McCain Requests to Cancel Friday's Debate. Is he an Unstable Single Track Man in A Multiple Track World?

John McCain has said he's suspending his campaign and going to Washington to work on the economic plan to deal with the economic crisis.

He did something similar to this at the beginning of the Republican National Convention, when hurricane Gustav was approaching the Gulf Coast. It was a great excuse to disinvite George Bush and Dick Cheney from making what had been obligatory, but really, unwanted, undesirable appearances.

Now, McCain, poll results plummeting due to his economic commentary gaffes, seems to be pulling another cancellation play.

This time though, he doesn't have the cooperation of people in his party. He's made a commitment to engage in what has become a core tradition of campaigns -- a face to face debate. There has been much speculation over his ability to face Obama, even on the topic which is supposed to be his strong suit -- foreign policy and international relations.

But we know that for weeks, McCain's campaign team has refused to allow McCain or Palin to engage in question and answer, open discussions, let alone conversations with the press. He cancelled, for example, an interview with Larry King, after CNN purportedly gave a campaign staffer too tough a time.

A Fox News commentator spins this as "precisely the out of the box, maverick, in your face" style we are accustomed to from McCain.

But is this maverick action or does this show that McCain can't handle dealing with more than one issue, one crisis at a time? Does it show how McCain is undependable and can't be expected to follow through on what he commits to, especially if it's not something he really wants to do? Are we encountering examples of "the dog ate my homework?"

McCain seems willing to pull these "let's not be partisan" moments when it is convenient. He talks big about putting the country ahead of politics, but the circumstances have been such obvious examples where he benefits by taking these purportedly nation-first, "principled" withdrawals from commitments. One has to wonder how often he'll use the weather or discussions in congress to cancel important meetings with national or corporate leaders.

One thing's for sure. Obama would be very wise to not trust McCain for a split second.

Crossposted from OpEdNews.com

Follow Rob Kall on Twitter: www.twitter.com/robkall

Comments

[Hope01]

We all know that McCain is throwing another hail mary pass! Why becuase he is trailing in the polls now that his magic carpet ride on Palin is over. There is no reason why this debate can not happen! and certainly no reason to delay the Vp debates period! McCain knows no shame.

[GunnyJ]

So if McC becomes President and has a hissy fit, does he cancel the world?

[Rob Kall - Huffpost Blogger]

Update: McCain suggests they postpone the VP debate and he and Obama will debate then. Oh, and Sarah the unprepared will have more time. Hello! She will never be ready.

[mereubu]

Oh for Pete's sake. Are you kidding me???
This guy has missed more senate votes than anyone. Now he has to rush back to Washington to fulfill his duty? Does anyone buy this?

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/110/senate/vote-missers

[Alexandro]

Like if a few days in Washington would make a difference for JMC - he hasn't made any in over 26 years!! What would a sane person think is that he would be able and willing to do now?

[Khodges2]

This is ridiculous...! This guy Mcsame wants to cancel the debate because he knows that with the current news it wont go in his favor. He is quite aware that Obama will slam him with all the ammunition he has gathered in the past few weeks.

[PioneerKing]

This is childish pay back for Sen. Obama refusing to play the "rigged town hall meeting game" with McCain.

McCain will release a statement saying the debates would have not been necessary if Sen. Obama had done the town hall meetings and now there is no time for debates.

McCain has not suspended the fundraising that he and Palin have planned.

McCain is not suspending campaigning that Palin is doing for their campaign.

If McCain was so concerned about the economy why wasn't he in Washington last week and this week.

If McCain was concerned about the economy why hasn't he gone to Wall Street and kicked down the doors and demanded to see the books and accounting ledgers from the firms that want to be bailed out.

[milo h minderbinder]

"This economic meltdown wouldn't have happened if Barack Obama agreed to do town hall meetings with me..."

[CompetenceMatters]

Why not just move the debate to Washington? Surely they can do both?

[eanderso]

bingo

[GCHS4obama]

One trip by McCain to Washington will not fix this disaster. He even stated that the state of the economy was strong. The American people want to hear what his plans are. We will find no compfort in knowing he is with Bush behind closed doors doing what both do best NOTHING.
Suspend a campaign? Well I am sure we all know what happens on Oct 2nd? Biden and Palin's debate. Who would be surprised if he suspended his campaign until at least Oct 3rd? It is the one and only Vice Presidential debate scheduled. I just can't believe it....