Looks like Kos put up "McCain blinks" while I was composing this diary, so maybe we can change it up and see how many different ways we can get the same point across: Obama gets a big WIN for McCain even showing up to the debate.
Can't we make the MSM keep it simple and call it like it is?
With no solution in place and even more chaos over the bailout, how can we let McCain get away with showing up at the debate as if he hadn't said that he wouldn't come unless a compromise in place? Don't know how many ways you can say it, but:
- Obama called McCain's bluff
- McCain caved
- McCain flinched
- McCain gave in
- McCain broke his pledge
- McCain blinked
- McCain cries uncle
- McCain buckles under
(Guess that's 8, but the figurative language side of my brain isn't working well right now--please add better examples as you see fit...)
This is the narrative that needs to be pushed in anticipation of the debate. Even more than the cheesy "McCain wins the debate" ad already up--hey, can McCain even keep fundraising on his campaign site after taking federal funds--will be the inevitable attempt for McCain to spin how gracious he is for showing up under a crisis situation, to cover up a likely half-assed and irrational effort tonight. Never mind that foreign policy is supposedly his strong suit and that he's supposed to show up for the debates.
In short, Obama wins by showing up and for making McCain follow his lead.