SPEAK NO --?

So John McCain may be pulling out of tomorrow night's debate because the economic crisis is too crucial at this moment in time-- despite the fact that Congress has already come up with an agreement that could be signed off on as soon as Saturday. So what could be McCain's reasoning?

The economy has been his sore point. He has said in the past that he doesn't know much about it, was saying up until last Tuesday that the economy is "fundamentally sound," and was asking for less regulations up until last Wednesday morning, before abruptly switching tack, calling for more regulations Wednesday afternoon, with any reference to his earlier statements. Even Bush, in his economic address last night (15 minutes of hilarity!), said Republicans hate regulations (since regulations put a cramp on all their raping, stealing and pillaging), but noted, under the circumstances, ie, "we've bankrupted the country!" -- regulations suddenly seem like a good idea.

Tomorrow night's debate is supposed to be about foreign policy-- supposedly McCain's strong suit-- so you'd think he'd be all gung ho to turn the focus back on a Republican strength, fear-mongering. So why does he still want to pull out?

1. He wants to make himself look strong on the economy, that it's somthing he takes seriously. He's even suggesting that the economic crisis is tantamount to 9/11, where leaders of both parties cam together to hash out a plan. Well, guess what? They already did, this afternoon.

Still, the specter of 9/11 is always good. If he can somehow link being tortured for 4 years with economic upheaval, he just might have a winning strategy. Perhaps he can say he was excused from the tortuous negotiations over the economic package, while his fellow senators would have to remain, and he declared until his fellow senators were allowed to go free as well, he would remain. Thus, no debate.

McCain has consistently been on the front page of the Times since his announcement, and I wonder if other papers have been doing the same. Economy + McCain - Obama complaining in background = Big PLUS for McCain!

2. He's making people think he's afraid to debate Obama, afraid the economy wil be raised, thus lowering expectations of his performance. No matter how well Obama does, McCain will appear the winner because everyone thought he would bomb.

3. I'm making a giant lasagna and having a number of guests over to watch the debate-- I've even brought more goddam chairs to fit around the tv. I specifially chose these people because they're easiest to have over with the tv on. What the hell am I going to do if it's cancelled? And why has John McCain chosen to punish me by his decision?