasn't gone up against Hilary either, and like him or not, Obama has.
So let's be serious here. McCain has nothing to be worried about in an impromptu setting. Suggesting Palin has proven herself is wishful thinking. She has a long way to go.
Posted by: smitty at September 24, 2008 09:21 PM (DVEYo)
28
I don't know why people keep belittling Palin, like she's never been interviewed on TV or been in a debate before.
It's true that she wasn't in a presidential primary, but she had to go through several debates in the gubernatorial primary and something like 23 debates in the actual gubernatorial election. She could hold her own very well. Do spend a few minutes on YouTube and look for clips of her interviews (before running for VP) and debate appearances. She is not going to be easy pickings for either Joe Biden or Barack Obama.
And it is funny how loudly they protest when we suggest that Palin debate Obama. If she were really so stupid, why not let her debate the great orator himself? That should be a slamdunk for the Democrats, right? What better way to show to the nation that Palin is undeserving to run for national office?
I think that Democrats, in their gut, know that Palin is somebody to reckon with. They can scream to the rafters all they want, that Palin is an idiot, and it still won't change the fact that she is an intelligent, coherent, articulate, no-nonsense politician.
In other words, she's merely the Democrats' biggest nightmare.
It's true that she wasn't in a presidential primary, but she had to go through several debates in the gubernatorial primary and something like 23 debates in the actual gubernatorial election. She could hold her own very well. Do spend a few minutes on YouTube and look for clips of her interviews (before running for VP) and debate appearances. She is not going to be easy pickings for either Joe Biden or Barack Obama.
And it is funny how loudly they protest when we suggest that Palin debate Obama. If she were really so stupid, why not let her debate the great orator himself? That should be a slamdunk for the Democrats, right? What better way to show to the nation that Palin is undeserving to run for national office?
I think that Democrats, in their gut, know that Palin is somebody to reckon with. They can scream to the rafters all they want, that Palin is an idiot, and it still won't change the fact that she is an intelligent, coherent, articulate, no-nonsense politician.
In other words, she's merely the Democrats' biggest nightmare.
Posted by: Anna at September 25, 2008 02:23 AM (x9tK1)
29
The reason liberals are so weak at pretending to be conservatives is, as studies show, they lack the capacity for empathy.
Posted by: w3bgrrl at September 25, 2008 06:00 AM (++F+m)
30
Joe, you're missing the first part of the boilerplate: "As a concerned conservative Christian and lifelong Republican..."
Now take a deep breath, reread Axelrod's talking points, and come back under another name, We'll still be here.
Now take a deep breath, reread Axelrod's talking points, and come back under another name, We'll still be here.
Posted by: Steve Skubinna at September 25, 2008 06:49 AM (1ii59)
31
KROFT: Why you? I mean, why do you think you would be a good president?
OBAMA: Well, I was going to get to that.
KROFT: Go ahead.
OBAMA: You know, I’m a, I’m a practical person. One of the things I’m good at is getting people in a room with a bunch of different ideas who sometimes violently disagree with each other and finding common ground and a sense of common direction. And that’s the kind of approach that I think prevents you from making some of the enormous mistakes that we’ve seen over the last eight years.
Isn't this exactly what John McCain is doing ?
So it now takes an invitation from the President to get Obama to join in the discussions .. LOL
OBAMA: Well, I was going to get to that.
KROFT: Go ahead.
OBAMA: You know, I’m a, I’m a practical person. One of the things I’m good at is getting people in a room with a bunch of different ideas who sometimes violently disagree with each other and finding common ground and a sense of common direction. And that’s the kind of approach that I think prevents you from making some of the enormous mistakes that we’ve seen over the last eight years.
Isn't this exactly what John McCain is doing ?
So it now takes an invitation from the President to get Obama to join in the discussions .. LOL
Posted by: Neo at September 25, 2008 07:45 AM (Yozw9)
32
I'm glad McCain is stepping up and moving focus to the bigger issue at hand here, I just wish his timing had been better (re: the polls).
I also don't understand why he waited a week to call Dodd who's running the committee or say on the record he hadn't read the three page bailout proposal to the press.
To quote Elmore Leonard, "when you're important, people will wait." They can't give the guy thirty minutes to read the thing over? Between Fiorina and Bounds, with staffers like those who needs enemies?
I'm glad McCain is stepping up and moving focus to the bigger issue at hand here, I just wish his timing had been better (re: the polls).
I also don't understand why he waited a week to call Dodd who's running the committee or say on the record he hadn't read the three page bailout proposal to the press.
To quote Elmore Leonard, "when you're important, people will wait." They can't give the guy thirty minutes to read the thing over? Between Fiorina and Bounds, with staffers like those who needs enemies?
Posted by: smitty at September 25, 2008 11:25 AM (DVEYo)
33
So, uh, is your point that McCain should really let his VP selection answer direct questions from reporters or debate moderators?
No kidding? Wow. You're almost as mavericky as the GOP candidate.
No kidding? Wow. You're almost as mavericky as the GOP candidate.
Posted by: Dan at September 25, 2008 11:37 AM (gplbl)
34
For those of you that think the campaigns should be suspended because this is the biggest crisis since the Great Depression: did the candidates suspend their campaigns during the actual Great Depression? Or during World War II? Or during the Civil War?
Also I'm not clear on how McCain can be suspending his campaign but still doing interviews with Katie Couric.
Also I'm not clear on how McCain can be suspending his campaign but still doing interviews with Katie Couric.
Posted by: Ted at September 25, 2008 12:06 PM (Iw3rm)
35
There's a coordinated leftist moby effort going on right now.
Posted by: PA at September 25, 2008 05:29 PM (hzcgO)
36
I am not protesting the idea of having Palin debate Obama or Biden. I am just baffled that anyone thinks she is ready to hold her own in a debate about national, not Alaskan, politics after being immersed in national politics for about a month. This is the person who, until she was tapped for VP nominee, admitted she had not thought much about Iraq. She also had deer in headlights syndrome on a number of questions during the Katie Couric interview.
It doesn't matter if you've been in a debate setting before. The topics matter, and Palin hasn't been conversant with topics of national political importance for very long at all. It's like asking a lawyer who has practiced mergers and acquisitions his whole life to suddenly step in to argue before the Supreme Court on a patent law case. General oratorical skills are necessary, but not sufficient to succeed in a debate. You need to have some developed substantive viewpoints or folks will see right through you. Judging from what she's said in public so far, I don't think Palin has them.
It doesn't matter if you've been in a debate setting before. The topics matter, and Palin hasn't been conversant with topics of national political importance for very long at all. It's like asking a lawyer who has practiced mergers and acquisitions his whole life to suddenly step in to argue before the Supreme Court on a patent law case. General oratorical skills are necessary, but not sufficient to succeed in a debate. You need to have some developed substantive viewpoints or folks will see right through you. Judging from what she's said in public so far, I don't think Palin has them.
Posted by: StJoe at September 25, 2008 11:17 PM (IIdii)
37
I think we should round up every last liberal in this country and put them in detention centers. Let them whine all they want, it's the only American thing left to do. While they are in there with their ipods and homosexual propaganda, we real patriots can take back this country and make it what it once was. Hail the United States!
Posted by Joe Ritter at September 24, 2008 07:44 PM
I think we should round up every last Jew, Gypsy, homosexual, and communist and put them in concentration camps. Let them whine all they want, it's the only German thing left to do. While they are in there with their Ipods and homosexual propaganda, we real Nazis can take back this country and make it into an empire that will last a thousand years. Hail the Fatherland!
Could have been posted by Der Fuehrer himself.
Gee, Joe (Goebbels?), Hitler couldn't have said it better.
Posted by Joe Ritter at September 24, 2008 07:44 PM
I think we should round up every last Jew, Gypsy, homosexual, and communist and put them in concentration camps. Let them whine all they want, it's the only German thing left to do. While they are in there with their Ipods and homosexual propaganda, we real Nazis can take back this country and make it into an empire that will last a thousand years. Hail the Fatherland!
Could have been posted by Der Fuehrer himself.
Gee, Joe (Goebbels?), Hitler couldn't have said it better.
Posted by: Simon W. at September 26, 2008 12:08 AM (h3KhM)
38
Is this The Onion site I've heard so much about?
Posted by: secularhuman at September 26, 2008 12:24 AM (3KkLR)
39
secularhuman:
No, not the Onion. Onion actually gets it right every once in a while....................
No, not the Onion. Onion actually gets it right every once in a while....................
Posted by: ukie at September 26, 2008 06:08 PM (Q096i)
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