John McCain's Own Bailout

While the decision of the $700 billion financial bailout plan by the federal government is pending, President Bush had summoned for the two Presidential candidates to come to Washington to help lawmakers decide on the resolution. Before their arrival however, members of congress had reached an agreement on a bipartisan counter-proposal to Bush's plan, which some argue that the candidates' trips to Washington weren't necessary.

John McCain's unexpected decision Wednesday afternoon to temporarily halt his campaign has thrown into doubt whether Friday's first presidential debate will go on as scheduled. McCain said he would stop campaigning and pull all his campaign ads after Thursday's appearance at the Clinton Global Initiative in New York. But the idea was treated with a cold shoulder by his opponent, Barack Obama, as well as the nonpartisan debate organizers and the University of Mississippi, where the debate is scheduled to take place.

"I believe we should continue to have the debate. I think it makes sense to present ourselves before the American people to talk about the nature of the problems we're having," Obama told reporters Wednesday afternoon at a hastily called news conference in Florida.

"We must meet as Americans, not as Democrats or Republicans, and we must meet until this crisis is resolved," McCain told reporters in New York City on Wednesday afternoon. "I am directing my campaign to work with the Obama campaign and the Commission on Presidential Debates to delay Friday night's debate until we have taken action to address this crisis.

But who pulled the biggest political red card of the last 48 hours? Our Republican nominee John McCain. He attempted to be the superhero candidate by announcing yesterday to the public that he does not plan on participating in the Mississippi debate on Friday night until the bailout plan is finalized. While I understand his intentions, I do not think that this type of action is what the country needs right now.

McCain's "maverick" attempt of being a hero has somewhat backlashed against him and dealt him strong criticism from his opponent, Barack Obama. Obama's campaign stated that they think John McCain's decision simply confirms that under pressure he is unable to handle multiple tasks while in a leadership role. Today while watching the news I heard McCain's decision being compared to the actions taken by President Bush during his excessive vacations while in office. McCain was portrayed as "more of the same."

And to the greatest extent, I absolutely agree with the above statement. As the President of the United States of America, your duty is to not only to lead the country in its current state through any crises, but to also give the country hope and direction for the future well-being. Any powerful statement he is trying to make to the public and to Congress about the urgency of the bailout plan is erroneous with the absence of his promise and direction for the country in a ninety minute debate between candidates.

Tonight's debate is the first of three presidential debates that are scheduled over the next three weeks. The only vice presidential debate occurs on October 2 at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.