John McCain today announced that he is suspending his campaign in order to travel back to Washington, DC and work on the financial crisis that is not only gripping the American economy, but the world economy. First reaction? Bravo, McCan, bravo.
But there’s a lot more at work here then the financial crisis. Over the past week and half, McCain’s campaign has been mum on what he would do had this happened on his watch. In the interest of fairness – neither has Obama. So where am I seeing the fly in the ointment?
Well the first thing we should pay attention to is what coincides with this aannouncement. It is clear as day that the only change in the last 48 hours has been a national surge in polling toward Mr Obama. Reports are also coming in that Senator Obama had been in contact with Senator McCain as recently as this morning about issuing a joint statement about their shared principles regarding this meltdown on Wall St.
At no time did the two candidates discuss suspension of the campaign or postponing debates until the announcement today from John McCain. So I now wonder, why the need to hold off? I’ve been incredibly frustrated in recent weeks with the McCain campaigns insistence on avoiding the major issues of this campaign, namely:
- Who is Governor Palin and why isn’t she talking to the press?
- Why are you flipping all over the place on your economic views?
- Are you really trying to distract all of us with non-starter issues like Obama’s “lipstick on a pig” comment?
It’s honestly surreal to see how McCain is approaching the general election. Maybe he thinks ignorance is bliss, but I’m banking on the American people to not let him off the hook – I know Obama’s camp isn’t. The debate is on.
