Blog Buzz: John McCain Suspends Campaign, Talks Financial Crisis Bailout, Sarah Palin's Katie Couric Interview

Our daily look at stories and topics that are lighting up the Internets:

McCain's Loose Definition of "Suspend"

John McCain shocked everyone last night with his announcement that he was suspending his campaign, but since many McCain ads are still running and the candidate found the time to address the Clinton Global Initiative today, liberal bloggers are a little confused about the meaning of "suspend." Josh Marshall at TPM says the cancellation is "the biggest 'dog ate my homework' in history." The announcement isn't sitting well with lawmakers, either, who want McCain to butt out, and other liberals think it's yet another example of the levels to which McCain will stoop for political gain. One National Review Online blogger says the move shows real leadership, while another worries it's too risky. Michael Crowley at the New Republic thinks McCain can survive the blunder.

McCain Will Rescue Economy, Won't Read Paulson Plan

Despite the fact that McCain has suspended his campaign in light of the current historic financial crisis, he still hadn't found time to read the Paulson bailout plan as of Tuesday. Liberal bloggers are in disbelief that McCain thinks the situation is serious enough to cancel a debate but not serious enough for him to take the time to read the three-page plan. McCain says he does not think the bailout deal will pass, but reports say policymakers are close to striking a bailout deal. This news makes McCain's plan to suspend his campaign and solve the crisis seem a little unnecessary. Weekly Standard weighs in on what McCain's plan of action should be.

Sarah Palin's Greatest Interview Hits

Sarah Palin's recent interview with Katie Couric is garnering her worse criticism from liberal and pro-Obama bloggers than her interview with Charles Gibson. Bloggers say it's "more painful" than the Gibson interview, "a train wreck," and "cringe inducing." Michelle Cottle at the New Republic has a few training tips for Palin to help her mask her "complete absence of understanding." Conservative bloggers give Palin a "B-" and defend some of her shakier moments as a result of "selective editing."

—Gretchen Hannes