Updated
It’s on the television now, live. It’s got to do with the Clinton Global Initiative, and follows a Today Show appearance by people in his campaign in which McCain also said he’s not campaigning, and last night’s cancellation of a David Letterman appearance (McCain said he had to rush to Washington but then hung around town and may now know it’s not a great idea to lie to David Letterman).
He’s even found a way to talk about earmarks (he’s insisting that the bailout bill not include any. Has anyone heard a suggest from any quarter that there may be an attempt to hang earmarks on this bill?)
People “are hurtin’. They are hurting because of the cost of oil. … This country has a duty to finally secure the energy security of our country….”
Now he’s talking about global warming and clean power. “It will include and must include a variety of new automotive and clean burning technologies.”
“We can never guaranty our security through military means alone.” He’s fighting disease now.
This is a straight-up campaign speech that started with him saying he wasn’t campaigning any more. He’s got the networks broadcasting him standing up there.
“As you know, malaria alone….”
Palin is in the audience, and I swear she is doing that Nancy-Reagan-admiring-look-at-Ronald as she gazes up at McCain.
Update: First paragraph tweaked for clarification and reference to Letterman added.
What utter bullshit.
You are a little quick on the trigger, my friend.
From his speech yesterday.
Tomorrow morning, I will suspend my campaign and return to Washington after speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative.
I’m not buying this charade, Alan. Ya think he’s sent the campaign staffs home this morning?
I am not posting any comments on folo.us.
Whew, Phantom. Yeh, there’s an economic crisis on, y’know. We godda mum-up.
Steve Benen ponders Bill Clinton’s gracious hospitality here.
We’re witnessing the meltdown of a noble American who is being consumed by the pressures of an agonizingly lengthy campaign. And we’re witnessing a political campaign turning to ashes and sackcloth. I enyoed it while Obama was whacking the GOP within the ropes of the political boxing arena. But we’re way beyond that now. John McCain is a tired, broken old man and he’s crashing and burning right before our eyes. I am saddened beyond description. Someone needs to put an arm around the old warrior’s shoulders and just say, “It’s OK, Skipper. It’s OK. We’re going over to the O Club, where a buncha your old classmates and shipmates are waiting for you. We’re gonna toast all our shipmates who fell from the skies and we’re gonna tell our usual war stories. As always, the first liar doesn’t stand a chance. We’ll break out the dice and play a little ‘Ship, Captain, and Crew.’ Come on, Skipper. The boys are waiting for you.”
I’m really saddened.
Ben Cole comments: “I enjoyed it while Obama was whacking the GOP within the ropes of the political boxing arena” and then, continuing, makes clear he thinks its time for the ref to call the fight over and a TKO.
This is all so over-the-top surreal, I’m grateful y’all are witnessing it too — it’s not my mental health in issue, no matter how hallucinatory these days seem.
Ben: I find it sad as well but it is self-inflicted. Only McCain can stop the pain. If he keeps this up somebody has to keep talking about it to keep him out of the White House and this country out of his (or a shadow prez) hands.
GG: A warrior never asks for quarter …
never says, “It hurts.” A warrior never says, “I’m spent.” A warrior just keeps on slashing and swinging. He may not realize who or where the “enemy” is. He just flails away. And he takes good counsel from no one. He interprets good counsel as personal disloyalty. He distances himself from those who have forever been closest, and he tries to bond with new, unknown, untested, unproven, perhaps self-annointed “warriors.”
The end game will be, I genuinely fear, a deep personal tragedy. Unfortunately, this tragedy will play out far beyond personal bounds … it can have terrible consequences for the republic.