No Man’s Blog

John McCain stood the political world on its ear yesterday when he announced that he would suspend his campaign in order to address the credit crisis.

Is it a political move, an example of “country first,” or a little bit of both?

Both, I think.

That said, however, in order to avoid being forever branded a political opportunist (instead of a political maverick) McCain has to take care of one essential piece of business just as soon as he gets to Washington D.C. today.  He needs to go straight to the White House, look George Bush straight in the eye, and say “no” to the $700 billion Hank Paulson bailout abortion.

Then he needs to go to the Senate, roll up his sleeves, and stay there until an alternative plan can be concocted to help solve the financial crisis.  (It also wouldn’t hurt if he conferred with Newt Gingrich before engaging in the Senate debate.)

If he fails to do either, this entire episode will undoubtedly be remembered as rank political theater.

* * *

At the Townhall blog, reader Sarah reports:

I just contacted Sen. John McCain’s DC office not 1/2 an hour ago (of whom I am a constituent) and was informed by the nice woman on the other end that Sen. McCain is voting NO on the $700 billion “No Wall Street Banker Left Behind” bill.

I hope she’s not imagining things.

* * *

Barack Obama’s response to McCain’s suggestion that the Friday night debate be postponed:  He’ll return to Washington if it will be helpful.  In the meantime, he’ll stay in Florida to continue taking his debating classes.  And the debate will go on, he says.  He’ll look pretty silly up there debating himself.  Maybe he’ll take a sock puppet up on the stage with him so he’ll have someone to talk to.

On second though, who needs a sock puppet?  He already has Joe Biden….

* * *

Mika Brzezinski of MSNBC’s Morning Joe was bloody furious about the McCain announcement this morning.  She was so mad she was stuttering.  It’s not presidential to play “dare games,” she sputtered.

What else are you going to say when your party and your GOD have been owned by The Maverick?

* * *

And what do the Daily Kos Kidz think about John McCain’s announcement?

Dude, what’s up with McCain’s left eye?

No, I’m not joking.  Read the comments to this Kos diary.

Also, here’s another “McCain eye” post on HuffPo.

* * *

Rasmussen poll on the bailout plan (from Tuesday):

• Opposed: 44%
• In favor: 25%
• Undecided: 31%

Here’s Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown on his constituents’ reaction to the Paulson plan:

Like my colleagues, my phones have been ringing off the hook. The sentiment from Ohioans about this proposal is universally negative.

That says something, but it doesn’t really matter.  Congress will vote for this thing (with a couple of minor changes).  If anything, they’ll vote for it simply so they can go on recess as scheduled.

* * *

I’d love to be a fly on the wall in the White House this afternoon when George Bush, Obama, McCain, and the Congressional leadership meet to discuss the bailout proposal.  I think the meeting might be a perfect opportunity for McCain to let his famous temper fly.

* * *

Say no, McCain.

Technorati Tags: John McCain, suspend his campaign, credit crisis, political move, country first, political opportunist, maverick, Washington D.C., White House, George Bush, $700 billion, Hank Paulson, Senate, alternative plan, financial crisis, Newt Gingrich, Senate debate, rank political theater, Barack Obama, Friday night debate, postponed, Florida, Joe Biden, Mika Brzezinski, MSNBC, Morning Joe, announcement, Daily Kos, Rasmussen poll, Ohio Senator, Sherrod Brown, constituents, Paulson plan, Congress, recess, Congressional leadership, bailout proposal

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