The AP reads the minds of Obama and McCain

A reader points out that the Associated Press has acquired the ability to read the minds of both John McCain and Barack Obama:

McCain hoped voters would believe that he rose above politics to wade into successful, nitty-gritty dealmaking at a time of urgent crisis, but he risked being seen instead as either overly impulsive or politically craven, or both. Obama saw a chance to appear presidential and fit for duty but was also caught off guard strategically by McCain's surprising gamble in saying he was suspending his campaigning and asking to delay Friday night's debate to focus on the crisis.

Just to reiterate the obvious point: we all can speculate about the strategic calculations of the candidates, but no one knows what McCain "hoped" or Obama "saw."

Comments

[Raleighite]

True, no one actually knows for sure. However, McCain had not read the plan as of Tuesday (yet said he opposed it), and he had played no role at all in any of the discussions on this issue in recent days, and yet he suddenly felt he had a vital role in the negotiations of the bailout. I'm very comfortable with the AP's assessment.

[David]

Raleighite, time will tell if McCain's involvement was helpful, harmful, or neutral, but I appreciate his attitude. Bush says the country is facing financial disaster. Adopting a plan and getting it right could be crucial. In particular, the Bailout could have a major impact on the next Administration: Some experts say it could ultimately cost trillions. Others say the US Government could make a profit of a trillion dollars.

Given the high stakes, I prefer a candidate who wants to be involved and take leadership, rather than the one who reported said, "Call me if you need me."

[Raleighite]

David, the problem with that is McCain vowed not to debate if an agreement had not been reached, yet by Thursday night (AFTER the negotiations had been derailed) he was already hedging on that and making plans to go to Ole Miss.
Now that the debate is over, he has gone back - but not to D.C. He has been at his HQ in Alexandria today.
In my view, his motives were primarily political, which wouldn't be so bad, if it weren't for his constant refrain about "country first."

[David]

Raleighite, no doubt McCain's motives were partly partly political. He's in the midst of a campaign for President. However, according to Congressman Eric Cantor, McCain's action helped produce an agreement. Sometimes doing the right thing is also good politics.

As for Mr. McCain, accused by Democrats and the media of disrupting the talks to help his presidential campaign and play up his role as bipartisan savior, Mr. Cantor says having Mr. McCain on Capitol Hill "signaled the severity" of the crisis and can help produce a compromise.