thoughtcrumbs

I'm going to have to disagree here. We're facing the most significant economic crisis in the past 70 years (and a fairly critical point of it as well) and neither of the candidates have a plan for what to do. One of them is going to be president in about 3 months; they both need to stop trying to one-up themselves and get a comprehensive economic policy together. That should more properly be what we judge them on.. not some silly debate where we wait for one of them to make a gaffe.

Rendell is right when he says it was a political move, but to say it's entirely policially betrays an ignorance of how deep in the hole we actually are. Not to mention an unwillingness to do anything about it.

And yes, dealmaking does go on late at night on the weekends; I've had to sit through some of it myself. Rendell knows that too.

As for the renewable credits, there were way more than enough votes for passage. There wasn't any reason for either to be there except to make a political show.

I agree with you on the magnitude of the financial crisis, and that so far, we haven't heard a detailed plan from either candidate. Yet you underestimate the importance of a televised debate: It has nothing to do with watching for gaffes (we'll have plenty of that from the VPs next week). Instead, tonight's debate is the perfect venue for hearing from both candidates. We need to see thoughtful leaders actually thinking and leading. We need to be reassured that the next administration actually understands the issues, can make wise decisions, and can communicate them to the public.

We have a lack of visible leadership in DC, and neither McCain nor Obama is helping by physically being in the congressional morass right now. The posturing is only making it worse, and all we get are stories of Democrats racing to pass legislation before McCain can take credit, McCain and Obama sitting like figureheads on either end of a long table, and McCain balking when consensus was ostensibly reached yesterday afternoon. Meanwhile, the American public, inundated with even more incomprehensible stories about securities and mortgages and political posturing, let their eyes glaze over, and they change the channel to Heroes. Let the other congressional leaders deal with the messy negotiation—keeping the candidates comprised—but let the candidates use their opportunities to demonstrate leadership to the public in a meaningful way.

Also, I'm looking forward to the debate because, like most Obama supporters, I expect him to shine. McCain's cancellation of the debate has the appearance—whether real or not—of an insecurity about allowing his opponent to demonstrate his strength with foreign policy issues. Aren't we all tired of the media coverage of Sarah Palin (which has now turned to media coverage about the lack of media coverage of Sarah Palin)? Let's return to stories of substance, starting with a well informed debate between two potential leaders tonight.