McCain's Sandbag: Revenge on Obama, Served Cold?

John McCain's actions today — [CORRECTED: Barack Obama placed a call to McCain at 8:30 a.m. in which his campaign says he floated the idea of a joint statement on the Wall Street situation, which the McCain campaign disputes, saying he left a message but they didn't know why he called; the two eventually talked in the afternoon, and then minutes later McCain announced he was suspending his campaign and invited Obama -- who he had just been on the phone with -- to join him in this] — call to mind the altercation between the two in February 2006, immortalized in their public correspondence (ellipses and emphasis added).

Dear John:

Thank you for inviting me to participate in the meeting yesterday to discuss lobbying and ethics reform proposals currently before the Senate. I appreciate your willingness to reach out to me and several other Senate Democrats to discuss what should be done to restore public confidence in the way that Congress conducts its business. The discussion clearly underscored the difficult challenge facing Congress.
....

I know you have expressed an interest in creating a task force to further study and discuss these matters, but I and others in the Democratic Caucus believe the more effective and timely course is to allow the committees of jurisdiction to roll up their sleeves and get to work on writing ethics and lobbying reform legislation that a majority of the Senate can support. Committee consideration of these matters through the normal course will ensure that these issues are discussed in a public forum and that those within Congress, as well as those on the outside, can express their views, ensuring a thorough review of this matter.
....

Sincerely,
Barack Obama
United States Senator

Obama had made a handshake deal to work with McCain, but then backed out and left McCain standing there "with his d*ck in his hand" as they say on The Sopranos.

McCain took this reversal rather badly.

Dear Senator Obama:

I would like to apologize to you for assuming that your private assurances to me regarding your desire to cooperate in our efforts to negotiate bipartisan lobbying reform legislation were sincere. When you approached me and insisted that despite your leadership's preference to use the issue to gain a political advantage in the 2006 elections, you were personally committed to achieving a result that would reflect credit on the entire Senate and offer the country a better example of political leadership, I concluded your professed concern for the institution and the public interest was genuine and admirable. Thank you for disabusing me of such notions with your letter to me dated February 2, 2006, which explained your decision to withdraw from our bipartisan discussions. I'm embarrassed to admit that after all these years in politics I failed to interpret your previous assurances as typical rhetorical gloss routinely used in politics to make self-interested partisan posturing appear more noble. Again, sorry for the confusion, but please be assured I won't make the same mistake again.
...
As I noted, I initially believed you shared that goal. But I understand how important the opportunity to lead your party's effort to exploit this issue must seem to a freshman Senator, and I hold no hard feelings over your earlier disingenuousness. Again, I have been around long enough to appreciate that in politics the public interest isn't always a priority for every one of us. Good luck to you, Senator.

Sincerely,
John McCain
United States Senate

Obama then expressed befuddlement and struck an apologetic and conciliatory note.

Dear John:

....
During my short time in the U.S. Senate, one of the aspects about this institution that I have come to value most is the collegiality and the willingness to put aside partisan differences to work on issues that help the American people. It was in this spirit that I approached you to work on ethics reform, and it was in this spirit that I agreed to attend your bipartisan meeting last week. I appreciated then - and still do appreciate - your willingness to reach out to me and several other Democrats.
....
I confess that I have no idea what has prompted your response. But let me assure you that I am not interested in typical partisan rhetoric or posturing. The fact that you have now questioned my sincerity and my desire to put aside politics for the public interest is regrettable but does not in any way diminish my deep respect for you nor my willingness to find a bipartisan solution to this problem.

Sincerely,
Barack Obama
United States Senator

McCain soon publicly said his temper had cooled, he claimed the two had "moved on."

Ah, but we've all heard McCain can be a little vindictive. And revenge is a dish best served cold.

As the race between Obama and McCain officially began this summer, I thought back more than once on this one big public kerfuffle involving the two senators as a hint at how they'd get along. (Get the popcorn! I thought.)

Will McCain's sandbagging of his opponent end up as a footnote to the topline story of McCain as economic hero (cough, cough), or will Obama's people spin it successfully as the underpinning of a colossally sleazy stunt that reflects negatively on McCain's character?

Comments

[MaryT63]

This is pretty obvious that McBush is making a political grab for the news cycles. There was no need for him to suspend his campaign, and try to cancel the debates. He could have teleconferences with his repub senate mates. Can't he multi-task. Looks like grandpa can't.
Lots money was spent at ole miss to host this debate, what about them. What about the local hotels, eateries, etc. that purchased more food, drinks, etc for this event. Who's going to cover this cost. It appears as if McBush made an impulsive, careless and selfish decision. Will he suffer the consequences.

[milo h minderbinder]

"a call from Barack Obama at 8:30 a.m. in which Obama floated the idea of a joint statement"

You got your facts wrong. He DID call at 8:30, but he couldn't get through to McCain. Obama says he suggested it when he got the call returned in the afternoon.

[Scott Shrake - Huffpost Blogger]

You are right that the McCain campaign disputes the sequence of events I originally wrote about; I've amended the post to reflect that, but still feel that McCain sandbagged Obama. "Bad faith" city.

[jchflorida]

America has little interest in what 2 senators argue about during the course of a legislative session . Your post misses on 2 points . One ...... Mccain was not successful in getting "revenge" in that even Republicans are snickering at his grand stand play. Two .....after the smoke clears it will look like he's ducking a debate.

[milo h minderbinder]

I don't think this is revenge as much as rolling the dice in complete desperation.

The Palin stunt doesn't seem to have helped him, with his numbers sinking by the day he needed something to try and shake things up. I really doubt it will work, it will probably just be another backfire.

[Pieface]

Obama is showing his petulance and immaturity during a national crisis by insisting on having a scheduled debate. Is he afraid that all his coaching will have been for naught?

[navy62802]

I actually think McCain has a medical problem and took this opportunity to try to hide it.

[milo h minderbinder]

Funny, I'd say that insisting on postponing a debate, which also includes postponing the VP debate is the "petulant and immature" thing to do. Especially when millions have already been spent setting up at the university for the debate.

Can't the guy multitask? If there's a national crisis, is he going to put "being president" on suspension?

And this crisis started over a week ago. Why is McCain insisting on all this so late (when his poll numbers are in the toilet) instead of a week ago monday (when his poll numbers were still up from the RNC bounce)?

[lincheryl]

Is it coincidental that he has a left eye that doesn't look right? Even if that is not part of the reason, I think that the ultimate goal is to put the presidential debate on the night that was scheduled for the VP debate, thus delaying that one or he could even be trying to stall it out so it doesn't happen at all. It would be consistent with the lock they have put on her.

What would happen if I had an interview for a job and went in and said I would not be taking any questions today, but would speak from my script about how good I am, then saying I would let them know when they could ask me questions? Would I get the job? Yet we are expected to vote for someone to take an extremely important and powerful national job with such tactics. No thank you. It is an insult to our intelligence.

[amati1684]

"Glory" was not exactly what John McCain grabbed for himself yesterday. This is as blatant a case of "cut and run" as can be imagined. Maybe he's too busy getting tutorials on economics (right along with Sarah) to keep a campaign going. Or maybe he forgot he's actually running a campaign...those senior moments seem to be piling up these days.

[McNuts]

Looks like Cindi didn't get the text message that the campaign is suspended as she headed a $10,000 a person fundraiser luncheonat a billionaire's home in our Seattle suburbs.

[darker]

McCain = A FRAUD handled by republican publicity stunters.
McCain's Repub. handlers definitely do not want a McCain debate with Obama on the economy Friday. Imagine some of the questions that McCain would have to answer.

MCCAIN wants to CUT & RUN = Cowardly.
MCCain USES the WashDC economy debate as a FIG LEAF to avoid debate with Obama.

A time out is for TODDLERS, not for responsible adults. maybe MCCAIN needs time out to change his Depends diaper? yikes.

McCain and his VP pick are constantly shielded from saying anything much to media for fear they'll screw up. That's not leadership! That's abominable.
I've had it with the republican circus sideshow!

My vote will be for
common sense & competence: Obama-Biden.

[dunno139]

Yeah this is a joke everyone knows that is not what happened. McCain went crying for Obama on that ethics reform cause McCain was using it as personal leverage against his own partying for getting slapped around by Bush. I don't blame Obama for not wanting his name on the excuse of an ethics reform bill, (with all to respect to Mr. Feingold) that piece of work is the reason that we have these open 527's lying like there is no tomorrow. It is kind of funny that Obama stiffed him, even more funny that McCain took it so personal. Doesn't McCain know politics ain't bean bag

[McNuts]

garyJay, it is easy to get confused depending on where one gets the news. Barack called McCain early this morning proposing a meeting and joint statement. McCain returned the call six hours later agreeing to same. Then McCain inexplicably launched into his debate/campaign suspension drama with the media out of the blue; the same kind of sleazy character flaw games inflicted by Bush/Cheney for the last eight years. Haven't we had it with liars,gamers and grandstanders.

[GaryJay]

the exchange of letters as I read them makes it perfectly understandable to me why Senator McCain was so upset with Barrack Obama. I too would be upset with obama's saing one thing, but then asked to actually participate only to back off----yes very naive of the young senator. I will vote for McCain.

[BBackSoon]

Were you ever undecided?

[IhateNeoCons]

Oh, well, if you're going to vote for McCain, then we all should. After-all, your logic is impeccable.

Hmm, deregulate, deregulate, deregulate, oops, IMPLOSION! Regulate, Regulate, Regulate... YUP, McCain has never said one thing and done another. Anyone who still CLAIMS to believe this is a man of character or integrity is either seriously deluding themselves, or, are so blatantly, irretrievably partisan, that they can contribute nothing substantive or intelligent to the current debate. He's shown his lack of character, leadership, honor, and frankly, self-respect when you add it all up, REPEATEDLY. One set of rules for the 100 million dollar man, another set for anyone and everyone who crosses him or disagrees with him. By his criteria then, no statement to him need EVER be followed through on. That is McCain's set of rules. Don't whine that others are simply willing to follow them at times. After-all, boiling down a decision removed in time from the original assurance given to a simple issue of loyalty, when it is clear that any and all detail and nuance that might be present in the issue are lost is beyond juvenile. A huge chunk of nuance by the way is a 70 year old man's inability to control his temper any better than one would expect from an average 5 year old. Everyone would be much better off if he would FINALLY get the treatment for his PTSD that he CLEARLY should have had more than 30 years ago.

[Dynamohum]

Couldn't have said it better myself. thank you

[BillZBubb]

"...will Obama's people spin it successfully as the underpinning of a colossally sleazy stunt that reflects negatively on McCain's character?"

There is no spin necessary. This "suspension" is a colossally sleazy stunt the reflects negatively on McSame's character. It is cowardice under fire. McSame just made a major blunder and it will cost him.