Obama rebuffs McCain's call to delay debate

ap ^ | September 25, 2008 | BETH FOUHY

[Red Steel]

NEW YORK (AP) — The economic crisis and raw politics threatened to derail the first presidential debate as John McCain challenged Barack Obama to delay Friday's event to work on the financial crisis. Obama rebuffed the plea, saying presidents need to "deal with more than one thing at once."

The White House rivals maneuvered Wednesday to claim the leadership role in resolving the economic turmoil that has overshadowed their campaign. Obama said he would continue preparing for the debate and consulting with bailout negotiators and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. McCain said he would stop all campaigning and return to Washington on Thursday to work toward a bipartisan solution.

"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," Obama said in Clearwater, Fla. "It's going to be part of the president's job to deal with more than one thing at once."

But McCain said they must focus on a bipartisan solution as the Bush administration's $700 billion bailout proposal seemed headed for defeat. If not, McCain said ominously that credit will dry up, jeopardizing home sales, individual savings and company payrolls.

"I do not believe that the plan on the table will pass as it currently stands, and we are running out of time," McCain said.

Both candidates accepted President Bush's invitation to attend a White House meeting Thursday afternoon with congressional leaders in hopes of agreeing on a rescue plan. McCain had spoken with Bush earlier Wednesday and requested such a meeting.

In a joint statement Wednesday night, the candidates said the country faces "a moment of economic crisis" and they called for political unity to solve it because "the jobs, savings and the prosperity of the American people are at

[originalbuckeye]

Unlike Brit's All-Star panel today, I thought McCain came off looking like a leader. He is putting the crisis ahead of his ambitions for the Presidency. I think the masses will appreciate the politician who puts the country first. Obama came off sounding like a spoiled child. No surprise.

[madison10]

Isn’t this an old article by now? I think the debate can wait anyway.

Debates are just Democrats on a Pedestal anyway.

[FlingWingFlyer]

McCain needs to tell the Obamanoid that he’s busy with the financial crisis thing and that he’ll send Governor Palin to debate him on Friday. LOL!

[valkyry1]

McCain did the right thing. He had little choice in fact, because the MSM is just waiting to make a ‘Katrina’ out of any slip on McCain’s part.

[goldstategop]

In fact, its dated news. DU and the Kossacks know Obambi has already agreed to meet with the hated Bush. You go to see the Devil Incarnate, you p*ss off your base. The kooks and nuts see Obambi is throwing a lifeline to Satan and the anti-Bush theme was just thrown under the bus!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[PhiKapMom]

Last I heard the debate is still on according to Obama’s people.

[goldstategop]

Sure it is... assuming quick agreement can be found on a rescue plan before Friday!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[madison10]

Obama’s people only care about themselves, NOT the country.

[Rick_Michael]

Rookie move, obama.

[PhiKapMom]

This afternoon was a perfect example of America First by Sen McCain and Obama First by Obama.

[PhiKapMom]

This means that ZERO won’t have time to keep cramming for the debate on foreign affairs while McCain doesn’t need to cram. Wonder how long before ZERO figures out he has been had and calls for delay of the debate?

[old curmudgeon]

McCain is a lot smarter than we have given him credit.

BO is in a box.

If BO goes to DC and a bill is passed say late Thursday night or Friday morning, the debate will go on.

McCain can debate out of his head. BO will be screwed because he did not get to practice reading his teleprompter.

If BO refuses to go to DC but instead goes to the debate by himself, McCain can say that he made the deal that saved the financial system while BO was reading the teleprompter and looking at himself in the mirror.

If no deal is made, McCain still wins.

Because he can point out that had BO stopped practicing and looking in the mirror and gone to DC, there might well have been a solution reached.

If BO drops the debate (solo) and goes to DC, it is for the world to see that McCain forced him to go against his will and for all of his bragging about “change”, it was McCain who had the idea and made it work.

So he is in one hell of a box.

I love it.

[valkyry1]

I get your point,, and I saw that right away earlier today. This should be a big victory for McCain, but I fear it will fizzle away like the rest of his gains.

You never know what the moonbats and the MSM will give him a pass on and spin it. Satan is okay in their books as long as his face looks like Obambi.

[goldstategop]

You know with leadership, his party is like a herd of cats and he doesn't have quite the presence with Democrats that McCain has with Republicans. The contrast is striking.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[valkyry1]

I like your thinking FRiend!!

[bitterdfwrepub]

I agree. Personally I think there will be a deal struck on the economic package “just in time” for McCain to say to Obama: “let’s debate tonight.”

At which point Obama, having been thrown off his game by the upheaval and the trip to meet with Bush will panic and frantically try to prepare. He will then screw it up really bad. He might even uh and umm and ahh enough to show what a vacuous windbag he really is.

[Sacajaweau]

John...Stop trying to mix me up. I’m just getting this foreign policy thing down for the debate and I’m not finished writing down the clues on my shirt sleeve.

[Harry Wurzbach]

McCain says this is so serious he’s suspending his campaign and hightailing it back to DC.

Obama balks first, like a petulant teenager, and then realizing the error of his ways “accepts” Bush’s invite to the White House.

Regardless of why, officially, Obama will claim to be back in DC, McCain comes out looking like the guy who called it right while Obama can only say “me too.”

Now the next step will be for McCain to get reluctant GOP senators on board, while having a hand in watering down the bill somewhat such that the price tag is significantly lower.

McCain saves the day and reigns in the weaker parties (congressional Dems and the administration) who are currently freaking out (Reid: “we don’t know what to do!” & “ok, Secretary Paulson, whatever you want”)

[goldstategop]

The one issue the Democrats had going for them was the economy. That has just been taken off the table. And if they have to vote for a rescue package, they will be validating McCain's claim that he can best shake up Washington. So no matter what they do, they are screwed. They should have been prepared for McCain to fly into Obambi's OODA loop. Its a huge blow, the political equivalent of Hurricane Ike and McCain just upended the conventional wisdom that a faltering economy helps Democrats.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus