McCain: Send Sarah Palin

The presumptive leader of the Republican Party, Senator John McCain, stated today that he would rather be senatorial than presidential. McCain is suspending his campaign and opting out of Friday's presidential debate to head back to Washington and participate in Senate debate over the much-decried financial bailout bill that would give the Treasury Department unchecked power over regulatory decisions in that arena.

Candidates, of course, can, have and do regularly return to the Senate for debate and votes on important bills. What McCain is saying is that he can't take the time out to discuss these critical matters with his opposition and the American people this Friday in a debate. Why would that be? Bradley at North Texas Liberal thinks it's a political ploy. I'm not sure how it can be seen in any other way. He links to a Politico article that notes that the only thing that's changed in the past 48 hours that could've led to the change of heart is that McCain's dipped some against Senator Barack Obama in public polling.

Which is a shame, because there is an alternative. McCain doesn't have to push back the debate — and we should all remind him of this. We should all, as Americans, insist on a debate between the two campaigns on these issues. Now, not later.

And if McCain feels that he must be in Washington this Friday, that's fine. Because he doesn't have to attend. He has a surrogate — one that he insists has the experience and the wisdom to take over the highest office in the land at a moment's notice if it becomes necessary. One whose credentials have been asserted over and over by the campaign. One who, ready to take over the presidency, should be more than ready to take over a meager debate appearance.

John McCain: If you feel that your job as Senator of Arizona demands that you spend the two hours on Friday on the Senate floor instead of the debate floor, we understand. But depriving the American people of this critical opportunity for discussion is downright irresponsible. If you feel you must abstain, so be it — but instead of deep-sixing the debate, send the one person you believe is qualified to take your place as leader of the free world.

John McCain:

SEND SARAH PALIN.