Obama speaking:...Wants to debate Friday
By John Amato Tuesday Sep 23, 2008 4:02pmHe's taking questions from reporters and didn't pre-record his statement like McCain. And did you see McCain's left eye? It looked horrible...
We'll have more shortly....
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Yes, I did notice that his left eye seems to be receding. What is up with that?
Maybe he's getting an eye twitch like Inspector Dreyfuss from the Pink Panther movies, from all the hijinks Inspector Palin is getting into.
"I think I just cut off my thumb..."
What a drama-queen weasel that old fart is.
Right on Obama! Don't let these slimy ba$tards get away with this...
wow...maybe the mccain campaign is passing
pink eye between each other....sweeet
McCain Proves “Maverick Status’ with Excuse for Debate Delay
Turns out a President might have to do more than one thing at a time.
Ask them why they won't let Nader in the debate!
Alice X - (Click Here for Nader Debate What If) - status quObama - change you can pretend in - @ 8:
Pretty much the same reason they won't let xoites into the debate.
mccain is a piece of shit ... send him to jail and then watch his cars and houses burn into ash from angry mobs
i mean that's where we are headed ... back to the dark ages lol
peace
<3 annhy
why is the clinton global initiative important enough to attend, but not the presidential debate? if it's so important he's there, go now.
and yes, i noticed the eye. that's the same side as the melanoma. there might be some new cancer, and this might be another reason that he's not releasing his medical records.
just because he says: 'let's set politics aside' does not mean a damn thing. this is ALL POLITICS. dirty politics at that.
Just thinking again about his left eye (cancer side) Do you think he's heading to the Dr. instead of the debate?
That's all we need. A return to medical concerns would really do it.
Obama is just brilliant!!
Clearing up as to who called who about what, stating that it's more important than ever to have the American people learn/know what each candidate's views/ideas/plans are in regards to the economy.
That a President needs to be able to handle more than one thing at a time!!!!
He sounds smart, he knows what's going on, he talks with the people involved in resolving this and makes sure what his views are.
This compared to a bumbling McCain who clearly has no idea what's going on and crisis-jumps once again.
Jeez. His eye does look funny. Maybe the hockey mom went all goon on his ass and gave him a mouse.
On with the debate, senator.
McCain's on the ropes and falling down. Time to start kicking him in the stomach while he's down. He'd do the same thing to Obama if the positions were switched.
I think Cheney punched him in the face over the fact that he is losing in the polls.
Black_Knight @ 15:
Amen, he wanted a back alley knife fight, so give him one!!
Remember in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"..."rules, in a knife fight?" Then Butch kicks him in the huevos!!
A one-sided debate sounds like masterbatory oratory.
I am curious as to why a debate, which takes place Friday night, would be impacted by the Senate work. I tend to think that not much happens in the Senate on a Friday night. I could understand returning to DC to take part in the hearings on the bail-out, but claiming that you can't take part in a debate seems a little bizarre. Furthermore, I am sure the Senate would be just thrilled to have Presidential politics make the issue all the more heated and over-blown.
George Bush is on the case, McCain should know that he can relax.
If his left eye is a manifestation of recurrent cancer (melanoma) then he will have to withdraw. If he does, is Palin the presidential candidate, or will the Republican powers pick someone else?
He seems to be getting twitchier every day. Like a squirrel.
Hey.....palin & mccain.....moose & squirrel.
notice how almost all of the media questions were about campaign strategy (small things) rather than the big issue the bailout. for example, does obama support limits on executive pay - what kind. will he support a bill that doesnt include them? does he support government equity (why cant we say government instead of taxpayers?) in these firms? what about outsourcing the management of this fund to private enterprise (which the republicans seem to want to do)? are any of these things non-starters and what things must be included.
sorry but this speech was horrible - few specifics, mostly generic remarks that mccain can agree to. this would be fine if there were no disagreements between the candidates but there is. what obama is doing (with the help of the media) is cutting out the american public from this debate by failing to have one with mccain.
this makes a lot of sense for mccain because he cant credibly come off as a regulator and foe of wall street when the centerpiece of his economic policy is more tax cuts for these people, but it makes no sense for obama. i feel like i'm watching 2004 all over again - dems afraid to fight! mccain got what he wanted and now he is unilaterally canceling the debate.
http://theprogressivepost.blogspot.com/2008/09/mccains-walk-and-chew-gum...
So, John McCain is suspending his presidential campaign because he wants to devote his full attention to the financial crisis. How convenient. Although, one has to wonder whether it isn't the Dow's falling numbers, but rather something else driving his latest desperate move.
To his credit, Obama is keeping the pressure on McCain, signaling his desire to move forward with Friday's scheduled presidential debate. It should go forward. Obama and McCain have dramatically different ideas about where the country needs go on countless issues including the economy. With the American public's attention tightly focused on the health of their economy, now is the perfect time for the two candidates to lay out their vision and plan for a return to economic prosperity.
Now more than ever, the country needs a President who can focus on more than one issue at a time. Our next President won't get any timeouts in the Oval office. By suspending his campaign, McCain is clearly showing he isn't up to the job's challenges.
Stick of gum John?
ashton @ 19:
I agree but I think he should have said he'd be happy to have the debate switched to DC
ashton @ 19:
A lame excuse by any other name is still a lame excuse.
Does anyone else find this disturbing? How do we respond to this?
Hmm... one of the Presidential candidates, in trying to weasel out of the debate, and threatening to paint his opponent as a political opportunist for (if you can believe it) discussing the issues in front of the voters, looks increasingly dishonorable and cowardly.
Aww, who am I trying to kid by framing this as a blind item... It's McCain! No honor! Coward! Liar! No judgement! ... and those are just the facts.
smk101 @ 26:
No, not particularly.
one more thing. i cant believe obama is not on the attack. this crisis is an obvious refutation of republican principles - if someone on our side would just articulate it. [actually barney frank did on charlie rose but sadly few watch charlie rose]. you got republicans on tv blaming democrats for pushing banks to give loans to minorities. yep, that's right repubs are blaming a crisis of their policies on black people --- and nothing from obama on this. pathetic. we almost deserve to lose.
McInsane's head is about to explode. Watch for it, and savor it.
jdowd @ 29:
If you ask me his press conference quietly pointed out McCain's failings without being mean spirited.
McCain just wants a photo-op to build his creds. playing on this economic disaster....
I heard the guy has not voted in the Senate since April so why now?....
What a creep....the way this whole thing is being played out....
Glad that Obama isn't giving him an inch because that was just dirty....
Damn....
Ummm, it's his right eye that looks fucked up not his left. From our left, yeah, the eye to the left of us is "receding." But if you flip it, it definitely is John McCain's right eye.
Is the Coast Clear?--- @ 32:
Worse than that, Scheumer just said he has not been involved in this process in any way, so why now?
He does not even know where negotiations are. The best he can do is slow down the process.
If you ask me his press conference quietly pointed out McCain's failings without being mean spirited.
xoites,
maybe i missed that. what did he say that you think pointed to mccain's failings?
Watching the Repugs spin this is funny. They are defending McSame's cowardice. Unreal. Let's hope McSame doesn't show up. Let Barack take questions from the audience. McCain a leader? I think not.
McCain suspending his campaign and dodging the debate due to the economic crisis just doesn't fly. He didn't participate in it before and his lack of knowledge about economics in general won't matter much now. No matter what the reason, he will still look weak in the eyes of the public.
Re the eye: Has he had a stroke? That would explain a lot, if it happened, say, a little before the convention.
The only reason McCain is asking to move the date is because he knows he's not prepared...which is exactly why Obama should not flex on the date. Politics is a contact sport and Obama needs to strike very hard and very on-target. Who's the moderator for this one?
As for McCain's eye, I'm guessing Sarah smacked him upside the head, her being a hockey mom moose hunter, and all...
1. McCain is a fucking pussy. Have you seen today's polls, national and state? If I was McCain, I'd want to suspend the entire election, nevermind the campaign.
2. McCain is a fucking weasley, opportunistic, grandstanding prick.
3. This was another Hail Mary.
4. The MSM, both in America, and here in Britain have took the bait - it became the top story on the BBC evening news. On Sky News, the US reporter said the Obama campaign was somewhat outmaneuvered.
5. This is the worst week in McCain's political career, at least this campaign. Obama shouldn't let up.
jdowd @ 35:
xoites,
maybe i missed that. what did he say that you think pointed to mccain's failings?
For one thing his apparent inability to do more than one thing at once. Another was his apparent unwillingness to keep to the deal to make a joint statement.
For five years John McCain couldn't suspend campaigns.
Obama needs to speak out.
McCain isn't ready for that 3:00 phone call on the economy.
I want to pummel Obama's handlers get out there and do a counter press conference!
One question:
Historically, has any other candidate pulled such a brazen maneuver as McCain has to suspend a debate?
At any point? Just curious if this has historical precedence.
First we can't hear from Palin and now we can't hear from McCain. And, I agree, he doesn't look good (could be as simple as a virus though). IMHO both the debate and the campaign must go on. Take it to the people, or before you know it, Bush is going to be posturing to stay in the WH until whenever it suits him to leave.
I'm emailing my congress people almost daily on this economic mess. I can't believe how easy it is. If you haven't done so, try it.
How's the American MSM covering this?
I understand Jack Cafferty basically called BS on this latest pollitical stunt. But he's always in the "reality based" minority.
"Two days until the debate? Holy shit why didn't someone tell me sooner? Oh, because it wasn't two days before the debate yet? Ok, what can we come up with to postpone this? I am obviously not ready. No, i can't spare a couple of planes and some volunteers...Oh, wait! Isn't there some kind of financial meltdown going on? Maybe we can do something with that!"
I predict a boil by October.
The Very Bitter Ceci Hussein @ 44:
C'mon people, that's mavericky.
The eye thing is an artifact of the video compression. In a higher resolution video, he looks as fine for a 72 year old man who is watching his campaign circle the drain.
This goes to the heart of the 'temperament' question Obama posited in August. McCain is such a drama queen.
Is he trying to lo lose the election? And if he still wins, what does that say about the stupidity of the American people?
McCain will now show-up at Ole Miss. And Obama will have a classic chance to get a laugh:
"Nice to see you Senator. I had heard an ugly rumor that would wouldn't show-up. But I know you always keep your engagements."
it would up there with "there he goes again."
I disagree with all of your interpretation of this.
McCain just won the day big.
The American people are lazy, short-sighted, and scared. Hence, two Bush victories.
Obama just wasted time trying to intellectually explain the nuances of the hour-to-hour managing of campaigns and crises.
The Americans' eyes collectively glazed over at about 45 seconds into it.
Net result:
MCCCAIN: Strong, decisive leader putting country first before politics, and heading to Washington to solve the scary problem.
OBAMA: Stammering, shifty, flat-footed politician more interested in politically manipulting the crisis than solving it. Stop talking with big words and save mah jawb!
PorridgeGun @ 46:
Yep, the voice of reason:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsQoMZcxVdI - "Cafferty wants to know why McCain doesn't want to debate"
Scott @ 52:
Nope.
People actually do pay attention when their money is involved.
bateman @ 49:
No, I'm serious. I would like to know whether this has happened.
Now, it's mavericky (and rather reflective of McCain) to dodge the question and lie about it.
The Very Bitter Ceci Hussein @ 56:
I have never heard of it happening. The only thing i have ever heard of was a front runner refusing to debate an opponent, never heard of someone withdrawing from a debate before.
The Very Bitter Ceci Hussein @ 56:
Bumper sticker i'd like to see:
McCain
DEBATE IS NOT IN MY VOCABULARY
xoites defends Constitution @ 57:
Thank you, Xoites, for answering. I just wanted someone to say that this call to "suspend the campaign" is something that no politician, left or right, would have done historically during an election cycle. Historically, the campaign continues to be run whether or not something of consequence happens. And even if that happens, they work it within the frame-work of the campaign.
(Let's not forget that there have been Presidential nominees who have been just as sick or sicker than McCain while running)
That's why McPOW isn't being a maverick; he simply playing dirty politics in which he has to gain superiority back after a master strike by Mr. Obama.
Either if one is left or right, a call to step out of a debate should strike one as being a stupid and cowardly act. I'd even go further by saying it reflects conduct unbecoming a man who professes to be experienced and strong.
bateman @ 58:
No problem. :)
I just wanted a straight answer, that's all.
xoites defends Constitution @ 9:
Nadar is a self-absorbed, bitter old man, who used to be an iconoclastic hero. He could care less about becoming president.
McCain, and his campaign, should take a rest, a recuperation period of some sort, until after the Nov election.
He is turning into a reptilian creature lol
Well, there you have it.
McCain proposed moving the presidential debate to next week when the veep debate was supposed to take place AND POSTPONING THE VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE to an unknown day.
NUFF. SAID.
I knew this was a political stunt!!
BrokenArrow @ 62:
Say what you like, although you are completely ill informed, but the spelling is Nader.
Watch the video here.
Alice X - (Click Here for Nader Debate What If) - status quObama - change you can pretend in - @ 66:
Still does not matter. Since we have no reason to expect Nader to have a chance to win this election his presence in the debates would be nothing more than a distraction.
We have NO reason to expect Nader will this election.
Yeah, did he have another mini-stroke?
Actually, it's is right eye that looks all buggy and wierd.
smk101 @ 26:
The issue is not so much who supported the "Bridge to Nowhere". The issue is who supported it until it was dead, then turned around and didn't support it once it made no difference, and has been going around crowing about how she said "Thanks, but no thanks!" to it ever since.
Left eye...very interesting. Consider this possibility.
1. McCain meets with his staff, staff member says, "Hey John, what's wrong with your eye?
2. McCain sees doctor; McCain has had a "mini-stroke." "How long will this last," McCain asks. "Could be about a week."
3. McCain's staff says, "Holy Shit! You can't debate like this!" They come up with a clever ruse (well maybe not so clever), with the added bonus of giving Palin another week to learn some new polysyllabic words that she can utter multiple times.
If his left eye looks this way for the next couple of days, maybe this is not far-fetched?
Why does Obama hate America?????
"And did you see McCain’s left eye? It looked horrible…"
I believe that's a medical condition known as "Old Dude Fossilized Eye." Supposedly there's a topical cream one can use for that -- McCain should ask his assisted living nurse to get hold of some.
Obama did great, he came across very poised and natural and bewildered by McCain's partisan posturing. His chuckles were killer.
It looks like McCain recently suffered a stroke. I am by NO MEANS attempting to diagnose this man, and perhaps I'm interpreting his face this way because I've seen strokes happen multiple times (my brother was diagnosed with diabetes at age 3 and suffered 9 strokes before the age of 14), but look at the guy.
Something is CLEARLY wrong with him. Ptosis (drooping of the eyelid) and weakened ocular muscles are signs that a stroke has occurred. He certainly qualifies for at least half of the risk factors for stroke.
I wonder if we're going to hear anything more about this. When my fiancee and I watched a video of him last night it was the first thing we noticed- we can't have been the only ones.
McCain had a mini stroke. It's not just his eye. the left side of his mouth is affected as well. What are the rules? If he drops out due to health - what are the guidelines for getting another candidate in place? Or will he just want to postpone the election?
Marvin @ 72:
go away
the eye only looks like that when he's on shaky ground, areas where he is clueless, in other words, it always looks like that.
Marvin @ 72:
marvin, listen up, get in line, they're handing out the checks now to all the good boys.
r
His left temple (and down his cheek) is where McCain had a type II basal cell carcinoma removed -- a VERY aggressive form of skin cancer.
If it has returned and is affecting the nerves on that side of his face, then we can all watch President Palin at his funeral.
Oh my god -- see, now she us ALL praying.
Facial Nerve Palsy vs Injury,
Notice that the left side of his mouth also droops.
His surgical scars reflect the substantial resection of the left side of his face esp. in front of the left ear where the facial nerve splits into branches. The standard mnemonic for remembering the facial nerve's motor branches (going to muscles) from that point is "To Zanzibar bay motor car". The branches are temporal (forehead and eyelid), zygomatic (area lateral to the eye), bucchal, and cervical.
This is most likely a consequence of his surgery while obtaining wide margins when removing his melanoma. Removal of melanoma tumors demands taking a significant amount of normal surrounding tissue to ensure that removal is complete.
It could also be from scar contraction, or much less likely tumor, causing a facial nerve palsy.
Peace, JK
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