Debate Prep: Obama Working Out, McCain Taking Naps

Wall Street Journal:

To get in the debating mood, Republican John McCain will host a town-hall event and take a short nap. His rival, Democrat Barack Obama, will work out or shoot hoops.

And to prepare, Sen. McCain will spar this week in mock debates with Michael Steele. Mr. Steele, the former lieutenant governor of Maryland and a prominent black Republican, will play Sen. Obama and use many of his speaking patterns, tactics and body language. Sen. Obama will practice with Greg Craig, a Washington lawyer and former official in the Clinton administration who is one of his few gray-haired advisers.

Read the whole story: Wall Street Journal

Comments

[Lupin77]

When you get older, you need alot more rest/sleep and lots of naps. It's old age. Most people his age are retired and enjoying their old age.

[kathleen15]

i don't fault mcsame for resting, he is an old dude and he needs to take a nap, just like my grandpa does,my problem is why in the world would i want a president who should be retired, in one of those places for senior citizens.

[JerryTheAngel]

John Kerry won all 3 debates with Bush. He Lost. Al Gore won 2 out of 3 debates with Bush. He Lost.
The outcome of the debates and how they relate to winning or losing is exaggerated.

The debates are not about winning or losing. It's about Senator Obama reassuring the majority of the electorate that he is ready to become President. Just like Ronald Reagan did in 1980 against Carter.

If he can do this, he will win the election.

[CranialRectalLoopback]

Why doesn't McStain have to reassure the public that he can be President. Absolutely every action he has taken since securing the nomination back in March suggests he is wholly incapable of the being President. The EXACT OPPOSITE is true of Obama.

How do we allow these memes to take hold?

[Tropiholic]

pappy must rest so he doesn't keel over during the debate

[jacqmac]

Obama's gonna 'float like a butterfly and sting like a bee'. !!! WE all had all these suggestions for Obama before his acceptance speech and he NAILED IT! Temperament and Judgement-that's been the challenge for the debates since August 28. Lately, it's seemed like McCain isn't going to need too much of a 'poke', so maybe those naps will make him more bulletproof. I am going to watch him carefully. I have seen him 'wince' when confronted with questions-at Saddleback and during the National Service Forum. TWO things I would also suggest to Obama--practice holding your head straight and practice giving SHORT answers while shooting hoops. I know there's a time limit in basketball­--practice with the shot clock running! The average person viewing these debates is not going to CARE whether every I is dotted and every T is crossed. They just need you to show the judgement required to LEAD!

Obama/Biden '08

[robeson]

How could one tell that McCain is napping?

[XME]

Soon we'll be hearing acussations from the McCain camp that the WSJ is playing the "agism" card for mentioning his need for naps!

[Rescisco]

I'm expecting a McCain ploy or trick. Hope Obama is crisp, on target, and ready to defeat any cheap trick. Rule number one, show no surprise or anxiety when McCain shoots his wad. Just remind folks that while McCain is trying to score points we have the far more serious job of saving the country to think about...especially now. So tell old "shoot from the hip" John to chill, calm down, and lets get real for a change.

[Jigglypuff]

I have misgivings about the University of Mississippi debate site and the news that the KKK are planning to be there to protest.

[honeydiva]

THAT MAKES IT LOVELY.

[newdreams]

I can see it coming. McCain iwill alternate between the POW card, war stories and negativity. Obama is going with common sense.

John McCain taking regular naps? If he gets elected, it will be every man and woman for themselves - We just won't make it.

[MizLiz]

I'm going to count each and every POW reference. He makes me sick.

[djelimon]

Hope he's prepped for Wright. Ayers, that weatherman fellow, being black.

It's all McCain's got.

[TXOBAMAGIRL73]

And I see you Hagee and the Keating 5!!

[uclafan]

Hey reporters! Do your job! McCain is always asked to give his views on sexism.

How come no one has ever asked him to say "right here, right now that you do not want people to vote based on color?" Tim Russert would have asked it.

[proudloudlib]

Journalists should all be wearing "WWTD?" bracelets. "What would Tim do?" is pretty good guidance.

[ebanks84]

I just hope Obama stays cool, calm and collected and give the most intelligent responses that a presidential candidate can give. If I were him, I wouldn't even care what JM says because he'll stick his foot in his mouth many times on his own. He don't know which way is up.

[Gary47]

I hope and pray that Obama and his team are practicing just to be and do the best they possibly can, and forget about trying to provoke McCain. If he pulls a gaffe or six, that's great. But it's icing. We must focus are winning without them. Remember how it totally backfired when Gore tried to provoke Bush back in the 2000 debates.

[Liberoservative]

This debate is probably going to be the only one that I really believe.... I have no question over Leher's journalistic creds.... I have huge questions over the last two........ I am sure that this debate will be "new" ground and questions for the candidates.

I am pretty sure that the last two will be scripted with McC getting the questions beforehand like he did at Saddleback......

[Liberoservative]

sorry on the typo..

Lehrer