McCain Readies for Debate

By: John Bentley
Topics: John McCain

(CBS)

From CBS News' John Bentley:

(OXFORD, MISS.) – Saying that sufficient progress has been made on the financial bailout plan, John McCain arrived at the site of the first presidential debate hoping that his move to suspend the campaign will be viewed as a sign of leadership and not political posturing. He had three hours of debate prep last night, according to his campaign, who sought to downplay expectations for their candidate tonight.

"To do well against a guy who's a pretty good debater, show presidential leadership, and be able to speak directly to the American people about what he believes," was how senior adviser Mark Salter described the goals for McCain tonight.

This first debate was supposed to be about foreign policy, an area that McCain would seem to have an advantage in, but there will no doubt be questions about the current financial crisis as well, something which polls have shown Barack Obama to be leading on.

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by greenfun September 27, 2008 2:44 AM EDT: I am an uncomitted and McCain just won me over, and I also know BO texted his supporters to watch CNN-guess who CNN thinks won??? Can we say media manipulation.; Reply to this comment


by missglo September 27, 2008 1:26 AM EDT: This was all drama, that MCcain set up for attention. I knew that he would be in Miss. But why does he have to get the Media. To write all of his lies first?; Reply to this comment


by tbuckl September 27, 2008 1:09 AM EDT: I want to vote to the person who will follow this GREAT American idea and concept and return my America to me and my fellow citizens forthwith..."We hold these truths to be sacred & undeniable; that all men are created equal & independent, that from that equal creation they derive rights inherent & inalienable, among which are the preservation of life, & liberty, & the pursuit of happiness; that to secure these ends, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government shall become destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, & to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles & organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety & happiness." Thomas Jefferson; Reply to this comment


by brendama September 26, 2008 11:04 PM EDT: Is there a reason that McCain''s role in the Keating 5 Savings and Loan scandal has been ignored by the media. In light of McCain''s attempt to grab the Savior of the Economy mantle, this would seem to be relevant.; Reply to this comment


by jefflz-2009 September 26, 2008 8:05 PM EDT: We now have eye-witness proof of the damage done to the bailout negotiations by McCain''s self-serving intervention into the process:
House Republican Whip Roy Blunt of Missouri in an interview on MSNBC said Republican presidential candidate John McCain''s involvement in the discussion yesterday ``stopped a deal from finalizing.'''' McCain, in his flailing attempts to regain momentum, is making a mockery of this election. He wanted to be the "Maverick" who came to DC to be the Leader in bailout negotiations. With Bush''s help he planned to look like he brought everyone together. The attempt to inject himself into the process and gain headlines was a waste of valuable time. Now it has failed and he must go to Mississippi, tail between the legs, with nothing to show for his arrogance. McCain''s new slogan- "Me First"; Reply to this comment


by DCropp September 26, 2008 7:55 PM EDT: McCain''s staff announced that Senator McCain spent 2-3 hours yesterday preparing for the debate.

Why wasn''t he helping negotiate a deal?

Why does McCain''s web site claim that he won the debate (hour before the debate)?; Reply to this comment