Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Because It's His JOB

"Arguably the worst financial crisis in the history of America," says Cafferty (and hundreds of others), of CNN news.

So given the state of affairs:

Why are people questioning McCain’s intentions to STOP CAMPAIGNING (read: putting aside his presidential ambition), and not the fact that Obama’s avoiding actually going to Washington AND DOING THE JOB WE PAY HIM FOR?????

‘Cause God forbid he actually show up and vote on something.

Why is arguing the foreign policy more important then trying to pass or block legislation to help address the “worst financial crisis?”

My personal favorite statement of the day? Obama’s claim that it was his idea to issue a joint statement – and that this statement was adequate, as it was important to “keep communicating with the American people.”

And call me Master of the Obvious, but it seems like the last thing we need right is more talk, more statements, more rhetoric, and less problems solving.

In fact, when asked about sidelining his campaign to address this head-on in Washington, his response was, (exact quote), “I feel it’s most important to let everyone know that this is a sufficient problem…and we need to deal with this problem.” He added, “This is why it is most important at this time that we present ourselves and describe where we want to take this country and this economy.”

Uh, Barak?

I don’t think anyone is arguing this.

And, uh, I don’t think we need you or McCain standing up there, telling us who’s to blame, and that it needs to be fixed, and where YOU want to take this country.

We've already heard it.

How about stepping up and actually taking that first step in that direction?

How about leading, instead of just talking about leading?

Why don’t you balls up and actually put a plan on the table? Make a decision? Have an opinion? Pass some actual legislation?

Let me remind Obama of something that McCain (though old as dirt) hasn't forgotten: Before you are a Presidential candidate, you are a Senator. My Senator. A Senator elected by the people to fight for the people, to give them a voice, and now being given an opportunity to actually make a statement through your actions. Not a man elected/paid to campaign for President.

How have people forgotten this?

The fact that Obama “talks to Paulson nearly every day and twice this afternoon” soothes me none.

And John McCain?

“I don’t feel the plan on the table is adequate, and needs action.” And then he steps up and does just that.

The guy shows up.

And before you say that he's avoiding a debate, it should be pointed out that he's also suspending all campaign appearences and fundraising (holy shit - a politician rejecting money? What would Tony Rezko say? Here's a quarter - get his number from Obama and call him in prison to find out).

And why is it that this crisis is make-or-break for McCain (and ultimately no-win, because even if the plan is needed, no one really wants to say it or own it because the backlash will be incredible, yet if McCain knocks it down, and shit storm intensifies, well then, its all McCain’s fault), but Obama doesn’t seem to have that same pressure? No one is pinning him to the wall, saying that he needs to make a decision, take a vote, pass some legislation.

And despite the risk to his campaign, either way, McCain is still stepping up, doing something, speaking his mind - he is going beyond "strategy," in a way that says, "Hey, this might lose the election for me, but for the worst financial crisis in American history, I am chosing to do something."

I find it interesting that, for someone who has structured his campaign around rhetoric akin to buying every 5-year-old in the world a pony for their birthdays (sounds all warm and fuzzy but the reality is ridiculous and impossible), his whole “financial plan” that he soooo loves to talk about can’t seem to light his way out this mile-deep shit hole the nation is in.

In fact, his whole financial plan and tax policies are already be challenged in the face of this.

Promises are one thing, practicality and action is another.

The first real test – the first crisis, and even before they are in office – and this is how these two candidates respond.

Now is a GREAT time to put all your campaign promises into actions.

It's a sad fucking day when people call it a "gimmick" when a Senator actually wants to do his job.

Well, if nothing else, this is giving a nice, clear window into what the next four years are going to look like.

Vote accordingly.

22 comments:

21stCenturyMom said...

Your buddies at Fox have this quote from Obama "“Presidents are going to have to deal with more than one thing at a time,” Sen. Obama said. “It’s not necessary for us to think that we can only do one thing and suspend everything else.” He said that he and McCain have large campaign planes that can get them out of Mississippi and back to Washington quickly."

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/09/24/mccain-suspends-campaign-to-help-with-bailout/

I have to agree. The McCain people seem a little to quick to rearrange their schedules despite how disruptive that is for all parties involved. They canceled 2 $1000/plate fund raisers with Saran Palin in California. People are pissed, and rightfully so.

He needs to learn to multi-task and he needs to stick to his commitments. Otherwise his party and his campaign just look flaky.

prin said...

Obama wants to win first and work later. Why should he put any effort in if he's not guaranteed the throne?

And why is it that this crisis is make-or-break for McCain, but Obama doesn’t seem to have that same pressure? No one is pinning him to the wall, saying that he needs to make a decision, take a vote, pass some legislation.

In this little Canadian girl's opinion, it's because the media sees McCain as the defending champion, and quite frankly, he's probably going to win.

Regardless of how many of the younger generation would vote for Obama, statistically, come election day, very few of them will actually vote.

When it was such a close race between Gore and Bush, I think voter turnout was something like 30%? I could be wrong, but from what I remember it was around that.

Like I said in my previous comment- get passionate about the process. Being passionate about a guy doesn't do anything if you don't take part in the process.

Voting is fun. And as a woman, I believe every single woman should be out there voting whenever they can. Women fought hard to earn the right to vote so let's appreciate it already.

I'm Prin and I approved this message.

:D

prin said...

21st century mom, multitasking is one thing, and priorities are another.

Missing a couple of dinners might piss some rich people off, but you know, part of being president is also being able to have the balls to piss some rich people off.

"He said that he and McCain have large campaign planes that can get them out of Mississippi and back to Washington quickly."
What a way to waste money. Like, seriously. That's like saying, "We don't have to suspend things because in this time of rising fuel prices, we're still rich enough to piss it away."

Imagine when he's using tax payer's dollars. Hmm.

Anyway, I hope you don't see this as an attack. I don't intend for it to be an attack, but rather, a different interpretation of political jibber jabber. They like to be ambigious and people tend to hear the side they agree with. :D

M said...

21CM- I absolutely agree that Presidents have to multi-task. But Obama is NOT President yet, and his elected responsibility to the people that elected him is to go to Washington and vote in their favor. I mean, here is the guy that speaks ad nausem on how the "everyday little man on Main Street" needs an advocate, someone to take care of his interests. And what does he do with the first chance to stand up for the little guy? He campaigns for president.

This is not about multi-tasking, though. This is about priority - this is about saying "Hey, the future of this nation's economy is at hand, and maybe putting aside my campain for a few days is importnat enough to address this - now let's roll up our sleeves and do for the people what we tell them we are going to do."

M said...

Prin- I fear that this election turnout will be different than prior years, because this time around, voter registration has actually increased signficantly since the whole Obama thing, particularly with the young. And while I think it is imperative for everyone to get out and vote, regardless of age, I think it is everyone's responsibility to know and understand what what and who they are voting for. Do I think an 18-year-old can make an informed decision beyond "Well, all my friends are voting this way and I think Hope is really cool and what do I care about taxes and Wall Street and integrity and stuff now 'cause I'm only 18?" Hell, most of my own friends can't articulate a more than one policy Obama supports, but they all drive around with their "Got Hope?" bumper stickers. So let 'em vote, and honestly, I believe this has the potential to change this election.

Conversely, there are plenty of women out there who couldn't give a shit about what Palin beleives, but because she has a vagine, she's got their vote.

As Cheese once said, "The one thing we have in common is that we all vote for the person we think is best for us." Or something like that - point is, we all have different reasons and thoughts on what we feel is best for the country and for us individually.

So while Kerry and Gore might have raised awareness in the young, it seems that Obama has actually helped push them across the line of complacency to action. I think this group will have a larger say in this election then before, and I think we will see a larger turnout then ever before - people care now, people give a shit, people are fired up. And they should be - it's high time people cared about their country. Hell, it's high time I cared.

Anonymous said...

Personally, I'm for them both suspending the campaigning for a bit, but still having the debate on Friday. It's 5 hours max of their time, for goodness sakes! I know the debate topic is foreign policy, but they can either switch the topic or welcome the chance to talk about something other than the economy for 90 minutes. For me, today was all about oneupmanship. Let's face it - what could either of them do? They are both seizing an opportunity. Obama wanted to look bipartisan by reaching out to McCain, McCain wanted to look like he's putting country first by running off to D.C. I've got to hand it to McCain, he kinda put Obama's nuts in a vice with that move. Now he's kinda stuck. He'll need to show that he can have just as much presence and influence on the hill as McCain, but not actually be there. I see a lot of conference calls in the future.

Either way, I have a feeling the financial crisis won't be resolved this weekend. In fact, I believe that it won't be resolved until the week of the October 5th - just in time for Palin to have to skip the VP debate as well, AND the first "debate" to actually be a townhall meeting, which is McCain's preferred style.

Melissa said...

I thought I told you no politics young lady and to call me in the morning. You want to get better don't you. :-)

21stCenturyMom said...

I'd didn't read all the feedback but Prin - I think you are wrong. People will vote.

I have since read what McCain said and he makes it sound like he and Obama and Bush will all sit around a table and figure this out. That isn't how it works and it isn't his job or Obama's job. He (and Obama) can show up in Washington and function in his capacity as a Senator and still keep his committment to the debates. No priorities need be broken or questioned here. To suggest that he can't participate in solving this problem and make it to the debates is a stretch and not one I'm buying.

21stCenturyMom said...

I just bumped in to this plan and I think she kind of agrees that all campaigning stop until we get this worked out. Anyhow - this is more than worth a watch and it is non-partisan and strictly anti-Wall Street (except for chiding the administration's handling of information sharing up front. She's in Washington so I guess she knows).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S27yitK32ds

Joy | Love | Chaos said...

Obama is not saying he would rather campaign than do his job, he's saying it's possible to do both. And it is. And they should. And we have not heard details on both candidate's positions on the campaign issues in a detailed way yet and yes, there is a real need for this debate. It's part of the process, our chance to hear their own words, without marking spin or vetted images in the background. Otherwise let's just hand the campaign over to spin doctors and ad agencies in New York.

They both can fulfill their responsibilities as Senators and fulfill their obligations as nominees. And don't think for a minute that this isn't just as much of a stunt on McCain's part. He is garnering (as you've been noting in your posts recently) some pretty negative press, especially with the addition of Palin. This is deflection time. He's taking a clear opportunity to refocus your (and my) attention elsewhere. Is the focus valid? Absolutely. But I think we can handle paying attention to both things.

I think it is safe to say that these two Senators will be as well or better informed about the economic situation than anyone on the Hill. And I would find it hard to believe that they wouldn't hightail it in a jet to DC to vote on a bailout measure. I don't think Obama is short shifting his commitments nor implying that his job isn't important. What he's saying is that they are BOTH important, so let's get them both done.

Anonymous said...

Great post again!!! I agree both McCain and BO are senators first. We pay them with our tax dollars. They need to get up there WORK for US. As far as debates, screw the debates. They should have to go to small town America/"Main Street" and conduct town hall meetings.

M said...

Able- I completely agree that there is a desperate need for an acutal real debate - FINALLY - so that we actually hear what these men have to say outside of all the spin and bullshit that has clogged up the media and passed as legitimate news in recent weeks.

But I think something that is getting lost is that McCain never said to cancel the debate forever. He said, "Let's go to DC, give this our undivided attention, hammer out an answer by Monday, and then do the debate." MONDAY! Like, postpone for two days!

It's not like he's sitting in his house, freaked out and cramming last minute for a debate like a final exam he's not prepared for, or crossing his fingers for a snow storm so that school is closed.

Could they do both? I don't know - could any of us sit through this bailout stuff for days with the intense focus and committment to the issue, and then turn around and debate? But the bigger point is that they shouldn't have to - it should be their REAL job first, campaigning second.

Running for president is not their job. Yes, it is an "obligation" to their parties they willingly took on, but when did we as a nation give candidates the A-Ok to just stop actually working?

I mean, take our jobs - If any of us - let's take me for instance - were to call into work one day and said, "Yeah, listen, I know we got five new cases last night, and we got two kids dying in the hospital after being beaten within an inch of their lives, but there's this job I've had my eye on, and I am going to go out and interview for it. Oh, and by the way, the interview will take about 6-8 months, so I won't actually be back to help you take care of these families, but can you keep depositiing my paycheck into my account and just signing my name to reports? I mean, that should be cool, as long as you CALL ME to let me know what's happening around the office. Awesome - thanks!"

In what other job in America would this be acceptable? Where in this world would we allow this to happen?

M said...

Oh and one more thing - Why is it that every time McCain does something to actually shake shit up like he promises, he gets called out for manuevering?

Let's be honest - If Obama came out this morning and pulled this, people would be all over this shit - "Oh look how much he really is for the people! He really cares!
What a man for the people - putting aside his own ambition to serve the greater good!"

I mean, everyone from CNN to Fox would have sainted the man. McCain does it and its "Oh, he's got ulterior motives, he's manipulating." Or try this - maybe he just actually beleives in protecting the American people from what could/could not be a devestating bailout? Maybe he thinks it more effective to actually PARTICIPATE in the process rather then phone-in for advice or updates?

Maybe he realizes that being thousand of miles away, kissing babies, shaking hands and having lunch with the locals - though all awesome photo ops - isn't going to fix the problem.

Eric said...

Obama just needs to show up on Friday so he can vote "present" for the 195th time :-)

Erin said...

I understand your point of view...but there are a few other things to consider here.

First, until this comes to a vote on the floor, neither McCain nor Obama can have any real input. Rather, the dealing is all done behind closed doors with only the members of the Senate Banking Committee permitted in the room. Neither of the presidential candidates are on that committee. And so, other than this meeting at the White House today (which has no real bearing on formulation of the bill), until details are hammered out into an actual bill that can be voted on, neither one will be able to do a gosh darn thing. And unless this bill comes up for a vote in the window between 2pm and 6pm tomorrow, there's no reason why both Senators couldn't just simply show up, vote, AND get to the debate in Mississippi in time (it's not scheduled to start until 9pm EST). In addition, Obama and McCain are two of 533 on Capitol Hill who will be voting, and unless their votes are needed as tiebreakers (which is really, really unlikely and leaders of the house and senate have both said as much already), showing up for the vote on the floor would be, at most, a ceremonial gesture.

In addition, canceling the debates leaves Mississippi facing a $5.5 million dollar loss, which hardly seems fair after all the residents of that state have been though of late.

I, for one, want to hear the candidates I am going to choose between debate one another face-to-face. I think it's fundamentally important to this process and our democracy...and we're already waaaay under the number of debates presidential candidates have ever had in the past. But, this is the mess that one of these two candidates is going to inherit, and I want to see, for myself -- not in scripted interviews or 30-second soundbites -- what they say and how they handle themselves. And I want the veep candidates to do the same, which if this debate is canceled and rescheduled for the date of the veep debate like McCain has proposed, might not actually happen.

And finally, I'm not sure anyone can, at this point, criticize either candidate for his economic plan or lack thereof. I'm marrying an economist, who just last night marveled at how the country's tip-top economists are pretty blindsided and very unsure as to what to do with this mess. It is horribly complicated and doesn't lend itself to wrapped-up-in-a-bow soundbites about "what we need to do."

Unfortunately, even the experts just don't know.

No attacks here...just some alternative points to think about.

Erin said...

And Able...as always, very, very well put, girl.

Erin said...

And one more thing (then I'll shut up)...I disagree that if the shoe would've been on the other foot, and Obama would've done this, the reaction would have been exactly the same: "Why can't you do both?"

Also, I can't find anywhere where McCain said to postpone the debate until Monday. Rather, everything that I've read has him pitching the idea of taking the slot from the veep debate on Oct. 2nd.

Benson said...

Well said Meg.
And also very well said by the rest of the commenters.
Your voices are heard, and read, by many. Keep it up.
No doubt we're all in for some rough times for awhile...no matter who wins, it's gonna suck a bit.

yes, vote accordingly.

starttothink said...

I'm totally with you on this.

You know, damned if he does, damned if he doesn't.

If he goes, then he is "avoiding the debates."
(I can't see why... a guy with his background, debating a guy who voted "present" 130 times in the senate... hmmmm)

If he doesn't go, then he is avoiding his job.

I love how the libs have their cake and eat it to. :)
I sure do wish I knew where that money tree grew that so many of them seem to feed off of.
Or, at least, I need to know where the pitcher of grape Kool-Aid is.

Anonymous said...

If McCain's such a whiz at foreign policy and debate, then why doesn't he just go through with the debate then? It's just a couple of hours of his time. He can resume saving the country on Saturday. He doesn't even have to be there! Hasn't he ever heard of Skype? I know Obama has, because Oprah uses it all the time! :)

If the deal is close to being reached, can't he prioritize? Blow off Letterman? Fine. Don't give a campaign speech in Randomtown, usa? That's fine too. But this is a huge commitment. Why can't he keep it?

lauren said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

McCain + Palin = McPain