The Obama-McCain debate: It's a go tonight

No real surprise -- it had become increasingly obvious over the last day that John McCain would take a big political hit if he took a pass on the long-scheduled opening debate with Barack Obama in Mississippi tonight.

Moments ago, the McCain campaign made it official, issuing the following statement, which includes the requisite dig at Obama:

John McCain's decision to suspend his campaign was made in the hopes that politics could be set aside to address our economic crisis.

In response, Americans saw a familiar spectacle in Washington. At a moment of crisis that threatened the economic security of American families, Washington played the blame game rather than work together to find a solution that would avert a collapse of financial markets without squandering hundreds of billions of taxpayers' money to bailout bankers and brokers who bet their fortunes on unsafe lending practices.

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. There was no deal or....

...offer yesterday that had a majority of support in Congress. There was no deal yesterday that included adequate protections for the taxpayers. It is not enough to cut deals behind closed doors and then try to force it on the rest of Congress -- especially when it amounts to thousands of dollars for every American family.

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 Democratic interests stood together in opposition to an agreement that would accommodate additional taxpayer protections.

Senator McCain has spent the morning talking to members of the Administration, members of the Senate, and members of the House. He is optimistic that there has been significant progress toward a bipartisan agreement now that there is a framework for all parties to be represented in negotiations, including Representative [Roy] Blunt [of Missouri] as a designated negotiator for House Republicans.

The McCain campaign is resuming all activities and the Senator will travel to the debate this afternoon. Following the debate, he will return to Washington to ensure that all voices and interests are represented in the final agreement, especially those of taxpayers and homeowners.

Earlier, Obama had made the following statement as he boarded a plane to fly to the debate that he has said should never have been cast in doubt:

I am optimistic that we can get something done [on the economic crisis]. I think that there is real progress being made this morning and last night and I think it's important that the markets seem to be staying relatively calm at this point.

And at this point, my strong sense is that the best thing that I can do, rather than to inject presidential politics into some delicate negotiations, is to go down to Mississippi and explain to the American people what is going on and my vision for leading the country over the next four years.

I'm looking forward to the debate and look forward after the debate to coming back to Washington and hopefully getting a package done.

-- Don Frederick

Comments

[Freedom Eagle]

And look he's already won!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/images/26Sep_Friday_WSJ.JPG

Can this ticket even get campaigning right?

[Raul X. Garcia]

"The economy is fundamentally sound."

[John Williams]

McCain should concede and save tax-payers a little money. he is old , scared and tired.

[gorefan]

Obama basically called McCain's bluff and stared him down. Whatelse was McCain going to do but show up for the debates? If he didn't, the whole night would be Obama's show. Obama would have had a townhall meeting with out preconditions, the audience asking questions, both democrats and republicans - not like McCains carefully staged townhalls. McCain had basically boxed himself in. reminds me of Jimmy Carter refusing to campaign while the hostages were in Iran, which made him look like a hostage in the White House.

[Dave]

"I'm not an expert on Economics" - John McCain June 2.

"Economy is fundamentally sound" - John McCain Sept. 22

"Sarah Palin is ready to be the next Vice President - John McCain.

Anyone voting for John McCain needs to have their head examined.

[Dr. Jesse Kally-Williams]

Dave, you're absolutely right: "Anyone voting for John McCain needs to have their head examined".

McCain has put an unbearable burden on Palin. He has abused the woman. McCain seems to manipulate anyone around him. "Putting country" gimmick is "Putting McCain's interest FIRST". Going to Washington, callind a big meeting in the White House, but never said a word to convince his own Party members who rebelled against the Repub. Govt's bailout plan. Pure show. Playing fiddle while Rome burns. Really!