- 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 »
Stephanopoulos: McCain Will Attend Debate Tonight
September 26, 2008 11:24 AM
ABC News' George Stephanopoulos reports: Republican presidential nominee John McCain will attend the debate tonight in Mississippi. The McCain campaign issued a statement saying that they are "resuming all activities and the Senator will travel to the debate this afternoon."
In the statement, the campaign said that "McCain is optimistic that there has been significant progress," on the bailout deal, citing the return of House GOP members to the negotiating table.
But they also took a jab at Obama, accusing him of playing politics and impeding progress on the deal.
"The difference between Barack Obama and John McCain was apparent during the White House meeting yesterday where Barack Obama's priority was political posturing in his opening monologue defending the package as it stands. John McCain listened to all sides so he could help focus the debate on finding a bipartisan resolution that is in the interest of taxpayers and homeowners."
The campaign characterized the heated negotiations as a "familiar spectacle in Washington" and urged Congress and the Bush administration to work together on an agreement.
"Both parties in both houses of Congress and the administration needed to come together to find a solution that would deserve the trust of the American people. And while there were attempts to do that, much of yesterday was spent fighting over who would get the credit for a deal and who would get the blame for failure."
The statement also said the McCain would return to Washington after the debate to continue working on the final agreement.
Earlier today a top GOP official indicated that Sen. McCain would likely debate tonight because Republicans had moved closer to an agreement on the framework of an economic bailout deal.
On Wednesday, McCain announced he was suspending his presidential campaign to fly to Washington and concentrate on resolving the bailout plan. When asked on World News Thursday night if he planned to attend the debate, McCain said he was "hopeful" he would be able to.
"I believe that it's very possible that we can get an agreement so that I have time to fly to Mississippi," McCain told Charlie Gibson.
Obama, for his part, has said all week that he would attend tonight's debate, regardless of the status of the economic bailout plan.
The debate will be moderated by PBS' Jim Lehrer and held on the University of Mississippi's campus in Oxford, Miss. Although foreign policy was scheduled to be the focus of the debate, Lehrer has indicated he may incorporate the latest economic news into the discussion.
September 26, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (968)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
Obama's going Oh Crap I was hoping he wasn't going to show.
Posted by: crap | Sep 26, 2008 11:42:48 AM
I'm so sick of his drama. Ridiculous Just do your job and stop all teh granstanding. THis whole "going ot waashington to save the country" was such a farse and not helpful to anyone, not the public, not to calm nerves and certainly didn't help with the process. He was worhtless. Less than worthless. He has just stressed out americans which is never good for an economy. He had nothing to add. just a big drama queen. Be sure to bring your boa. And be sure ot mention you were a pow at least 10 times. we haven't heard that enough either.
Posted by: matt | Sep 26, 2008 11:43:13 AM
Derrick
are you blind ad deaf... the Gallup poll is still tied and Obama went down 1 pt and mccain went up 2 when he announced he wa suspendign his campaign....you obamasnots will never get it and there is no chance in hell that Mccain will be wiped out in this first debate... please stop the nonsense!
Posted by: staniam | Sep 26, 2008 11:43:22 AM
If it takes McCain 22 hours to get to Washington wonder if he will make it on time to the debate tonight.. hmmmm
Posted by: patrick | Sep 26, 2008 11:43:25 AM
So McCain the drama queen now breathlessly announces he'll do the debate. You know, years ago I used to respect this guy, but in recent years it appears that he will do and say anything to get what he wants. I bet that if you told him he could be president if he would only just bend over and squeal like a pig, we'd all hear a big "weeeeeeee".....
Posted by: michaelh | Sep 26, 2008 11:43:40 AM
AH HAHAHAH McCain looks like the doof he is with this one.
Posted by: Sandra | Sep 26, 2008 11:43:40 AM
Erin asks..."And is McCain for or against the bailout?"
The answer is "Yes"
Just like our weather here in colorado. If you don't like his anser now, wait an hour, it will change to the opposite.
Posted by: no more mad cows | Sep 26, 2008 11:43:43 AM
No tele-prompters allowed.
Posted by: Angelo | Sep 26, 2008 11:43:55 AM
Seems like all the Obama supporters are a little scared that McCain is going to show up.
Posted by: crap | Sep 26, 2008 11:44:16 AM
Obama is pouring over his cliff notes on his plane now.....doesn't matter you can't get rid of the ug, um, ah, ugh, stammer problem.
McCain can do this blindfolded and arms tied behind his back.....I don't think "the suit" has anything on John McCain in regards to National Security...tho, I guess alot of this debate will cover economy, which is too bad...I'd rather hear Foreign Affairs and National Defense as planned.
Posted by: Debra (#2) | Sep 26, 2008 11:44:35 AM
Thank god they got him out of the White house - He was fraking things up and annoying everyone.
Posted by: America - A Nation Of Sheep | Sep 26, 2008 11:45:22 AM
If I were the Republicans, I would not approve this plan until the earmarks for ACORN are removed.
They are presently under investigation for their questionable election tactics, and Obama once worked for them.
Isn't that a conflict?
Posted by: SandyB | Sep 26, 2008 11:45:28 AM
Notice how everyone was waiting for what McCain was going to do.
The entire country. Boy he knows how to take control.
Posted by: Angelo | Sep 26, 2008 11:45:34 AM
Gosh I can finally breathe again. Thanks McLame.
Posted by: Itchy | Sep 26, 2008 11:45:44 AM
Sarah Palin is shooting at their elephant- now John McCain is running around throwing Hail Marys on his way down, saying bringing her onboard was a big mistake. No wonder they won't let her speak to the media- " Putin is flying around over Alaska." I don't look to see much of Sarah Palin unscripted ever again. Yes, somewhere in Alaska there's a village missing an idiot.
Posted by: The American Electorate | Sep 26, 2008 11:45:49 AM
So the grand stand didn't work, does that mean Palin will debate also ? I like Sarah as a person, but she is waaaaaay over her head. I saw her on CBS, it was brutal.
Ex Republican
Posted by: RGeier | Sep 26, 2008 11:46:22 AM
Crap and Matt
the Obama camp failed on two fronts they had Sen reid come out and say that John Mccain needs to be there on Monday then he suspended his campaign and came after he told Obma he would do so... then reid tried to change the debate... no pun intended a few minutes ago by saying that it was mccain s fault a deal hasnt been reached... I know thats baloney and Im a democrat.. you people scuttled the real candidate who could beat mccain and you are satisfied... what neophyte morons!
Posted by: staniam | Sep 26, 2008 11:46:36 AM
They told me he wasn't going to show, so I didn't memorize my answer not what I am I suppose to do said Obama, don't worry well insert this little device into your ear so we can tell you how to answer each question said an aide.
Posted by: crap | Sep 26, 2008 11:46:55 AM
John McCain is a clown. Can anyone take this buffoon seriously anymore?
Posted by: John McClaim | Sep 26, 2008 11:46:57 AM
And Obama is asking what do I do now?
Posted by: Angelo | Sep 26, 2008 11:47:13 AM
Post a comment



