It’s been an unexpectedly busy day and even when I heard that
Top House and Senate Democratic and Republican lawmakers have reached a tentative agreement on a $700 billion plan to bail out U.S. financial markets, with some predicting the measure would pass both chambers of Congress
I don’t have a chance to sit down and read through the details.
Betsy sees McCain’s decision as a gamble:
McCain’s decision to suspend his campaign and jet into Washington to try to negotiate a compromise bailout plan is a risky gamble.
…
The risk is that he will either succeed or not succeed in negotiating a compromise bailout. If he does, he will then be forever linked to the success or failure of the plan.
The Anchoress thought McCain had made a mistake in suspending his campaigning but now thinks he was correct, mature and statesmanlike, particularly since McCain has a key part.
Will McCain be done on time to go to the debate tomorrow? Shouldn’t the debate subject be the economy? Should McCain send Palin?
So many questions, so little time.
Matt Lewis has been studying past presidential debates for what works and what doesn’t, and he’s come up with several important points:
- Obviously, the big lesson of 1960 was to be well-rested and wear make-up
- McCain and Obama may take two things from 1976: First: have the facts straight, and second: avoid cheap-shots.
- Being too cute can make it look like you’re not being serious.
- The best lines win
- Sometimes the best way to disarm an opponent is to kill them with kindness.
- The 2000 debates proved two things: the power of one-liners and the effect of nonverbal communication.
Matt has specific advice for the candidates, and they should listen to him.