Our Troops Don't Get a Time-Out for the Financial Crisis

So, because there's a financial crisis, Senator McCain cannot take 90 minutes to address how he will face challenges around the world, including how and when he will send American troops to fight, and possibly die.

Wow. Troops would sure love that luxury.

Unfortunately, though, insurgents in Iraq don't stop shooting at us, or setting IEDs, because our Commander in Chief needs a breather to figure out Wall Street.

Al Qaeda in the Afghanistan/Pakistan border region don't send our troops notes that read, "Hey, I hear you guys are tied up with Wall Street. Your President needs to concentrate on other things, so we'll give you a break. So, to make things easier on you, here's our coordinates."

Nor do our troops get a few days to figure out how to hold onto an area we've secured, if there's an unexpected attack. Sometimes we need to deal with multiple flare-ups at once in any warzone. We'd sure love a time-out, but sadly, the world isn't such a nice place that it gives us that kind of pity.

When you're Commander in Chief, I don't think there'd be a worse signal to send to our troops in harm's way than to say, "Hey, hold on guys. I know you're getting killed over there, but I have to get a time-out here to deal with Wall Street."

If troops need to multi-task without a break, is it so wrong that we demand that a potential President-in-waiting prove that he can manage a financial crisis, and still address crises around the world for 90 minutes? And, if a potential President-to-be can't manage that, is it wrong to think that maybe he ought not just suspend a debate and the campaign, but move aside and get out of the race?

Just something to think about.

Crossposted at VetVoice.com

Follow Jon Soltz on Twitter: www.twitter.com/jonsoltz

Comments

[jdbid1]

During the debate, McCain went on and on about how much he cares for Veterans and that they know it and yet he was reluctant to sign the GI Bill for Iraq Veterans. I'm a little surprised Obama didn't hammer him on that point.

[quest44]

Maybe your point was taken by the Republican's because it seems McCain will now go on with the debate tonight.
I think however that this ploy of the Republican's were two fold one in hope to make McCain look presidencial and gain them votes ,"which seems to have backfired and two they were hoping for more time to tutor Palin so she wouldn't keep putting her foot in her mouth like she did when she suggested in an interview with Katie Coric that kissinger,Powel ,Obama and a few other leaders were naive in thinking that we should talk with Iran and Seria .How can someone so unexperienced in foreign affairs call anyone who has experience in foreign affairs naive? This woman is a disaster and those voting for this ticket are not playing with a full deck either !

[berrycooda]

Will Obama be ready if they call him at 3 A.M in the morning.....

Or will he be multitasking at that time...

It usually is the duty of the Pres., to not wait for a call...isn't it....

[janvoght]

i think it's unforutnate that they do not have a candidate for vice president with enough experience that she would be trusted by her party to continue on in mc cain's campaign, while he is rushing back to washington, (where by the way, they have not been able to see where he would make any difference). if this man, mc cain, is the sole player in his camp that is capable of sustaining his campaign, what does that say for his ability to trust sarah, a heart-beat away? (maybe not such a good choice after all, senator?)
OBAMA '08

[MrCommonSense]

Despite the flack McCain has gotten over dropping everything and going to Washington to try to help in resolving this horrid economical mess, I think it was just what a potential Commander In Chief would do in a crisis. On the other hand I am a bit concerned about Obama saying "if they need me, they will call me". Comparing McCain's sense of need to go there with our troops not getting a "break" is totally immature. I agree with one commentator who said the debate is just part of a job interview for a different job. I just pray both parties will stop their prideful debates and figure out what is really best for Americans!

[craniguy]

I wonder how many of our fine troops in Iraq and Afganistan are losing their homes they could only afford to financed with sub-prime loans.

[oldgoose]

Thanks, Jon, how right you are! Our troops don't need to worry too much about the financial crisis. I doubt most but a few officers in Iraq and Afghanistan make enough money to even dream of a 401K or even a money market account. The president has always made a whole lot of "houi" about the large reenlistment numbers in the war zone. The only reason: a soldier's reenlistment bonus is tax-free if received in the war zone and taxable if received in the US. When you have to pinch pennies every day, buy a lot of your damaged equipment because it is not replaced when you are in an explosion, have to constantly split your household two ways with no certtainty of any end in sight you will do things to survive which would not be normally considered and let yourself be used in "propaganda" to advertise justification for policies you do not necessarily endorse. Many, many soldiers in Iraq today no longer believe!

[edva]

Our national security challenges, like our economic crisis and our environmental crisis, are all tied to one overriding problem: global dependence on oil.
This linkage is irrefutable and obvious. The costs of these situations, in terms of blood, treasure, and human misery have been enormous, and are unsustainable.
The good news is, the problem itself presents the solution: someone, hopefully us, must go full speed ahead on the development of alternative energy production, solar being the likely option, and then, most importantly, must distribute that technology to all nations on the globe. Once there is no more need to fight over oil, once societies and economies aren't burdened by the motivation of the military procurement, or defense, of oil, and once the environment is no longer poisoned by the production and burning of oil, the other problems will naturally diminish. The only sane path is away from oil.

[OkieIntellectual]

Wow bannorhill, have you never heard the expression "too many chefs in the kitchen"? Even members of his own party have been saying that McCain's presence will do nothing but hinder the process. Obama realizes this, so he does the responsible thing and stays focused on his campaign, all the while being available if needed, as he has already stated. If only Johnny Mac could put his ego aside for a moment, he might be able to see how running back to DC is much ado about nothing.

[bannorhill]

McCain is a Senator. That is his job that we all pay him for. His job is not running for President. That is just a job interview he is on. So when he suspends his campaign to run off and do his job is there such an uproar. Which is more important? A visit with Letterman or keeping the US from going into another 1929 stock crash?

Apparently Obama also is a Senator but he feels either he can't help with the bail out (that shows leadership) or he is not qualified to help (if not then how is he qualified to be President).

If there is a crisis I want a President who runs to solve it rather than keeps doing what he was doing and hopes someone else fixes it.

[HRP]

Are you serious? Well, unfortunately for us, Bush IS the president. It's the job we pay HIM for. By no stretch of the imagination does he deserve the title or the wage. Should have been fired (impeached) a long time ago. Here's what I think most normal people want in their president: Someone who will think before acting. Someone who will weigh the FACTS before jumping in at the deep end. Someone who can at least articulate his point of view to others around the country and the world. McCain the Senator just doesn't fit the bill and should never be considered for this position.

[bannorhill]

McCain is in Washington to weigh the facts. Obama is in where?
McCain is articulating his point of view to Senators to get the bill written. Obama is articulating to voters who can't vote on the bill.
McCain is looking at the latest draft of the bill. Obama is looking at the latest polls and studying questions for the debate.

Who is trying to fix the problem? Who is leading?

[ravila88]

You claim that Senator Obama is not qualified to be President, but yet it is o k for Senator Mc Cain to send 17 and 18 year olds to war. These you young men have not even had a chance to live and yet they are being killed to protect our freedom and just because they go thru a few months of basic training does not make them qualified for such a task in war.

[JustMyWords]

You know, I betcha that there young whippersnapper Mr. Obama probably has a bunch of them fancy new gizmos that he uses to "keep in touch." Them silly things like phones, fax machines, email, web conferencing on the internet.... He probably even would get on one of them there flying machines and go back to D.C. if his personal appearance is needed, like for a vote or something.

McCain, on the other hand, knows when to keep his fingers out of every little dish. Why else would he have missed 80% of the Senate votes this year? By golly, he knows when things are going just fine and he oughta just leave well enough alone.

OK, I'm not nearly as funny as you are. After all, any supporter of GWB who says when there's a problem he wants "a President who runs to solve it rather than keeps doing what he was doing and hopes someone else fixes it" obviously has one hell of a sense of humor. After all, our current president has managed to spend over 2 1/2 years of his 8 years in office on vacation.

[OkieIntellectual]

Folks, don't even bother replying to viodware. He/she's obviously one of those paid GOP commenters who get $$ for every reply to their BS posts on HuffPo and other news clearinghouses, just like that DarkestDonnie guy. If you must address something this joker says, please do it in an original post so he doesn't get paid for spreading GOP lies and misinformation.

[voidware]

Obama said referred to the Presidential Nominee as being "in charge in 40 days".
Wrong. Bush will be in charge until late January of '09.

Obama said, regarding the "crisis", call me if you need me.
He's not needed. Shouldn't that tell you something.

He's a junior Senator, having spent only about 100 days there before running for President.
He spent no time with our military until it became politically expedient.

Furthermore, he didn't want to have these debates, out of 10 that John McCain called for, Obama was only available for 2.

Obama and several democrats wanted to pretend that the military couldn't multi-task, (i.e. "we dropped the ball in going into Iraq")

McCain put his campaign on the line for the Surge and Obama admitted the Surge was a success beyond his wildest dreams. Would you like to correct Obama on that assertion?

Fewer troops died in Iraq this year than civilians in Chicago this year.
Obama is from Chicago. What is Obama's success record in Chicago?

This timing of this debate , be it last week or next week, has nothing to do with our policy in Iraq.
What is said at the debates is of no consequence to the brave troops abroad at this time.

I would, however, like to see Obama debate himself like he plans to if John McCain doesn't show.

There's plenty the waffler can argue with himself about.

[YellerDawg]

If there were even one iota of truth in what you wrote, I would bother to refute you point by point. Instead, I'll just say, "Enjoy that Kool-Aid." Your party created the mess we are in, so we don't need your opinion on anything.

[jcwtts1]

There is real power and lame duck power. The winner in November (Obama in case you were wondering) will tacitly control both houses of congress he will be in charge.

Obama has been on the phone with lawmakers, senators and with congressmen but the truth of the matter is the leadership of the house and senate made this decision. If Obama was president, the leadership of the house and senate would make this decision. The only person besides you who doesn't understand this is 26 years in Washington McCain. All Obama and McCain can do is screw it up. If we make this bailout about the presidential election them dems vote Obama and GOP vote McCain. We need both sides to vote America.

Obama is one of the senator who blew the doors off the Walter Reed situation. You might not be familiar with that because he didn't hold a grandstanding press conference he just got it done. He visited the wounded soldiers 6 times without press and without coverage. All McCain did was vote against the GI bill (or maybe not vote since he hasn't cast a vote in 6 months)

The guy losing always wants to have 10 debates. in 60 days that would be a debate every 6 days. Obama had 22 debates with Hillary Clinton he doesn't need to carry McCain on his back. Let McCain get his own crowds.

[bannorhill]

Look at the bail out. Pelosi can't control her Democrats. Don't count on anything happening.

[jcwtts1]

When you don't have enough troops that isn't multi-tasking that is breaking the military. When you put all you eggs in one basket, Iraq (who didn't attack us) and you let Al Quieda back in the game in Afganistan that isn't leadership it is stupidity.

I'll take your word that fewer troops died in Iraq, how many died in Afghanistan, how many were catastrophically wounded, how many have traumatic stress to go with their missing limbs?

No candidate in history has flip flopped more than John McCain. Torture, tax cuts, drilling, lobbying, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and about a million other 180 degree turns.

[bannorhill]

Our troops don't get time out, but if there is a crisis and they are on leave, the leave is canceled and they are called back to fix the crisis. McCain and Obama are on leave from the Senate and only one feels it is necessary to return from leave to fix the crisis.

If Obama is President and on vacation when there is a crisis. Will he ignore the crisis until his vacation is over and hope someone else fixes it?

[magen]

Yeah, and 8 more years of deregulations and war would be GREAT!!!!!!!!!!! Huh????

When will you people open your eyes?????

[bannorhill]

Bill Clinton signed the deregulation into law in 1999. Great.

In 2003 Republicans tried to add standards and oversight to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These efforts were tied up in congress by Democrats.

Today on the crisis Bill Clinton said "I think the responsibility the Democrats have may rest more in resisting any efforts by Republicans in congress...or by me to put to some standards and tighten up a little on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac."

Who wanted tighter standards and who stopped them?

[deeppeace]

Much love and respect, Jon, and I'm so sorry you had to actually write these words. It should be such a no-brainer. But, then, maybe we expect too much of McC.

What appalls me is that he plays the POW trump card when he feels like it but votes - what, 19 times? - against improving benefits for vets. He doesn't respect the troops; they are props for him.

I have school friends (from many years ago) and relatives who are retired military. We've long observed a truce on subjects of war and aggression. I'm gathering the courage to contact them now to see what they think of McC.

I wish you deep peace.

[gdcb1128]

Courage be with you now. This is no time for fear. Contact your friends and relatives. If any of them support McCain, offer them the truth. Maybe, just maybe some of them will hear you and take a closer look. Just one changed mind, can lead to another and another.

[deeppeace]

Thank you.

[Opsimath44]

He can't find 90 minutes?

A real leader would skip a couple of meals, get by on 4 hours sleep, do whatever it takes.

And according to all reports, it's not like he's actually participating in anything.

It's like the bad staff officers you've met who think they need to sit by their monitor and go days on end without sleep, because god forbid something happen while they're sleeping. But in reality, if they had done their job training everyone else, they can sleep through the crisis knowing everyone's doing their bit.

[deeppeace]

Well said.

[PissedOffProf]

Jon,

Thank for pointing out the obvious for a nation that far too often overlooks the obvious. Our bravest still stand in harms way. And for what? Bushco politico gaino? "Surge" worked blather?

While most at home (myself included...way too often) sit on our fat A's in front of the tube and worry about mortgage payments, tanking retirement portfolios, gas cost and lines, whether the beer's cold yet, our soldiers continue to face enemies who smile at them during the day, fire at them during the night. With no end in sight.

Let us be thankful for what we have at home and vow to work even harder to bring our loyal troops home...before they too get stranded, abroad, by Bushco in a political showdown over the credit crunch they help create.