Well, John McCain has thrown his "country first" curveball, suspending his campaign, taking his ads down, and saying the debate should be delayed if necessary.
At first I thought Obama's only decision was between looking like a superficial spoilsport by continuing the campaign as planned or coming to Washington as a follower to John McCain once again (just as he was on the Russia/Georgia situation, and similar to the way he followed by laying out principles for the bail-out).
But Obama, feeling he is on a roll no doubt, is saying the debate is on: "We can walk and chew gum at the same time," is the message.
McCain's political director Mike Duhaime:
"Quite frankly, I think you could ask Sen. Obama if he's going to do what he thinks is right. I mean, he has never -- I believe -- never once made a decision that is an unpopular decision or went against the orthodoxy of his party, and was one that was one that was a tough decision to make. . . . Sen. McCain has done that throughout his entire career, his entire life -- not just in politics, but his life."
This is where John McCain feels comfortable. He's taking a big risk and making an unconventional move for what he feels is right, and banking on the fact that his leadership in Washington, which has brought sides together in the past, will help again.
But classic McCain moves can come with classic McCain complications. Yes, John McCain is a leader, and yes, he can bring people together, but to what end? The turn on the bail-out bill, which looked like it would be grudgingly passed just a day ago, suggests Congress is getting a lot of calls instructing them that they'd better not pass any such thing.
Policy aside, however, this is McCain's ballgame. Though I have not often agreed with the ends for which he has brought together both sides of the aisle in the past, if there's one person who can form a coalition to pass something acceptable, he's the guy. The picture of McCain at work on the Hill on a truly tough problem in a truly bipartisan way will likely put independents in mind of the McCain they like. The McCain who is the man Obama claims to be, in practice instead of just in theory.
Once again, he is putting his political neck on the line to achieve a tough, complex Congressional consensus because he believes it's right for the country. In doing so, he has a chance to once again convincingly take on the leadership mantle which has slipped from his shoulders during the last week.
Update: Obama's press conference had him pushing the idea that this is exactly the time the American people need to hear from their prospective leaders about this crisis, so the debate Friday should go forward.
The question unasked by the press corps: "Mr. Obama, the debate topic for Friday was changed last week, at your behest, from the economy to foreign policy. If you argue the debate should go forward so Americans can hear from their leaders about this crisis, would you agree to change the topic back to the economy?"
