Presidential debates can make or break a candidacy. JFK gained support because he appeared poised and confident while Richard Nixon was sweaty and appeared nervous. Gerald Ford probably killed his chances by stating that the USSR didn't really control Poland. And Reagan's famous "are you better off than you were four years ago" question slammed the door shut on Jimmy Carter's presidency.

So what is John McCain afraid of? In the midst of the financial crisis, he wants to postpone this Friday's debate with Barack Obama, and return to Washington to work on the Wall Street bailout plan. Obama, rightfully, has nixed that idea, saying that "a president has to be able to handle more than one thing at a time."

Washington has been getting along just fine without McCain for how many months? Why is he now urgently needed back on Capitol Hill? Perhaps he's afraid he'll be upstaged by Obama, or perhaps he wants to give Daisy Duke more time to prepare for her debate with Joe Biden.

One would think if he's so confident in himself, and/or his VP choice, he would welcome the debates. After all, candidacies can be made or broken on them.

Something seems suspiciously fishy here.