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Bill Clinton: Don't 'Overly Parse' McCain Request to Delay Debate

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September 25, 2008 8:26 AM

ABC News' Nitya Venkataraman Reports: Former President Bill Clinton defended Sen. John McCain's request to delay the first presidential debate, saying McCain did it in "good faith" and pushed organizers to reserve time for economy talk during the debate if the Friday plans move forward.

Appearing on Good Morning America Thursday, Clinton told ABC News' Chris Cuomo that McCain's push to postpone the debate would only be a good political move if both candidates agreed. McCain announced on Wednesday that he would "suspend" his presidential campaign to come to Washington to help negotiate a financial bailout bill

"We know he didn't do it because he's afraid because Sen. McCain wanted more debates," Clinton said, adding that he was "encouraged" by the joint statement from McCain and Sen. Barack Obama.

"You can put it off a few days the problem is it's hard to reschedule those things," Clinton said, "I presume he did that in good faith since I know he wanted -- I remember he asked for more debates to go all around the country and so I don't think we ought to overly parse that."

If the debate moves forward as planned for Friday night, Clinton says "they should be able to talk about this some of the debate because it is a security issue."

The former president thought Bush's address Wednesday night on the economic crisis had a "positive reaction".

"I thought it was the clearest statement of why we're in the fix we're in, at least what the nature of it is and why some national action is needed," Clinton said.

He said that both Democrats and Republicans "should move as quickly as they can" on the president's economic rescue plan but that both parties "want to know exactly how this $700 billion is going to be invested..to stabilize the system."

President Bush's bipartisan meeting on the economic crisis will take place at 4pm at the White House, both Obama and McCain will be in attendance.

September 25, 2008 in Clinton, Bill, McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans, Washington, White House | Permalink | User Comments (1387)

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I admire him for defending McCain on this. But how different would his tone be if Hill was the nominee?

Posted by: Blu State | Sep 25, 2008 8:55:06 AM

Empty Suit Obama will forget all the stuff he memorized. That is why he wants the debate to move on.

Liberals & Liberals Media are telling McCain is playing politics.

Country First. McCain is not afraid of this kid Obama, In fact He asked him to come for 10 townhall meeting.

Obama Said, I will debate anywhere anytime, but nothing happend.

Posted by: adam | Sep 25, 2008 8:55:13 AM

Bill Clintion is saying the right things. As a former President he knows what needs to be said and when to say it. McCain is putting the people of his state and our country first. Unlike our Senator from Illinois who is out there raising money

Posted by: Randy | Sep 25, 2008 8:55:21 AM

Reason: Of course the Clinto's want Obama to lose and I don't blame them. I want him to lose and even get out of the senate someday. Let him go back to his house on the southside of Chicago where he belongs. McCain did the right thing. Obama doesn't care about this country and never did. He is as anti-american as can be. This generation of fools better wake up. We are in a very bad crisis and Obama is only thinking of himself. He doesn't deserve to be president of this country. World leaders would be telling him what to do.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | Sep 25, 2008 8:55:49 AM

How soon before the far left lunatic liberals start calling Clinton a traitor to their party? That only will show you they're more interested in winning the presidency at all costs then fixing problems now.

Posted by: Tony | Sep 25, 2008 8:56:17 AM

Lol America is doomed, even with this bail out you will see the crisis get worse in november. Obama will win and nothing will change because the real change has to come from the culture and the baby boomers have to allow the new generation to take hold and define Americas future. Bailing the establishment does nothing for anyone. I say let it fall let the chips fall where they, at least the world will no longer face a personal depression a spiritual bankruptcy maybe we will get that great war so the character that lies dormant in all of us shiines through. Viva la revolucion!

Posted by: David Vida | Sep 25, 2008 8:57:29 AM

Just like the polls show, McCain is associated with action/leadership and Obama talks alot and does little . Even when Obama has time to make a deliberate decision, he screws it up....e.g. not picking Hillary as VP. What happens when Hussain has to make a snap national security decision? There is no second chance on those type of issues....oops, they just nuked NY, maybe I was wrong to pander the Iranians.

Why should Bill help B Hussain Obama? The Clintons would rather Hillary run in 4 years than have to wait for 8. The Clintons are political animals and will not do something that is not in their own best interest.

McCain in 08, Palin in 12 and 16!

Posted by: Joel | Sep 25, 2008 8:57:38 AM

Bill Clinton continues to demonstrate why former Presidents should stay out of the fray of current elections.

And people, McCain and Obama returning to Washington as sitting Senators makes ZERO difference until they are required for a final vote. Neither of them are on the Senate Committees who are charged with crafting the legislation to move the Administration's plan from an idea into law, so neither of them will have an active seat at the negotiating table. McCain's ploy is just that - a ploy to distract people and call attention to himself and whatever maverick or leader or reformer image he wants to portray. Frankly it is a sad attempt at leadership.

Posted by: JB | Sep 25, 2008 8:57:39 AM

Bill....you are a disgrace to the Dem Pary. You need stand up as a Dem and stop defending McCain...Or become a Rep...

Posted by: newvoter | Sep 25, 2008 8:57:46 AM

Everyone does NOT know this. I know that Obama is playing politics with this while Sen. McCain is DOING HIS JOB as elected Senator rather than shirking his responsibilities like NObama does all the time. McCain shows some leadership and NObama supporters knee-jerk to the farthest left wing conspiracy theory. Here's a tip - drop the tin-foil hats and maybe use your brains.

Posted by: Cameron | Sep 25, 2008 8:58:00 AM

Bill is still angry that his wife will not bring him back to the Whitehouse.He wanted Hillary to be "President" so that "psychologically" he could clean himself from the semen he left behind in the supply room.

Posted by: e | Sep 25, 2008 8:58:20 AM

The Obama supporters posting here are bitter, bitter, bitter.

Posted by: Carl | Sep 25, 2008 8:58:22 AM

Everyone knows McCain will wipe the floor with Obama in a debate - McCain proposed 11 other debates and Obama said no to every one.

McCain focusing on the financial meltdown shows leadership - Obama wants to make it all about him.

Posted by: DK | Sep 25, 2008 8:58:28 AM

Personally, I think it's a good idea for them both to get back to work. That's what we're paying them for!

Posted by: doc | Sep 25, 2008 8:58:37 AM

McCain doesn't understand the Economy!

What is he going to Washington to do?

Pressure bust pipes, and the pressure is busting the McCain campaign.

Posted by: r-dub | Sep 25, 2008 8:58:39 AM

Hey Kevin, I'm a well educated, lip stick mom, and I certainly don't know that "McCain is playing politics". From where I'm sitting it looks like McCain is trying to do his job. The one he is currently getting paid for. The one where he has a responsibility to represent those who elected him. Obama on the other hand just wants to carry on with his Presidential candidacy. So you tell me, which one is doing "politics as usual"? The guy who wants to do his job, or the guy who wants to "politic" for a promotion...

Posted by: Frustrated | Sep 25, 2008 8:58:41 AM

It might be political but this is also the most pressing issue that the US has had in years. John McCain is correct in getting back to DC to fix this issue while Nobama sits with his hands under his ass. You really think Obama can fix this economy by raising taxes....kiss you money goodbye if he wins. Tax and Spend, Tax and Spend.....even the top economists say his economic plan will be disasterous for America. Tax cut for 90% of america my butt....read the fine print liberals. The US is not a Socialist Country, if you want that, why dont you move to Russia and see how you like it.

Posted by: The real Kevin | Sep 25, 2008 8:59:19 AM

adam: Obama can debate anytime anywhere but he is a loser on debates. He lost every one of them including the interview at the forum. He wants the public to think he is smarter than McCain. That's a laugh in itself. And I also heard that the 9 points added to his percentage is a bogus. The telephone calls were to blacks not whites and it was stated on Rush's program yesterday. I had a feeling that his percentage didn't go up. They are running neck to neck in the National polls. The networks are all for Obama but they are going to get fooled in this election.

Posted by: Mariann Pepitone | Sep 25, 2008 8:59:56 AM

Joel....OMG you want Palin in? OMG...
She is a witch hunting, radical, power crazy soocer mom!!!

Get a life....She definately hasn't gotten the female vote.

Posted by: formerhillary | Sep 25, 2008 9:00:07 AM

Clinton is as transparent as they come. The media should ask him about his duplicity in our current crisis by signing the Republican bill to deregulate the banking industry. Also, it's clear he is aiming for Hillary '12

Posted by: Liz | Sep 25, 2008 9:00:47 AM

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