SF Chronicle: McCain Faces Debate Dilemma (Cancels 2000 Debate Also)

[HOF44]

Does this story sound familiar?????

Link To Prior Debate Cancellation

McCain Faces Debate Dilemma

Decision to skip California event leaves him with explaining to do

Carla Marinucci, Chronicle Political Writer

Tuesday, February 29, 0

(02-29) 04:00 PDT Redding, Shasta County -- GOP presidential hopeful John McCain brought his ``Straight Talk Express'' to the Golden State last night for a three-day campaign swing to convince Californians that he hasn't given up on their state after canceling a debate with Texas Gov. George W. Bush.

While hundreds of loyal Republicans turned out to see him at an airport rally on a misty night in Redding, some voters said they wanted straight talk on why the Arizona senator will skip the only scheduled GOP debate before the March 7 primary in crucial California.

``It sure seems like a bad time . . . just when they're getting down to the wire,'' said Rick Stephens, an engineer from Redding who waited more than an hour to see McCain last night.

``If he has so much knowledge of policy, then this is the time to show it,'' said Stephens' wife, Pam, a registered Republican who said she is still undecided and wants to be convinced that McCain deserves her vote. ``But he found a nice little opportunity to cancel. It's that rubber-hits-the-road thing.''

The comments illustrate how McCain, who has campaigned on a message of ``straight talk,'' appears to have undercut his own sales pitch by backing out of the debate with his GOP rivals, political insiders and voters are saying this week.

``This is politics as usual -- and it undermines McCain's whole argument that he is different and he does not play those games,'' said California political analyst Sherry Be**** Jeffe. Worse, ``it lends the perception that he's afraid of (Texas Gov. George W.) Bush, afraid of risking momentum. Isn't he the insurgent?''

[Heisenberg]

****ing liberal media - the whole country is run by commie ****s.