Barack Obama says the show must go on; Debate Commission agrees but McCain camp says whatever

(UPDATE: The McCain campaign responds below.)

Barack Obama rejected John McCain's proposal that the first presidential debate, scheduled Friday, be postponed to deal with the increasingly fragile prospects of the federal government bailout of financial firms.

"This is exactly the time the American people need to hear from the person who in about 40 days will be responsible for dealing with this mess," Obama said. "In my mind, [the debate] is more important then ever."

To read more of Obama's remarks, click here.

Senior advisor Robert Gibbs weighed in more bluntly: "My sense is there is going to be a stage, an audience, a moderator, and at least one presidential candidate."

The Commission on Presidential Debates agreed, issuing a statement that said the debate is moving forward as planned.

UPDATE: The McCain camp seemed unfazed by the commission's remarks. Campaign spokesman Brian Rogers told The Times' Bob Drogin that while the GOP nominee looks forward to going mano-a-mano with Obama, the meeting will just have to wait.

"Debates can be rescheduled," Rogers said. "Dealing with an urgent national crisis cannot be rescheduled."

" ... his only focus now is to bring people together to work out a deal to take some action to deal with the crisis we have," Rogers said. "If we can hammer out a deal by the time of the debate, sure, we'd love to do a debate."

Earlier today, McCain announced that he was putting his campaign on hold to return to Washington, and urged Obama to do the same, calling for the debate to be postponed.

The Obama campaign appeared to be caught off-guard by McCain's announcement, though a stream of comments criticizing McCain's proposal from high-ranking Democrats, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, appeared to indicate which way Obama was leaning.

— Seema Mehta

Comments

[Eric B]

There is plenty of time for Debate but the economy of the world hangs in the balance on the bailout decision. Stop being partisan and get this thing done. We have 40 days to decide the president, we have until Monday to decide on this package before the worlds investors take their money and go home.

[Keith Bagarus]

Why would we expect Obama to take a stance now? His voting record and number of days actually working in Senate are proof he's all talk and no action

Vote McCain/Palin

[mike v]

How's about we suspend all the debates, stop asking any questions(Palin has already done that), and shut down the 'Liberal' Media.
These are dangerous times- not the time to start thinking and debating issues......

[Alan Stivers]

We cannot let Wall St. hijack the core process of our democracy, our election. The future of this issue is unknown, despite what the "experts" say. Sound like another national issue? It should be discussed all across the nation, not just in Washington. The campaign should continue.

[Mike]

The first debate is on Foreign Policy & National Security, Senator McCaine's strength and Senator Obama's weakness. By delaying the debate Mccaine is showing leadership and putting country first.....something else that Obama lacks....

[OK let's postpone]

Ok fine then. Instead of postponing though, why don't we just have the VP debate this Friday instead of next. It isn't crucial to have Palin in Washington with McCain since she has absolutely nothing to do with national affairs. Isn't McCain confident in her and her ability to not blink?

[Rod Allen]

The Congress is scheduled to adjourn this Friday. Action is needed NOW, before this weekend. What is wierd about briefly postponing a Friday night debate to address a CRISIS like this! John McCain is BEING presidential. Barak Obama is merely ACTING. If you want change in Washington, go for the maverick who REACTS to events and not one who ACTS like nothing eventful is happening.

[Michael]

It's a win-win for McCain- if Obama said "no, the debate is friday", then McCain can keep saying that McCain puts his country first, and that Obama only cares about the election. If Obama does postpone the debate, then the last couple days practising were a complete waste.

[Anthony]

"At this moment, there is no more important job for a presidential candidate than to be presidential. John McCain is not."

James, I'll tell you what's weird... that you forget the fact being a presidential candidate is NOT a job.

Being a senator of the United States, however, IS! Both of these men were elected to do that job. Both of them are paid in tax dollars to do that job. Both of these men have sworn to serve and protect the American people and American interests - NOT to protect their own interests in career advancing campaign nonsense.

Campaigning is not a "job." How can you possibly think campaigning is more important than serving the people who voted for you during a time of crisis?

It's disgusting that Obama is behaving this way. Both men should be doing their REAL job first and foremost during this crisis. Experts have said many times over that this legislation needs to be passed THIS WEEK. We're talking more money than two Iraq wars here, and a decision needs to be made near immediately. There's 40 days until election on the other hand - there's plenty of time to hold debates. Postponing one for a few days to actually work towards helping the American people should be the candidates' DUTY!

[TimL]

Obama voting "present" is better than McCain not voting at all.

McCain has not cast a vote since April.

Your candidate is a schmuck. And if that is any indication your a schmuck for believing his lies.

"Fool me once shame on.... shame on you, fool me you can't get fooled again"

THIS ^ is your kinda man! Seriously schmucks use the little thing called a brain that God gave you.

[stacy]

Obama is doing the right thing, not McCain. America NEEDS the debates now. McCain is showing his true colors.

And let's talk about how he has hidden Palin away from the media while she is in NY meeting with world leaders. No questions from media, per his camp. Could it be that McCain is afraid Palin would screw things up if she is available to the press?? Doesn't anyone think it's wrong that she has had no press exposure other than Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric?? I smell a rat.

Obama/Biden all the way.

[John]

It's not like McCain or Obama are needed to figure this whole thing out,it seems to me like a grandstand ploy by McCain

"I'm going to get smoked at the debates ,so I'll use this as an excuse to miss them. If Obama says no ,then we can try to make him look bad for it.'

The Repunklicans will all fall for it, hopefully the smarter voters will see it for what it is, a desperate All-In move from the short stack at the table.

[Ash]

I want to know what they can both DO if they went to Washington other than talk some more. Bring on the debates!! I've been SO looking forward to this!! Is McCain trying to buy some time??

[godblessed]

Why does Obama want to be president at all cost ? Is he genuine. Please remember to vote for a genuine individual , then American People would truly benefit.
What you do Not know about Obama could Hurt you . AND WHY JOE BIDEN LIED THAT HIS WIFE WAS KILLED BY A " DRUNK " DRIVER ? WHAT WAS THE MOTIVE FOR LYING THAT THE DRIVER WAS DRUNK ?McCain''s choice of Palin proves McCain to be very smart and keen. The world may prefer Obama because it would be easier for them to deal with In-Experienced Obama . Do we need Ethnic/Race Quota in US government ? I suppose that one has to earn the privilege . Does Obama deserve that !
Please keep Obama as Senator Here in Illinois;How could you guarantee that Obama would be a good president ?
Please Keep Senator Obama here for the state of Illinois. Thanks How could you guarantee that Obama would be a good president ? Thanks Dear People, when you think that you could not achieve some tasks or multiple tasks, please do Not think that nobody else could achieve since people are different , there are way smarter people out there and Sarah Palin are among them. Please do research in quantum, metaphysics about that truth. Obama could be Senator , at the best! Please vote for President McCain and Vice President Sarah Palin. Thanks. God Bless America Forever. Katie Couric , we trust that you are as keen and smart as Tim Russert -- We must pray as if everything depended on God and work as if everything depended upon us.

[CZ]

Thank God that one candidate is willing to put his own personal goals aside to take the time needed to make an informed decision about one of the biggest issues we have ever faced.

There should be no problem in delaying the debates for a few days. Why does Obama feel like he needs the extra couple of days on the campaign trail? Is he afraid that without these few days he will lose the entire campaign?

Furthermore I would rather see them debate after voting on this crucial issue. That way they could be questioned as to why they voted the way they did.

[Keyboard22]

John McCain still has a job to do, his job comes first, running for president comes second. Everybody complains about congress not doing there job, but when John McCain says he needs to do his job, ya all complain. Start thinking right!!!!

[theantibush]

So either McCain thinks injecting the financial crisis with campaign politics is a good idea, or that taking a national election offline will offer stability, or he is running from Obama.

McCain simply doesn't want to debate with the economy as the primary issue. If it was instead a terrorist attack you can be sure the show would go on.

An utterly disgusting human being John McCain is, very likely a clinical psychopath.

[christopher]

Gramps McCain looks like the kid who did not do his homework and pretends to be too sick to go school so he won't be exposed. if he is not up to debating Sen. Obama he should just admit it.

Besides how can an old fool who just last week said the economy was strong, now fix it in a week when he has done nothing to fix it in the 26 years he has been in Washington?

[rl]

Obama is so arrogant. Both canidates are active senators and one is oviously doing his job and putting his country first like as the oath he took. The other idiot is willing to fiddle while rome burns. I would rather have a canidate actually do something for his country, dispite the presidential race.

[baz]

@Gerald: Ummm, what year is this?
And what years was Jim Johnson the head of Fannie Mae?

So, between 1998 & the present, with the GOP in control of the Govt, for most of those years, they did nothing to fix the *problem* Johnson left?
If that's the case, they should all be prosecuted for dereliction of duty.
So, much for your talking points, skippy.
You were blessed with a brain, don't waste it.
Do some research, and stop following what your leaders tell you. Think for yourself.

[John Bryans Fontaine]

If John McCain wants to pull a stunt that will grab everyone's attention, maybe he could support the Employee Free Choice Act, instead of wussing out of a debate.

[theantibush]

So either McCain thinks injecting the financial crisis with campaign politics is a good idea, or that taking a national election offline will offer stability, or he is running from Obama.

McCain simply doesn't want to debate with the economy as the primary issue. If it was instead a terrorist attack you can be sure the show would go on.

An utterly disgusting human being John McCain is, very likely a clinical psychopath.

[Shane Kovar]

Are you kidding me the country is in trouble and they need to do their job. Obama is in a hurry to talk about nothing.

REALLY GO HELP!!!!!!!

[Arlo Scott Kennedy]

The plan is well on track in Congress, with oversight issues essentially resolved between Republicans and Democrats.

This feels like a political ploy - a smart one, but a ploy nonetheless. Which makes me feel sad for Senator McCain, because I feel like his own campaign has escaped him somehow.

Mind you, I've always liked John McCain. Still do. But I'm not voting for him. He's not a bad person. Nor does he lack patriotism. I'm just a little uncomfortable with his campaign - and maybe that's the folks running it more than him, but it scares me either way.

So, I'm supporting Obama, who seems more relaxed and more in command of the situation. I also support more centrist/moderate policies rather than the more extreme right positions of McCain/Palin.

Let's not smear Senator McCain, though. He's a good man and deserves our respect.

[theantibush]

So either McCain thinks injecting the financial crisis with campaign politics is a good idea, or that taking a national election offline will offer stability, or he is running from Obama.

McCain simply doesn't want to debate with the economy as the primary issue. If it was instead a terrorist attack you can be sure the show would go on.

An utterly disgusting human being John McCain is, very likely a clinical psychopath.