McCain retracts 1-on-1 hoops challenge to Obama

AP - WASHINGTON - John McCain, acting through surrogates, today withdrew an earlier challenge to Barack Obama to play him in a game of one-on-one basketball on the court of his choice.

"Though it is true that Barack Obama accepted Senator McCain's challenge of last Thursday," said McCain Communications Director Jill Hazelbeck, "he took approximately 15 minutes to do so, during which Senator McCain's calendar filled up with really, really important stuff.  So, it's off.  You snooze, you lose."

McCain campaign insiders insist that the decision to take back the challenge had nothing to do with a video showing Barack Obama effortlessly sinking a three-point shot while visiting with troops overseas.

"Fine, whatever, he saw it," said Hazelbeck.  "But if you think John McCain is easily intimidated by effortless ball-handling, textbook shooting technique, and an almost supernatural grace under pressure that suggests ice running through the veins of his opponent, you clearly don't understand how John McCain's mind works."

The challenge, issued by McCain himself on the McCain 2008 website last Thursday, read as follows:

"It has been at least 902 days since Barack Obama has faced an opponent of my skillz in the lane or on the boards.  Either he can let the American people decide for themselves whether he's ready to lead, or he can settle the question on the court one week from today, 8 p.m. Eastern, on live television.  Your move, Barack."

Obama's response, posted 12 minutes later on his campaign's website, read simply:

"Okay."

Hazelbeck insists that the formal invocation of "takesy-backsies" was necessary so that her candidate could keep an appointment with his dentist, which "took months and months to nail down."

•  Tip jar

  Swish.

  by The Termite on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 12:58:01 PM PDT

•  That shot really was a thing of beauty.

  by lineatus on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 12:59:35 PM PDT

  •  Especially with a jillion eyes on him n/t

    by bwintx on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:00:37 PM PDT

    •  I like the phrase..

      Ice running in his veins.  I couldn't believe he made the shot!!!  And it is being shown over and over on the TV.  

      Watching him is like watching grace under pressure.  Watch his body language, and then compare it to McCain.  Watch the way he walks, moves.  It is a thing of beauty.  And so was that shot.

      by JWC on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:04:01 PM PDT

      •  He just gave...

        David Letterman about 10 more 'Cool' vs. 'Uncool' segments.

        by RichM on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:25:20 PM PDT

  •  I reflexively jumped out of my chair

    ...and screamed "COUNT IT!"

    by The Termite on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:00:59 PM PDT

    •  LOL

      by trinityfly on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:43:39 PM PDT

  •  Obama v. McCain on the bball court?

    OMG, McCain would look so feeble and inept.

    by NCDem Amy on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:08:47 PM PDT

  •  He even made sure it rattled in

    If it had been nothing but net then the press would have accused him of being elitist in front of the troops.

    by Dr Colossus on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:38:03 PM PDT

  •  Wow, gives me hope

    I'm a hell of a racquetball player.  Just imagine if I could get a Google video of me diving for a shot and rolling it out in the corner....I could be President....

    by artmartin on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:38:13 PM PDT

•  Uh-huh

  "Fine, whatever, he saw it," said Hazelbeck.  "But if you think John McCain is easily intimidated by effortless ball-handling, textbook shooting technique, and an almost supernatural grace under pressure that suggests ice running through the veins of his opponent, you clearly don't understand how John McCain's mind works."

  Perhaps its not intimidation but the fact that MCCain can not raise his arms above his shoulders because of horrific torture injuries as a result of being hung by his wrists for long periods of time.

  SOOOOooooo many things to take shots at with this Republican hack, why do we need to make physical attribute references?

  by Wisper on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:01:34 PM PDT

  •  Thanks for the opportunity to make it...

    ...100% clear that I wasn't poking fun of McCain's physical disability in any way, shape or form.

    by The Termite on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:02:56 PM PDT

  •  Umm... you realize this was a snark story, right?

    This has nothing to do with McCain's physical attributes, but with his rediculous challege of Obama to go to Iraq.

    by smash artist on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:03:12 PM PDT

  •  What about the quoted text you specifically

    chose suggests the diary is mocking McCain's injuries? That's just bizarre.

    by zhimbo on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:05:51 PM PDT

  •  It's humor

    McCain does go hiking, so he does do sports, just not basketball.

    But the reality is, he is nearly 72 years old. Very forgetful and often gets confused.

    Being President is very demanding, both intellectually and physically. Being fit for command IS a requirement.

    by NCDem Amy on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:13:21 PM PDT

    •  To be fair...

      ...(and while I HATE explaining jokes), this diary was not about McCain's physical talents or limitations, but about his hubris, and its tendency to backfire on him.

      by The Termite on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:14:56 PM PDT

    •  I hope he takes a really long hike..

      right into the history books as the also ran!

      by LogicaLizE on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:39:19 PM PDT

  •  Cause we can?

    by artmartin on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:39:12 PM PDT

•  Guitar Hero? BAH! Rock Band Baby!

  by Larry Madill on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:02:01 PM PDT

•  A sleep-off

  Who can take the longer napzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz......

  by OReillysNightmare on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:02:15 PM PDT

•  Barack VS John

  Shuffle Board Tourney 08'

  by Dr DungButter on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:02:50 PM PDT

•  Give the 30 points, take Barack.

        (Also, load up on the 'over'.)

  by Hillbilly Dem on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:02:53 PM PDT

•  McCain knows better than to pick "Hide and Seek"

  Three years from now, Barack would be at the White House Correspondents' Dinner showing a video of him looking under a table and behind the curtains, saying "Nope, he's not here either".

  by lineatus on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:04:28 PM PDT

•  I bet John Mccain shoots underhanded...lol

  by ebbinflo on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:06:24 PM PDT

•  What are you snaking on?

  by math monkey on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:07:05 PM PDT

  •  Er, uh....

    ...huh?

    by The Termite on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:07:24 PM PDT

    •  Sorry

      In my mind, that said "snarking".  Plus, I think I picked it up from the other comments that it was McCain challenging Obama to go to Iraq, which backfired big time.

      by math monkey on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:11:51 PM PDT

      •  You got it

        by The Termite on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:15:18 PM PDT

    •  I think "snacking" was the intended word

      although I'm not certain that completely clears things up.

      by zhimbo on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:11:54 PM PDT

      •  Ah, mm posted just as I did.

        My intuitive powers apparently suck, too.

        by zhimbo on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:12:29 PM PDT

      •  bad typing and reading ablities

        It was suppesed to be snark-ing, as in "What bonehead move of McCain are we making fun of today?"

        My earlier clarification was not clear.

        by math monkey on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:14:17 PM PDT

•  New challenge

  I heard McCain has challenged Barack on who has the better knowledge of economics, but McCain is insisting that the winner be determined, like in golf,--lowest score wins. Gotcha

  by pollbuster on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:07:30 PM PDT

•  A shirtless posedown....

  There are many things I willing to do for my country. Viewing John McCain topless isn't one of them.

  by velvet blasphemy on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:09:46 PM PDT

  •  We win!

    

    by lineatus on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:20:28 PM PDT

    •  this is how we should decide the election. Then

      I could really stop worrying once and for all.

      by krwlngwthyou on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:37:53 PM PDT

•  Poor John

  McCain challenged him to a game of Texas hold-em, but then he found out it had nothing to do with hugging George Bush.

  by pollbuster on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:12:36 PM PDT

  •  That got me laughing

    (In addition to the whole diary, that is)

    by LeftyAce on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:09:32 PM PDT

•  Challenge to empty grins, green backdrops, and

  uncomfortable silences when jabs fall flat.

  by Xapulin on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:21:44 PM PDT

•  McCain: "I challenge you to a game of horseshoes"

  by jamtown on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:22:00 PM PDT

  •  Canasta at 10 paces.

    by artmartin on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:40:54 PM PDT

•  Ultimate Challenge: THAC0 Calculation from Memory

  I can see it now:

  "Ok, Senator, this one is for Nevada. Lugubrius the 13th level wizard is attacking a troll with a +1 Ring of Destiny, but encumbered with 45 pounds of equipment, and using a shortbow from 40 paces. What is his THAC0?"

  "13?"

  "Sorry, that was a trick question. Trolls are immune to non-magical attacks from all weapons unless they're made of silver. Your opponet receives 10,000 free votes in Las Vegas County."

  by arquebus on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:25:17 PM PDT

  •  He's a nerd, get him! nt

    by Dr Colossus on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:39:58 PM PDT

•  Now now, let's be fair,

  You can't possibly extrapolate one's fitness to be president from how he performs on the basketball court.

  Oh, no wait, actually, you can:
  

  by BurntSierra on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:25:44 PM PDT

•  Hide and seek - McCain hides

  Obama goes to 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. and lets him figure it out.

  by MKSinSA on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:34:27 PM PDT

•  there's no option on the poll.

  for just an Obama shirtless posedown.. I don't want to see McCain shirtless. That should be considered a form of torture.

  by LogicaLizE on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:38:18 PM PDT

  •  hey, it might scare a few more votes our way. nt

    by krwlngwthyou on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:39:13 PM PDT

    •  Do what you have to do

      to get elected. Anything to win IMO.

      by LogicaLizE on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:44:06 PM PDT

•  how about a round of "jeopardy?"

  by rasbobbo on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 01:40:01 PM PDT

•  That Poll

  Shirtless is winning at 2:30pm PDT.

  There are some randy folks here.

  by ThirtyFiveUp on Tue Jul 22, 2008 at 02:25:27 PM PDT