I haven't seen this reported on Kos yet.
But talk show host Ed Shultz has published on his website, that Capitol Hill sources are reporting that McCain insiders are scared shitless of Palin's upcoming debate (or shriek) holding a press conference and would love to skip the VP debate if they could all together.
I believe this report. Not just because of the disastrous Katie Couric and Charles Gibson interviews. But this is just one of those classic "inside Washington" murmurs, that everyone knows, but are afraid to enunciate. Well, Ed Just published the truth (as J. Scarborough, M.Murphy and P.Buchanan echoed on Morning Joe this morning).
Too make matters worse, even the afore-mentioned Morning Joe Crew stated that Palin's interview with Katie Couric was terrible for McCain, while CBS apparently has even more damaging video on file. These details, unsuprisingly makes her appear even more like a complete idiot. Once again the Palin pick clearly showcases McCain's poor judgment.
It gets worse guys. Just keep reading. McCain's meeting was a total farce, and there's more Palin video in the CBS vaults.
Here's the Shultz "breaking news"
Breaking News from Big Eddie:
McCain Camp insiders say Palin "clueless"
Capitol Hill sources are telling me that senior McCain people
are more than concerned about Palin. The campaign has held
a mock debate and a mock press conference; both are being described as "disastrous." One senior McCain aide was quoted as saying, "What are we going to do?" The McCain people want to move this first debate to some later, undetermined date, possibly never. People on the inside are saying the Alaska Governor is "clueless."
http://www.wegoted.com/
This is unbelievable (but albeit, not suprising)! The McCain campaign held a mock debate and press conference; Palin was horrible, and they asked themselves, "what are we gonna do?.
Shit!
The speculation, I'm hearing now from various radio reporters (including Errol Lewis here in NY on 1600 WWRL AM), is that McCain is really trying to back Palin out of her debate. The memo must be spreading!
Joe Scarborough, Pat Buchanan and Mike Murphy all simultaneously, argued that Palin was not the best choice today on Morning Joe. Scarborough said:
If she can't answer basic questions, that's tough. Katie did not ask her tough questions, her questions were very fair. Apparently Katie asked her, "what's the worst thing Dick Cheney did", and she answered "Shooting his friend with the gun". Us Elections aren't a meritocracy, about picking the most qualified people, it's obvious she has very little knowledge of US facts. She may be a good person and a good governor, she has also has a high approval rating, but is this is the best person you can find for Vice President? but what does this say about Palin and McCain's judgment?
Mmmmh. That was Joe.
Former McCain campaign Manager, "Hot" Mike Murphy, said that:
Is my Mike on, Lol. Well you know Pat, I never agreed with the Palin pick in the first place. I said she's a good base pick, but this is not a base vote type of year. The McCain camp has problems, because it seems CBS has more footage, and it's not any better, then what we've already seen.
Pat Buchanan said:
Either way, McCain doesn't look good. If he doesn't support the bailout, they'll say he killed it! But if he does, the house Republicans will be angry. But at this point he has to go[to the debate]!.
Wow! How do things change.
Who would of "thunk" it. Katie Couric has given the Repubs the signal to openly criticize Palin and (bingo) McCain's judgment. Hopefully now, it will be open season on McCain's Executive Management. Yesterday, In Washington, DC, McCain, apparently showed no judgement (at all)or value in that White House Meeting.
Even another previous McCain, campaign manager, Craig Shirley, poured more gasoline on the proverbial fire, regarding McCain's failed White House meeting, and Debate-gate cave in, from Sam Stein and The Huffington Post:
"It just proves his campaign is governed by tactics and not ideology," said Republican consultant Craig Shirley, who advised McCain earlier in this cycle. "In the end, he blinked and Obama did not. The 'steady hand in a storm' argument looks now to more favor Obama, not McCain."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/...
As, reported, McCain swooped into the White House meeting, and by all accounts he said very little, was disruptive, caused more harm than good, while Obama actually led the meeting (by questioning Henry Paulson and House Republican's). Now, how's that for true leadership?
At the end, it was Obama, who had to speak directly to McCain to enunciate a response (after McCain sat silent for 45 minutes of an hour long meeting)from him. Why did McCain call for and go to this meeting again?
Politico's David Rogers had an excellent/the best article I read detailing the meeting. The long quote below is priceless guys:
Both McCain and his Democratic rival, Sen. Barack Obama, would leave the White House without comment, and the meeting was described as among the wildest in memory. A beleaguered President Bush had to struggle to maintain order and reassert himself. And when Democrats left to caucus in the Roosevelt Room, Paulson pursued them, begging that they not "blow up" the legislation.
The former Goldman Sachs CEO even went down on one knee as if genuflecting, to which Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Cal.) is said to have joked, "I didn’t know you were Catholic."
It was McCain who had urged Bush to call the White House meeting but Democrats made sure Obama had a prominent part. And much as they complained later of being blindsided, the whole event turned out to be something of an ambush on their part—aimed at McCain and House Republicans.
"Speaking professionally," said one Republican aide, "They did a very good job."
When Bush yielded early to Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D- Nev.) to speak, they yielded to Obama to speak for the assembled Democrats. And it was Obama who raised the subject of the conservative alternative and pressed Paulson on what he thought of the idea.
House Republicans felt trapped—squeezed by Treasury, House Democrats and a bipartisan coalition in the Senate. And while McCain spoke surprisingly little after asking for the meeting, he conceded that it appeared there were not the votes for the core Paulson plan without major changes.
http://www.politico.com/...
I would like to add that Paul Begala, last night on CNN stated, that Obama (who he called a very smart guy) stated his/Democratic concerns with out any notes in the meeting. Way to go Obama! That's how you psyche out McCain before tonights debate! Lol.
It appears, Democrats were more than prepared for that meeting (unlike McCain). For all the diaries we've seen/read on Kos, lamenting Obama being set up by McCain. It's obvious, that Democrats had talked about this. Instead its Obama, Pelosi, Reid and Frank, that made McCain look like the fool. McCain's taking a tremendous risk for the spotlight. I wouldn't want to rush this deal either. But I'm not sure if McCain actually thought this one through.
When have you ever heard The President, GOP Senators, Some Republican's and Democrat's disagreeing, with John McCain and the hardline (i.e. younger, more out of touch) house Republicans, while investors and the markets wait in bated breath? McCain is once again, boxing himself in, for the "Glory Of The Story".
Now leading House and Senate Democrats and Republican's, according to MSNBC, are criticizing John McCain for blowing up today's meeting. Why. Cause (as discussed) he was quiet in the meeting, showing no leadership (that got attendees mad). But ironically, before the meeting, he met with house Republican's. These are the legislators currently holding up the plan that McCain seems to agree with.
What a slimy, spineless hypocrite, "Wuss" of a total disaster you are Senator McCain! World markets, banks, businesses and American's are waiting for this deal, that none of us really want to pay, for but the markets (and institutions need) for business to continue.
McCain botched up the deal, because instead of being a leader, he didn't want to tip his hand (cause he knows nothing about the issues/meeting and needs political cover). Though it was obvious he was aligned with the more conservative house Republicans(according to Politico, CNN, etc.), for appearances.
David Rogers, Of Politico summarizes that:
The wild White House meeting may have the effect of uniting Democrats more. And only hours before, Dodd, Frank and bipartisan set of prominent senators had reached a bipartisan agreement Thursday on the framework for legislation authorizing the massive government intervention.
But passing the Treasury plan is still an uphill climb, and Pelosi will be reluctant to expose her members if House Republicans are sitting out the process. And the whole sequence of events confirmed Treasury’s fears about the decision by Bush, at the urging of McCain, to allow presidential politics into what were already difficult negotiations.
Now who's the one being more political Senator McCain? "Hey McCain". You're not going to win the election, or close this bailout deal supporting house Republican's with more deregulation and corporate/wealthy tax cuts!
Yes Kossacks it's true. The house Republican's and McCain, even wanted to include "More Deregulation and Tax Cuts" in their alternate proposal. Can you believe that, after everything that's happened the past two weeks? And they were even dumb enough to put in writing, via their proposal? Do they even live in the same country we do?
Now, if McCain enters tonights debate on some Golden Chariot (or wooden rocking chair), stating, he's holding out for the American people. Then I hope Obama points out, McCain would like to support a plan that brings more deregulation and tax cuts, to the wealthy and corporations., while America suffers!
Ironically, McCain, just a few days ago, didn't even read the 3 page bailout plan (Obama did), or was directly involved with Capitol Hill leaders/participants for updates (as Obama clearly has been).
Harry Reid just said at 10:58 Eastern time, Friday, September, 26 in Washington:
It seems John McCain came to Washington for the cameras. But we still don't know how he feels on the issues. He's been silent.
Chris Todd (at 11am), just reiterated Obama's desire to protect consumers, homeowners, bail out expenditures and controlling executive pay. Good for them! Harry Reid just said (on CNN at 11:06am) about Dodd's/Obama's wish list:
The Treasury Secretary, needs to get realistic! People are hurting and getting foreclosed on, and when we wanted to help earlier this year, it took us 7 votes with the House Republicans. Now there are thousands of foreclosures a day, and we can't rush this through, with out putting the train back on the track [the meeting].
Their not exactly close to a deal, though McCain's campaign people claims (lies) that he can go to the debate now. Their claiming now a basic agreement exist. Well it seems, Harry Reid and Chris Dodd and Barney Frank would disagree with you Senator McCain. Plus, I thought McCain wasn't going to enter the debate, until a "deal was done". Huh? Dumb!
John McCain is not a leader. Whether it's Palin-Gate, Suspension-Gate, or his bail-out on the debates, it's obvious John McCain is a royal, incompetent, temperamental, un-trustworthy pain!
If I were in the Democratic leadership, I would definitely not agree to this deal today (for the taxpayer sake, so we don't repeat the Patriot act mistakes, of rushing through crippling legislation, with out properly protecting American's) and to let McCain sweat, or show up like a fool tonight (with no deal), in the debate of Mississippi. What's his endgame, in this made for Cable TV soap opera?
Former McCain Campaign Manager, Craig Shirley, gives his two cents on the debate again, via the Huffington Post, Sam Stein's preceding summary:
But others couldn't help but admit that the Arizona Republican had mismanaged the whole scenario, basically walking himself into a corner, stuck with the choice of looking either scared or unprincipled.
"He will been seen as blinking first," Shirley declared, "since it was he who said he wasn't going until the crisis is averted. Hobson's choice, painted in a corner, bollixed -- pick your poison, or pick your cliche."
You can't make this stuff up (Palin-McCain).
Maverick no more!
Let him explain!
Breaking Update (as if we didn't know it wasn't going to happen):
McCain expected at Debate!
Now the School Chancellor and Vice Chancellor (via CNN & Susan Malveaux), are reporting to the debate commission, that both candidates will be at the debate. Obama should be prepared to attack McCain on the economy and be aware of any tricks, stunts or populist plea Senator McCain may attempt. CNN has also reported that Barack Obama has filed a flight plan for Mississippi.
Sorry about those House Democrat mis-placements, etc. guys. I corrected many.
You know this diary was read so fast, I didn't even get the chance to look it over again, spell-check (I was multi-tasking and actually doing something else)fast enough, before many of you left your helpful comments. But I appreciate all the asssistance, thoughts and tips.
Thanks (and for the Reccommended list)!