John McCain rushes to Mississippi for the debate, but may hurry back to D.C.

John McCain’s departure from Washington to Mississippi for tonight’s debate with Barack Obama was so rushed that when a last-minute arrival hurried aboard the plane, Secret Service agents complained they had not screened his bags, as is their duty.

Two agents opened and searched his bags in the aisle, finding nothing of note.

McCain advisor and pal Mark Salter spoke to reporters on the plane, saying McCain would return to Washington immediately after the debate tonight if he feels no consensus is in sight on the economic bailout package.

McCain decided only this morning, an hour or so before departure from Washington, that congressional colleagues had made enough progress to permit his taking part in the debate.

He did two or three hours of intense debate prep late last night in a room in his apartment building that the campaign has set up with podiums.

Aides threw questions and coached his performance. The campaign would not say who, if anyone, played Obama.

McCain touched down in Memphis 1:07 p.m. local time, with a contingent that included chief strategist Steve Schmidt and longtime ally and friend Sen. Lindsey Graham.

McCain will walk through the debate site upon arrival at Ole Miss in Oxford.

Tonight’s goal, said Salter: “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.”

-- Bob Drogin

Comments

[archangel]

OK people, you heard it here second (I e-mailed this to LAT's Mark Barabak and Bob Drogin already).
Since it has been quite popular to fix nicknames upon certain types of historical characters, likely gangsters and sometimes caught welfare cheats I derived a quaint pick for McCain.
Considering we have his history in the Keating 5 scandal, his campaign associate lobbying for Fanny and Freddy and now his backpedal pandering-gone-wrong decision on the debate, I herein proclaim the nickname, John "the Waffle" McCain! Pass it on.
This guy is the perfect poster boy for Alzheimer’s research.

[Kevin]

McCain's going to experience flashbacks of getting shot down, just like over Vietnam in his glory days. Prepare to get owned old man, you're off your rocker.

[Campbell]

The problem with Obama is that he has to count on his handlers and the media to prop him up. His interview with ABC was typical with the "what's up doc" about Thursday's meeting. While McCain was fighting for American rights on the House floor, Obama was cooling his heals in his jet with a happy meal.

[Vince F]

Watching Obama debate on something he has no experience in should be HIGHLY entertaining.

[twiggy]

what does mccain believes these days? does he even know? no debate? suspend campaign? the economy is fundamentlly strong? no it's broken? maverick? reformer? change agent? what ever barak says i'll agree! is he running for president or class clown?

[Travis]

McCain took off pretty early in the day. I wonder what miracle of bipartisanship occurred between last night and 11am this morning that changed his mind.

[John]

"Watching Obama debate on something he has no experience in should be HIGHLY entertaining."

Posted by: Vince F

Then you must be really pumped for the vice presidential debates, huh!

[Mike]

"While McCain was fighting for American rights on the House floor"

Sorry honey, he was never fighting anything but old age in Washington these last few days. Whatever made you think he made it to the house floor? He hasn't voted on any legislation since April. What a maverick indeed. UGH!

[lipreader]

If the debate lasts long enough McCain will be able to debate statements he made earlier in the evening. The biggest flip flopper ever (and his tendency to lie about everything is pretty awesome as well).

[When Elephants Fly (http://whenelephantsfly.blogspot.com)]

What value did McCain provide during the bailout discussions? He is not on the Senate banking committee. He admits not knowing anything about the economy. And his mindset as well as those of his closest advisors is what caused this mess in the first place. It seems to me that he was interested in pulling a media stunt. It's not country first, it's McCain first. This man repeatedly waffles and lies, and even his fellow Republicans (God forbid!) are calling him on it. Comments welcome: http://whenelephantsfly.blogspot.com

[kw]

Oh, it'll be entertaining, allright.

[jason]

McCain fighting on the house floor? No he was as dumb founded as Sarah Palin was with Katie Couric.

[Andy2]

I can't help wondering whether this was all a tactic on McCain's part to throw Obama off his game.

Other blogs have pointed out for example that McCain has already purchased ads claiming victory in the debate.

[Freedom Eagle]

"While McCain was fighting for American rights on the House floor"

If you meant, "showing up at the White House and not saying much at the end" you you're exactly right.

And why isn't he still there fighting for that deal like he said we would?

Is is the same reason as saying he'd suspend his campaign and not?

Or the same reason Palin says being next to Russia in Alaska is foreign policy experience?

How many economic bills has McCain sponsored this year? I'll give you a hint: It's less than one.

At this point he's ready to try any strategy to win, and it doesn't have to be consistent from minute to minute.

[linda]

"While McCain was fighting for American rights on the house floor..." Excuse me. Do you not watch or read any news? After "suspending" his campaign to rush back and handle this crisis McCain had NOTHING of SUBSTANCE to say. He sat through the entire 43 minute meeting without uttering a word. He was not on the floor fighting for anything. He dropped by the Senate then went to the meeting where he sat MUTE!!!! Because he has nothing to say.

[Hans Meiser]

This is getting entirely ridiculous, really.

"Guys, guys! Wait for me before doing anything on the bailout plan! I must save the nation and I must be there!"

What a crock. He was lucky that Pres. Bush bailed him out by calling a meeting, because nobody else in DC would talk to him.

It makes zero actual sense for a guy who admits to know less than he should about the economy to rush to those meetings, accomplish nothing but distracting those who know actual economics, and then claim it as an accomplishment.

He accomplished nothing positive with this panic move.

And just to bring in another aspect: how would you feel about working on a complicated, urgent matter and have somebody who knows nothing about the matter interrupt you and throw in their uninformed opinions, just to have some political drama and photo shoot available for boasting?

That is not presidential.
I mean, picture him as president! "WAIT GUYS LET ME HANDLE THIS" when his job is to facilitate, educate himself with opinions and status reports from his experts and then make judgement calls based on those.
4 more years of unilateral decisions based on nothing but your own opinion? 4 more of go it all alone, advisors be damned? Please.. no.

[Max Pat]

C'mon you guys, go easy on him, John is old and has suffered severe PTSD and it is very difficult to keep up with too much change and stress with that psychological background, he tries to manage it any way he can, I know it looks crazy, but he just is trying to do his best, please do not blame him for his eradic irresponsibility, he cannot help it, it is needed as a coping mechanism to deal with complicated situations. Give him a break, don't put too much pressure on him and there is a chance he could start making a little sense to the rest of us.

[Sandra S]

McCain reminds me of the guinea pig on a Nordic Track - the faster he runs, the faster he stays still, or like a roulette wheel - round and round and where he stops noone knows. I think he's heading for a meltdown - he's writing his own script as he goes along.

The debates were being held whether McCain was there or not. If he didn't show, Obama would have answered the questions that people want to know. McCain could not afford to not be there.

And your reporting of this story is what right out of the mouth of McCain's handlers? HE decided that enough progress had been made, HE will decide whether enough progress is being made - he is going so fast that HE doesn't know what HE's decided. HE, HE, HE - obviously this is about McCain first!

Country first! Americans for Obama 08.

[Tom]

Weeeeeee doggie!

Just look at that Maverick go!

LOL

[Man Overboard]

John McCain needs neither prep time or a good nights sleep to mop the floor with Barack Obama in a debate about foreign policy.

Not only did McCain set aside politics for two days (which Mr. Obama is incapable of doing) but he also did his job which teh taxpayers pay him to do (also which Mr. Obama is capable of doing).

McCain will see a 10 point bounce in the polls by monday night - read em n weep Liberals.

[John S.]

Andy2 says:
"I can't help wondering whether this was all a tactic on McCain's part to throw Obama off his game."

I think McCain's trying to win this like a fighter pilot in a dog fight. If the other guy's on your tail, you've got to make a move - any move. He's not so much hoping that his bizarre behavior will win him votes. He's hoping that he can somehow trip Obama up.

For myself, I don't want a 72 year old who still thinks he's a fighter pilot (nor a pit bull with lipstick, for that matter) as President. I want a President. And Obama and Biden are the only two in this race who look Presidential quality to me.

[steve rodriguez]

I can hear it now, Senator McCain what is your strategy for a Russian or Chinese attack? Senator Obama do you prefer Chinese or French cuisine?

[Aycee Tee]

Mr. Machi so sorry you wOn't be watching MSNBC, I'm sure you will be missed...

But back to reality...McCain is inconsistent and makes decisions on the fly, with little thought process to the consequences of his actions:
1.Selecting an inexperienced running mate over other qualified candidates
2. Not looking into Palin's backround more carefully (ie, troopergate, bridge to nowhere, taking funds for pork barrel projects)
2. Guarding his running mate from the media, further re-enforcing the view that she can't handle questions that she hasn't rehearsed for.
3. Saying the fundamentals of our economy are strong, when it's in a crash a burn mode.
4. Voting to deregulate banking and financial sectors, the very cause of the current financial crisis.
5. Cancelling the debates. Then skirting off to a closed door meeting between Congree and Bush--interfering with and reversing the progress that that Republican and Democrat Senators had made toward a solution to the economic crisis.
6.Saying "the American people are wrong" when interviewed by 60 minutes and told that the vast majority of Americans do not support the Iraq war.

The list could go on, but I stuck to the most current.

[dan]

Obama's rehearsed shuck and jive...er...I mean nuanced answers...vs...McCains' honest straight talk based on experience. It will certainly be interesting to see whether America prefers style over substance.

[Sara]

Archangel thanks!!!

John the Waffle is going to be history soon.

[Obama - the left wing socialist puppet]

I've heard Obamoron's rehearsal of the answers he'll be giving tonite to the question's he has known for a month.

Apparently it has not been enough time because they something like -

Jim Leher - Mr. Obamoron - When given the opportunity to sign S.190 which was produced by the (109th) session of the Senate you refused vote yes. Instead you shovelled $150,000 in your pockets from the very people the legislation would have brought oversight to. Knowing that would have brought oversite to the entire secondary subprime mortgage industry and could have been instrumental in avoiding this financial meltdown; why did you not sign it?

Obamoron - Errr, wellllll, ya see,, it be like dis........errr....welllllllllll, uhhhhhhh, huh um.......Let's see................ can a brother have a little water? Uhhhhhhhhh........ummmmmmmmmmmmm. Well you see, Mr. Rezko, who I am glad to see is paying for his crimes as we speak, welll..........uhh, ummmmmmmmm, er......... well..... umm........Mr. Rezko.......... who knows a whole lot more about the mortgage biness than me, er...... wellllll........I needed a mortgae myself reeeeal bad and I just kind of figured hey maybe other peoples did to, errrrrr....welll......ya see........so ehhh, huh hmmmmm....

Jim Leher - Mr. Obamoron, we don't have time for this banal crap; do you have a direct answer or do you expect the American people to listen to this mindless drivel all night?

Obamoron - Well sir, it's worked on some of them so far.

[Aycee Tee]

Mr. Machi so sorry you wOn't be watching MSNBC, I'm sure you will be missed...

But back to reality...McCain is inconsistent and makes decisions on the fly, with little thought process to the consequences of his actions:
1.Selecting an inexperienced running mate over other qualified candidates
2. Not looking into Palin's backround more carefully (ie, troopergate, bridge to nowhere, taking funds for pork barrel projects)
2. Guarding his running mate from the media, further re-enforcing the view that she can't handle questions that she hasn't rehearsed for.
3. Saying the fundamentals of our economy are strong, when it's in a crash a burn mode.
4. Voting to deregulate banking and financial sectors, the very cause of the current financial crisis.
5. Cancelling the debates. Then skirting off to a closed door meeting between Congree and Bush--interfering with and reversing the progress that that Republican and Democrat Senators had made toward a solution to the economic crisis.
6.Saying "the American people are wrong" when interviewed by 60 minutes and told that the vast majority of Americans do not support the Iraq war.

The list could go on, but I stuck to the most current.

[Oregon4Obama]

McCain is irrational and not ready to be prez.....

He says after the market crash that he would fire Paulson, then suspends his campaign to do interviews with katie couric, and met in Washington at the same time Obama did.....What did he suspend? His nerve......

Letterman said it best "this is not the way a tested war hero behaves"

[Nick P.]

I can't wait for tonight's debate. I already know Obama will beat McCain.

I am excited to listen to McCain's Pre-Rehearsed answers that his staff prepared for him.

It is going to be very exciting Night.

[Michael]

Funny how many of you think being a POW makes you a foreign policy expert, guess you also think Palin absorbed it by osmosis by living across from Russia.

PS - McCain has not been doing his job, he really can't multitask. He has missed 412 of 643 Senate votes in the current Congress. Since April 8, he has missed 109 out of 110 votes. And now he wants to be President?

[Just the Facts]

Why is Sen. Lindsey Graham (remember his "Nation of Whiners" while arguing that the economy is doing so very very well -- remarks?) on the very same Plane with McCain to the Mississippi debate?

Maybe he will be advising McCain to argue that the financial crisis is not the Administration's fault -- and just peoples imagination!

That explains why going back to Washington was necessary for a McCain's attempt to play psychiatrist to Congress.

McCain's recent remarks about the GOOD ECONOMY still makes sense (to those two).

McCain and Graham agree that the Bad Economy is all just "a delusion" in the minds of the general population and nothing the Administration did that caused our Economy to collapse.

Vote McSame! -- Back to the future from out of Bush's past.

[M]

It's not too late to save the country. On November 4th ask for a paper ballot and write in "Ron Paul - President".

[Wack a McCain]

Are we fighting Shiites? Are we fighting Sunni? Is the economy fundamentally strong? Is the economy in crisis? Is his campaign on? Is his campaign off?

John McCain is making it very difficult to vote for him.

It'is hard to hit a moving target.

[bee]

McCain is a good debator and does not need to practice as much. With all the scene he created at the Capital and White House during the past two days he will claim at the debate he resolved the bailout plan and put the country first and tries to throw Obama off guard. Obama better be careful and not let McCain push him over or snub him like Reagan did to Modale about being much younger than him.

[beevee]

Did any one notice. Cindy McCain is like a shadow of JM. Never seems to leave his side even for a moment. Something is not right with this situation. Is she running the show and does he have a health problem that needs his wife to be attending to him all the time?

[David]

Vote for Old man McCain for more of the same!!

[Lynn]

McCain didn't even READ the 2 1/2 page Paulson plan for a couple of days, during which many people were working to fix it, so how can he claim to lead be taken seriously?

[John Dahodi]

I like John McCain like my Dad. My dad is a retired military man, has received a purple heart in the Vietnam War. He thinks that that War was the mother of all wars and without him, America would have been a communist Country. He thinks he and his fellows in the war saved the Nation. He likes to be admired day and nights including from my 3 years girl. He is so stubborn changes his meals, timing, menu and above all his cap for no good reasons. He has habit of changing our plans of daily routins without any reason, and we have to accept it. Many times he changed our vacation plans when we were ready to take a cab to the airport.But still I like my dad more than any one else. But, if some one ask me wether my dad is good for our City Mayor, not only me and my family but my mother and my baby dog will also say in the middle of night NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Get It?

[NinaK]

Ever watch a squirrel run up and down a tree, looking like it is chasing its own tail? McCain reminds of this; however, the squirrel at least stays on its same path' McCain is veering here and there and having trouble finding his original path, oh, there, maybe that will work, no, le'ts try over here, no, go back down, no, go at an angle, oops, missed it, go straight up, dang, there's a branch in the way, turn around, veer to the right. Gee, just where in the hell am I supposed to be?? Did someone mention a debate? But I did say the debate should be put off until there is a "concensus", damn, things look pretty good this morning, guess I'll DECIDE to go to the debate afterall. Meantime in Washington: Congress is renewing talks on the Wallstree Bailout!! Seems McCain threw a wrench into what had already gotten worked out before he got there. Then, he sits in a meeting with Pres Bush and high-level politicians and SAYS NOTHING AND CONTRIBUTES NOTHING!! Oh, hurry up, gotta catch that plane to get to the debate!! And leaves half his presscorp on the ground!! The man has lost his mind!! Look at that squirrely guy go hither and yonder and NOT getting anything done!!

[Katee]

If it was a ploy to throw Obama off then he should be able to handle it, like he said in his own words a person should be able to do more then one thing at a time, but to be honest I think Obama was thrown off gaurd and he didn't like it one bit because it took him away from his script. VERY CLEVER JOHN!
LINDA: You are quoting the Democrats and they always put a dramatic spin on things.
Hell, McCain can't even board a plane without the press making an issue of it. HOW SAD AND HOW DESPARATE!

[TheCentrist]

Obama - the left wing socialist puppet, you're so full of sh*t!

[John P Slevin]

"...While McCain was fighting for American rights on the House floor, Obama was cooling his heals in his jet with a happy meal...."

McCain is a senator. How is it you can look at today's financial news and use expressions like "fighting for American rights"?

Either you understand that the vast majority of those elected to the Senate and to the House are thieves or you do not understand that.

As for McCain, why don't you google "Keating Five".

[tom davis]

Conservatives live in a world of their own.
A year ago, John McCain was the last person you would have chosen to be at the top of the ticket. Disliked actually by the mainstream GOP for not being a true conservative, when he chose Sarah Palin and she was well recieved, all was forgiven and its"let's get the liberals."
McCain has slowly but surely begun to show his age, his desperation and his lack of anything new whatsoever to bring to the table. But this isn't totally his fault!
He's 72 years old and can't keep the pace that he used to, he's under pressure from the GOP to get with the program but still wants to be his own man, and he basically has to carry the campaign himself because Palin cannot speak in front of the camera without sounding stupid!
This is not the same McCain of eight years ago, everyone can see that. The GOP is manipulating McCain and Palin, everyone can see that. The GOP desperately wants to stay in control of the country to keep the money flowing to the right interest groups, drag the war in Iraq out and pad thier own pockets, everyone can see that.
What the GOP doesn't see is everyone is looking at them.

After you lose this election, you conservatives have major damage control waiting for you. The country is changing, the world is changing and you still want to live in the glory years of Ronald Reagan.
Well, sorry to burst your bubble fellas, but he's gone. And he's not coming back. So get with the program.

[BrianK]

Wow... Do any of you "die hard" party backers even consider facts about YOUR candidate? i'm seeing accusations about McCain that fit Obama... and vice versa on these comment boards.

Quit playing political parties, and begin looking for a Leader who will lead this nation on the right path. We're going to see some talking tonight, but talk only goes so far...

Think about it.

God Bless America.

[TJ]

"While McCain was fighting for American rights on the House floor..."

Hopefully you're on the GOP payroll and not really that simple. In either case, grow up. McCain went to DC to fight for votes in November -- nothing more. Politicians on BOTH sides run for President b/c they want to be powerful. So we fire them after 8 years no matter what, to protect us from exactly this kind of soft-skulled hero worship. Your job as a voter is not to figure out who you like better, but which candidate will do a better job -- or in other words, which candidate, if elected, will chose better experts to advise them during his or her administration. But unfortunately, The People have grown so shallow they can no longer discern whether a candidate is truly qualified to be President, and not simply better at seeming presidential. The stark reality of living in a free society that values fair and honest elections, is that we will always get exactly the President we deserve. So, considering the fiasco of the last 8 years, is this really the best we can do?

[BrianK]

Michael posted: "McCain has not been doing his job, he really can't multitask. He has missed 412 of 643 Senate votes in the current Congress. Since April 8, he has missed 109 out of 110 votes. And now he wants to be President?"

Check Obama's voting record. Nearly both of their records are the same. Both have been on recess for nearly a year campaigning instead of doing their Congressional duties. Personally, I think it's wrong to miss so much, but that's the way it is. More reform is needed. I'm sure all the candidates, Clinton, Biden, Huckabee, etc, all were or are collecting salaries even though they weren't in Washington...

God Bless America.

[El Mugroso]

McCain: The fundamentals of the economy are good.
People: LAUGH
------
McCain: I know how to win wars
Obama: Name ONE.
---------
McCain: I am a maverick
OBAMA: You mean a head of cattle that's lost its way?
--------------------
McCain: I have a GREAT VP running mate
Obama: Then WHY are you hiding her?
People: LAUGHS.
------------------------
etc. etc.

[Micheal]

I cant believe honest republicans cant see through McCain's shennanigans -- First picking Palin only because she is a woman and a wolf-killing, gun-toting-conservative (with absolutely no other qualifications.)

Then the hypocritical charade with flying in Palin's daughter baby-daddy, a self-professed red-neck who doesnt want kids -- in suits and holding hands with Palin's daughter in holy matrimonial posture (now, that was comedy.)

Next, hiding Palin, fearful of the ignorance that may spill from her mouth (as displayed in both ,and her only interviews so far.)

And then this I-have-to-suspend-my-campaign-because-washington-can't-do-without-me farce.

Is this the guy republicans really want to be president?

Are you SERIOUS?

How did Romney lose to this guy?

The only thing Mccain qualifies for is retirement, not the presidency.

And then to have Palin waiting in the wings to take over...

This plot is so absurd that if I read it in a book of fiction I wouldnt believe it.....

America is in need of serious, intelligent leadership. Mccain and Palin are both reckless and clueless.

Today, the future of America is in peril....

If America elects McCain/Palin, America, unfortunately, is done.....

[fl_indy]

The angry mean-spirited left is out to beat up on, as you people say, "an old guy" who fought for your country.

Would you back a legislation that takes $700 billion dollars of your money to pay off greedy banks? To make things worse, the Democrats want to take 20% of the money that’s collected and instead of paying back the debt, give it to ACORN. That’s a $140 billion dollar earmark!!! You support this??

[Al]

"House Floor"? I am surprised that neither side in this forum called to attention the fact that John McCain can't fight on the "House Floor".

He is a member of the Senate and not the House of Representatives. This lack of knowledge on the part of many Americans is why we are in such a terrible situation.

Wasn't anybody awake in their high school civics/American Government class?