Richard MichaelGOP Strategy: McCain Suspends Campaign
September 24th 2008 19:47
McCain knows how to play the game
John McCain has announced this afternoon that he will suspend his campaign in order to return to Washington and help pass the 700 billion dollar bailout. This would entail the debate on Friday to be at least postponed if not cancelled. McCain has also called on Obama to follow suit and return to Washington to deal with the economic crisis.
In short, this is a bold and clever move by McCain to perhaps make many voters rethink his economic savvy, if not at least prove his devotion to the country's well being. Furthermore, it essentially traps Obama. If Obama does not suspend his campaign it will paint him indifferent to the economic crisis, if he accepts McCain’s challenge he will not only be validating McCain's judgment, but he will be labeled as a follower.
The interesting point about this dynamic is that apparently Obama was the one who suggested the two candidates work together. Obama's campaign contacted John McCain this morning to suggest that they return to Washington to pass the bailout and address the economic crisis in a non-partisan manner. McCain preceded to one up Obama by going onto national television and announcing the suspension of his campaign and to invite Obama to do the same. Well played sir.
This move is, at its heart, political strategy. It doesn't change the dismal philosophies harbored by McCain or his advisors, it doesn't suddenly make the economy better, all it does is focus the political spotlight on McCain.
McCain announced today that, "it is time to put politics aside." I found this ironic since the act of 'putting politics aside' will likely influence many voters in their opinions of McCain. Given that McCain is falling further and further behind in the polls I'm certain that one of the major issues on his mind when he made this decision was, in fact, politics.
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