McCain Can't Handle It

Can John McCain not walk and chew gum at the same time? Seems that way, as he wants to skip Friday's planned debate to to return to Washington to do whatever he thinks he can do regarding the $700 billion bailout?

What he doesn't need to do is go in there and screw up the plan with it close to being finalized that addresses most or all of the concerns lawmakers and Main Street have about it.

What's unusual is that McCain also suspended his presidential campaign.

Here's what all of this tells us.

McCain is erratic and unpredictable in times of crisis. The most recent crisis was hurricane Gustav, and in crisis mode McCain had the start of the Republican convention delayed. They said they didn't want to appear in a celebratory mood, forgetting that, compared to the Democrats, Republicans don't convene in a celebratory manner anyway. At any rate, these events and the McCain response show us that in crisis mode they just can't deal with everything going on plus the normal stuff.

McCain can not focus on all of the nation's needs. He is proving that by having to suspend his campaign to address the economic needs. I mean, they aren't even able to release ads during this time. It's like his campaign is an ant bed, and somebody just kicked it. Campaign staff is in crisis mode, like the ants, who crazily run around gathering eggs and larvae, suspending all their other duties, until the babes are carried deeper and the repaired smaller ant bed has the appearance of normality. And it's not long until all the ants have disappeared. What are they doing in there? Probably trembling in fear of the next kick. Trouble is, the big "unkicked" ant bed next door is still functioning normally.

McCain is narcissistic. I guess all presidential candidates are to some extent. But congress is progressing with a bill, plans are in place for debate, and the candidate who admits that economics isn't his thing, suddenly wants us to believe that the country's financial markets won't survive without his input, turning this crisis into a savior moment for McCain..."me, me, me...I can fix it (even though I don't understand the problem)." Meanwhile, Senate leaders are asking him to stay away, "We need leadership, not a photo op," Harry Reid said.

McCain is an angry man. And we need a solid, calm leader during times of crisis. Like Peggy Noonan said today on "Morning Joe," he looks like he's on the balls of his feet, ready to lunge forward. And we all know, we don't like going to Grandpa's house when he's in a bad mood. Remember how he's a little bit scary, sitting there brooding in his rocking chair? And jumpy and nervous? Do you want Grandpa as your president?