Editor’s Note: Leslie Sanchez is a former adviser to President Bush and CEO of Impacto Group, which specializes in market research about women and Hispanics for its corporate and nonprofit clients.
Leslie Sanchez | Bio
CNN Political Contributor
Republican Strategist
As the dust settles on today's White House meeting, the next item on the agenda is the matter of Friday's presidential debate.
John McCain wants it postponed so that he and other Senators can focus on the proposed $700 billion bailout of U.S. financial markets. Barack Obama, who says a President has to be able to multi-task, wants to go ahead as planned.
The chattering class has decreed McCain’s actions a stunt, and foretold from their klieg-lit perch that McCain will cave. I wouldn’t be so sure.
Even history’s greatest debaters took time to prepare, and any trial lawyer will tell you that the focus required to go before a jury is profoundly intense. Even for candidates who’ve each debated on many occasions, it would be a difficult task to shift focus from something like the financial rescue to a televised debate.
From the “good-government” standpoint– McCain is probably right to concentrate his energies on legislation of such consequence. McCain’s campaign describes him as putting his personal and emotional energies fully into the complexities of the bailout. He cannot, he says, participate in the intricacies of legislative draftsmanship by telephone – and we know he doesn’t use e-mail.
Obama, aided in no small measure by the national media, will place tremendous pressure on McCain to take part in Friday's debate. Perhaps Team Obama sees a tactical advantage in taking on a tired, unfocused adversary.
From McCain’s standpoint, there will be a debate, Oxford or not. It’ll take place on the floor of the United States Senate, and will focus on probably the most significant legislation to come before Congress in a generation. It’s there, he hopes, America will see the difference between a rookie “talker” and an experienced “doer.”
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Wow, can somebody please tell me what McCain did to speed up this negotiations for us? I think this was purely a distraction. Palin another distraction. Did anyone watch her second interview with Katie Couric? We deserve better than this. McCain this week has behaved very erratic, disorganized etc. He is the most disorganized presidential campaigner I have ever witnessed. This is an indication of his kind of leadership – bizarre, dishonest, disorganized, gambling, risky etc. Almost ADHD like. I am not impressed.
Obama/Biden have been organized and consistent from day one even in the midst of crisis. I think they are better prepared to lead our great nation to prosperity again.
McCain is not bringing people together in a bipartisan way. In fact, the word out of Washington is that he is making the situation more divided and has not been effectual in any way. He is not putting country first. He is putting campaign first. He is using this as another little gimmick to divert everyone's attention from his WEAK campaign. The only thing he does well is to "change" the subject. I guess that 's what he means when he talks about being the candidate of "change" . Wouldn't surprise me if there had been an agreement in the Republican party to "make" it look like McCain is the one who brokers an agreement...a BRIDGE, if you will, to an agreement. He then gets to be the one who saves the day and rides in to Mississippi on his high horse. Ha! A Maverick? How about Lame Show Pony? Oh, this could never have anything to do with Poll numbers? Nah!
Prioritize? If you think he is doing this well, I have a bridge in Alaska that I will sell you.
McCain is good at bringing people together in a bipartisan way to support a bill that needs to be finished – this is what I think he is contributing to the Congressional effort right now and he feels it is more important than a debate. While Obama says a President needs to be able to multi-task, a President also needs to be able to prioritize. Whether you like or dislike McCain or believe in his sincerity he has done that prioritization and the campaign came in second.
Annie Kate
Birmingham AL
All I hear from the McCain camp these days is excuses, lies, distortions and distractions. I see Leslie got those talking points from the RNC this morning. Anyone who can not see through this scam is either lying to themselves or lying to us. Take your pick.
Give the American people a little credit....most of us can tell when we are being played. If McCain can't walk, chew gum and email on his blackberry at the same time, then he is not fit to be President in any way shape or form.
Tell us Leslie, how many votes has McCain skipped in the last year and what is it that makes him such an expert on the economy that he needs to rush to Washington to "fix" the problem. Give me a break.
This has all the earmarks of a political stunt. His surrogates were all over television this morning and the ads certainly were aired where I live. He has the MSM following him everywhere and now instead of noticing that something seems wrong with his left eye and he can't string a logical sentence together when it comes to discussion the economy, the press will concentrate on McCain the hero. Brilliant, but it's getting old. This is his third "Hail Mary" in a month's time.
Did you mean the "talker and the panderer"?
A Rookie talker vs a experienced Doer? Why doesnt Mr McCain do what he is suppose to do which is to run his campaigns, He is NOT the president yet and he is trying to make America and the rest of the world BELIEVE he has the leadership skills because if Obama agrees and follows McCain, then McCain has the advantage because it appears he is tring to bring the Democrats and the Republicans together. It is a means of distraction because Obama's campaign is running very well and McCains is falling apart. If the meeting this morning in Washington was so important then why did he NOT participate in voting for what is right for America over the last 8 years of the Bush Administration. That is not an example of an experienced "DOER" . All of his ideas that he mentioned were what Bill Clinton mentioned on the John Stewart show. What a great "Doer". Mcain is a great person, he defended America in the War in Vietnam but in my opionion Barak seems to be a better candidate for president. But that is just my opinion.I have a few questions. Why did they export jobs overseas anyways? And why did they pass the laws to give out the outragous sub Prime mortgages when all the jobs were being lost overseas? Sure there are other jobs out there, ie services, but most of those are outsourced as well to countries such as India. No wonder no one can afford a mortgage.
Frankly, it's refreshing to see a Senator care about his job, stop and focus on the job at hand. Obama not wanting to do the job he has rarely shown up for anyway sure convinces me he is just another politician who doesn't care about anybody but himself. I'll be voting against him in November.
the doer? I wish someone would write about what he has done in 26 years. I simply can't visualize this man leading us anywhere but down the same ole path as the last 8 years. We can't afford him. My family used to be considered middle class. Now with retirement fund dwindling, groceries, gas and the cost of living spiralling out of control, we are lucky to meet the monthly bills. The majority of time, we are reaching into the savings – your comments make me want to reach into the screen and just slap you.
Leslie – I think you must be a smart woman – then my question is this – how can you possibly believe the things you say
McCain is ridiculous – he doesn't know the economy, hey if I had an heiress for a wife and had 7 homes and 13 cars I wouldn't know how the little people lived either – he only wants to keep the troops in Iraq for a war that never should have been when both the Iraqies and now even Bush says we should go, he choose Palin
You are as out of touch with the American people as McCain is
Let me get this straight Leslie, you admit to a tired and unfocused John McCain? Claiming the Obama camp is kicking a foundered maverick horse? You're joking right?
McCain is tired and unfocused merely running for president? I will tell you what we dont need. We dont need Cindy answering that 3 AM call while John is yawningly saying hello into the alarm clock.
I dislike both these candidates, but it is becoming more obvious this isnt about a rookie talker and experienced doer but rather an up and comer and over the hiller.
Apparently, we cannot believe anything he says anymore. Watching this once respected man spiral into the mire of his own stunts and lies is depressing.
bull no one needed either one to show as we now know.Mccain is full of it and everyine called kerry a flipflopper. Im seventeen and will be able to vote for the first time but i wont these two think ths is a reality show im turned off and will not be voting u guys can have this country im 5 minutes from the border im going to canada.
Dan brings up an excellent point: "McCain has said repeatedly in public that he doesn’t know much about the economy..."
Bullzeye, bucko! Don't know about economy or even the US economy, why are you running for president?! It doesn't make sense to me. Does not compute.
Does the American people know that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have given large contributions to the Barack Obama campaign
Leslie,
" ... America will see the difference between a rookie “talker” and an experienced “doer.” ..."
Really?
If he doesn't really know much about the economy anyways why not send "Lipstick" there to fix it for you? Or was the UN photo op getting in the way?
(How'd it make you GOP folk feel when it backfired and she was described by a national leader – Indian President I think – as 'gorgeous' ... not exactly an international resume builder is it!)
I'm interested to find out how much each of these two candidates actually contributed to the discussion and language of this bill. They each arrived in Washington today so they have missed the most important part of the info gathering, debate, discussion with experts economists of the past week. I highly doubt they are needed to add their own two cents. The Congress needs to focus on doing what's right for the American people and not have to deal with the presidential circus that may accompany these two to the capitol. I don't think McCain is trying anything suspicious – but that he is misguided in thinking that he will have a major impact on the deal that is likely already in the final stages. It would be great if he actually voted on something, though. I think his intentions are genuine but really not necessary. Let the debate begin!
Give me a break... the man who less than a week ago thought the ecomony was fundamental sound is now going to ride in and rescue it? Senator McCain is grandstanding to avoid the debate. If folks are so concerned about these two doing their jobs where were the complaints for the last few months? Nothing else important has happended? McCain – experience I don't need!
Leslie:
If I am not mistaken Sect. Paulson called Senator McCain Tues/Wed and asked him to come to Washington to help with the bailout plan. Senator John McCain is well known for his bi-partisonship. He is also the leader of his party now and can come in handy bringing along members that may be hesitante to sign on.
Senator's McCain and Obama should both be there, as one of these two men will have to deal with this well into their first administration.
Susan
Phoenixville,PA
Leslie,
Thanks for your post, I agree with you on this , McCain takes action he backs up his words consistently he;s able to identify a real crisis and act with the necessary judgement and leadership , as far as the debates go ,the fact is it was Obama that was turning down McCains invitation to the townhall meeting several times other times he would not want to go ahead with debates, this is Obama 's biggest nightmare senario, the democrats are now with nothing but "convienient timming" saying that they've agreed on after working soo many hrs to a revised bail out plan , the night before we had Sen Dodd saying we are nowhere close to any decision , what they really fear is that McCain would come to town work with BOTH sides as he has reached across party lines many times , in contrast to Obama who has no example of reaching or working with both party's , further proof he's self absorbed, his response was to the effect , yeah" call me if you need me" .
Maritza
At least someone is doing the job he was elected to do.
McCain did NOTHING to contribute to this bill being passed. It was a cheap political stunt that just made him look even more flustered in the ongoing crisis. Given that 10 days ago this guy was saying the "Fundamentals of the economy were sound" how can he now suddenly be rushing back to talk about a topic (the economy) that he has admited he is weak on.
As to "suspending his campaign" there are numerous reports that it is rolling on, business as usual. More politics and spin from the McSame/Phalin camp.
Leslie I am again not surprised by your acticle!
McCain is running for POTUS not to be on a basketball team where you just take a timeout when things aren't going your way. This is nothing more than a complete political stunt by McCain that will backfire just like that stunt in selecting Palin as VP to attract upset HRC supporters. The American people see straight through this circus and that is why Obama poll #s are rising!
I find is very funny that he have to rush back to Washington to get this bill passed because the sky is falling when he and Bush are the reasons for this entire mess. The GOP has ALWAYS been for deregulation and letting these criminals run lose to take advantage of hard working Americans to make a profit.
I agree with Letterman, if Palin is qualified to be a heart beat away from President surely she should be able to step in lead the campaign. I have a suggestion for the debate. Since McCain has to "work" why don't the VP debate take place tomorrow! Wait, that won't work because Palin has been trained yet!
This is laugh-out-loud ridiculous. McCain has said repeatedly in public that he doesn't know much about the economy, and as recently as Tuesday admitted that he hadn't even read Paulson's original proposal.
The idea that he would go to Washington and "do" anything is risible.
Well excuse us Ms. Sanchez for expecting more from a candidate than the ill-conceived and the obviously self serving in a time of crisis. If we needed a reason not to elect him, here it is. When the stage is set for a real discourse on an issue critical to the future of our country, McCain takes a time out. When an opportunity exists for him to settle the issue of who is most prepared to be commander in cheif, he takes a break, and you – to no ones surprise – endorse and defend this inane move. Go to D.C. to do what? If G.W. hadn't created the meeting at the White House, there would have been no door open to him. Of course if he had not aided in the deregulation of the banking industry under Mr. Bush, there would be no crisis now.
Leslie ~ LMAO. Thank for the funny this morning. It's called multi-tasking, you should try it some time. McCain not ready and Palin is not even close to being ready for her debate. They are trying to buy some time and pull another fast one on the American people. If McCain wanted/needed to be in DC to help, he should not have been in New York this week taking picture with world leaders. It's a joke and the world knows it. Nice try though, maybe next time you and yours will get it right.
Why did obama run away from the proposal of town-hall meetings?
I think a LOT of folk, probama, are hoping to see Sen. McCain be humiliated at a debate; since they expect Sen. Obama to goad him into getting angry.
Why hasn't the rules of the debate been released? Other topics; should there be an audience and who should be allowed to be part of it, what do they do about hecklers, can the audience cheer and boo, etc? Who will be asked the question first; I recall HRC getting upset that she was always being given the question first and obama had time to revise his response based on her reply.
Will the candidates have access to the questions prior to the debate? Who will ask the questions? Will there be a time-limit for the candidate to complete their reply?
BTW, this will not be the only presidential debate prior to the election.
Is the release of the movie 'W' prior to the election a coincidence?
Is this "a stunt" or a typical sportsman move? The game is tight, the other team clearly has the lead and the momentum... most smart teams would call for a time out to regroup. The current debt crisis has simply supplied him the means to get away with it- almost!
How can McCain be a doer if he can't multi-task?
Can somebody PLEAAAAASE tell me exactly what roll McCain will be playing in this rush to the Washington? No one needed him to go there, because he can offer no solution Bush didn't even invite him and others there said he and Obama would just be a distraction. The body that puts on the debates says it has to go on. YES, we all agree McCain is TIRED!
The debate has been on the schedule for a long period of time and
to say that more preparation time is required, irregardless of the subject matter is ridiculous. One who is ready to lead needs to be
able to confront any situation on a moments notice. Remember:
" I will be ready on day one". I believe this was another one of the
McCain campaigns political stunt to bolster him and make him
look presidential. In fact, from everything I have been reading, legislators are wondering what exactly is his presence going to make
since he has not been involved in any negotiations or on any of the committees that are working on the bailout. What I am hearing today
is that he now cannot wait to spell out his vision and plans in the
debate. Once again their ploy didn't work and this is their new spin.
McCain said he was going to stop his ads on TV and I wake up to see four during my cup of coffee...more lies from a losing candidate.
Yes, I guess someone with McCain's level of cognitive functioning does need to put all of his very little energy into the complexities of the bailout. You know folks, McCain is not a young 72 year old. He has had a number of health problems and was tortured for years...PTSD mean anything to you? He isn't as fit as many 72 year olds. However, I am convinced, as are many people, that this is just another deceptive tactic to divert our atttention. Country first? I beg to differ. How about Campaign first? We aren't all shallow Mr. McCain.
Leslie,
Great article. Every bit the truth. Besides what you stated both McCain and Obama are being paid by us to hammer out these bills and push them through congress. They are not being paid to roam the country promoting themselves. Both of them should be there helping any way that they can.
And the only reason that Obama wants this debate to go on is because he has done nothing but study all week for it. He thinks that is going to help him. But it didn't last time!
Cindy...Ga.