Prediction: There will be no debates

[GoesTo11]

If the reason McCain is dodging the first one is that he his mental function has deteriorated, he'll have just as much reason to dodge the rest of them. The fact that he's avoided all press questions for months suggests to me that he is unable to answer questions - since his main perceived strength in the past was his openness to the press. So, McCain has to cancel all the debates too (can't just have Palin be the only one).

How will he do it? Get in a huff over how Obama has not joined him in cancelling the first one, and say now all bets are off.

Do I need less tin-foil?

[curious one]

1. He can't escape the debates neither his unqualified VP.

[OneSelf]

2. It's possible

But if McLame avoids all the debates, he'll lose the election in a landslide. The people want and need to hear what the candidates have to say on these issues (economy, war, health care, education, etc) before the election.

[CJCRANE]

3. My new pet theory explains why McCain unilaterally stopped his ads...

Obama now has more ammunition against McCain than McCain does against Obama.

The revelation that McCain's staff was receiving $15k from Fannie Mae is a showstopper one that Obama would no doubt include in new ads. As McCain has dropped his ads he can now accuse Obama of "playing politics" or being "partisan" if he uses this information at a time of "national emergency" when everyone needs to come together.

[curious one]

5. Some DUers mentioned that the ads are still being run in some places!

So he is not really suspended his campaign.

[JustAnotherGen]

6. My theory

Is he's been bleeding money left and right. ;-)

My other theory is that Obama should move in for the kill and put the McCain campaign out of its' misery! :rofl:

[marions ghost]

4. certainly a possibility

as the economic house of cards collapses, I'm sure McDuck needs a break from his obligations and stressful schedule to focus on it.

[cali]

7. what nonsense. If he did that, he'd lose in a landslide.

Sometimes I really wonder about some posters' political acumen.

[marions ghost]

8. so you don't think

enough people would buy the "Emergency, all hands on deck" ploy?

[tkmorris]

9. Then he cannot win

If he dodges all the debates and other public appearances the rumors of poor health will rise to a deafening crescendo. Palin is already being kept from the public eye because she knows exactly nothing about national policy issues. If he is truly that ill they may believe it is the only option open to them but honestly, he will lose in a landslide if he does.

[CakeGrrl]

10. There's no way he can duck the prez debates without going down hard

Letterman already called him out on it.

I think he's doing this to get Palin off the hook for her debate since she can't even get past direct, basic, non-debate-style questions. Why would he squander the chance to score points on Obama with the Foreign Policy debate where McCain is supposedly stronger?

They just wanted to conveniently move it to the date of the VP debate, which would occur at some conveniently unspecified future date.

But if they back out on ANY of the debates, Team Obama should throw down the Chickenshit Card. Hard.

[onenote]

11. yes, you need less tinfoil

There will be debates. Probably three. Likely one on Friday night (although that's not an absolute certainty).