CAG FastPoll: Will McCain Make the Debate Tomorrow?

[mykevermin]

Question's in the title.

[JolietJake]

I hope not, i'd love to see Obama show up and McCain miss it. Just because it would be so strange. I have no idea what effect it would have on either campaign.

[cochesecochese]

No.

I am anxiously awaiting the output of the spin machine.

[dmaul1114]

I think he'll be there. He'd look to be otherwise, if he doesn't show up and Obama does a town hall.

I was worried doing that would fly in Obama's face, but it seems like people mostly saw throw McCain's stunt and if he doesn't show up Obama can really toss the "a president has to be able to juggle multiple things" and the "people need to hear from the next president" stuff at McCain to great effect if he has the stage to himself.

[cochesecochese]

If he does show up it will be even worse. I think the term is 'flip-flopper.'

[Koggit]

Yes, he'll show up. The debate will go on with or without him. Not showing up would be political suicide.

[happy]

I would have said yes a few hours ago, but now with rumors that McCain is killing the plan they had put together it's clear he isn't making the debate.

That said, the democrats should have a vote, they easily have 60 votes for it considering how many republicans are going into tight races and how easily this could be used against them.

[Chase]

Considering various reports and how McCain looks like he had a stroke in recent pictures, I doubt he'll make the Friday debate. Perhaps he'll decide to attend the other two.

As for Palin, if she were a smart, strong, independent woman she wouldn’t allow herself to be treated like an ornament. I look forward to the Vice Presidential debate and watching her struggle to form a relevant, coherent thought.

[niceguyshawne]

He will be there. The whole "suspending the campaign" stunt didn't work.

[dmaul1114]

If he does show up it will be even worse. I think the term is 'flip-flopper.'

True, but he could at least defend himself vs. it being a one man show, which was my point.

It's not going to turn out well for him either way, but better for him to be there and at least try to respond.

[freakyzeeky]

He better be there if he doesn't want his poll numbers to slide down further... ;)

[mykevermin]

I hope he makes a WWE-style run-in, replete with theme music and brandishing a folding chair.

[RAMSTORIA]

i think he will. skipping the debate will hurt him, even if his stunt is "successful", im sure his campaign is aware of this.

[homeland]

If he doesn't show up, are the networks still going to air Obama answering the crowds questions? And if he can't make it why not just send in Palin?

[dmaul1114]

If he doesn't show up, are the networks still going to air Obama answering the crowds questions?

It's a CNN debate, so I imagine it would at least be on there. Some networks may decide to show something else. But who knows, since they wouldn't have time to advertise anything new.


And if he can't make it why not just send in Palin?

They obviously have no confidence in her given shielding her from most interviews, and wanting to cancel this debate and do it in place of the VP debate next week (presumably to give Palin more time to prepare).

And after the terrible interview with Katie Couric, their lack of confidence is well founded.

[cochesecochese]

If he doesn't show up, are the networks still going to air Obama answering the crowds questions? And if he can't make it why not just send in Palin?

If he doesn't show up, Obama is going to turn the debate into a town hall style meeting and field audience members' questions. The networks will air the session.


*cough* There's a video around here somewhere of Palin interviewing with Couric. How can I put this? Let's just say that while she may not be 'competent' in the traditional sense she's working on it.

edit: damn you, dmaul and your fast fingers

[bigdaddy]

I hope he doesn't I heard this morning in 92 Bush didn't show up and Clinton said he was too afraid to debate.

Several networks won't have anything to air, so Obama will talk and people will listen.

[mykevermin]

So it's not unprecedented for a candidate to skip a debate at the last minute?

[freakyzeeky]

I hope he makes a WWE-style run-in, replete with theme music and brandishing a folding chair.
I rooting for a Beer Track... with a hose! :D

[Ikohn4ever]

Barr said he would debate Obama, that could hurt McCain by getting those few libertarians excited

[Friend of Sonic]

Barr said he would debate Obama, that could hurt McCain by getting those few libertarians excited
That would be cool actually. I'd rather hear a McCain and Obama debate than a McCain debate.

[mykevermin]

Ouch. The ears versus the moustache.

[Friend of Sonic]

Ouch. The ears versus the moustache.
Ears will win because Obama has two of them... which he uses to listen to the American people. 8-)

[thrustbucket]

Ears will win because Obama has two of them... which he uses to listen to the American people. 8-)

:puke:

Nothing more gag-worthy than a true-believer. For anything.

[Koggit]

Bob Barr's mustache is no laughing matter. Facial hair is a legitimate debate strategy

http://yourargumentisinvalid.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/there_is_a_windmill_in_my_beard.jpg

[JolietJake]

Does Barr remind anyone else of Eugene Levy? I swear i've seen Levy in a movie where he looked just like Barr.

[HotShotX]

I say that tomorrow morning, Bush issues an order that both Obama and McCain remain in D.C. until the bailout bill is passed, and the McCain camp uses it to say Obama is shrugging his duties as a Senator if he even so much as utters a disagreement.

~HotShotX

[crunchb3rry]

He'll make the debates. He never intended on missing them. The whole thing was pure publicity stunt...just like his VP pick. He just thinks we're all stupid enough not to see that.

[SpazX]

IMO, he has to be there or he's pretty much finished, so he'll definitely be there.

[Friend of Sonic]

:puke:

Nothing more gag-worthy than a true-believer. For anything.
Damn, I know Newegg had some sarcasm detectors in this morning. Let me use their "stock notifier" and I'll send you a PM when they come back into stock, k?

[bigdaddy]

He'll make the debates. He never intended on missing them. The whole thing was pure publicity stunt...just like his VP pick. He just thinks we're all stupid enough not to see that.

This is America, the majority of the country is stupid, so he wins.

[Tybee]

It's official. Chicken Little is on the plane now.

Sorry "No" people. You lose.

[DJSteel]

It is my opinion that this 'bail out' would have been resolved two days ago if this wasn't so close to election.

[cochesecochese]

Perfect. After mucking up the negotiating process in Washington and leaving everything in shambles now he's going to show up for the debates. What's he going to do next, give Jim Lehrer the clap?

[DJSteel]

Perfect. After mucking up the negotiating process in Washington and leaving everything in shambles now he's going to show up for the debates. What's he going to do next, give Jim Lehrer the clap?

This will be the first debate I'll actually flip between. I'm interested on how Obama and McCain will debate one another especially with all these ads out there. They walk the fine line of slander.

[KingBroly]

It's a foreign policy debate, so...I expect some interesting quotes from Obama. I wonder what happened in that meeting, though.

[Tybee]

I wonder what happened in that meeting, though.

See my post here: http://www.cheapassgamer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=198169&page=6

[MSI Magus]

McCain just announced he will be at the debate

[homeland]

which sucks...as I'd rather want to hear what future President Obama has to say about our fucked up country for a few hours.

[KingBroly]

It's a foreign policy debate. Our country will be excluded from discussion, unless it's to put blame on us.

[homeland]

actually not sure where I read it but the Presidential debate Committee sent out an letter to both Obama and Mccain campaigns last week stating that there was going to be a few questions about the economy at the debate, for obvious reasons.

[thrustbucket]

which sucks...as I'd rather want to hear what future President Obama has to say about our fucked up country for a few hours.

Well you could always paruse sites like mediamatters or dailykos to get a pretty good idea of what he'd say if he did.

[homeland]

you forgot huffingtonpost and crooksandliars!