So John McCain just announced that he is "suspending his campaign" and requesting a postponement of Friday’s debate so he can return to Congress and work on the Bailout Plan. John McCain no doubt thinks he is showing leadership. In fact, he is using a cheap campaign stunt to politicize the financial crisis and the proposed bailout plan to satisfy is personal lust for power as his poll numbers fall.
What does McCain have to offer the bi-partisan efforts to determine an effective and fair solution to the financial crisis that we are facing? He has admitted that the economic policy is not his strong suit. He said just last week that the "fundamentals of our economy remain strong". His former top domestic policy adviser, Phil Graham authored the legislation that deregulated the markets and led to this disaster. Mr. Graham also believes that the recession is "all in our heads" and that America is a "nation of whiners". John McCain has lied about his campaign’s ties to failed financial institutions. John McCain has recklessly chosen a person who is totally unsuited to ascend to the office of President in the unlikely event that John McCain is elected President but cannot complete his term.
John McCain has nothing to offer this situation. So why does he think his personal presence would do anything to help? In fact, John McCain’s announcement betrays his unsuitability to lead our country. First, his announcement shows that he does not have confidence in the ability of his colleagues in the Senate and the House to come up with a bi-partisan solution to the crisis. They need him, even though he is out of touch with the economic realities of main street America. It also demonstrates more forcibly than any campaign ad that John McCain is desperate to attain power even at the cost of our financial future. John McCain’s presence will do nothing to aid the process; it will only politicize the process. Rather than having the freedom to engage in a true bi-partisan effort and act like statesmen/stateswomen, Republicans in Congress who have shown some stirrings of independence, will be pressured into goose-stepping along party ideological lines and adhering to the Bush Administration’s grab for unlimited power. John McCain says he wants to "set politics aside" to lead this effort, in fact, what he is doing is the opposite—he is politicizing it.
By contrast, Senator Obama, has issued broad policy guidelines. He has shown respect and confidence in his colleagues in the congress. He has chosen not to politicize the actual hearings and debates and to encourage a spirit of bi-partisan cooperation. He contacted Senator McCain to suggest that they issue a joint statement of principles that they agreed upon. After McCain returned his call and agreed to the proposal, McCain issued his campaign suspension statement. Obama has shown the kind of bi-partisanship that is the hallmark of a leader as opposed to a flyboy.
John McCain would rather win an election than avoid a potential world-wide depression. John McCain has even little if any regard for his colleagues in Congress and their collective abilities to draft and pass a reasonable response to this crisis.
John McCain is a legend in his own mind but nothing more. John McCain has neither the temperament nor the character, nor the understanding to be President.