Ex-Adviser: McCain "Blinked," Campaign "Governed By Tactics, Not Ideology"

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After days of saying that John McCain would not attend Friday's presidential debate unless an agreement on a bailout package for the markets was "locked-down," the McCain campaign has gone back on its word.

On Friday, it announced that the Senator would head down to Mississippi even though, as they readily admit, much work remained needed on the bailout agreement.

The whole episode left even conservatives admitting that the McCain campaign looked erratic and a bit foolish with no apparent direction or guiding principle.

"It just proves his campaign is governed by tactics and not ideology," said Republican consultant Craig Shirley, who advised McCain earlier in this cycle. "In the end, he blinked and Obama did not. The 'steady hand in a storm' argument looks now to more favor Obama, not McCain."

Shirley added, "My guess is that plasma units are rushing to the McCain campaign as we speak to replace the blood flowing there from the fights among the staff."

Adding to the rocky perception was a McCain campaign web ad released this morning declaring "McCain Wins Debate!" -- put out even before the candidate had announced he was planning to debate.

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Aides to Barack Obama were not, generally, surprised by the announcement, though nonetheless pleased. One called the Arizona Republican's gambit - of leaving the trail to supposedly forge a compromise on the bailout - a "failure." Other Democrats were equally biting in describing the moment.

"It means that people think he went back on his word," said Howard Wolfson, formerly the communications director for Hillary Clinton. "John McCain's presidential campaign has been in a death spiral since the Wall Street collapse and this summit gambit was an attempt to pull out of it. But it hasn't succeeded because McCain hasn't done anything to move the ball forward."

Allies of McCain tried to put the best spin on the announcement, saying that while the bailout legislation was not yet completed, McCain thought it best to address the nation.

"What's more important than anything that when we go to Mississippi tonight, both candidates can say that the Congress is working," said Sen. Lindsay Graham

But others couldn't help but admit that the Arizona Republican had mismanaged the whole scenario, basically walking himself into a corner, stuck with the choice of looking either scared or unprincipled.

"He will been seen as blinking first," Shirley declared, "since it was he who said he wasn't going until the crisis is averted. Hobson's choice, painted in a corner, bollixed -- pick your poison, or pick your cliche."

Comments

[frazzled]

The real issue right now is this $700 billion bail out. By comparison, everything else becomes a smokescreen. Please inundate Congress with phone calls, especially Sen. Dodd (202-224-2823) and others on the Finance committee. During the debate, Sen. McCain said as a result of the bail-out he would freeze all spending except military. Try to wrap your mind around that. Obama pretty much side-stepped the question, but you can bet his hands would be tied too on spending for America's real needs: health care, education, infrastructure, jobs, environment, social service agencies, veterans benefits.

WHY are they rushing into this? It is very, very fishy. Call, call, call. As many times as possible.

[sayinisayu]

YEAH CALL CALL CALL......­.....send as many e-mails you can, until there systems freeze. They've closed the doors to establish how they will spend money we don't have, as well as money we can not get to solve our issues and concerns. EMAIL CALL EMAIL CALL!!!!!

[neo1]

SUPERIORITY - "Those exhibiting the superiority complex commonly project their feelings of inferiority onto others they perceive as beneath them"

McCain feels Obama is beneath him and cannot treat him as an equal or as knowledgeable. He laughs off Obama as being "insignificant" or someone who doesn't know what he's talking about.

McCain will NEVER consider Obama an equal because he was not raised that way. He is a spoiled brat and has never matured into a wise old man. He got stalemated somewhere in his lifetime that keeps him at the age of being immature and unable to grow up. He needs mental help to progress into manhood and he will never seek that help.

He is NOT qualified to lead a country or anything else. He doesn't even have a stable relationship with his wife. He shows her no meaningful respect or love. It's all automatic and for show.

This is NOT a man of quality, truthfulness, insight, judgment, respect, compassion, empathy, and a person of sound mind.

THIS IS NOT A PRESIDENT.

[Mason]

I was thinking of making the same points that you made, but you stated them clearly and concisely so I instead decided to complement you and say "me too." Well done.

[Scorpio13]

Wonderful post. Spot on.

[AnAverageAmerican]

Great post.

It's so sad...A lost little boy in an old man's body.

[NJmikeV]

"First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, then you
win." - Gandhi

[Knowitall]

Exactly. Every candidate on both stages, and the MSM initially ignored Obama, as he assembled his strong campaign apparatus. Then they ridiculed him--The "One", the "Messiah", the "Celebrity", a "community organizer", "Rev. Wright, Rezko, etc., etc., now their trying to fight him, he's "not qualified", "not ready to lead", "no experience", wrong on every issue, etc., etc., What's next......­..........­.......??

[Tericruz]

I love that!

[Zenfull]

Mohandas K. Gandhi was a a community organizer and a very wise man who knew how to arouse the people to overthrow the forces of oppression (the British, the upper castes, poverty, ignorance, and inaction). I love community organizers!

[ignorantwillyharper]

Superiority,
just think on the afternoon of January 20th, 2009, McCain will be addressing Senator Obama as, Mr. President.­..That's gotta hurt!

[obgynobgyn]

On Friday night in old Miss, there was blood in the streets, McCains.
Let's hope that while his numbers plummet and popularity wanes,
he doesn't pull the Bush-Cheney desperation tactic, ripe with theatrics.
Fictional example would be: Get a covert operative or mercenary to
act as a terrorist and blow up something, or make a threatening tape,
to convince the American people we are in danger.
Better yet, get one of our allies to say they have credible information of another hit, (that would certainly make it more believable)
Be afraid, be very very afraid, and vote republican, because we have a POW who can save you.
Now Bush, Cheney. Baker, Blackwater, etc. can continue to rob, rape, and fill their pockets with
cash and artifacts from Iraq, and god knows where else.

[sean43]

Do you mean the POW that the one of the dumbest person in his entire high school and college graduate classes. LOL

[sayinisayu]

The republican's tactic far outreach their last threat....­.It's the financial grab. The entire conservative base are fully aware of the incompetence of shady poppy. Therefore, this bailout fiasco serves as a concrete failure ordinance. Senator Obama's entire platform will be deminish with this bailout. Republicans are positioning themselves for power in 2012. Every turn will be met with gotcha caricatures. The blogs here are very insightful, however, this is our grassroot organ, which must be broaden. Senator Obama as proven it is possible with his campaign. If we really want change, we must put out thoughts and ideas in action or grab ya ankles minus the k-y jelly!!!

[Scoot2711]

Obama was too polite, yes; he did say "you are right, John" too many times. But it was always in the sense of demonstrating McCain's superficiality.

As in, "You are right, John; Iraq is in the Middle East." He always followed through with a rebuttal: "But the war in Iraq is a big mess that you directly helped to create." It is an old debate strategy; regrettably, the McCainites will try to spin it differently by saying Obama thinks McCain is right . . . on everything!

[RFBorjal]

McCain is spiraling down the way he spiraled down over Hanoi. The only spin I enjoy now is his tailspin.

[nowalnuts]

Blinking is the worst thing that could happen to John. He knows a person must never blink. Never. You blink, you die. It's simple as baked moose pie. Shame on his eyes!!

[max]

it's good that Obama compliments McCain....­...it makes him look like the adult on the stage

[Knowitall]

Good insight. That's how you're supposed to handle childish, churlish behavior. "Of course you're right dear, and that's certainly a part of the answer, but here's what's actually going on." I think it was a glimpse at Obama's professorial side. A good teacher always tries to let a student know his answer was in the ball park, even though it was for the most part, incorrect.

[mysterygirl18]

Obama did better than I thought- he'll be fine. However, others are right he doesn't need to compliment Mccain all of the time. There is no point to it.

http://www.myspace.com/wakeupnowpeople

[musholmes]

There is a point to it. It shows that he can be bipartison and work both side of the aisle because he has the ability to see and talk about common ground. McCain came across as smarmy, condescending and disrespectful. He is rigid, uncompromising and very unpresidential. Obama was very presidential and calm and demonstrated how well he will do dealing with hostile world leaders.

[Janelynne]

Obama snatched McCain from the jaws of defeat.

McCain was bumbling and rambling and Obama bestowed on McCain's yammering an air of credibility, a simple elegance. When McCain was going on about his airplane rides around the globe, Obama should have called him on his showboating. He didn't, and instead tried to sell himself against McCain's ridiculous charicature. Obama should have confronted McCain on his lack of stance on the bailout. He didn't, and was very not specific about what the bailout is for, when half the country doesn't even know. When McCain kept saying that Obama didn't understand, Obama should have been able to knock it out of the park, because McCain doesn't understand a thing. Obama let McCain get away with it.

McCain was weak, yet Obama allowed McCain to set the tone and make the rules. It was an awful debate where Obama allowed McCain to gain ground. Why didn't Obama ask McCain questions like "What does winning in Iraq mean to you, John?" Instead OBama complimented McCain. What is the purpose of complimenting someone? Does Obama think this is a popularity contest? Someone please let him know this is a leadership contest.

Obama can lose this election to the worst possible candidate, of the party that no one supports, with a president that no one can believe. And the wheels are coming off the Republic. So much is at stake,
and yet, Obama can let this slip away.

[cosmic]

nah, he did good

[brenner21]

nobody knows what the "bailout" is for ... thieves don't alert their victims

[UGAgirl]

Actually, no matter what you think, John Kerry holds the title to "losing the election to the worst possible candidate". And I disagree. Obama doesn't necessarily have to be a a** h o l e to McCain - he just has to make him lose his temper one time. Almost worked last night. Once we see "Mr. Congeniality" lose it during these debates, those who are for some unknown reason still undecided will have a very clear picture of this man.

[mirandawilde]

Good point, but it's depressing how few people realize how problematic it is that McCain has such a short fuse. That's one of the many drawbacks of living in a nation of addicts.

[jazzchantoozie]

yeah.. I keep hoping McCain's going to have a Jack Nicholson "A Few Good Men" moment.

[Rockville]

There are many undecided people out there who had heard a lot about John McCain over the years, but nothing about Barack Obama. Obama by behaving in his normal way, showed these undecided voters that he was a man who certainly could be President. They saw a polite man who knows a lot about the economy and foreign affairs, who talked about helping all of us in relation to universal health care, jobs, taxes and education. McCain appeared to be a rude, smirking old man who told old stories and said he was not Miss Congeniality twice! I know who won!!!

[liseworks]

OK - I'M (drunk) a bit now so :

I don't care :

Bottom-line ?

Don't want to look at / hear an old yellowteeth, white hair guy for the next 4-8 years : OK ??

[abby4ever]

Good grief, lise...

:]

[ewa]

I'm a Veteran Veteran that was the Commander of one of the largest VFW post in the State of Washington and was involved in the POW/MIA issue at it's highest levels,and McCain claims that he resolved the issue and got a full accounting of our POWs is just one of the biggest lies he has ever told,The truth is he was one of the biggest obstacle and stone walled all attempts to get a full accounting of are POW/MIAs.H­e openly attacked us in the halls of Congress and went as far as to physically assault one member in a wheel chair and brought many of the mother of the missing to tears.This guy is the biggest phony in the Senate and one of the least like Senators my Veteran,his rated at the bottom of Senators who have stood up for Veterans rights.Don­'t be fooled by this country first garbage puts out it's always been McCain first nothing has changed.He was a collaborator during the time he was a POW and received special treatment.­The guys is a fraud.

[Plowboy]

This is a message that has to get out. THe "MSM" is not going to carry it, so those concerned need to find a way. It is important. And the evidence is readily available. (Why didn't McCain get his scheduled promotions and pay raises? What did the Navy object to in him?)

[Punkynsnow]

ewa, it's about to come out, don't worry. I think this is going to be one of McCain's "October Surprises" and it might make McCain come unglued.

Pulitzer prize winning author Stanley Schanberg has a very revealing article coming out in the Nation. He absolutely skewers McCain on the whole POW/MIA thing, and he's got documentation. It's a long article but really well-written.

Here's the link: http://www.nationinstitute.org/p/schanberg09182008pt1

[Kahalle]

How true this is. I have heard many Vets state that he was never in their corner and was rude. But what got me thinking about how truthful he was about his POW experience was the photo's. For spending 5 years in captivity and suffering inhumane treatment, my observation was, he had way to much body fat and did not look emaciated like other photos I have seen. Now perhaps I am wrong, but it did make me wonder.

God bless those who served with dignity and not for personal gain and grandstanding. I am greatful to all of you. Thank You.

[Rockville]

It really annoyed me that he looked in the camera and said that veterans knew he would take care of them. I know that he did not vote in favor of any veteran's benefits including a relatively recent one. Thank you veterans for speaking up with the truth about John McCain.

[rshrink]

As I said earlier, mostly I agree with Obama. He is certainly the best candidate by far. I don't agree with him on "clean coal." There is no such thing as clean coal. To begin with, it has to be mined. That is the end of clean, especially if it mountain top removal. I also don't agree with him on nuclear. It is so expensive that banks wouldn't loan money on it before. Now, it is even less likely with banks in bad straights. Someone needs to talk with O about this.

[tokitori]

Oh, he knows that. He just can't concede that while he's running. I'm "for" clean coal too -- if there WERE such a thing. I'm "for" nuclear energy too -- if we only had something to do with the waste, which we DON'T and Yucca Mountain is DEAD. Nuclear energy is not clean -- the waste is around forever, it's some of the most toxic substances in the world, and the transportation of it makes the country LESS secure because it's the perfect material for dirty bombs. It's not CHEAP -- when you factor in the cost of transporting and storing the waste -- and the fact that if the industry had to PAY for insurance, they couldn't afford it. It's only "cheap" because the government SUBSIDIZES the plants, subsidizes waste storage and exempts the industry from liability. Obama focuses on wind, solar, and biodiesel because that's what he REALLY supports.

[cosmic]

right, but I bet he knows. he's purty smart. It's just, how do I tell you this, things are ... complicated. he'll do the best job he can.

[expert47]

Being in a debate - $5 million
Looking older than dirt $2 million
Having the worst dental work ever - Priceless

[liseworks]

Oh .....shees­h ....that's funny. !!

[CaliTLC]

LOL

[expert47]

For a millionaire, married to a millionaire, you'd think McCain could afford decent dental work..!

[expert47]

Why was Palin absent from the after-debate chat?

Duh, never mind..

[liseworks]

She takes out her "Chatty Cathy" string before going to bed.

[expert47]

lise, i'm not sure they've put it in yet. I think it's tangled up.. But the rumor that all that hair bunched on her head hides all the electronic­s..!

[jgalvan]

John McCain thinks he is Sandra Bullock.

[CaliTLC]

He said he was Jack Bauer of "24."