- Daily Photo: Obama Jokes Around at G-20
- Blackwater gets replaced in Iraq
- Daily Photo: U.S. Marines Look Out for Taliban in Afghanistan
- Hillary Clinton the Tomboy and Her "Ah-Ha" Moment
- Obama Administration Sudan Envoy Headed to Region
- Daily Photo: Potential Flashpoint in Iraq
- Clinton Says New Afghanistan-Pakistan Plan Depends on Diplomacy
- Exclusive: Three Israeli Airstrikes Against Sudan
- Additional 4,000 Troops to Be Ordered to Afghanistan
- Daily Photo: Navy Submarine Trains in the Arctic
- Alarm Over North Korea Missile Prep
- Anti-Terror Stimulus? US Offers Rewards for Top Terrorists
- Daily Photo: Pakistani Women in Refugee Camp
- Condoleezza Rice Appears on "The Tonight Show"
- Diplomat and Aid Group Sound the Alarm on Darfur Camp Situation
- auto industry rescue
- Ballotwatch
- Biden, Joe
- Bush, George W.
- Clinton, Bill
- Clinton, Hillary
- Dodd, Chris
- Edwards, John
- Giuliani, Rudy
- Gravel, Mike
- Huckabee, Mike
- Hunter, Duncan
- Inauguration
- Iraq
- Kucinich, Dennis
- McCain, John
- Obama, Barack
- Palin, Sarah
- Paul, Ron
- Romney, Mitt
- Tancredo, Tom
- Thompson, Fred
- Veepstakes
- Vote 2008: Democrats
- Vote 2008: Republicans
- Washington
- White House
« Previous | Main | Next »
McCain: Scrap Friday Debate for Bailout; Obama: The Debate is On
Email
ShareSeptember 24, 2008 3:04 PM
ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos and Rick Klein report: Republican presidential candidate John McCain on Wednesday said he would "suspend" his presidential campaign to come to Washington to help negotiate a financial bailout bill and argued Friday's first presidential debate should be scrapped -- a dramatic move designed to seize a powerful issue.
McCain said he called on the Commission on Presidential Debates to postpone the debate scheduled for Friday in Mississippi, to ensure quick congressional action.
"I have spoken to Senator Obama and informed him of my decision and have asked him to join me," McCain said in New York City Wednesday. "I am calling on the president to convene a meeting with the leadership from both houses of Congress, including Senator Obama and myself. It is time for both parties to come together to solve this problem.”
Preparing for the debate in Florida, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama held a previously unscheduled news conference, arguing the debate should go on.
"I believe that we should continue to have the debate," Obama said. "It is my belief that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who, in approximately 40 days, will be responsible for dealing with this mess." "It is going to be part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once," Obama said.
Obama said that unlike McCain, he will not suspend ads, or campaign events scheduled between now and Friday's debate.
"I think it's very important that the American people see the people who potentially could be in charge of this problem within the next couple of months and so my attitude is that we need to be focused on solving the problems, as I have been," Obama said. "It's also important that we communicate where we need to go in getting us out of the situation."
Obama said he will stay in Florida for the time being and will not return to Washington unless asked by Congressional leadership.
"I've told the leadership in Congress is that if I can be helpful then I am prepared to be anywhere at anytime," he said.
President Bush will attempt to shore up public support for the administration's $700 bailout plan in a primetime address to the nation tonight.
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said the Bush administration "welcome Sen. McCain's announcement" that he is suspending his campaign to deal with the bailout bill.
"We are making progress in negotiations on the financial markets rescue legislation, but we have not finished it yet," Perino said.
"Bipartisan support from Sens. McCain and Obama would be helpful in driving to a conclusion. The financial market crisis is a big problem that requires a big solution, and solving this in a bipartisan way will help prevent economic damage spreading from Wall Street to all Americans," Perino said.
Obama supporter and chief debate negotiator Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., told MSNBC that "we can handle both," when asked about his reaction to McCain's call to postpone the first debate because of the administration's bailout plan.
Earlier Wednesday, a senior Obama campaign official told ABC News, "The debate in on."
An Obama campaign official told ABC News the Democratic presidential candidate called McCain this morning to suggest a joint statement of principles.
McCain called back this afternoon and suggested returning to Washington.
Obama is willing to return to Washington "if it would be helpful." But Obama reiterated that Obama intends to debate on Friday.
Obama senior strategist Robert Gibbs said that Obama and McCain spoke today at approximately 2:35 pm, for about five minutes as Obama was leaving a campaign event in Florida en route back to his hotel.
Gibbs insists that Obama at that time was not left with the impression that McCain had decisively decided to suspend his campaign, or would ask for the debate to be canceled.
The first time Obama found out McCain was suspending his campaign and returning to Washington was when McCain made his statement earlier today.
The McCain campaign has pledged to suspend campaign advertising.
"To be clear, in addition to suspending his campaign to return to Washington to work for a bipartisan solution to this problem, this campaign is suspending its advertising and fundraising," McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said.
McCain and his top advisers said the Republican presidential candidate has not committed to voting for the massive financial bailout plan proposed by the Bush administration, with aides saying he will reserve final judgment until there is a final product.
A senior McCain campaign official said that the “Bush package is dead. This is a serious situation. Package must be resolved by the time markets open on Monday."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday that McCain had assured Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson that he would support the $700 billion legislation.
Asked about that Wednesday, McCain responded: “I did not say that.”
Senior advisor Mark Salter then interjected saying, “He hasn’t said that to Paulson or to Reid or to anybody else. He hasn’t said that to me.”
McCain campaign political director Mike DuHaime told reporters at a lunch meeting in Washington that the senator will not commit until he sees the final package that comes to the Senate floor.
“He’s going to do what he thinks is right,” DuHaime said at a lunch sponsored by the Christian Science Monitor. “He’ll make a vote as a leader in this country, and people will look to him.”
DuHaime added, “Quite frankly, I think you could ask Sen. Obama if he’s going to do what he thinks is right. I mean, he has never -- I believe -- never once made a decision that is an unpopular decision or went against the orthodoxy of his party, and was one that was one that was a tough decision to make. . . . Sen. McCain has done that throughout his entire career, his entire life -- not just in politics, but his life.”
DuHaime said that while McCain understands the urgency, many voters continue to have important questions about what the bailout means to them.
“When you start talking about $10,000 per household or per family to go toward bailing out Wall Street, they have legitimate questions about it,” DuHaime said. “People understand that that is a big thing and it affects them, and they do legitimately have questions about, is this really going to go to bail out companies or leaders of companies who now are relying on taxpayer dollars to bail them out, and are going to get these huge compensation packages after they come to the taxpayers for it.”
“There is some frustration, certainly, in that, and it’s understandable to say the least. And it has not been a quick rush to say yes or no. People understand the gravity of this, want to see it done right, while still understanding the timing factor.”
ABC News' Bret Hovell and Sunlen Miller contributed to this report.
September 24, 2008 in McCain, John, Obama, Barack, Vote 2008: Democrats, Vote 2008: Republicans | Permalink | User Comments (2912)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
Country First. Nice to see.
Posted by: Mike | Sep 24, 2008 3:20:23 PM
Obama does not need McCain to debate. he can debate with himself or his VP nominee Biden.
For FISA/against FISA
For public campaign financing/against PCF
For Russia/against Russia
blah .. blah .. empty suit ...
Come November 4 2008, I am salivating at the prospect of lot of Obamabots crying like littel girls. Wow, how much fun it will be to watch these fellows cry.
Posted by: Roger Miller | Sep 24, 2008 3:20:49 PM
McCain is running scared... he has no clue on the economy and now wants to postpone the 1st debate so he can get familiar with what all of us americans have been going through for the past 7 yrs... GET REAL.
The debate should go on as scheduled...
No matter what.. McCain is going to vote against anything on this bailout, because he wants this to be about him and nothing else.
Go ahead McCain and suspend your and Caribou Barbies campaign.... WE WONT MISS YOU
Posted by: l | Sep 24, 2008 3:21:49 PM
This stinks of a political power play that will not work.
Obama should offer Biden to represent him in washington and ask McCain to send Palin to "shake things up"
Posted by: watching | Sep 24, 2008 3:21:57 PM
Just an attempt by McCain to look like he's in charge.
However, it sounds pretty ironic for a guy who a week ago was saying the fundamentals of the economy are strong to now be saying the country can't survive without him chairing an immediate bailout negotiation before markets open on Monday morning.
Sorry, but I just don't see too many people buying that line.
Its also ironic considering this is the guy who not long ago said he doesn't understand the economy.
Probably the best thing for the country - if McCain really wanted to put country first - would be for these details to get hammered out without either candidate there. Having a candidate involved will just more politicize the discussions.
Posted by: Paul | Sep 24, 2008 3:22:27 PM
Obama told 60 Minutes the reason HE should be President is that he can bring opposing sides together and get things done. Looks like McCain out flanked little Barry again. pulled the rug right under Obamarosa
Posted by: geevill | Sep 24, 2008 3:22:28 PM
Obama has no idea whats going on here because his teleprompter is not loaded to deal with this. let's be fair, give Obama a day or two to re-program his teleprompter so that he can make a statement.
Posted by: Norman | Sep 24, 2008 3:22:46 PM
Well Bhrandon, Obama keeps saying he is willing to have that debate any where any time and hides behind Michelle''s skirt when McCain asks him to show up at town halls to debate.
Obama can run but he can't hide.
Posted by: Roger Miller | Sep 24, 2008 3:22:47 PM
It would be better for the economy to give every houshold in America 10,000 and let the sinking ships sink. Many could save their homes with this money or start over. At least honest people who pay their debts and don't get in over thier heads wouldn't be paying for fraud and 7 figure salaries then.
Posted by: s.b. | Sep 24, 2008 3:22:49 PM
I am shocked at Obama's attitude: "debate no matter what"!!! What is this guy thinking? does he have any morals left? McCain is calling for a truce to deal with the most important issue that has affected the US in a century, and Obama wants to debate for his selfish needs? McCain didn't call for cancellation, he called for postponement!
And I am more shocked (but not surprised) at the tone of Obama supporters here, calling this a ruse of some sort by McCAin. Can you get this into your thick heads: McCain is putting the country first. Obama is putting himself first.
So who is the best to lead this country, McCain, the patriot and hero who will lead the way to protect this country, or Obama, who will do everything possible , including sacrificing the safety and security of America, to get what he wants?
A vote for McCain is a vote for America.
A vote for Obama is just a vote for Obama.
This now makes it crystal clear.
Posted by: liberati | Sep 24, 2008 3:22:52 PM
What a joke - people act as though McCain is afraid to debate Obama. Do any of you people even pay attention to what is going on. Obama bombed every debate he has participated in the last year. He got whupped by Clinton repeatedly and refused to particpate in any more debates with her. Did anyone watch the forum at Saddlebrook - McCain came away as knowledgeable and confident, Obama stumbled through - let's face it - Obama always puts his interests first and he probably doesn't want to waste time "studying" again. He should try being a leader during this crisis not a perpetual candidate.
Posted by: Brenda, New York | Sep 24, 2008 3:23:21 PM
It's a cheap stunt! He's trying to pretend like he's on top of things.
It is the same thing he did with the Palin announcment. See that Obama is rising in the polls, so he pulls a trick out of his sleeve to get the attention he wants.
It "makes" him look like he's leading. But all he's doing is pretending to lead and score some points.
God I hope the voters aren't dumb enough to fall for it!
Posted by: Greg | Sep 24, 2008 3:23:29 PM
McCain is terrified because he knows that he was a BIG part of the reason our economy is in this mess. He was TOTALLY on the "bandwagon" for de-regulation.
He wants to cancel the debates...OMG this is so funny...he is running scared!!!
Posted by: newvoter | Sep 24, 2008 3:23:55 PM
The very first thing I thought of was that McCain is trying to get out of the debate. So typical.
Posted by: karen miller | Sep 24, 2008 3:24:17 PM
The only time McCain has shown up to work is to cast a vote for the rich.... uhmmmm.... so congress does not like Bush's bill... congress is trying to write in some protection for the American people... NOW McCain thinks he needs to run off and do his job... uhmmm, McCain sorry... I think congress can handle this one without your thoughts on how to make your friends richer and us poorer.
Posted by: beck | Sep 24, 2008 3:25:15 PM
Obama should offer Biden to represent him in washington and ask McCain to send Palin to "shake things up"
Posted by: watching | Sep 24, 2008 3:26:12 PM
McCain did this beause of the jump in the polls for Obama. Who is he trying to fool.
Ex Republican
Posted by: RGeier | Sep 24, 2008 3:26:14 PM
"Obama can run but he can't hide."
Um, well, isn't it McCain who wants to call off the debate?
If McCain really wanted to put country first, he'd stay away from these discussions.
He's already told us he doesn't understand the economy. So he must be trying to revive his campaign by inserting himself into emergency economic discussions.
Posted by: Paul | Sep 24, 2008 3:26:29 PM
YOU GUYS ARE A BUNCH OF A**HOLES, MCCAIN IS TRYING TO HELP HIS COUNTRY OUR COUNTRY, PUT YOUR I TOLD YOU SO'S ASIDE AND TRY TO REMENBER PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE OR ARE GOING TO LOSE EVERYTHING IF THIS MESS IS NOT CLEANED UP, IF OBAMA HAD COME UP WITH THIS YOU GUYS WOULD HAVE CALLLED IT THE SECOND COMING, GET A LIFE MCCAIN IS CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN AND SEE
Posted by: RICK | Sep 24, 2008 3:26:46 PM
Brenda...Obama was doomed at Saddleback anyway because it was biased towards him because he is for abortion. Plus, McCain heard all the questions on the way to the forum while he watched in the car...ZEEeeeeez.
McCain cannot handle the heat...He knows on the economy, Obama will wipe him out!!!
Posted by: militarymom | Sep 24, 2008 3:26:48 PM
Post a comment
