McCain's Debate Gamble Could Backfire

Some GOP strategists say McCain's debate gamble could look too calculating.

ByABC News
September 26, 2008, 6:39 PM

Sept. 26, 2008— -- It was one of Sen. John McCain's biggest gambles yet -- his decision to suspend his candidacy and withdraw from the first presidential debate to help forge a solution to the country's financial crisis.

But McCain's strategy appeared to be in tatters early today when he reversed course after 48 hours and agreed to debate Sen. Barack Obama tonight while lawmakers in Washington still wrangled over the proposed $700 billion bailout.

Several political strategists and analysts -- from both sides of the aisle -- voiced doubts today about this latest twist in McCain's campaign.

Instead of being hailed as a bold leader willing to risk his political fortunes for the good of the nation, McCain now risks being seen as just the opposite: a calculating politician who will try anything to win, they said.

"Right now, this is leaning more toward looking like a calculated political move on the part of Sen. McCain, and this runs contrary to the image he has tried to portray himself as -- someone who transcends partisanship and gets things done," said Scott McClellan, a former White House spokesman under President Bush.

A veteran Republican strategist said, "Without the benefit of seeing their polling or having other inside information, this is a puzzling maneuver. [McCain] initially claimed the high ground, suspending his campaign, saying there was no time for politics, and then he resorted to politics, returning to the campaign before the crisis was resolved."

From the outset, McCain's gambit was riddled with political landmines. In trying to broker a deal, McCain opened himself to criticism of injecting presidential politics into delicate, high-stakes negotiations.

And he thrust himself between conservative Republicans reluctant to approve a massive and costly government intervention, and the White House, which has joined with Democratic leaders in Congress in viewing a bailout as essential to avoid chaos in the financial system.