Nice spin, McLie.

Fixing the economy is a job for people IN power, not for people who want power. Its a job for the President.

How slimy can you be? He knows he's going to be torched in the debates and is using the crash as an excuse.

Just show up on Friday and take your beating like a man.

Wow another shoot first moment from McCain. Just like he picked Palin. Go to Washington when its time to vote. Don't stop the debate.

Same old Same McCain, Pretend to make this crisis your biggest concem and convince the american peolple that you care less about your campaign, i see right through you! nothin but tactics tio sway voters, now he wants baracks campaign halted in his mess, i want to see the debate, they trying to save more time and avoid the debate, no chance john

It will take some honest and vigorous debate to sort out the bailout plan. Parts of the plan will have to do with foreign investors. Foreign policy includes economic and financial policy. It would have been good to hear the two candidates on these issues. The crisis makes the debate and the campaigns even more important. However, after the exposure of McCain's campaign manager, the Senator's reluctance is understandable.

What an absolutely outrageous and calculated STUNT. I'm completely lost for words. McCain will literally do ANYTHING to win. He's in panic mode.

Hmmm He's behind in the polls, he needs something to boost his numbers. Don't be fooled by his "concern". This is a political move for sure.

Today, as a result of being a Hurricane Ike evacuee, My husband and I had to borrow money, the interest during our time of "crisis" was 40%. If this bailout happens and us the taxpayers are not loaning, but giving money to million/billionaires in their time of "crisis" shouldn't they face the same predatory lending practices that many Americans have to endure? "You reap what you sew." Seven hundred billion, sure they can have it at 40%.

What's McCain up to? I'm sure his advisers told him that he losing ground quickly on the economy issues and needed to make an impact move (just like his pick of Palin).

IMHO, I think that McCain just wasn't ready for the debate which looms large in swing voters opioion and used the economy as a way to stall.

Well Played McCrook… Delay the debate, of which your most likely not prepared, to say that you want to work on the finance crisis and economy of which you nothing about in an attempt to show America that you care about us more than you care about winning….

Just like the Georgia fiasco, this couldnt come at a better time for you to show your FAKE leadership… I must admit, if we were playing chess, I would say this was a good move… Put your opponent in a position that you can predict his next move, whilst all the while you have your own agenda…Smokes and Screens…

Hats of to McCain for taking this step. He is showing leadership when we need it the most. Just fyi i am an Obamma supporter

While I applaud Mccain for doing his job, I question the timing. This crisis didn't happen this monring, its been looming for some time and has been blatantly obvious for at least a week, yet the campaigning has been rolling the whole time. Is somebody just not quite up to speed yet for the debate???

I am not sure what to make of this move. I agree, the country is in crisis, but this seems to that, the McCain camp just want to buy some time. I could be wrong, but at this point, I question the motives of all his actions.

Are you kidding me? Seriously?

Sounds to me like McCain is afraid to debate Obama considering he is falling like a rock in the polls.

This is a bunch of crap.

The debates should not be postponed. Let's see how these 2 candidates behave under pressure. A president must be able to deal with more than one crisis at a time.

Sounds to me like Mccain is running away from the debate.

Here's the solution to the economic crises – a new government.

So let the debate go forward. The sooner Bush is out of Office, the sooner we can fix the economy.

Oh wait, that won't play well for McCain, will it?

Another "Maverick" move from the man!

The Maverick was a pretty crappy car, wasn't it?

Are you KIDDING ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hiding Palin and now he's trying to hide too. Obama, don't fall for this. It's late in the season and November is too close to put things off. Make him bring his butt out on the court and face you…FRIDAY!

Yea, Yea, Yea, here McCain goes again bringing back Sept 11, Yea right, hiding is not going to make you win-America being bamboozled
Washington will be ready to lead our country when your party is out!

Go Obama! In you I trust-$- Proud West Indian American

It's called "leadership". BO, take notes.

He's just trying to look all presidential and incharge. I guess he probably can't really concentrate on more than one big thing at a time.
Just remember McSame, whose's party and policies got us into this crisis.

On cnn.com's frontpage, "McCain called Obama and challenged HIM", that is not true, Obama called McCain, to work together. Get it right! It even says Obama called McCain in the ticker.

Political stunt. McCain is running one of the most awkward and disfunctional campaigns I can ever recall. He has shifted from Washinton insider with the most experience to agent of change and maverick. From champion of pure conservatism and deregulation to populist and regulator.

If America falls for any of this they will get exactly what they deserve.

Btw the efforts to delay the debate amount to nothing more than trying to keep the Palin- Biden debate overshadowed and under important. They want to delay the first debate so that their first one falls one day after Palin becomes a gaffe machine. I am so sick of this crap. Stop the charade McCain.

Can we postpone the elections for 4 years PLEASE!!!

Am I reading this correctly or did McLiar camp jump on the opportunity to come out with this statement first even though it was Barack Obama that called him first with this idea????
Please tell me if I'm wrong but that's how I'm reading this….

If that's the case McCain is just using this as a platform parlour trick to add the illusion to the american people he can be in charge. Well he definately isn't fooling me and I certainly hope the rest of the American people aren't fooled either!!!

Obama/Biden '08

Wow !!!! Why does John Mc Cain always has to act like he cares more than every body else. He can suspend his campaign if he wants but i really hope nothing changes about the friday's debate. He's probably not ready !!! Not that his idea isn't patriotic but i really but i don't trust when it comes from the mouth of a sellout like Mc Same.

This should start the rumors flying around the halls of Washington: is McCain having doubts about his candidacy? I'm glad Obama didn't ask to postpone the debate, the Republicans would really have taken that and run with it and have accused him with all sorts of inuendos.

I should think this is not a good idea at this time of his campaign, just a few weeks before the election. He will never be able to catch up, if he's out too long, especially since he's fallen behind now.

It will be interesting to see where this leads.

I LOVE IT!!!! GO OBAMA/BIDEN, THE ELECTION IS YOURS!

Hello McCain,

This is a time when we the voters need to know how our candidate for the next President are going to handle crisis and is this what we get?

Naw, sorry buddy, you are not getting my vote. It may just be one vote, but it's one vote you won't get.

It's like that kid across the street who all week has been telling you how he could beat you in basketball and so you decide to play on Friday and when Friday rolls around he tells you he has homework to do and will have to re-schedule. I wonder if McCain will try to replace the date with the date Palin is supposed to debate Biden so he can keep her under his wing all the way through the election. At this point, I'd put nothing past the McCain camp. They are desperate.

Oh Gee, this is really transparent. McCain is looking for a way to avoid debating Obama. A week ago McCain said the "fundamentals" of the economy were good, then this week he's a populist, now he wants to pospone the debates "to work on the economy." If McCain really cares about the nation's financial crises, MAYBE, he and the greedy Bushies should NOT have caused them in the first place!

I have the perfect solution to our economic woes. Warren Buffet came up with five billion dollars. McCain could sell six of his seven houses and all but one of his many automobiles and make a similar billion dollar contribution to Wall Street's staggering debt. In the same spirit of patriotism, all the wealthy gurus on Wall Street and in Congress could contribute their share. In no time at all, our economy would be as "sound" as McCain and Bush have always insisted that it is.

i just don't like the looks of this. All of a sudden you care now McCain, sounds to me that since your boy Bush couldn't get ait resolved before Friday, all of sudden you want to stop your campaign and act like you care. McCain didn't want to face the blasting he was going to get on Friday. Check this out : IF YOU AND OBAMA ARE ACTUALLY LISTENING TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, WE DON'T WANT THIS 700 BILLION DOLLOR WELFARE CHECK WRITTEN TO THESE GREEDY, DESTRUCTIVE COMPANIES. Obama, man i have been a big supportor of yours but don't make me have to write Ron Paul in on my ballot. What you in Washington don't understand is to most of us, the economy is horrible. Most of us who still have anything are barely hanging on to what we have left, and if we do lose our last little bit, so what. It is material crap but to get back to the topic, Wall Street needs to learn a lesson. Vote no for this bailout McCain and Obama if either of you are so called "Change" Candadites. Otherwise you are just like the rest of them and I will cast my vote elsewhere.

this is ridiculous!! of the course the pubs are going to spin this move as mccain being more caring for the economy. We all know he's just using this as a political cop out because he's not ready.

I sincerly hope that Obama does not fall for this trickery by John McCain. McCain knows that he is losing and is trying to buy some time by delaying the first debate. In spite of the current crisis, we have a right to hear directly from Obama and and McCain.

Sure, a debate for a few hours that will help Americans determine who should be the next President of the US is just not important enough. It can wait. McCain, who is an admitted no nothing on economics, is going to rush in and take charge to help solve the biggest financial crises our country has every seen.

Believe that and I have an antique bridge spanning lower Manhatten and Brooklyn I'd like to sell you.

This is a great example of how Obama can reach across to people. Obama has been tempered and reflective. McCain has been boisterous and fist pounding and demanding immediate punitive actions and finding scapegoats. The temperaments of the two demonstrate that we need to have intelligence come back to Washington. We can hope that intelligence will begin to override the GOP’s deregulation platform they have been running on since Reagan and stop this locust invasion of unregulated self-interest.

Obama\Biden can bring prosperity and world standing back to our country.

McCain is disgrace..I just don't understand why people don't see it!

oh please….

while this is a grave situation, there is nothing that McCain can directly do about it.

He is just unprepared for the debate and using the economic crisis as an excuse.

and all of those americans who barely pay attention to what is really going on will see this as the right thing to do. thus playing into McCains hands.

how desperate is he?

Im sure that he will spend 90 minutes of his day napping on Friday when he could be working on this crisis instead of wanting to cancel the 90 minute debate. if he cant handle multi-tasking all of this how can we expect him to be able to multi-task the tasks of the presidency?!

You mean Obama's campaign reached out to the McCain campaign this morning for a bi-partisan solution, and McCain's response was to wait until this afternoon and then try to "scoop" Obama on the idea of developing a principled response to this mess? Gross.

Please we need to know how the candidates deal with the situations at hand.Yes they need to do their day jobs ,but why not a debate also? The regular everyday Americans have more than one job,do not have maids and cooks,and multitask in incredible ways. I want to see how the candidates will handle more than one thing at a time,more than one crisis at a time. Then we will know who to vote for . I want what is best for our country, regardless who is elected. I still want a debate!!!

Let's see…

McCain falls behind Obama by 9 points in the most recent polls…Obama is gaining momentum while the market turmoil reigns…so McCain suggest a pause in campaigning…hmmmm

Like Obama once said, McCain's people must think Americans are stupid.

Keep the campaign going and focus on economic issues!!!

how can the congress even consider doing this bailout of the people that have taken every penny they could from the american people for the last 8 years and then allow them to double down and take even more money from the american people.this is a complete disgrace to allow these greedy coniving two faced people to get away with this, they should lose every penny they stole from the american people and all go to jail.Whoever supports this bill is a blatent supporter of criminal behavoir and is against what america is all about.they might as well all move to russia and be putens pals with the russian mafia.this is the most disgusting event ive ever seen.

26 years in the Senate and he did nothing but make the problem worse. Now he's running for President and wants to suspend his campaign to finally address our financial problem. I have a feeling this move was made out of political neccesity due to the fact that poll after poll are not looking good for his campaign. MCCAIN, YOU JUST LOST MY VOTE!!!

Sen. Obama reaches out to Sen McCain this morning, and McCain makes it sound like it's HIS idea? Then delays the Friday night debate? It's obvious he is afraid of the debate and is using our national crisis as an excuse to postpone it.

McCain is full of it. I don't feel like seeing a debate on the Senate Floor about the bail-out, everyone in congress trying to make everyone else look bad. I think it will be MORE bi-partisan if we leave these candidates off the floor. These two senators need to show up for their vote on the bill and that's it. America needs to choose a leader in 40 days, campaigns should not be suspended for this ridiculousness. The McCain camp is just acting for Bush and trying to rush this thing through congress and put more pressure on the Democrats to do so. There are too many hidden motives.

Given the true timeline of events today (beginning with Obama showing leadership), gives us another reason to see through McCain's lame strategy of avoidance in the name of the apparent (political) greater good. He doesn't know that much about the economy, but it should give him and the leg-lady good photo-ops and tales to spin……..

Can't McCain Multi-task. I mean he's aiming to be President. Doesn't that mean sometimes there will be more than one thing to do and focus on at a time!!?? . He must have seen the polls. Good grief.

Sounds like a good leader to me. Putting country first, me 2nd….

Please lets elect McCain as our next President

One doesn't have anything to do with the other. Man up McCain, bring on the debate.

While he is at it, I bet he will postpone Palin's debate as well…hmm.

I think the Bush administration is trying to punk the american people and the congress again with that $700 billion they want. Just like when they wanted to go to war with Iraq. They knew for a long time the economy was going down and they waited to the last minute to ask for the money so that congress won't have to really think about it and yes to another disaster that's waiting to happen. I don't trust anybody in this administration with not even a penny of my tax money let alone with $700 billion of it….. So I say no to that plan. This plan was never put together for us tax payer, it was put together by the effort of those lobyist working for these financial institutions in washington and in wall street. So before this administration come to an end they want to satisfy the special instrest they have been working for in the past 8 year….. American people wake up and say NO, it's a hit and run by the Bush administration and McCain….. SAY NO.

Obama/Biden 08

We are in a crisis, no doubt. And it looks like we have to do something to keep our markets from crashing.

At the same time, if you were up 5 points (9 pts according to ABC poll), I doubt seriously that you'd pull this stunt Senator McCain.
If Governor Palin wasn't failing so much in terms of keeping up the artificial bounce that she helped produce out of the RNC, I doubt this stunt would be pulled.
If you had been preparing for a debate as opposed to trying to shore up red states that should already be in the bag (and you're either being nipped on the heels or behind in), I doubt you'd pull this stunt.

What this looks like to me, Senator McCain, is a desparate act from a candidate who isn't having his way (like two weeks ago with the pig on lipstick moments) where we are all now focused on the issue.
This looks like a moment in time where you've been blasted by Senator Biden with truth and facts regarding your demeanor, and shoot from the hip first and clean up later personality as it relates to feorign policy.
This looks like a diversion (think Ayers, Rezko, Rev. Wright, Paris Hilton, et al).

This looks like a way to get all of us to ignore the fact that your senior campaign manager was on the take up through last month with Fannie Mae and/or Freddie Mac. (okay, that's misleading, let me restate). That is, your campaign manager, Rick Davis, owns a firm and has equity partnership in a firm named Davis Manafort which was paid up through at least July 2008 by Fannie and/or Freddie.
And you said, just this week, that he hadn't had any relationship with them at all since 2005.

So, pardon me for feeling just a little (emphasis on little) empathy for your magnanimous gesture. It really seems like you're playing a game here to try to stave off what is surely a momentum swing for the other team.
I don't see you as being a leader of trying to help (after all, your deregulation attitude alomg with your republican brethern since at least 1995 has helped put us at the brink of a crisis.)

It's amazing to think :
a misguided war in Iraq – pushed by Republicans (tacitly approved by Democrats)
a terrible hurricane Katrina response – while you ate birthday cake, people in New Orleans suffered
Gas prices – spike to highest in history with Cheney's secret energy advisors (still don't know who those people were)
Health Insurance – record 45 million+ without insurance and growing (and you have the nerve to vote against SCHIPS over and over)
Dow Jones – back to the same level as when your Republican brethern, President Bush, took office due to fear of credit crunch (did I already mention deregulation personality disorder you have?)

Gosh, with all of this, no wonder you want to take a breather.

I'm glad to see Obama recommended they come together this morning, and McCain took the glory this afternoon. We call that something in the business world that's not appropriate for this webpage.

It's very important that we do come together…but this is political pandering at its best. Why not make a joint announcement as Obama suggested? Instead, he makes a HUGE political statement and then calls for a ceasefire…WHAT A JOKE!!!! He thinks we’re all stupid.

Why is McCain suspending his campaign? He's not on the finance committee, and voting should not interfere with the debate. They can still do the debate from Washington.

The American people need to see both candidates NOW – there is not that much time left before the election.

I think McCain is afraid to debate – he's hiding – there are going to be questions on the economy, and he is not ready.

Nice McCain is doing that by now, now that he looked at the polls and know, it's his only chance to stop Obamas momentum… but it won't work…

Obama/Biden by landslide

This is foolish.

The Pander Bear "suspends" his campaign and begs Obama to do likewise, trying to look like a leader.

Only problem: This rash move will make this worse than ever. Think about investors confidence when they see this panic move.

To suspend a presidential campaign with only six weeks to go?

McMain is gonna scare everybody into a great depression.

what a cop-out, the only that changed for McCain are the Public Opinions and horrendous polling showing him behind on most must-win states.

and he says he's a tough guy who will not coward out.

Figures. He's just looking for a chance to delay the debates and try to win points before he has to face Obama because his entire campaign is starting to wobble and come dangerously close to jumping the tracks.

The REALITY is that Congress can handle this without both of them, particularly McCain, who hasn't the first flying clue when it comes to the economy.

What a bunch of BS. Go back to Washington is FINE. But, what that has anything to do with the debate.

KEEP THE DEBATE, better yet make sure the topic of the debate is ABOUT ECONOMY.

C'mon McCain…show your expertise… Show to the Country THAT YOU ARE READY TO LEAD OUR COUNTRY FROM THIS ECONOMIC MESS by answering questions about what you really know.

What a jerk Mr. McCain…, in time of crisis…DUCK ACCOUNTABILITY….

WHAT? This man voted 90% with Bush! He is one of the bone heads responsible for this mess! Wish he would just stay out of Washington, He can't make any decisions without his advisors and script….McCain, Lieberman, Bush, Chaney all of them should just home and let someone try to fix this mess. Obama is going to win this election and I pray the Lord will help and protect him.

McCain is doing what he has done all campaign long. he is doing it just for the votes. he is tring to make it look like he is the good guy. by makeing it look like he came up with this idea instead it is like choosing his VP to be a women. he is a nothing more than a oldschool politician. I personaly cant trust a main that says that are acconomy is in good shape and then want to suspend his campaign to now help fix the crisis.

One night of debates should not stop yours or Obama's involvment in the resolution of this crisis. This snake is trying to buy time to regroup for his own political purpose. He or Palin are not ready to debate. The are sour in the polls. The citizens of this nation and the media have got to see through this.

Does McCain want to reverse the reregulation that he supported that made possible the sub-prime mortgage crisis or is he just wimping out of the debate?

B.S. He skipped other important votes and now he wants to act like he cares. He just don't want to debate Obama. Do I smell fear?
There is more senators on the floor that can keep them updated. They can go to the senate floor after before and after the debate.
McCain don't want the questions of Keating 5 to come up in the debate nor do he wants to answer about his campaign manager receiving money up until last month.
I smell a campaign in trouble trying to escape. Now Laura Bush says Palin lacks foreign experience. Sounds like GOP BURN!

This guy is trying trying to have a good face before the americans.
what a slimy guy

And the point of delaying the debate is what again….mclame. Does this mean the current crisis can't be resolved without you going to washington to save the day!

Oh brother…here we go again!!! Yet another PLOY by the McCain camp.

Don't suspend the debates- I wanna see Barack mop the floor with you.

McCain- why not suspend your campaign it until AFTER November 4th!!

I think that is your best move!!!

Come on McCain as a President you have to often do more than one thing at a time! Multi-task …how manipulative!

This isn't the time to cancel debates. This is the time to have debates. We need to know what these men will do if they're elected president. McCain wants to cancel the debates because he cares more about winning than he does about this country. If he cared about this country, he'd show us what he's going to do with it. Friday. At the debates.

this is leadership at its best – this is why he will win. stop pointing the finger as there is blame enough to go around. its time to come together and find the right solution.

McCain/Palin 08

I wonder why ……..please don't pretend you care

It is too bad that it took a monumental financial crisis that some of the "pillar institutions" of Wall Street are having to get both our candidates to act with presidential character. I'm proud of both men. It does not matter "who offered" first as that only serves to further divide our country. What matters is that both parties have agreed to put their ideological differences aside and work TOGETHER to find a solution to our economic crisis.

It is BECAUSE

Sen. McCain came to this conclusion after Sen. Obama's 8:30 am call…ummm how funny his campaign is.

I am hoping the debate carries on as scheduled. This is another attempt from the McCain campaign to try and derail the election. Had he been ahead in the polls he would not consider cancelling so neither should Sen Obama

PRESIDENT OBAMA
VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN

2008 MY FUTURE

Well, this is so misleading til the middle of the story. At, 1st it has u thinking that McSame initiated this idea, but Obama called him about it and then McSame trying to take credit for idea by having a press conference and acting like it was his idea and he was going to reach out to Obama's campaing. WHEN THEY CONTACTED HIM 1ST…LOL!!

Obama called McCain about making a joint statement, and McCain procedes to make the announcement on his own like it was all his initiative. Why would anyone in government want to dialogue with him. Pre-empting a joint announcement and being unwilling to share the credit shows his real character, …politics as usual. Give me a break.

I thought he said that the economy is strong? Was it just me?

so the Obama people called and offered this and McCain once again tries to take the credit.

Anything original McCain?

That is soooo weak!!! That debate is not going to prevent him from focusing on the Economy. If anything it would give him a chance to tell us what he would do about it. That's just it… HE HAS NOTHING!!! Wow. No way this guy becomes president.

This smells funny.

I'm not surprised at all that John Mcain wants to delay the debates. John Mcain wants this thing over with by yesterday. Now that the FBI is looking for possible fraud, John Mcain and the rest are running scared and trying to cover up. He wants us to accept a plan with no questions asked. Do it "NOW"!!! 26 years in office, and now he wants to hurry. I smell a rat John! Go ahead, have the debate, then try to cover up starting the next day. This will give Palin a little more time to study. Hey John!!!! The chickens are coming home to roost!!!!

I would hate to think this a ploy to make himself seem more interested in the economy than Sen. Obama. what am i saying of course that is what he is attempting to do. and of course the white will following his suggestions. Since there are only 3 debates the american people who have not already needs to here the candiates views on the important issues of the day. This is a stunt after this upcoming debate Obama would have probably pull further ahead of mccain.

McCain is asking for another gimmick- and a delay tactic! Probably hoping to eliminate the VP debate. The public wants a debate NOW!

We have waited for this debate and see no reason the debate can't continue on schedule. The candidates can vote and confer with their parties- neither one is in charge of these negotiations- appropriate party member do not need either of these guys.

Absolutely have no trust in McCain or his campaign.

Please… McCain hasn't voted in the Senate since APRIL.

This is a transparent attempt to dodge the debate.

oh seriously Johnny boy?

Um…what does McCain think has been going on all week with the $700 billion dollar package the Bush Adminsitration has proposed? Not like they've been sitting around twiddling their thumbs. Congress and the Senate have been working on it. WOnder if McCain will want the debate postponed indefinitely, and if he's going to try and use that request to get Palin's match with Biden postponed as well?

This is a bunch of malarkey, all McCain did was move out of check and put Obama in check politically. The worst part is, Obama now has to play along, and McCain gets to dictate when its ok to be political again (when he can get the focus off of the economy).

This reeks, the american people wont see it, but, it reeks.

Why? We have a president in office to deal w/these siuations. Pre-Debate Jitters?

B.S!

How consistant of John McCain! Attempting to pre-empt the facts from being pursued by the public. How ignorant he must think we are! First, I must admit he is a quick understudy – he has taken Obama's approaches and made them seem as he Mc Cain was there first! He's been studying for the debate and like his performance at the Naval Academy, he knows he's not up to the challenge! Keeping Palin away from questions, delaying the debates we were all anxiously awaiting, and undercutting Obama's proposal to address jointly the subject is abominable! I guess now he's ready to "take on the Republicans" and become a democrat! That's the only way he can win in November. That and the knowledge that he would only be up for one term due to his age and probably policies anyway so he'd never have to be held accountable for HIS terms actions!!!

This is another political ploy on Mccain's part. Now, he's going to say, "I'm above campaigns and Obama is just ambitious for its own sake, and doesn't care about the country."

I know it sounds cynical, but his campaign has stooped to lower already, and is losing so looking for another swing for the fences.

This is bull, McCain knows that he will be humiliated in the debate and he is afraid to such thing to happen when everyone is disapproving him in recent situations. there is politics written all over this one. I hope Obama doesn't agree and go with the debate.

McCain can run but he can't hide from the debate. Why suspend his campaign? Just hand it over to Obama/Biden. What a pathetic excuse by McCain to run from a 90 minute debate. McCain is scared to debate, plain and simple.

Good thing to do but ……. he is still politicking by claiming to "care" about the poor people. He can't relate. Period. He wants to postpone the debate to divert attention because of his declining lead. Spare me.

Are you kidding me? Johnny is all about looking after number 1. His bank account must be getting a little below the 100 million mark.

Why stop the debates. It will not effect the outcome of the financial crisis. As president you have more then one problem on the plate at the same time. If you dont trust those under you to do the Job that they where hired to do then you dont have faith in the people. McCain if you can't pat our head and rub your stomach then get out of the lime light. Trust your people and trust in Palin… it is why you hired her.

But then again keeping the pitbull on a short leash and in a cage shows how much you trust people and if they dont follow your ideas you just hush them up.

Get Real and transparent. Hiding things and false cloaks of disguise just show that you are not for the people. People want to know what you think and how you will act. This is not Broadway, but you make it look like a award winning show. Same lines everyday and scripting. Take a bow McCain and find another show.

I'm sorry, but why does he need to "work on the financial crisis"? Isn't that the job of the President, the Fed Chairman, the Treasury Secretary, and the hundreds of senators and congressional representatives who AREN'T running for president? What exactly is his role in all of this supposed to be? What value can he possibly add to it?

I might understand if he were the sitting president running for re-election. That would at least be credible.

Besides which, the economy isn't going to fix itself overnight. Perhaps he'll ask to scrap the debates altogether, because we can bet that the crisis will still be an issue in a month's time.

We know exactly how he'll spin this — If the Obama camp doesn't agree to postpone the debate, it's because Obama doesn't care about the economy and is trying to make political hay during a crisis. And if they DO agree, he'll probably claim that it was exactly the break Obama was looking for because he's ill-prepared for the debate.

I don't trust McCain for a moment on this. It's the act of a desperate candidate who knows he's going to get crucified on Friday.

This is what I call leadership. McCain is putting the country first. Obama is in Florida campaigning and practising for Friday's debate while McCain is meeting with economic advisers and trying to help out his country. Wow, guess who has my vote?.

This is a stunt, I was in awe of his unashamed lying and manipulation before. But I will gaion respect if he doesn't use this for political gains.

I smell fear!! No Way No How No McCain No McPallin/Bush!!

Once again he followed Obama's lead.

This was a strategic but sneaky move. Great idea though.

BARACK the vote!

Now, there's some leadership!!!!

Mr. McCain has been for deregulation of the financial services industry for more than 20 years. His involvement with the Keating Five is the precursor for his continued call for deregulating this industry. The polls moved in Mr. Obama's favor so he wants to stop campaigning? What a way to deflect attention away from his lackluster campaign. Of cours the White House would praise McCain's statement – it agrees with Mr. Bush.

It appears from the article that Obama had gotten in touch with him to set up some type of joint-announcement to help them both look good and push the government into doing something. Instead, McCain jumped the gun and made an announcement that he's can't campaign because of other urgent matters.

No doubt the idea was to say, "Look at me! I'm off to Washington to save the economy!" But what most people will think is that he's either not prepared to debate and/or is afraid to debate Obama. Once again I wonder why no one in McCain's campaign thinks these things through.

After all, does this mean he can't take two hours out of his "fight" in Washington to attend a debate? Is he so ill-prepared as a leader that he can only concentrate on one thing at a time? The idea behind his decision may be to "one-up" Obama or may even be for pure, heartfelt reasons, but it is bound to backfire on him. He could have pulled this off and looked good; now, he'll just look like he's using the economy crisis as an excuse.

Your scared!!

McCain is reading the tea leaves: He sees that the nation-rightly so- regards him as an economic light weight and with the polls showing the tide building for Obama has come up with a Palin-esque move to make him appear as a real leader. It won't work this time either. Once again, he is willing to turn his back on this nation to quench his thirst to be President.

Why didn't McCain do this years ago. WHy now?"??????

No way!!! Have the debate. McCain and Obama are not needed in Washington to work on the bailout….their Senatorial and House surrogates will take care of that. This is just a grandstand ploy and trick by McCain to once again divert attention. Once they have completed the debate that the American people have been waiting months to see, they can return to Washington for the weekend to wrap up the bailout legislation….and, don't let Bush get involved at all, he and his administration/party allowed this crisis to explode….this is just a September suprise by the Republicans.

It may sound good , but some of the eggs in the basket are rotten. Obama should say no because it will be used as a campaign gimmick no matter what the outcome on Wall Street. There are 48 Senators and 465 Representator available in DC. McCain is trying to show his leadership or lack of leadership ability for campaign purposes to increase the poll ratings?

Will that leave the pitbull out there flapping without lipstick for the weekend? If this debate don't go as plan than the joke will be on Obama.

You are being played as a sucker so show McCain whos' the lollipop.

I hate to say it but I no the answer.

The United States of America proudly and rightly proclaims itself as the defender of Freedom throughout the world. Our legacy lies in the "steady rock" of our Democratic Institutions. At this nation's darkest hour, when brother waged war against brother, and the nation was divided by Civil War, we held a presidential election that re-elected a certain statesman from Illinois.

If we can hold an election and debate the great issues of the day during time of war, how can we suspend a campaign because a few very rich people on Wall Street gambled and lost? Great challenges do no wait for the timid or the meek.

Now is the time to debate these issues in public and let the nation decide in whom we will put our trust. We are a collectively wise people – we will make the right choice — just trust us.

What happened? The nation has been looking forward to this debate for some time. It is very important to the people who are making an important decision. Did John McCain decide that he wasn't prepared? Why did he need to call off the debate because of the bail out? He had all week to go to DC and add his ideas. What is it that he had to do in DC that he couldn't hop on a plane on Friday and debate Obama. Something stinks here.

No Way! Don't fall for it Obama. This idiot is trying to delay the inevitable.

I would think NOW more than ever would be the best time for candidates to tell Americans their plans to help us recover…this makes no sense, I hope Obama does not accept this ploy

This is nothing but a political ploy in my opinion. Can you not walk and chew gum at the same time.

This is just a ploy. After seeing that his poll numbers are tanking,There is no way he was going to take a chance with the debates. He is running scared. This is what I call chicken little tactics. Shame on him. The polls I am talking about here are:
Washington Post/ABC News Obama 52% McCain 43%

Fox News Poll Obama 45% McCain 39%

Now he does not know what to do and in desperation…he wants to hide behind the economy. Shheesshhh!!!

Politics as usual. Obama discreetly extends the olive branch and McCain uses it as an opportunity to headline. How much more impressed the people would have been had the 2 candidates issued the joint statement as intended with out any credit being given to the party responsible for initiating the plan. It is painfully obvious to those of us observing from afar that McCain does not have the best interests of the American people at heart.

mccain is loosing and he thinks a grand stand looks real presidencial
not true
no way,no mcsain

Are you serious?? He spent all week campaigning and never bothered to prepare for the debate….. And now he is asking for a delay because he wasn't prepared. But he is ready with the excuses!

This is the man who wants to be president???? What lesson does this teach our children? Go out and play with your friends and if you don't have time for your homework, surely your teacher will give you an extension! Just come up with a timely excuse. And this even qualifies you to be President!

What a joke. McCain needs a break because his deregulation record is real and bears part of responsibility for this mess were in. Thanks alot republicans! What a mess.

This guy is so full of it. He is losing when it comes ot the economy, therefore, he wants to take that out of the competition.

If John McCain becomes president, any bailout would be useless.

A prediction: McCain will vote against any bailout with "too much" oversight.

Who's you're daddy, Johnny?

I think John is afraid that he'll get his butt kicked with all the financial mess. He probably wants the steam to go away before he debates.

One doesn't have anything to do with the other. Man up McCain, bring on the debate.

McCain game of Politics—

McCain can't balance 2 crisis at a time? Poor sign.

McCain should not only suspend his campaign, McCain should cancel his campaign and his accepting Republican nominee for President of the United States of America.

Where is Kay Bailey? Mitt Romney? Rudy?

Canny move from McCain just as the polls show substantial momentum toward Obama. Break the momentum, force Obama to reciprocate, win some brownie points with the American's too dumb to see thru it.

HORSE MANURE!

McCain is scared and Obama is going to clean his clock.

He's lost his mind. From Sarah Palin to putting the debate on hold…

Absolutely ridiculous!! Obama calls McCain to do the true Bipartisan thing and issue a joint statement addressing this issue. John McCain announces it without him…..and urges Obama to tag along. I hope every democrat and news outlet in America shows that John McCain would rather play politics with America's financial crisis than help Americans. Give me a freaking break!! Outrageous!!

This takes some gusto. I was wondering when one of these candidates was going to say, let me do my job and stop auditioning for other jobs for a minute! Its about time they starting thinking of the USA instead of themselves!

PLEASE STOP ASKING SEN. OBAMA TO JOIN YOU……HE'S NOT A FOLLOWER………

HE'S A LEADER………………………..

This is absurd, this man is not prepared to debate and will try every tactic. The Bush admin is doing what already needs to be done, this is pathetic, this man needs to get himself wired up to debate and he just doesn't have enough time to do so.

John McCain is really showing himself to be a great leader. That is what the public needs. Less campaigning and more bipartisian solutions.

I applaud the McCain campaign and hope that Senator Obama leaves Florida and returns to Washington as well.

According to the CNN poll, 80+ percent of Americans are against this bailout. I am one of those. I feel that this will put a band-aid on the problem. Also with the holidays coming around, retail will need a bailout, auto and airlines will want a bailout, etc. The problem will never go away by just giving in to a bunch of greedy Wall Street executives who certainly weren't thinking about us. My 401(k) is dizzy from all the ups and downs it has taken in the last quarter.

Laura, Boston

HE'S UNPREPARED! MCCAIN KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT THE ECONOMY!!!! I CAN'T STAND THIS MAN!!!!!!

CNN–how can you be so easily taken in…this happens on the first day a poll shows Obama way ahead, and all of a sudden we don't need a debate, all we need is McCain to "solve" the crisis…give me a break…think before you report, please!

Obama called him this morning and asked that they prepare a joint statement . McCain's campaign is going into the tank and couldn't allow Obama to take the lead on something as it would be disastrous at this point. So what does he do? Another gimmick he's panicked and politically he might pull the wool over some eyes but this is a disgrace! Another Sarah Palin type gimmick to try and save himself from drowning. Yes this is a crisis but this can be done without suspending the campaign!

I have to congratulate McCain on his brilliant use of the media. He has found a way to use the present financial crisis, to present himself as the leader everyone needs.

He's more cynical that I've thought! If he wants to contribute to a solution, he can go to DC and simply behave like a senator .

Considering that Senator Obama called Senator McCain this morning to have them issue a joint statement, this seems like a desparate attempt by the McCain campaign to turn the focus away from his VP pick, Campaign manager, stances on the economy to make him look like a statesman. It may just be too little too late…

Obama / Biden 2008

This seems awfully convenient to talk about suspending the campaign and postponing the debate. Especially since even Fox News is reporting how far McCain is now down in the polls. I know polls don't matter, but somehow, I think John sees the writing on the wall.
Obama/Biden 08

HERE COMES A GIMMICK.

Maverick?!

Hey Rick Sanchez: Let's spit out the WHOLE story. Barack Obama said last week or earlier this week that if it came down to a close vote he would definitely go back to washington (find that loop to play), McCain's policy that he wants to submit are already in place and most of those policies wanted were on Obama's list. Big political ploy until it comes to a vote, iit's called a telephone, computer or blackberry leadership and change of tone you say. Well John Kerry was crudified as a flip flopper so where are the hammer and nails now?

I do not feel that the campains should be cancled, no suspended during this financial crisis. The can converse longdistance, The election is of utmost importance. WE NEED A NEW PRESIDENT

Knowing McCain and his tactics I feel this is just a polital diversion for him and Palin. I really hope the citizen of the US do NOT condone this.

Of course McCain would want another committe. Why don't the just give the tax payers $100-150,000. Conditionally to pay off their debts, the balance would go back into the economy. Instead of giving money to the same corporations that put us in this mess. ITs that taxpayers who will ultimately pay for it. So let US control it.

He didn't care all these years when he supported DEREGULATION, now all of sudden he cares. No the real truth is the Palin choice backfired, he is going down in the polls and needs time. And Palin needs even more time. DOn't buy the lie, mccain could care less about the economy only if it is hurting his and his friends pockets.

Didn't McCain say our economy is strong? He is clearly running back to Washington scared. I think he just needs some time away from the campaign to regroup and pull another Palin out of his hat.

Although this is a good idea, I think the the debates should go on. McPalin don't tell me you cannot multi task? The debates must go on!!!

On the one hand, I agree that this sounds like a good idea, given the gravity of the situation. On the other hand, I do see some political posturing going on here. Plus, using this as an excuse to post-pone the debate leads one to believe that he is now concerned about his performance.

What a cheap gimmick. even if this were a sincere proposal from mccain (rather than a transparent attempt to buy more time in the face of increasingly bad press and poll numbers), the candidates' full participation in the ordinary camapign process will serve the American people far better than any contribution either is likely to make to resolution of the current economic situation. I, for one — like many others, I'm sure — would be glad to release them for the time being from any legislative responsibility they might feel in that regard so each can continue to fulfill their large duties to the American public to debate and inform us fully of their respective positions should they become president.

Oh give me a break. McCain if you are president you are going to have to learn to do 2 things at once!! As if American's not tuning in Friday from 9 -11 is going to save the US from financial devastation. What a cop out!! The economy and all the problems in this country are exactly why we need to continue with the debate as scheduled. What does he want to do, push the November election date back next??

Wow. He must really be looking for an excuse not to have to debate Obama. I don't blame him.

WOW!!!! Someone showing leadership! I might vote after all.

If you admit you know jack about the economy, of what use could you possibly be in resolving this crisis you yourself created? Stick to spreading lies and fear.. that's something you're a pro at. This is a total political stunt to delay getting taken to school by Obama on Friday. Pathetic!

McCain Aide's Firm Was Paid by Freddie Mac

One of the giant mortgage companies at the heart of the
credit crisis paid $15,000 a month to a firm owned by Senator
John McCain's campaign manager from the end of 2005 through
last month, according to two people with direct knowledge of
the arrangement. The disclosure contradicts a statement
Sunday night by Mr. McCain that the campaign manager, Rick
Davis, had no involvement with the company for the last
several years.

What, McCain can't walk and chew bubblegum at the same time?

Oh NOW this is a big enough issue for McCain to actually think something just might be wrong. I guess since this Wall St. thing is affecting some of his rich buddies, he decided he might need to pay a little more attention to this. As much as I would love to believe that McCain has our country's best interest at heart, I believe this request to postpone the debate is an indication of the lack of preparation on the part of John McCain. Is Grandma Dynamite going to postpone her upcoming debate too? Get ready everyone, the GOP is going to try to parlay this into this image that McCain cares so much about our economy that he's willing to suspend his campaign & postpone the debate. Could you imagine the outcry had Obama came out asking for postponement of the debate? I can hear it now, "He's scared", "He's hiding". The GOP would be slamming Obama left & right. But since it's McCain, what a great American. Please spare me.

You know, I was initially on the post-partisan bandwagon. Then I realized, why would we want the two parties agreeing on everything? To kill diversity of opinion? To stop dissent? Governmental power is already too consolidated into the "two" parties…. why do we want to consolidate more? Why aren't we getting any real fight against the bailout? Whining and signing is not democracy, it's a faux democracy and genuine socialism.

What a back handed chicken way to avoid a debate. McCain is obviously afraid to face Obama in a straight up fight.

I'm not sure if his decision is totally insane, completely brilliant, or just another cold campaign strategy; but I am sure that it's real ironic that after 2+ decades of not working for government oversight of the country's financial markets, McCain suddenly wants to tackle the problem. Where was he before it came to this? I would love to see Obama call him on that, and finally wake America up to what a phony McCain is.

wHAT A POLITICAL STUNT AFTER OBAMA TOLD YOU WHAT TO DO!!!!!!!!!

Basically, McCain knows he will get destroyed in the debate on Friday, so he is trying to get it postponed as further back as possible or get rid of it fully because he knows nothing about the economy and would rather not lose any further ground than he already had. Dirty trick Republicans.

McCain can't afford any more fumbles. Lord knows he made a complete mochery of himself last week. I guess delaying the debate because of the economic crisis fits into his "Country First" mantra.

His campaign is imploding…fact check on McCain/Palin's lies, Rick Davis running scared now that the facts are out, Palin looking more and more like a political ploy each day, a total fumble on the economic crisis, unwillingness to meet with a NATO ally, etc. There's no way McCain can face America at this time. He needs time to come up with succinct and affirmative responses to appear to have a plausible argument.

Here's an idea. Take that $700B and distribute it to every 18+ year old in America. My guess is we would all get around $300k. Think that might solve an economic crisis and get things moving again?

Tactically, this appears to be a ruse. If Obama pushes back, however, he'll be chided for caring more about becoming president than addressing the pressing crisis of the moment.

21st century leaders have to be able to multi-task–IF McCain can't, then he isn't capable of running the country.

This is such BS. He's going to use this phony statement to try to create another lie against Obama. He saw the poll numbers and he knows his lies haven't gotten him anywhere, so he'll keep making them up until one sticks. He is a disgrace to our country.

GRANDSTANDING! Good grief! Many in Congress and MOST OF US, HERE-IN-THE-REAL-WORLD……….WONDER WHAT'S THE HURRY?

Making SERIOUS decisions takes time! WE ARE TALKING ABOUT …700………..BILLION………..PLEASE………SOMEONE ASK SOME MORE QUESTIONS………READ ……BETWEEN THE LINES!

WHAT'S THE HURRY? The majority of hard-working-Americans want to know!

I think a debate is highly appropriate on the merits of the economy …

Make a joint-statement and move on … go back to the senate and vote on a plan, but let's get real; the sun will rise again tomorrow …

Not suprised. He is trying to put togeather a sneak attack on Obama.

McBlame is the blame. He has been in Washington for many, many, many, many years and now he decides that the economy is important. Is it because of the stock market. So, now you are concerned. You were'nt concerned about the economy when thousands have lost their jobs and remain unemployed. You weren't concerned with the thousands who lost their homes through foreclosure. Give me a break, McSame Ole, Same ole. Now you want to get a little light.
"We The People" are still looking for Change.

OBAMA/JOE B '08…Together, we can do it! We are your support.
Love you Hillary and Bill…forever.

WE THE PEOPLE…forget us not!

OMG – McSame you aren't fooling anyone with this Mickey Mouse move. Just not ready for the debate huh?

this is rediculous,i don' think they need sen obama or sen mccain's help in solving this crisis.this is another political move by the replublicans to bolster their mamed credentials.the republicans put us in this mess and now they are trying to act as reformers ,give us a break ,i'm sick of leaders taking the american people for idiots when they are getting fat feeding out of our pockets.as far as i can see john mccain is running away from the debate, because he himself has a lot to answer for.

McCain isn't ready for the debate. That's why he's using this smokescreen to defer it.

This election is more important than ever now and the voters need to have this debate to help with their decision making.

Congress, the Treasury Department, the SEC and the Banking Committee are all working on a plan. They don't need political gamesmanship mixing in with their emergency planning sessions.

Putting this country first, McCain needs to go ahead with the debate so that the country can make the next (in sequence) most important decision of choosing the President.

Ron

Call me cynical, but I think McCain is trying to use the crisis to benefit his campaign. Frankly, his election as president of this once great country would be a greater catastrophe even than the financial debacle.

McCain is stepping up to the plate and once again putting the Country First.. He is a leader before he is a politician . I like McCain – even when I do not agree with his every policy I see him as reliable . He was calling for reform on fannie and freddie back in 06 but noone wanted reform – he has often been a lone voice in the wilderness sounding the alarm. I appreiciate McCains character.

To his supporters I feel for you! Your leader has just shown he CANNOT walk and chew gum at the same time. He has to lay down on thing in order to focus on another. It's sad and pathetic and if the media spins this I will be PISSED!

John McCain is UNFIT to lead this nation! There will be crisis after crisis, we are facing TWO WARS and dealing with issues at home and he is overwhelmed because he can't handle it all.

Obama/Biden – Change we can believe in and COUNT ON!

The debate should go on as scheduled…PERIOD!

MCain is just afraid to go toe to toe with Obama in the debate.

What is he going to do in Washington??? There is already a number of politicans working on the problem.

Hey Johnny ever heard the pharse………too many cooks in the Kitchen.

Chicken. Being a POW does not give you backbone.

Another sly political trick by the McCain campaign to leave Obama with a lose-lose proposition. Agree and McCain looks like the leader with Vision, disagree and paint him as unpatriotic! And at the same time, squirm out of an inconvenient debate when your poll numbers are falling. Bravo McCain, bravo…Rove has taught you well.

I think this shows that Mccain is so out of touch that his own campaign is failing to keep informed that he needs to go to the whitehouse to see what is going on. This is proof of how he is as a leader that he cannot surround himself with compitent people.

John McCain is the last person I want involved in this. His whole campainge is loaded to the gills with lobbyist that helped and profited by getting us in this mess. This is a Republican scam.

Come on John. We know why you want to cancel the debate because of the New York Times release today. You know you are going to get nailed with this one which shows you are just more of the same. Just like you hidding Palin behind the iron current. This shows old time politics that the American people are feed up with. You insult the intelligence of Americans and you are grand standing because you have lost, period!

McCain Aide's Firm Was Paid by Freddie Mac

One of the giant mortgage companies at the heart of the
credit crisis paid $15,000 a month to a firm owned by Senator
John McCain's campaign manager from the end of 2005 through
last month, according to two people with direct knowledge of
the arrangement. The disclosure contradicts a statement
Sunday night by Mr. McCain that the campaign manager, Rick
Davis, had no involvement with the company for the last
several years.

I really think this is a ploy. So, so many polls came out today and this week with McCain sinking. He's trying to look Presedential by not looking political. But, fine he can suspend his camp. Obama should not. Keep fighting, but go to D.C. and settle this crisis and get back to it next week wih the debates next Fri. Life goes on. We will go on. Yes, we will.

Obama 08!

This is a bunch of crap! McInsane is down in the polls and not prepared to debate, therefore he is using this as an excuse! I'm sure it can be handled without him and Barack. We have a historical election coming up and he needs to focus on that as well.

MCCHICKEN!

We need the debates NOW!

Now is a perfect time and more reason to inform Americans who is the right person to pull us out of this mess!

McCain is stupid! He's not going to to a darn thing in Washington but golf with Bush. More GOP stall tactics!

Obama/Biden '08

He's had 26 years to do something and didn't . (I take that back. He did lot's to deregulate banking and Wall Street which led to this mess.)

Now he's going to go in like a knight is shining armor to swoop down and solve all the problems on his own. Some advice John, let the smart guys who actually have a grasp of the current problem hash this out. You go back to the campaign and try to convince us that you are the "change agent" you claim. And don't you dare try and avoid answering questions one more day.

Obama should ask for a debate on the economy right in D.C.!!!
Nice stunt by a bad pilot

McSame does it again! What does the debate have to do with working in a bipartisan way! McCan't does not want to face the music when it comes to his hands off Sarah campaign and her "road " "to the bridge to nowhere". I hope the committee does not let them off the hook because he is looking more like George Bush everyday to me. His old school politics of shoot and ask questions later has dug us into this hole we are in. The war in Iraq is a big reason why our economy is in such a terrible shape. But Iraq is standing strong with billions of dollars and their oil. I hope we (Americans) send a message on November 4th that we are not stupid just our present administration is.

I guess McCain's debate cramming hasn't been going so well.

NOT ready to lead, NOT ready for the press, NOT ready to be transparent.
I have to say, I am a little thrown back by Sara Palin. She keeps saying everyday that she wants to bring transparency and reform to Washington. But she does not even have transparency in her own state. She has “instructed” her staff people (who work for her) not to answer subpoenas for the investigation on the trooper case. Citizens of Alaska have inquired about the issue, they want transparency. Now the small case has reached public interest and the rest of the public is now being ignored. Palin is saying that the investigation is now political. But, that happens when you are in office. The other side will ask question and try to shade light on any flaw they see. It is up to her to show that there is nothing to the allegations. If she won’t be transparent on that issue, I don’t think she will be transparent on any serious concerns the American people may have if she gets in office. For undecided voters, she is not being very transparent right now.

Blah blah blah. He just knows that he is going to get his clock cleaned.

Too little too late. He wants to look tough and “pro-active” and hid the fact that his man was being paid by Freddie Mac up until a month ago.
The sad thing is that there will be folks who buy this ploy.

Sad, pathetic, and just plain lame on McSame’s behalf.

PLEASE MCCAIN….WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO PORTRAY THAT YOU ARE AROUND DURING A CRISIS…..WE AIN'T BUYING IT ESPECIALLY WHEN IT WAS MOST OF YOUR "CROONIES" THAT BENEFITTED FROM OUR FINANCIAL WOES…..

McCain suspending his campaign for the economy is nothing more than a political desperation move cloaked as an otherwise patriotic and necessary sacrifice of his own campaign. In doing this, Obama is now trapped and backed into a corner.

If Obama suspends along with McCain, he risks losing momentum to flip the battleground states which could cost him the election.

If Obama refuses to suspend, McCain will immediately cite Obama saying that "He put aside his political campaign and agenda to put his country first, and Barack Obama couldn't do the same?"

It's a masterful, but entirely tasteless and underhanded move. Anything to win, I guess.

Why does the bailout money have to go to financial insitutions? Why can't this money be used directly to keep homeowners in their homes. And why can't the money be used to help former homeowners who have jobs but need a home to get a brand new start at homeownership. This to will cut down the bad debt and stimulate the housing and banking at the same time. Why can't the inventory of foreclosed homes be reduced by helping family own homes again by selling them these home at reduced prices and making them unable to borrow on the home for a amount of years to be determined. Why does the rich have to benifit from the bail out and not the American people directly?

I forgot to mention-your campaign is in hot water right now with Davis so you need time to get the heat off and to educate your ignorant vp pick on EVERYTHING. You are not fooling us McCain. We know both you and your mouthy sidekick are totally ignorant of the circumstances surrounding us. You can take as much time as you want it really doesn't make any difference because we will continue exactly where we left off.

I am so angry at McCain's self serving decision to try and cancel the debate. The fact that once again John McCain exploits a crisis to move his adgenda along is utterly and comletely insane. I keep waiting for some news organization to call him on this crap, but no one seems able or willing to take him on.
The Republicans would rather let this Nation burn then do the right thing again. Shame on CNN for allowing John McCain to determind the direction this country is going in.
If John McCain is incapable of multi-tasking then he is too old to be President.

Unequivocally no. The debate MUST continue. We have already been in crisis and continue to be in crisis. The debate is perfect for a time like this becuase it allows us to see both candidates in a less constructed (canned) venue like a rally or convention.

in other words, he's losing and needs a stall tactic to stop Obama's momentum.

goodbye mcdoodle, moose-munch and bunch. hope ya suspend for good and give it to obama/biden by default!!!

obama/biden '08

Seriously, boys- if you think bipartisan leadership will pull America out of the spiral it is in, maybe it's time to *GASP* end the party bickering & REALLY join forces. We, America, our world, are in terrible trouble. Starvation is not a "thirld-world" issue anymore. It is a Global issue. It is time to stop negotiating for party domination, and begin pulling together for the survival of us all. I know this is near-heresy, but let's look straight on at the truth of our situation. We are in deep trouble-and the brink is not that far off. Facing the issues, facing the crisis that is our future- is now. Stop wasting millions on CAMPAIGN costs- please, start working for the good of each and every American- not a "party" affiliations.

When his wife's portfolio is at risk – drop everything. This guy has been in the US Senate for 26 years and has watched Social Security and other programs go down the tubes. He has watched 37 million Americans live without health insurance and lose their homes to bankruptcy. He has watched as millions of Katrina victims are left in squalor. Now he has decided to take the high road. Enough. He should suspend his campaign for good. Shame on you John McCain.

Why does he always make it like it's his idea? What an ego!

Maybe we can postpone the election while we're at it. Like, indefinitely.

Why does he have to suspend his campaign? If she is SO QUALIFIED TO BE PRESIDENT, why not send Governor Palin to stand in for him both on the campaign trail and at the debate with Obama?

This wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that Obama is pulling ahead in the polls; or the fact that McCain's people are trying to dig up new dirt on Obama and need a little more time.

How much do you want to bet that an Obama scandal breaks out during the down time?

On the other hand, maybe he is hoping for the old out of sight out of mind theory to take the focus off the republicans.

Same old trickery by the Republicans. McCain knows he is losing ground so now he wants to 'suspend' his campaign and challenged Obama to do the same. Question, how is he going to focus on the economy if he doesn't know anything about the economy?

It's a trap the I can see from a mile away. If Obama decides to keep campaigning then he is less concerned about the US and economic situation, if he agrees then McCain can work some evil and try to gain ground.

Next thing you know they'll find a way to postpone the election indefinetly because of this 'national crisis'.

Chicken

I'm not a fan of either candidate but this is the right thing to do.

McCain is not ready for the debate which is why he is stalling for more time.

Typical McCain BS instead of using the oppurtunity for both candidates to issue joint statements which would have put joint pressure to Congress to get this done. McCain tries to use this as a political advantage and grandstand. He is trying to paint Obama in a corner. The debates are more important now than ever, I want to know how they would handle this economic problem now while it is important. Obama don't let him off the hook. The ABC/Washington Times Poll shows McCain dropped 9 points from a virtual tie after last week's Wall Street problem. McCain are you running away from the problem by pretending you are dealing with it. You two have been away from the Senate for over a year.

This really amazes me. McCain wants to suspend is campaign now and delay the debate in order to focus on our economic situation. So the economic situation was not as dire yesterday when Palin spent all day at the United Nations just for some 'facetime'. I am very much in support of concentrating on this economic crisis, but this seems more like cold-feet in facing Obama in the debates.

Mccain is using ever tactic possible to buy him more time to use this momemtum that he has going with Palin, at this so not show America that he and Sarah is not ready and or capable of running this country, moreever that he has no answers to America's present crisis.. Bush and his people are working on this crisis,since after he created, McCain, has no input here…Stall tactics again to by time before the election, since it's only five weeks away now…Next he'll suspend Palin's debate, for more time…and America, will go to polls and vote GOP soley on the hype of Palin, and nothing else…this is what McCains is counting on…America wake up…

no matter what the under lying tactics are its a good idea for the candidates to be non partisan and get together to help solve this crisis!!!
DO NOT give these rich CEOs a *golden parachute*
The American people should not carry the burden of their greed and corrupt habits and decisions

DO NOT DELAY THAT DEBATE.

What a an unbelievable stunt.

Yesterday he was dinking around at the UN for his VP to get photo ops with foreign leaders – but today HE MUST suspend his campaign. BS Neither he, nor Senator Obama need to suspend anything in order for them to take part in coming up with solutions.

Is it the revelation that the guy who runs his campaign have been paid $15.000 every month from 2005 until August of 2008 by Freddie Mac that is causing this political stunt – or what is it now?

Considering the latest polls, McCain sure is acting desperate. Not much of a leader if you ask me.

MCCAIN R U SERIOUS……………………..

HOW CAN YOU HELP? YA CAN'T

STOP TRYING TO LOOK PRESIDENTIAL…………………YA CAN'T

YOU'LL JUST BE IN THE FREAKIN WAY

STOP IT ………………………PLEASE………

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

If this means that McCain will be willing to vote on the bail out legislation, then kudos. If he's just there, when by his own admission, he doesn't know that much about the economy, then I call bull.

This is well and good Senator. But I think that since you are not keen on the economy and Obama is ahead of you in the polls, you want the American people to think that you can take charge of the economy.

I bet you were wishing that Obama wouldn't take the bait to make you look good.

The American people will still vote Obama on the economy.

Nice try……..but good.

FALSE LEADERSHIP FOR POLITICAL GAIN. This is a ploy by McCain to try to divert attention away from Biden's speech and Obama's bump in the polls.

What is more urgent, bailing out the wealthy or addressing our countries' recovery from the failed policies of the past 8 years?

McCain's attempt to distract under the guise of 'leadership' is sickening.

Listen here old man. What do you really think your going to accomplish going back to Washington? I mean you've been there for 26 years. This should not be something that you people hammer our in a few days like you people did the the Patriot Act, and going to war with Iraq. There is a campaign going on and with less than 45 days left neither candidate should be suspending his campaign, there are 532 other people in congress to work on this, let them do there work. IM sure there have to be at least a few of them that are capable. Suspend away McSame, your going down either way!!!

Obama/Biden '08

I think this attempt has less to do with the financial crisis and more to do with McCains recent bad press and sinking poll results.

Hopefully people will see through his attempts at taking a Mulligan!

Thank goodness we'll have McCain's economic knowhow and judgement involved in an enormous decision regarding the economy.

(Sarcasm…)

Suspending the campaign is fine, but no need to postpone the debates, because Obama is the one supposedly needing prep, not McCain, so, if Obama wants the debates, then they should happen. I am ready to stop all the campaign slogans and get to the debates!

I doubt suspension/rescheduling the debates with McCain will be seen as a problem for Obama.

No doubt…Obama detests the debate forum and town hall formats–unless all the questions are from allies.

Without a telprompter–he's a lost man.

I'm sure he'll approve cancelling and rescheduling the debates so he may be free to join McCain in Washington as a Senator–helping fix the financial crisis legislation that is going to be "rubber stamped" by our congress and senate.

That move is one of the most Honorable choices for any Presidential candidate to do in the face of calamity which is befalling the greatest country on the face of the earth.

hooraaa!

hooraa!

McScared!!!!!!!

This is nothing but a distraction from McCain to stop the bleeding.

We have people in the White House right now, running things…That's why we're voting them out and Obama and team in!

BTW, what economic knowledge does McCain have to contribute to the ongoing crisis? Lame!

Obama/Biden '08

I don't think this has anything to do with Obama.
I think that the Republican Party is very close to splitting over the Bail Out proposal and McCain knows that if that occurs, he will certainly lose this election. His theatrics here are geared toward holding his Party together not this nation.

He can't work by phone or video conferencing? Give me a break.
He's running scared now.

It's a political stunt, we're not fooled McCain.

Perfect timing. McCain is using a crisis to stop the momentum that Obama has going. Maybe he isn't as prepared as he should be.

I smell a rat…………………

After 26 years of towing the Republican line I wonder why he wants to be so suddenly involved? I thought the fundamentals were strong? Now the economy is so bad we need to come together like we did after 9-11???? Maybe they figure this is a way to get him to stop talking and making gaffes on a daily basis. Or maybe they want to stop the momentum Obama has gotten from this crisis.

Again, I smell a rat…………… I do not for one second believe he is doing this for the benefit of the country. He is doing this for the benefit of his campaign. But now Obama really has no choice but to go along- if he refuses, then he doesn't care. If he goes along and votes in a way different than McCain, he has given McCain fuel for thousands of negative ads (which I KNOW he will put out). Any comment made by Obama on the Senate floor will be used against Obama in later ads.

Final thought- I do not want McCain anywhere near these talks- I don't care that he is a senator and yes I know he has a right to be there. However, Mr. Deregulator helped create this situation and I am afraid of what he will do to the so-called bailout package. I fear he will do whatever he can to protect Wall Street and not the little guy.

This is a stunt. In barroom bouncer lingo, it's called an "attitude interrupt." McCain is behind in the polls in nearly every swing state, and he knows he doesn't have the answers to face Obama in the debates, so he wants to stop the clock and give Obama's momentum time to fade. He also wants to delay things so the public will forget about things he's said, such as "our economy is strong and sound."

That is ALL this is, and nothing else. Obama and McCain can both do more good staying on the campaign trail and swapping their ideas about managing this situation. If McCain had the momentum on his side, then these delaying tactics would be the last thing he'd do. With only a month and a half until elections, it's flat-out stupid to suspend campaigns when all either of them would have to contribute is a single vote in the Senate. McCain should be ashamed of himself for pulling this cheap, completely-transparent political stunt. McCain's campaign is a JOKE.

How convenient lol

I think Mccain is chicken , he is worried hes going to do bad at the debate . If he cant handle the debates and what is going on at the same time makes me think he is not ready to run are country ! being pres, means multytasking. go back to bed Mccain obama can handle things from here.!!!!!

After all his complaining about Obama not accepting his invitation to town hall meetings, why does McCain want to postpone a debate now?

John Mclame is panic now and he try to put on a show that he cares.

Just another of McCains campaign ploy, he wants to look like a
leader and make Obama look as though he's not as intrested in
our country as he is. Why delay the debates, can't he do both?

Sounds like grand-standing to me.

People should remember that presidential elections were held in the middle of WW2, in the middle of the great depression, and all through the cold war.

Maybe John McCain wants to delay the debate because this has been a bad two weeks for him, and he needs more time for people to forget that he said "The fundamentals of the economy are strong".

Obama should call this stunt out for what it is- a cowardly and desparate gimmick from a failing campaign that has had nothing to offer but lies, lies, lies. Disgusting.

For a real war hero, he's really acting like a ChickenHawk. He's clearly running away from the debate. If he cares about the American people, he'll take the 1 1/2 hr. (that's it!) to debate on Friday like he agreed to. This move reeks of desperation.

McCain & Palin should start talking or get out of the way!!!

This is the best McSame can do to stop the debate. We see who you are, MCCain, you can not hide between you small suit and short arms…We know you don't have a clue on what to do to fix the economy… Give me a break…NEXT!!!!!!!
OBAMA/BIDEN 08′

I have to say, that McCain is using every stall tactic that he can to prevent more damage to his campaign; He's been acting like a fish out of water, flip flopping on the deck, about how to manage this crisis, and now wants to suspend his campaign???? Does the President get to suspend his presidency when a crisis occurs???….I don't think so……..He has to respond, and life keeps on going. Just my 2 flabbergasted cents.

Don't bail out WALL Street—These crooks have gotten rich off the backs of every America—
Sue each and everyone of them that defrauded the public –Instead of paying them extra —
The system will not collapse but if we bail them out once we will be doing it again–
WE NEED TERM LIMITS in Congress so they start working for us instead of their individual deals and we need some oversight and a pay back plan for any monies issued to these mismanaged buisnesses—
Nobody is going to bail out my small buisness because of their mismanagement of my funds—SCREW THEM !!!

About bloody time!

"Most Americans feel very strongly this isn't their fault. It's Wall Street and Washington and the cozy insider relationships that have caused a great part of the problems," McCain said. My question, where has McCain been for the last 26 years when he supported the former Senator Phil Graham in not regulating the Wall Street Moguls? McCain is part of the problem; now he wants to be part of the solution……a truly oxymoron.

I'll say this much for McCain: He's got guts. This is a bold move, one which, if done correctly, might be a tremendous display of leadership on McCain's part.

John McCain has missed EVERY SINGLE Senate vote since May….so now suddenly he wants to do his job instead of run for a new one? 'Country First'?…give me a break!

Hmm, sounds like Mr McCain hasn't done his homework for the debate and now wants to cancel. Why not use the debate and…. debate the economy!

i know this needs fixed, but I am also under the understanding that friday is recess for those in washington, am i to believe that ,that doesnt play into the reason for the rush, if so i have a bridge for sale somewhere

This is a crafty ploy by McCain, but Obama should not buy into it. Mr. Town Hall Meeting now wants to change the date? Ridiculous.

There is absolutely no reason to reschedule. Negotiations can continue without McCain, and can even bleed into next week if need be. Frankly, I think he's jumping on the 'shove it through quickly' GOP bandwagon, rather than using a pragmatic approach to the problem.

No. The debate should continue as planned.

McCain is definitely grandstanding here, Obama reached out to him first… once again McCain is following in the footsteps of Obama because he can't come up with his own ideas, perhaps he needs more time to prepare for the upcoming debate. Nice try!

BARACK!!!!!!!! DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!

He has boxed you in a corner with this scheme. If you say no then McCain will paint you as "wanting to win the election more than take care of the country." If you agree, it looks like it was Mcain's idea and he will exploit the situatioin and say he cares more about the country than you!!!

It is a very smart, political move – but nefarious. Everyone should point out that once again it is McCain who is putting the election above everything else regardless of what he tries to do.

If Mccain cannot multi-task and run a campaign (aka GOVERMENT) and take care of a crisis at the same time, then what the hell is he doing running for POTUS- the single most important position on this planet???

He is unfit mentally, physically and most important spiritually to run your country (anybody who acts the way he has cannot be a child of God).

OBAMA 08, 12 the TRUTH….think about it…then VOTE…I wish we could!!!!

This move by McCain is nothing but political!. He was trailing in the polls due to the economic issues, so his people had to have him do something drastic to cosmetically make it look like he knew something about the economy. Also, McCain needing to say
something needs to be done and completed by the end of this week smells of policatical grandstanding and as a stop gap message. It's interesting that McCain has not voiced his opinion on CEO pay which is part of this discussion.

It's a cheap stunt! He's down in the polls, and its showing he is behind the times when it comes to economics…so he has to do something to make it LOOK like he's a leader. When in fact he's a glory hound!

He did the same thing with his VP pick. He saw Obama was gaining poll advantage, so he had to come up with a huge scene stealer.

And people will fall for this act! People will actually think this guy is leading when in fact he's posturing. How dumb are the votes in this country when something so obvious is right in front of their face?

Why isn't McCain suspending his campaign IMMEDIATELY? That is, why is not canceling everything he has scheduled today, canceling his talk at the Clinton Global Initiative tomorrow, hopping on a plane and flying to Washington NOW. I mean NOW!!!
Sounds like a lot of smoke and mirrors to me.

There is no reason to suspend arguably the most important Presidential campaign in modern history. Yes, Congress has much work to do, but there are 100 other Senators in Washington to do the work on the ground. McCain and Obama can read the briefings and participate in conference calls, and should be prepared to debate on Friday even with the current economic crisis. This is not a crisis that requires immediate intervention. I didn't see McCain suspending his campaign when Hurricanes Gustav and Ike blew through Texas and Louisiana, and those people actually could have used the help. Focus on the campaign and give the voters every chance to figure out who the best candidate is through you campaign stops and the debate.

Why? Because he's afraid Obama might bring up Keating 5 and Davis' ties to Fannie & Freddie at the debate?

Panicking and running around like a chicken with its head cut off is a rookie move, McCain.

I don't buy it, I doubt many Americans buy it either.

A debate means a slip in Republican numbers, and McCain is about to lose Virginia…

Although I am glad the two candidates are working together on this, McCain showed the true sleazy politician he is by going behind Obama's back to issue this statement.

This isn't bipartisan action on McCain's part; it is an act of a desperate man trying to show leadership and to gain poilitical advantage!! He would have shown true bipartianship had he followed the agreed plan of a joint statement. Pathetic that he does this by mentioning September 11th.

what is Mr McSame not ready?

I stand no chance in the debate so I'm suspending my campaign for President.

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

What this doesn't mention is how woefully unprepared Johnny is for the debates. This is like a high schooler pulling the fire alarm before his algebra midterm. Yet, somehow, if Obama doesn't agree he looks like the bad guy. Well played, John.

WAY TO GO PRESIDENT OBAMA! OBAMA PUTS COUNTRY FIRST!

OBAMA / BIDEN '08

The Fox polls got you down? Fox shows Obama leading 45 to 39. McCain wants to just break the momentum – he's on the run!

What took John McCain this long? Why does he think without him in Washington the issue won't be fixed? He needs to quit playing and trying to score political point and get back to his campaigning. He just wants to act as if he is troubled by what is going on.

To solve this crisis successfully, poor folk like me need their student loans clean up and John McCain do not understand that as he had no student loans.

Atlanta

good political move

YES
————–—————————————————>> COUNTRY FIRST

Is McCain serious? I couldn't think of a better time for the candidates to talk about the issues (something that was conspicuously absent until this economic crisis).

I guess it's too much for McCain to admit that he's not prepared to debate Obama. I suppose if Obama doesn't agree to this, McCain will rail on about Obama putting his campaign ahead of the interests of the American people.

SHAMEFUL.

what a load of garbage!

Obama's idea .. McCain's taking the glory

Americans should show in Nov whether they can be conned easily by McCain or are smart enough to pick Obama

All of a sudden the familiar "fundamentals of the economy are strong" quote isn't true? And where was he before this crisis actually hit?

Let's get rid of the IRS and stop the Federal Reserve from printing money out of thin air!

Oh, please! McCain is full of crap! Now, he so concerned about the economy and wants to "delay" the debate. Are you scared Mcgramps or are you just looking for browning points?? Sounds like a little of both to me!

Go Obama! 08

So if McCain were president and we were facing a crisis would he stop being president to deal with things.
He really should be able to deal with his campaign committment AND this crisis at the same time if he is truly planning on running this country.
You don't get to stop being president where crisis comes calling.
Seems to me this is the TRUEST test of his ability to handle the grueling work of being president.

Feels political…maybe it is a stall tactic because there is so much flack going on about Palin with trooper gate, lack of credentials and women starting to get furious because he treats her like an idiot incapable of speaking for herself unscripted. God knows the economy needs help and since one of them will be president, they need to be involved, but whey didn't they stand together in the first place if this isn't a political stunt???

McCain, you do realize that Congress has been working on this for the past week right? You are only just now calling for a meeting of Congress to work on this?

Your comment is awaiting moderation.
McGimmick!

Just last week the economy was fundamentally strong.

Straight talk…if you're scared, then say you're scared!

Did he really invoke 9/11 again!

SCARED?

Need more time to prepare? We know you very well McSame.

When you are down 9 points with 6 weeks left, and you have deregulated your party into a ditch and are hiding your Veep choice, little wonder you want to cancel everything. Its obvious McCain/Palin need time to regroup and rehearse.

Sad

Kind of smart move but we are not dumb we saw you coming; ok oldman?
You and palin are trying to gain time to study.
It is just a shame you have been doing all this just because you want to win an election.

It was Obamas Idea fist … he called him ay 8:30 this morning and asked that they make a joint statment ….. McCain stole the idea,,,,

Cnn report it right …the Idea was Obamas

i Hate McCain

John McCain, who has admitted repeatedly that economics isn't his strong point, hasn't attended a Senate session since April. He's been floundering for some kind of coherant economic message for over a week. His campaign chair and the head of his transition team have been shown to be either Freddy-Fannie lobbyists or getting paid to be on the inside of the McCain campaign. And he expects us to take this seriously?

I think his campaign "suspension" has more to do with how poorly he's doing in the polls, and how he wants to avoid taking any questions about his advisors' economic lobbying ties than his taking any real leadership.

The American people have been waiting to see these two candidates go one-on-one so they can make a judgment. Sorry, McCain — you're losing.

Coward! Another lame attempt by the McCain camp.

So it turns out that Obama called McCain first to try and get McCain to work together. Now McCain get's in front of the cameras and tries to play politics.

I wouldn't vote for McCain is he was the last candidate on the planet. This guy is so shameless. I'm sick of him playing politics!!!!!!!!!!

Why am I suspicious that this may be a political stunt? Two new polls came out today from both Fox News and ABC suggesting an Obama surge. If McCain can't attend the debate because of the crisis, why is he attending Bill Clinton's economic conference on Thursday? Since Friday's debate is on foreign policy, Senator McCain presumably should not need any prep time, since he has been a Senator for twenty-six years and should be up on all of the issues. He could "work on the crisis" and still find time to debate. I really object to Senator McCain's manipulation of the political process.

Dear Senator, From your crackpot ideas and statements you have made since this hit the fan, I really don't think that your cooworkers really want you back on the Hill. Obama sure can help, I think he must go back. You need to relax and rest.

I think the Obama campaign will do the same. Both candidates keep talking about a bi-partisan bill to bring about the type of economic help our financial system needs. Well here's their chance to stop talking and actually take action and lead. Wouldn't it be a great show of unity for both senators to spend ONE WEEKEND in Washington trying to achieve just that?

great job mccain! avoid the debate!

He just wants to stop the Obama campaigns momentum and give the lipstick lady more time to study.

No thanks, bring on the debate i've already taken the day off work.

Oh come on this was political,mccain was getting killed in the polls today,this guy panicked,he want the people to feel sorry for him,its not going to work,this guy will do anything to get elected,give me a break,this was all political.

This is a poorly formed gimmirk

Wait…wait…please clarify CNN….so Obama calls McCain this morning to talk about this and then he goes out and makes a grand announcement making it seem like it was all his idea?? Please explain…need details.

McCain, the war hero, just tell the truth, you are afraid of the Debate.

What a farce, phones are close by.no need to delay debates.election is almost here. then let the vice presidents fill the spot and presidents debate take the vice presidents date.

Totally a political move. He needed to take the blame of the economic crisis off of his (and other republican's) shoulders. Politicians have a reason for everything, and this clearly was a political decision to help stop his slide in the polls.

Seriously I believe both canidates agree there is a huge economic problem for our country and that it deserves prompt attention. However, I see John McCain is still playing 'dirty' politics by trying to make it 'appear' that he is 'so' concerned right now that he will suspend his campaigning for the betterment of our country. I also believe his wanting to 'postpone' the debate is just a way of delaying having to answer hard questions that he can't answer at this time. This way it will give Sarah Palin (was that her name?) ha! more time to get herself looking good for her party!

Well, well. Is this an attempt to score votes? Let's see now if Obama had done this many would say "he's using politics" but since McCain is doing it-it is okay? It's now time to ask (US) the American people to pay more taxes. I thought republicans were all about fiscal responsibility. They are nothing more than tax and spend candidates. The American people no matter what will be left holding the bill. That is, of course, unless you are one of the wealthy.

The "No Talk Express" rolls on. McCain has not prepared for the debate (as he campaigned recently rather than prepare for the debate) and realizes he is in a world of trouble. He is trying to obscure this by claiming a noble act of going to help the economy. As McCain says he really does not understand the economy, will McCain really be helping the process by going back to work on the economy?

I love how these fools fun slash and burn ads about each other for millions to see, and then turn on a dime and tell their parties to work together while they smile and wave and name-drop 9/11. This whole thing is a joke.

THAT'S WHAT THE AMERICANS PEOPLE WHO ARE VOTING FOR MCCON CAN'T SEE. OBAMA INICIATE THE MEETING FIRST, NOW CON PORTRAYED HIMSELF AS THE ONE WHO CALLED OBAMA FIRST. OBAMA CALLED AT 8:30 AM, AND MCCON RETURNED THE AT 2:30 PM, BIG DIFFERENCE IN TIMING. STOP JUDGING OBAMA BASE ON HIS SKIN COLOR, BUT SEE HIM AS SOMEBODY WHO WILL DO A LOT OF GOOD FOR AMERICA. GOD IS WITH HIM FOR GUIDANCE, AND WISDOM, I BELIEVE HE WILL BE A GREAT LEADER FOR AMERICA, AND THE WORLD.

OBAMA 08

The debate TOPIC should be changed. these candidates must reveal what they know, how they will vote, and whether they understand the economy!

we are being told these problems were the greed of people buying homes they could not afford… baloney. it was corporate fat cats running all over the average guy. they were buying multiple homes planes and influence with their ill gotten gains while we were struggling to pay for gas!

economics is not a science and economists are too frequently politicos bringing ideology, not facts. they are expert only in their philosophy.

What a scam!!! He is losing ground in the polls so he tries to one up Obama with this? How will the man who doesnt know much on the economy and thinks it is fundamentally strong help anyway. I say, Obama should not suspend his campaign. As president, you cant suspend whats going on to deal with one issue no matter how big it is.

Sorry pal.

Thank you President McCain a real leader.

John, Nice attempt, but you can't hide for long as the election is fast approaching and America needs to witness this debate. If you can't take a few hours to attend such an important event, I, for one, would question your judgment… again.
Have the debate and take it like a man.

McGimmick!

Just last week the economy was fundamentally strong.

Straight talk…if you're scared, then say you're scared!

John McCain is toast. Looking for new ways to revamp his campaign but Obama will out smart him.

Bull, he's been in Washington for 26 and now he is concerned to suspend his campaign? He is just in deep trouble and is scared to debate Obama, so what better excuse…what a pathetic man and campaign.

Obama/Biden 08

Trying to make himself look like he cares. Why would a man who admittedly knows little about the economy, think he could make a difference in a debate that doesn't involve his voice?!

Hmmm. So it WASN"T McCains idea. Another grab at taking credit for Obamas ideas. What a blow hard. Oh well, either way if Obama thinks it is a good idea, then it probably is.

Way to "BAILOUT" McInsane. You know Obama will mop the floor with you if you meet him in Mississippi on Friday. You know you are not prepared to debate about this economic crisis which the Repiglacins are responsible for because of their GREED.

On November 4, 2008 everyone around the world will hear:THE FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN HAS JUST BEEN NOMINATED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES — AMERICA LET'S GREET YOUR PRESIDENT – PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA!!! AND WE WILL BE PARTYING ALL OVER AMERICA.

This economic crisis is just an excuse for you to "BAILOUT" Senator McInsane, if you don't face reality, it will face you.

OBAMA/BIDEN 08-12

Yeah but Obama doesnt believe he should suspend his campaign once again mccain shows country is first and obama is still thinking Obama first

I am not a McCain supporter and can only hope that the suspension of his campaign is so that he can return to the Senate to do the job that he is currently being paid to do. I think that Obama should do the same. I am sorry to say that I think McCain is pulling a political ploy, and will only do what he thinks will aide his slowing campaign for president.

now, if he would just suspend his campaign permenantly we could get started on fixing the nation's problems.

VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS!!!
VOTE FOR OBAMA!!!

JUST DO IT

UNBELIEVEABLE!!!!! Please do not use the economy as a reason to delay the debate!!!! Please stop insulting our intelligence!!! McCain needs more time to prepare…PERIOD!!! ALL SUMMER LONG, he has been running around the country basically taunting Obama to debate the issues. Now that some polls have him as much as 9 points behind Obama, and he realizes Sarah Palin was the biggest mistake since the Edsel, he wants to postpone the debate. POPPYCOCK!!!!!! I am so sick of this chicken fit out fit, and those who continue to support this ridiculous mess need mental evaluations!!!

Unbelieveble.

He is basically telling us that he is unable to multi-task. A key characteristic that any President needs.

It was Obama's campaign that first contacted him about coming together to issue a joint statement regarding this issue.

He is unprepared for the debat,e he knows it, and he is using this crisis as a way to back out.

It's pure gamesmanship.

I am absolutely stunned that there are any rational human beings out there still planning to vote for him.

I think it is just another stall tactic and a desperate attempt by Senator McCain to keep from falling farther behind in the polls. Would he be doing this if he were up by say 5-6 points? I wonder? Yes, the economy is number issue, but I think he should still debate. He may not be prepared, but it will be good to see how they both perform under pressure and yes mavbe lack of preparation. This may be like the 3 am call? Are they ready!!! Why not discuss on the economy instead of foreign policy? I know we like to here what they each have to say on this pressing issue. IB…..Atanta

What a complete joke, just because he is down 9 point in the polls and knows nothing about the economy. He decides to pull a stunt like this. What an old sore loser. Take it from an ex-Chinese national, i know how corrupt government can be.

So, McChicken couldn't wait to issue the statement? He had to play "Politics First". And why post pone the debates? Its only two more days. How about instead of Foreign Policy, we debate the issue at hand. The Economy!!

You are afraid because the polls have an Obama uptick and your campaign is losing ground big time. What a wimp.

We can't have McCain as President because it is obvious he can't multi-task. We need real leadership. We have two wars and tanking economy and he was to suspend his campaign. Wow!!

That's why Barack Obama is ready to lead. TODAY!!

Obama/Biden 08

Typical. Obama came up with the proposal and Mac Cain tries to take credit for it.

Oh no you don't!

The debate should go as scheduled! McCain doesn't do ANYTHING except for political reasons. He is seeing that he is going down in the tank, so he doesn't want to have to face this tidal wave. Don't let him off this people!

THE DEBATES SHOULD GO AS SCHEDULED!!!!!!

This smells just like the Bush administration using the Iraq War to help out domestic politics.

EXCLUSIVE: Maliki Suggests Bush Pushed To Extend U.S. Presence In Iraq To Help McCain»

at ThinkProgress.org

I think Obama ought to get some mileage out of McCain's "inability to focus on more than one crisis at a time." I mean, isn't that in the job description? Presidents MUST be able to handle multiple crises — whenever they may occur. So, McCain is already demonstrating his lack of ability.

Thanks, John.

The Republican National Convention was NOT canceled during the Hurricane. No Need to Cancel the Debates.
How uncouth of McCain. Shame on You!

Call me cynical, but how much of this is putting "Country First" and how much of this is trying to stall the debates?

The very announcement is political…it doesn't mean he can do anything for the economy.. only look like he knows what he's doing.

Harry Reid and Obama.., "don't know what to do"

John McShame should suspend his campaign for the remainder of the year, but the good thing we don't get to hear anymore of Palin's and John McShame lies!!!!

This truelly is Silly Seacon_
First He wants ti fire the wrong person
Then he copies Obama's Stance
After claiming the fundamentals are strong
He wont which he'll vote (neither does Obama) which is smart
Because You shouldnt say the 1st thing that pops in your head.

Neither Obama or McCain can do anything about this crisis until they are in the office..Suspending campaign is just a way of trying to break the upward momentum of the Obama/Biden Ticket

What happaned to John McCain? and i say this in all sincerity. I dont get it! In the most crucial elections since anyone can remember these Games are very discouraging

Neither Obama of McCain have the Experience to be President-Unless you have been one b/4 You Just Dont!

This is about Judgement WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED THE RIGHT TYPE OF JUDGEMENT THAT AMERICA & THE WORLD NEEDS RIGHT NOW..

IT IS ALSO BECOMING MORE & MORE CLEAR THAT TEMPERAMENT IS KEY.
.WE NEED A PRESIDENT THAT UNITES, INSPIRES, EXAMPLIFIES VALUES & DOES NOT PANDER TO THE WHIM OF A PARTICULAR SET

AMERICA IF NOT NOW, WHEN?

HI

Give me a break, McCain has no idea what is going on. Even George Will wrote that McCain has the wrong temperament to be president saying he has a knee jerk reaction for everything. And Palin is just a flat out idiot.

Too bad it isn't just that he gives up! And too bad that it is really just a political ploy. Oh johhny…

good to see Johnny Mac now understands the economy.
in the words of bugs bunny "What a maroon."

Sounds like a Rove political ploy to me…

why Mccain has to cancel his debate between two candidates ? Isn't it also a patriotic act to clarify our confusion sooner as voters get informed directly from the candidate's words than from falsifing ads….

Ahhhhhhhhhhh! when you know nothing about the economy and the rest of the Rethugs say this bailout is nothing but Socialism…it's best to "Duck and Run"…find some Rethubg that can give you and idea on how to preach the "Party Line". And to think I was a Republican for almost 30 years….Goldwater to George H…there is Hope for anyone willing to pull their head out of the sand.

I am about tired of everyone making Sarah Palin a serious victim lol there will be more votes on her part because she is a white woman. I think Obama's chances begin to slim why because this country still has a racial problem. It has gotten better however Obama wont get votes due to him being partially black but viewed only as a black man. The whole women issue is really far fetched considering her race.

What a coward. He doesn't want to debate because he wants to hedge the recent Obama momentum. Shameful.

Oh no you don't!

The debate should go as scheduled! McCain doesn't do ANYTHING except for political reasons. He is seeing that he is going down in the tank, so he doesn't want to have to face this tidal wave. Don't let him off this people!

TH

I am shocked that McCain is putting off the debate…this is unbelievable!!! Methinks there is something rotten in the White House!!

What a load of bull.

John McCain likes to just "suspend campaigning" when things are going poorly, for transparently stupid reasons pretending to be noble reasons.

During the hurricane, they suspended their convention, as if hurricane relief depends on old John McCain handing out canned goods. What a lot of nonsense. The real reason was that they knew their convention would suffer in comparison to the Democrats.

Now, the economic crisis is their excuse, as if John McCain, who has admitted he knows almost nothing about economics, is crucial to a solution. In fact, it's just because they are again facing a slide in the polls, and this is just a trick to try to change the conversation.

Pathetic!

McCain has chicken out.

what a crap move!!
obama calls about a joint statement, instead he jumps the line.
obama should keep going. and debate!!

Good idea Obama – "I would rather you lose the campaign then lose the money of hard-working American people."

-Obama '08, '12, Hilary '16, '20

This is a gimmick to jump-start a [yet again] faltering campaign, nothng else. Senator McCain just now noticed the economic crisis? Or was it his poll numbers he saw?

McSame is Scared. That's all.

This is a bait! Surely, a presidential nominee can multi-task. Please, don't fall for this, Obama! There's enough talking heads dealing with the crisis. 90 minutes of debate shouldn't be too long!

McCain you have not been concerned about showing up in the Congress very much lately, or if you did , you voted wrong. If you think this stunt somehow makes you look more presidential and delays the thoughts that Americans have about the mess that you helped to create for the last 8 years, you are sadly mistaken. Where were you when kids(S-Chip), women(equal pay), and veterans(benefits) needed your help?

I say go ahead and suspend, but do not postpone the scheduled Debate.

I bet he is ,does not want Palin talking to the press anymore. LOL

This does not sound right to me. So many undecided voters have been expressing for weeks that this debate will help them determine who they will lean towards and now McCain wants to postpone it? My concern is that when it's Palin's turn to debate with Biden, will McCain have her postpone that debate as well for whatever reason? This financial crisis is currently being dealt with, why do we need to delay this important debate? Maybe I'm wrong, but this doesn't make sence to me.

What a great political move on McCains part. Obama quietly extends his hand to biPartisan move, and McCain has a news conference to 'look ' like it is all his doing. He is even using the words Obama used in his press conference last week.

Gotta give him credit ; shrewd move. Of course he wants to cancel the debate, because he can't juggle more than one thing at a time and he's slipping on the economy that he helped to shape for many years as king of 'deregulation' and Gramm chair of the banking committee .

Is he even on this committee? No. It is all a show. Typical.

I think McCain is using this as an excuse to avoid the debate because he is looking so bad in the polls right now! If they want to stop campaigning for a while, fine. But, I want the debate to still be held this Friday!

John McCain is a man of action. And that's what American's expect in a crisis..

When in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout:
McCain's new campaign slogan.

Give me a break. He had to cancel a 2 hour debate on Friday evening! Why can't he just fly back to DC afterwards? I had a bet going something would come and he would cancel since he's so out of touch and knows Obama will wipe up the floor with him. And the other shock, he mentioned 9/11 again..I can't believe he didn't mention his prisoner of war status too. WAKE UP PEOPLE!!!

Joe Biden just skewered McCain in his foreign policy speech. McCain is down in every poll. The bubble that McCain has tried to put around Palin is about to burst. So now, he must "suspend his campaign to help the public" with the problem that he was instrumental in creating. Brilliant chess move in his part, but it is also a ploy that I hope all of the American people can see through.

E-mail everyone involved with the debate and let them know WHAT YOU WANT..

Our next POTUS needs to be able to handle more than one issue at a time, 90 minutes for a debate, please.

re: the speech Senator McCain just gave, which you broadcast:
this is really great. i so admire both he and Senator Obama for the way they are responding to the bailout issue, by joining together to do what is best for all Americans. Please, please, news media – do not make any big deal over who got in touch with whom first – lets stick to the substance of this matter and not the little petty things that set people off. i have hated this campaign season, with the nasty, sniping ads from both sides, many of which are blatantly not true and designed to make people who are not well informed frightened of the other candidate. Now, refreshingly, we have two candidates acting like they truly care about what is happening to the American people.

Just another publicity stunt…

Of course it's a good thing to do. Would McCain have proposed this if his poll numbers weren't lagging? No, I don't think so.

What I read from this all:
Obama privately contacted McCain at 8:30am with the proposal of issuing a joint statement, but McCain chose to under-cut Obama and grand-stand publicly with this proposal to suspend the campaign. How ironic, attempting to gain political points by suspending politics.

A FEEBLE ATTEMPT TO DIVERT AMERICA'S ATTENTION FROM THE FACT THAT McCAIN'S AND THE REPUBLICAN'S ECONOMIC POLICY IS WHAT CAUSED THIS MESS TO BEGIN WITH.

Like they need McCain's economic expertise to solve the current problem . . .

Wow……That's all I can say

Suspend the campaigns to deal with the financial crisis … yes!

Delay the debate … NO!

This is an opportunity for the nation to see how both McCain and Obama can multi-task when the heat is on!!!!

McCain suspending the debate comes to show voters that he is not ready to discuss the issues with Obama. The excuse for the financial crisis is his way of being a chicken.. running with his head chop off.

John McCain has always put his country first, even before his own Life. That is a man of good deed.

May God continue to bless him to be 100 years old.

Looks like some "one-upmanship" by McCain. Obama calls FIRST to ask for bipartisan cooperation through a joint press release and McCain takes it one step further. McCain is desperate for any positive momentum. It won't change the outcome of the election November 4. Go Obama/Biden!

This leaves me speechless…really? oh man. Yes, the economy is in dire straits but this is the same guy who thought it was doing ok just a few weeks ago…is this really happening? wow.

Wow…took McCain 6 hours to respond. Wonder if it took him that long to figure out how to retrieve his voicemail? Good to see them working together on getting this mess straightened out.

I read this more closely, now I get it. OBAMA made the first request for a joint message about the importance of crossing party lines, and MCSAME is trying to steal the limelight on that.

Why am I not surprised.

Part of fixing the economy is the american people making an informed decison about future leadership. It shouldn't be an either-or.

john mccain is dirty he is trying to make it seem like he came up with this idea first when he wasn't also all he wants to do is garner votes – acting like he is the only one who can solve the probelm – he is running from the debate….I just want the debate to be honest and fair and those republicans are dirty old politicians who are hypocrites

OMG! Gramps is completely backing out of it. Again hiding behind the Flag,Patroitism,POW,Veteran status or a womans skirt.

Come on HERO! Be brave Lil Bush has got this,right? You cared about the Economy for the past 8 years,right? You admitted that you know didly about the Economy,right? You think because you invented the McBlueberry that you can save us now,right?

Get real…You have insulted me and ALL OF AMERICA with your Lies,Dirty Ads,Disgusting Tactics,Pandering for support, and now you are a coward?

Palin cant speak to the Media and face the Nation.Now you run away and hide? Are you both scared of questions or the answers that you have to give?

What kind of LEADERSHIP is this? Presidential—NOT! Not even worthy of being a bankrupt wall Street CEO…uhhhhh.

Obama-Biden are REAL,you fake fraudulent imposters!

Hahahah I strike again!!! Me likey America!!!!

Obama called McCain at 8:30 am…what time did McCain make a speech saying that it was all his idea?

DO NOT DELAY THE DEBATES!!! Emergencies will always pop up but we can not delay the election and as such, should not push back the debates. They will provide us with the clearest distinctions between the two candidates and allow all Americans to make informed decisions about their presidential choices.

That is total Bull**** Just another way for mcbush to run away from
problems..When is the last time he voted on anything ??He can't debate and his runningmate is clueless..Wake up media can't you
see what they are trying to do…Stonewall mcbush !!!

I think McCain is scared he'll get owned in the debate, which would undoubtedly center around the economy…

I agree that both of them should be back for the vote. I do think McCain is grandstanding, though. I don't think the debate should be delayed. We need to hear these two discuss the issues.

no…. DEBATES SHOULD STAY ON… don't give MCcain a chance to regroup

-V

We need to see the debate as scheduled, becouse of so many states already holding early voting just like my state of georgia and are trying to make a decision so that we won,t have to wait until November, when the lines at the polls will be long.

THIS GUY EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, THE SUPPOSED "MAVERICK" HAS MADE A POLITICAL MOVE NOT FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, BUT FOR MCCAIN AND MCCAIN ALONE!!!

FROM THE PALIN PICK TO THIS, ALL HE IS CONCERNED ABOUT IS GRABBING HEADLINE

WHAT KIND OF A "PRESIDENT" WILL RUN FROM THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND RUN TO WASHINGTON IN THE FACE OF EVERY CRISIS, WE DO NOT NEED A LEADER LIKE THIS!!

BRING THE MCCAIN OF 2000 BACK!!!!!!!!!

IM AM ASHAMED OF MCCAIN, SHAME ON HIM FOR TRYING TO MAKE THIS INTO A POLITICAL MOVE!!

Running scared McLame?!? Run all you want … all the way back to Wasilla or Panama!

This is a ploy by McCain.

He needs more time to study for the debate. Just like faking sick to miss the big test at school.

Anyone else believe this is a political move? Maybe McCain is falling apart and needs time to re-focus his campaign. This is something the American people do not need. We are trying to elect a new leader and cannot intelligently do so if they do not debate and talk about the issues with the American people. Lets have the debate on Friday and instead of talking about Foreign Policy make the subject of the debate the Economy.

Are you kidding me? Why is Mccain calling in sick to school the day of the test? Sad.

Obama intiated this call and wanted them to do it together. But Mccain for political reason took the idea and run with it. Obama Camp will release phone calls that shows how real mcain is.

So McCain wants to postphone the debate to go back to Washington to legislate on the new bridge to nowhere – the U.S. economy? LOL – that's lots of laughs Senator McCain. Great after the fact timing RepubliCONS…straightening the deck chairs on the sinking Titanic.

Enough IS Enough !

WHITE MALE HOCKEY DAD Obama/ Biden '08

Can he speak and hold a fork at the same time? What does suspending a campaign have to do with this?

The great multitasker. Stall…stall…stall…until he can pull the wool over our eyes.

He should suspend his campaign to learn more about the economy!! take sarah with you!

No way don't cancel the debates!

Finally one of the candidates is actually doing something. Good to see McCain call for a joint effort from both sides to get on this economy crisis. That is called leadership people. And you do not see that coming from the Obama camp. I am sure they will try to turn this into a negative for McCain.

I'm sorry but this deal, is gonna take quite a bit to take care of it. Is not gonna take 1 day or 2, it can take up to a week or more!! Details are still being planned out!! For crying out loud, Dems and Reps are working together. Don't tell me all of a sudden this will be wroked out…I say, forget the election! We might as well live our lives…

Please don't postpone the debate. Now more than ever we need to see both candidates, and know where they stand on the important issues. If they both are ready to be president of this country they should be able to spend 2 hours explaining their positions on foreign policy, and any other discussions that are to take place on Friday.

So…it was actually Obama who suggested that they take some time to address the prominent issue on Wall Street and McCains response was to "suspend" his campaign for that reason?

That is what I'm getting out of this.

Correct me if I'm wrong please.

I don't know about all y'all, but I think the debate is probably pretty important for us to see right now… getting a little nervous, McCain?

There is no need to postpone the Presidential Debates. There are a number of people working on this issue and the candidates are not needed.

I'm sorry, but that's not acceptable. Yes, there's a crisis, but the election will still take place on Nov. 4, and the American people need more information about the candidates. The President is the one who should cancel any vacations or debates – he may be a lame duck, but he's still the one who has the job and the responsibility that goes with it. And frankly, one thing that will help the markets settle is the election of the President – uncertainty before an election always increases volatility. Get on with it McCain.

He's behind in the polls, he's been caught lying, he's about to get creamed in a debate . . . who can blame him for wanting to suspend the campaign?

Nice try . . .

McCain is scared. The sky is not falling down today. We the people have not had a chance to see in a debate setting which of the candidate would be better at leading in time of war. We are in WarTime right now, and this debate is essential for the people to analyze the candidate foreign policy views. LET'S DEBATE!! The debate will only last a couple of hours!! Thereafter, you can go to Washington. WHAT A SOUR SPORT! DEBATE MCCAIN, DEBATE MCCAIN.

I feel McCain is delaying the debate because he is aware of that it will not help his campaign and this will give him time to adjust his campaign to be more effective…I see Presidential debate being postponed and Palin-Biden debate being 're-scheduled' for November 5, 2008

whaaaaat?????
Methinks he's panicking…that's weird!

This has got to be a joke right?!!!!!

McCain can run but he can't hide because I'm sure the FEDs are investigating his involvement in the failure of Silver Bank where his son Andrew McCain was CEO. Sounds like McCain aka Keating 5 all over again.

Sounds like a leader to me.

McCain/Palin 08

Let it be known. It was Barack Obama who called McCain @ 8:30 this morning to ask that they would both put out a joint statement, put politics aside, and return to washington to help with the problem.

Barack did NOT make this public because he wanted this to be nonpartisan.

John McCain instead, jumped the gun (like he does everthing else in his life) to make it look like it was his idea.

Barack: Thoughtful, Careful

McCain: No Honor, Lier

How convenient. Sounds like he's running scared to me and is looking for a reprieve to figure out how to fix his disaster of a campaign.

Oh give me a break! This "financial crisis" has been going on for some time and McCain has been a huge part of the cause. DEREGULATION.

He's running scared that Obama will call him on this so he's looking for a way out. Of course, the GOP will praise him for "saving the day" or some other lie.

Let McCain suspend his campaign! This is a tactic only to allow them more time to give Sarah a crash course in foreign policy! McCain will also lose the debate on Friday! It's a stall tactic! He just left one meeting bashing Obama! Now he is trying to set him up! Obama has momentum now and this is simply an attempt to derail him! This is what I mean when I say the GOP really thinks that absolutely every one is stupid except the crooks in his campaign! Let McCain suspend his campaign to save his wife's fortune! Obama's not married to Cindy, McCain is. We are not falling this bull!!!!! FORGET IT!!!

McCain is a clown. He is one gimmick after another. First Palin and now this. Is he that afraid of the debate or has the new polling numbers scared him?

McShame this is a cheap ploy and it will not work! The debates must go oooooooooonnn!!! Stop pretending like you care, you've been in washington for 26 years and you have never done anything to help mr. deregulator. Stop pretending. ENOUGH!!!

This is more Mccain Bushcrap!
There is no reason for the debate to be postponed!
This is more Mccain antics to draw attention away from the Democratic process.

What a joke. How is this in any ways comparable to the September 11 attacks? Pure politics.

This is another ploy by the McCain camp to avoid the media. We the voters need these debates to help us in deciding who the next leader of our country will be. I understand the economy crisis is a crisis, however, McCain is going to have to learn to multi-task like the rest of us.

It is not enough that Palin refuses to answer questions or answer subpoenas, now McCain is avoiding the wrath of the American voters when he asked about Phil Gramm and Black. It is very obvious that McCain was not ready for the debate on Friday. This is just one more diversion to keep from giving some serious answers to the American electorate. Senator McCain has no shame!

John McCain said, Tomorrow morning, I will suspend my campaign and return to Washington after speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative. I have spoken to Senator Obama and informed him of my decision and have asked him to join me,” He also called on the Commission on Presidential Debates to postpone the first faceoff until Congress has completed work on a bailout package. I don't think there would be much difference in what is going to happen with the current adminstration and Congress by your presence in Washington. I think thsi is another stall tactic by the republicans because they know the debates are just 2 days off. Don't fall for John McCains phoney concerns about anyone but himself. This will be solved in Washington alright, but Obama and McCain will hardly make a difference by being there.McCain needs more time to get his Poodle educated on Washington and also foreign and domestic matters.

WHAT KIND OF GAME IS HE PLAYING NOW? ISN'T THIS THE MAN WHO SAID, LAST WEEK, THAT THE FUNDAMENTALS OF OUR ECONOMY ARE STRONG? TALK ABOUT A FLIP-FLOPPER!

What a cynical ploy by the McCain campaign, and another self-serving attempt by McCain to paint himself as a "maverick" who cares nothing for the trappings of electoral politics. What brilliant economic policy is the man who admitted to not knowing much about the economy going to invent in the next two days? I hope the public sees this as the desperate attempt to postpone the debate and grab the headlines that it is, and doesn't confuse shady and sensationalist politicking with leadership and independent thinking.

Why suspend the campaign? Don't like what's going on with it?

He had 26 Years!!!

Obama-Biden 08

It's time for McCain and Palin to stop hiding.

Now the excuse is the economy… the bailouts have been signed, the deals are done. The time to stop campaigning was 2 weeks ago.
This is all smoke and mirrors to try to deflect from the fact that the McPalin ship is sinking quickly and the last thing they need is to be exposed during the first debate.

It won't work. This is the beginning of the end.

so obama innitiated the conversations… yet the headline reads mccain suspends campaign… HMMMM

What a coward. I think the crisis is the new poll numers. But fine. Obama, Buffet and Co. will go to Washington and play along. You can run but you can't hide.

What a coward. I think the crisis is the new poll numers. But fine. Obama, Buffet and Co. will go to Washington and play along. You can run but you can't hide.

McCain's action, considering he is totally clueless and ignorant of economics and the national economy, is called both "YELLOW" to debate Obama and a cheap political stunt. What a degrading spectacle he is making of himself and the GOP.

I am understand why Sen. McCain needs to grandstand at this critical time for the american people. I believe he can campaign as well as listen to his adviser and make a decision. He is hiding from us, Sarah Palin is hiding and I think American will need be fooled by this man. There is no need not to have this debate as we need to see what this candidate have to said, and if he need to make up his mind wheter he is replican any more, he need to do so on his time. He is scared, because he knows nothing, and needs a break from flip flopping.

CHICKEN !!!!!!

That is right LOT. I agree with you. Stop This Lying to The American People We are not stupid. Go on with the debate take it like a man.

How convenient that McCain wants to set his campaign efforts aside 2 days before the scheduled debate. He was the one that wanted town hall meetings-so what does he do-he shows the American people who support him or are not sure that they can wait to hear his stance on the issues in an impartial forum (town hall meetings would not have been fair or impartial). He wants to cancel the debate because he is simply NOT ready-NOT prepared-Scared actually that since Obama is ahead of him in the polls when it comes to the #1 issue-the economy and ever since he showed his true colors about being out of touch with the everyday American people when it comes to the economy. Also, how convenient that he didn't bother to mention that it was Obama's campaign that called him this morning first. McCain is forced to show his cards-he is not ready to debate-he wants to now all of a sudden LOOK like he cares. He never has and never will. He needs more time to prepare. Why couldn't he suspend the campaign until after the debate. At least get one debate in before doing this. The American people want to hear what both Obama and McCain have to say and where they stand. The problem with the economy is not going to be solved this week.

Something's up. Is the 'crisis' that bad that we need to delay the campaign?!!?

If the crisis is that bad that we have to do an all stop on the presidential campaign, then I am taking all my money out of the banks and it's going in my mattress.

Something is up…. I don't trust McCain that is why, delay or not, he will not get my vote in November.

Fix the mess VOTE DEMOCRAT in November!!!

So much for "joint statement"

Mccain announced it himself 5 minutes after agreeing, country first, right?

this is too freakin' convenient…I smell trouble and I don't like it!

Is McCain telling us that there will be no debate until election day if congress were to drag his feet finding a solution to this crisis? I don't see what he or Obama for that matter is going to do in D.C. to fix the issue. He did say he doesn't understand much about economy right? Let's stick to the original plan…Let's play ball. McCain don't fake your way around it…We can see through your political game.

If the McCain-Palin ticket wins because of their stalling, I honestly believe that the US has taken a turn for the worst.
The GOP is hiding behind this crisis of the economy. Pathetic!

Did the economy eat your homework, John?
Just do your best at the debate and get it over with. No need to postpone.
You and Palin are terrified to face Obama and the press.
Oh, and nice move to push your way into the headlines while pretending to care about Americas wealth.

CLEAR STUNT!!! BUT IT WILL WORK

Obama should not stop his campaign because we already have congress and the rest of the senate talking. Plus, we should have the debate because it is important to know what their plans are to solve this ecomony.

YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!

McCain is chickened!!!
He has nothing to say and is afraid to be defeated! Cheers…

The Obama campaign contacted the McCain campaign at 8am today to urge them to get together and issue a joint statement regarding the economic crisis. The McCain camp said, "Yea, we'll get back to you."

I guess suspending his campaign was McCain's answer to the Obama campaign's suggestion. He's trying to pull the rug right out from under Obama and this is a thinly-veiled attempt to politicize this crisis.

McCain, you're a sleaze ball!

ANOTHER ATTEMPT BY THE MC CAIN PEOPLE TO SIDESTEP ANSWERING OR SPEAKING TO THE AMERICA PEOPLE. GUESS WHEN YOU TRY TO TURN ON ADIME YOU TEND TO GET DIZZY. WE WILL NOT BE FOOLED BY HIS GREAT CONCERN TO HELP SOLVE A PROBLEM HIS PARTY NOW IS TRYING TO RUN AND HIDE FROM

Obama do not do it. McCain is not ready to debate you and is using an excuse. Its test time and he is not ready. He has been lying on you about your positions and now wants to play nice guy, HELL TO THE NO!!
Obama put the nail in the coffin!!

If McCain wants to be the President then I think he should debate Obama this Friday. Common, President's deal with several issues at once. I think it's just a political stunt by the McCain camp, and I seriously don't want a man who doesn't understand about the economy to solve this crisis.

Interesting.. I can see returning to Washington, but I can't see delaying the debates..

Sounds like a delay tatic to me so he can regroup because he knows he will not do too well and those polls shows are really not in his favor (really don't believe in polls) but I believe in hearts of hearts.. this is a move to delay the debates.

This is a fine idea, but it reeks of McCain's constant attempts to hijack a situation in midstream by acting like now that he wants to do something everyone should get on board his train, even if his opponent or the rest of congress are already busy doing equally concerned work.

Like this situation is new and everything McCain is saying hasn't already been said in a less self-centered manner.

The economic situation will last well into the election and after, delaying the debate seems like a play for time on McCain's part now that he's crumbling.

JOHN McCAIN IS CHICKENING OUT, because he's SCARED he will not do well in a debate when Americans are worried about the economy.

Don't cancel the debate: Let's see just how well John McCain is "prepared to lead."

McCain is making this dramatic step in "suspending his campaign" not because he is so "concerned" for the American public, but because he wants to divert public attention from the fact that he is up to his neck in this financial melt down. mess. His campaign advisor Ric Davis was receiving 15 thousand a month from Fannie Mae up until last month. Guess they won't be getting a check this month!!

are you really that scared to debate obama?

What? This is not a game. What's next? Suspend the presidential election? McCain admits the economy is not his strong suit and now he's going to go and "work on it"??? Give me a freaking break!

This is a back pedal/CYA move for McCain, as Harry Reid had recently announced that McCain was going to support the bailout. So unless Reid is lying, McCain HAD decided to support the bill, but, dare I say it? He flip-flopped and decided he does not support it. This is a well-timed move to avoid the debate Friday night which he would surely lose to future POTUS Obama. I hope that Sen. Obama does not fall prey to this tactic. McCain is scared!
OBAMA/BIDEN '08 & '12 YES WE CAN!

WOW

I guess McCain wasn't joking about putting politics aside when necessary and working across the aisle to get the job done.

Sen. McCain you have earned my respect and my vote TODAY!

That is a mistake for McCain. Now he will get out done on the Senate floor. Poor McCain, just can't stop tripping over himself with these poor decision. And so people want him to be our next President? It's hard to think of someone being worst than W, but I guess anything is possible.

This is all a political stunt. From what I know the call came from the Obama campaign first.

he's not the president.

This gets more interesting by the minute… what in the world

Sometimes leadership means there's multi-tasking involved. One of the many problems with Bush was that he was incapable of working on more than 1 issue at a time. Katrina? No can do, he had to fly off to give John McCain a birthday cake.

By all means, Senators Obama & McCain, work on the economy but please debate as well. One of you will be the next leader of the US and we need someone who's willing to commit the time and energy that's desperately needed. Surely you can give us 2 hours on Friday night.

But, I do think this is another crazy McCain campaign ploy. Grampy isn't ready for the debate so he's hiding behind the economy and hoping to appear magnanimous.

YEA RIGHT,

HE SUSPENDED HIS DEBATE BECAUSE HE KNOWS THAT HE'S NOT READY, I PERSONALLY DON'T TRUST THIS MOVE I THINK IS A TRICK SOME HOW OR ANOTHER

BE CAREFUL OBAMA WATCH YOUR BACK!

Do NOT cancel or delay the debate!!

old mac,
is scared of debate?

Isn't this the time that we most need to hear from the candidates to see where they stand so that we can make an informed decision? Now more than ever …
Given MCain's reluctance to take questions and the current movement in the polls towards Obama, it makes me wonder if he is moving into the same bubble in which Gov Palin is housed and of course under the guise of "crisis intervention". If he was so worried about the economic situation, why has he waited this long to suspend his campaign. Why now?!!!!

We need these debates no more than ever, in order to make an informed decision on which candidate is bets suited to serve our country in a time of crisis. Calling for a delay at this point, I think, is ridiculous. Taking a few hours at a time to inform the public on your policies isn't going to make our economic problems any worse than they already are. Work together, of course, but backing out of the debates indicates that you're not prepared to answer tough quesitons.

If Obama takes this bate he will lose the election!! The only way mcCain can win is to divert the focus of the campain away from his terrible selection of Palin and other decisions he has made that are causing him to slip in the poles. He has put Obama and the country in a terrible position. If he stops the campain Palin gets a free ride to the white house(you know she will cancel her debate) without anyone knowing who she is. If he stays on the campain trail republicans will say its because he does not care about our country. The election of the next president of the USA is maybe the only thing more important than the crisis we now face.

this is an absurd stall tactic. my guess is the republicans will want to call off the debates all together. I hope obama's group does not allow this to happen.

CNN – Cobama News Network
ALL BIAS, ALL BULL

What foreign policy experience does Obama have exactly??????
The "Obama Middle East/European Vacation" doesn't count.
HE is running for PRESIDENT, right?

This is a pathetic political stunt on behalf on the McCain campaign. McCain is the weaker of the candidates on several fronts, but, most notably, when it comes to the economy. Obama has the edge in the polls when it comes to this. McCain is trying to look like a take charge kind of guy when all he is really doing is buying himself time. While the crisis is certainly crucial, it does not call for a suspension of either campaign, and, most certainly, does not require a delay in the first debate. With only 40 or so days til election day, the debates are crucial. McCain amazes me more and more every day…

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

McCain needed some time to see his doctor and get prepared for the debate. He has been campaigning everyday and cant study at the same time. I wonder which of his 13 cars will take him to Washington.

He needs to let the America people see the debates and judge on who has the merit to lead us forward…the election date is not going to change…Voting has begun…this is just as sick as Lipstick on a Pig.

Obama must not back down…the Congress and the President will act…the Presidential nominees will vote when the bill is ready and McCain needs to get ready for the debates on Friday.

Yes We Can and Yes We Will

Ths a delay tactic of John McCain. He knows that he is not prepared for the debate. The debate was scheduled a long time ago. Let the games begin!

Please – How foolish are we supposed to be?

I want to hear them debate, especially now, if Mccain delay the debate, it just shows him running scare.

We might as well suspend the elections while we are at it – the way the mayoral election was suspended in New York, after the World Trade Center disaster – it may actually lead to Bush being in the White House for another year!! I do not know how many of us Americans can tolerate that – I do not believe that suspending the presidential campaigns will help this situation one way or another and it sure will not make McCain recoup in the polls. We cannot allow this crisis to paralyse due process in this country.

Alright STOP! Collaborate and listen…

an easy way out…McCain isn't ready to debate Sen. Obama! What a shame!!!!!

More phony gimmicks from McCain. Since he had much to do with the mess we are in – writing tons of the deregulation bills, he OUGHT to go try to fix it – but as usual he is grandstanding and trying to turn his duty into a press opportunity and I am sick of the phoniness of it all. Yes, McCain, go do your job, we all have to do our jobs – if we have one – but we don't expect medals for doing them. Frankly, he just does not want to debate right now because he will be skewered by the truth that he has done so much to put us in this terrible mess. But the truth will out no matter what.

way to duck the debate, mccain. instead of debating the issues you tuck them under a blanket of "bi-partisan" solution – even HE knows he was about to get his clock cleaned.

“Following September 11th, our national leaders came together at a time of crisis. We must show that kind of patriotism now. Americans across our country lament the fact that partisan divisions in Washington have prevented us from addressing our national challenges. Now is our chance to come together to prove that Washington is once again capable of leading this country.”

I thought he was against big government that is what he says in the ad he is running in PA. WHile I agree with what he is doing and hope Obama does the same, Mc Can is again changing his position, or so it woudl seem…just like he want dereg and now is for reg..

Could it possibly have something to do with his level of "preparedness?" Yeah, I'm thinking it does. But, because he's been a p.o.w. he's supposed to already know everything and have every answer for the woes of the country. At least wasn't that the argument of all of the speakers at the RNC…?

Wait… Now that I think about it, he's made the statement at every campaign stop "…and I know how to fix it…" I guess that I should be glad that McCain is pausing to go back to Washington to fix this for us. Yessss!!!!!

In all seriousness, please.

Oh McCain is good! He realized he has a on the fly debate prep that isn't working so he's using the crisis to move back the debate. That's a good cover Senator. How about you keep the debate and work out the crisis at the same time? You wanna push back the elction too?

Congress is working hard to put something together and the world does not have to stop to do it. This is a huge problem that really should take a lot of time to fix. People need to stop rushing it and get it wrong. Haste makes waste. We've had 8 years of a president making horrible decisions on the fly. We can't afford more of the same.

Keep the debate and don't force the solution or "your way or the highway" approach.

Really….This is one of the more desperate acts I've wtinessed in an election. Tell ya what….Make the debate a "Economic Policy" discussion. An open forum. Just a plain old political move by a wounded candidate.

has he finally lost his mind? what is his expertise that he's needed in DC to help out with this? there are professionals in place to do this. He's just running from the debate. he's afraid to face off with obama.

Bet my bottom dollar that McMoron is upto something nasty
I bet he is just buying time

So McCain do you mean to tell me you can't do more than one thing at a time? You can't run your campaign, debate and focus on solutions for our economy while you are a candidate for President?

Then why should we, the American people trust you to handle the business of this nation. Good leaders are able to handle several things at a time and for you to ask that the debate be move back with a little over a month to Election Day is CRAZY.

Sounds like you're playing politics with this financial crisis. I don't think you can be President if you can't handle several great tasks at a time.

I do not trust Mccain he is buying time to learn more about economy, as it stands now he has nothing to bring to the debate.

what will he want to do next????? Postpone the election???? Dude we are only six weeks away from the Presidential Election!!!!!
ANYTHING TO SLOW THE OBAMA SURGE!!!!!

Lemme get this straight. McCain, a guy who admits he knows squat about economics is suddenly indispensible and can't address a forum that millions would have watched? After insisting that economics NOT be the first debate topic??? Obama should debate an empty chair, it would be as intelligent.

JOHN McSAME IS DUCKING THE DEBATES!!!

OLD MAN YELL @ CLOUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Mccain is a wimp. Any other excuses, old man? You are no patriot, you big fake!

YOU CANT POSSIBLY BE SERIOUS. Fine, if you want to go to Washington and work things out, fine. But don't leave the american people hanging in the balance. We want to be INVOLVED and INFORMED (something the Mccain campaign clearly knows nothing about).

Good for Sen Obama for taking the intiative on this; and, good for Sen McCain for his want to work together with Sen Obama for the good of the nation. Putting politics aside is the appropriate thing for both to do under present circumstances.

Great idea, but if Barack had initiated this instead of McCain, all the detractors would be calling him a coward.

Bad double standard we have in this country. Gee, I wonder why……

This is ridiculous. McCain can't deal with two issues at once.? Fine move the debate to Washington but don't claim that a few hours spent on the debate will be a bad thing.

What if there are two crisis during a McCain presidency? Do we put one on hold?

This seems to be an effort to stir up fear that the entire economy is going to collapse without a rush to legislate.

This is wrong…just plain wrong.

He is only trying to break the momentum, which is now clearly Sen. Obama's favor. They are nearly tied in many states where McCain was favored to win, like Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida. Let the debates begin!

The Congress can work on the crisis McCain helped to create through deregulation. Don't give him a platform to pretend he's for regulation now.

Don't do it Barack! This is just another scare/rush tactic from the Republican party to trick Americans into giving in to their selfish initiatives! Stop using our money to bail out Millionaires and rush our votes!!!!!!

Let's just call this what it is. McCain just isn't prepared to debate Obama and he is stalling. I guess I would be afraid to go up against Obama to.

At what point is the media going to start questioning Sen McCain pattern of rash, unilateral and unneccesary announcements?

As much as it pains me to say, McCain is right, we need to get to get, end the bickering about who is/says what, and get this thing solved, and solved right. It's one of those "now or never" things. Either we get it done right and it works, or we do nothing or do it wrongly and it fails miserably. We are in dire straights right now, and we need to do SOMETHING to solve it.

I used to pretend I was sick to get out of exams in High School.

CNN I HOPE YOU PRINT THIS.

This is McCain running scared. Now that McCain helped kill the economy he want's to look "presidential." I'm sorry, but it won't work.

I WANT MY DEBATE ON FRIDAY NIGHT. No postponements to make McCain look good.

Obama/Biden 2008

This SOUNDS like the right thing to do, but I have to wonder if this is just a clever plan to defray all the negative talk about this campaign and trying to act presidential. Since their campaign has lied about so much else, I wouldn't put it past them.

It comes as no surprise to me that someone who has done nothing for months but throw mud (John McCain) would take an idea pitched to him by someone who has already put parties aside on more than one occasion and act as if this sudden revelation was his great plan for "reaching out". McCain supporters have constantly been saying "he's such a maverick", "he shoots from the hip". He has changed nearly everything he originally started his campaign with, and aligned himself with what Obama has been saying the whole time. My question is, in the event that America cannot wake up and see what is really going on here, where is McCain going to lead this country, without Obama to lead him????

I hope this happens, and I hope we honestly don't hear from them for a couple of days. Besides the fact that the entire country could use a break from the bickering, seeing the two of them actually work to fix the country instead of just talking about it is a lot more valuable to the American voter than a sound-bite debate. One nation, indivisible right?

This is such a gimmick…

my admiration for senator mccain.

WHAT A JOKE MCSAME!!!! HE IS AFRAID TO DEBATE WHILE THIS IS GOING ON BECAUSE IT MAKES HIM AND THE GOP LOOK BAD.

ARE WE SUPPOSE TO BE THAT BLIND!

SOunds to me like McCain got cold feet.This crisis has been going on for the past 9 days and now 2 days before the first debate he is so concerned about this financial crisis that the Republicans got us into in the first place.

NIce try McCain but no thanks!!!

Obamam/Biden 2008

What McCain doing is correct, deal with the country's financial crisis first. That is what McCain always says COUNTRY FIRST. Obama should also suspend campaign calls and delay first debate. Saving the country is more important than the debate. COUNTRY FIRST AND SELF SECOND

NO No No , Don't cancel the Debate Obama, 2 hours on TV will not help or hurt the economy by any means.. It's a set-up from the Repub camp, becasue McCain, Knows he his fighting a losing battle…

DO NOT Cancel The Debate!!!!!!!

That sounds like a guy who is not very confident in his chances.
Will he quit when things get hard if he becomes president

We don't need Mr. McCain nor Mr. Obama in Washington right now if it means their face to face meeting at Friday's debate is postponed. As our presidential candidates I want to see them together discussing our country's problems and how they think those problems can be addressed. There are already a great many people in Washington dealing with the economic mess. I suspect this proposal, to postpone the debate, was cooked up by Mr. McCains advisors [a little late in the day, if you ask me] to make him appear "concerned" about Main Street. It seems to me a rather transparent smoke screen. I'm sure they're worried about the debate, since the economy isn't one of Mr. McCain's strong suits. I hope the Obama camp insists the debate be held as scheduled.

McCain's statement should end with: "I'm John McCain and I approve this message."

This is a cynical, self-serving political ploy on the part of the McCain campaign, pure and simple.

wimp!

Sounds like he sees the writing on the wall, he is desperate and will do anything to try to make the American people think he truly cares about them. Just more of his lies.

McCain does it again. Obama makes a move of gesture inviting McCain to work together and McCain makes an immediate public statement as if it was him. YOU KNOW WHAT, I REALLY LIKED MCCAIN UNTIL I GOT TO KNOW HIM. Not sure if it is him or his string pullers, but this guy has no ethics, morals, or any other attribute a person would want in a leader or friend. This guy is just slime. I also think the gov't needs more high profile woman, but it would be better of drawing straws for a woman off the street then Palin. Not sure what strings were pulled for her to become governor of Alaska but she is realy brutal as a best foot forward by a woman in poitics, just brutal. So many better choices.

So now we hear it was Obama who call McCain 8 hour earlier to issue a joint message with their support of their common agreements for this bill. 4 hours later McCain agrees for a joint statement…two hours later McCain makes his statement! McCain has to go along the the Democrats so he doesn't lose all 50 states.
His changes have caused these problems. Obama brought them up two years ago when the disasters began in the home foreclosures, now we have McCain's attention. Too late, out of touch, will he ever get it?

What is McCain thinking, that he is the Super Hero that will solve all the problems, HE is the one that will rescue America from this mess which he has contributed too. Fine, if that is his choice but why does Obama have to do what he does? Like he (McCain) has blamed some of the recent woes on Obama's refusal to accept his offer for Town Hall debate, he obviously believes that if I dictate the program Obama should follow I can convince the American people that I'm the "best" to be President…unbelievable. And what does the debate have to do with going to Washington. IN THE MODERN AGE OF INSTANT GRATIFICATION, McCain can use webcast, telephone, conference call or duh, his straight talk express airplane and be in Washington if needed faster than Bush can say "Mission Accomplished".

So…Who's going to say it was my idea first? Nevermind that they are still collecting salaries to be Senators first. Why should they even have to confer with each other to do the job they were elected for in the first place. I really wish there was a viable candidate other than these two.

IT IS CALLED cold feet!
It may be delayed with all good intentions, but it will not be cancelled.

Vote Obama/Biden '08

oh please DON'T postpone!

Debate is just only for ONE NIGHT for you to stand up and present yourself to your country!

Is he really afraid of making himself looks like a fool in front of huge television audience or is he just not really prepared for Debate yet?

how laughable… I feel sorry for him already.

Obama/Biden '08

He is trying to buy time to:
– Avoid attention on Rick Davis $15K/mon paid by Fannie Mae.
– Put a break on the economy discussion that put him on defensive.

Ridiculous. This is not football game. You can't take a time-out.

Stall tactic, he's not prepared………….

the right thing to do but, don't be fooled, done for deeply political purposes and personal benefit …. let's see if he actually commands any grasp of the situation because his track record demonstrates he hasn't

translation: i'm not ready for the debate.

McCain's running scared from the debate. I mean, McCain is Mr. Economy, right? Not only does he complain about the rules and format until they're changed to his satisfaction, now he's not even going to show? Pathetic. There are simply no words to describe my contempt for this scumbag.

political pandering at its finest, he's not going to do anything more speical than what congress can do without him, he's not ready to debate so he wants to go to Washington for the photos,lets talk issues, time is of the essense on both fronts

So wait, I thought the fundamentals of the economy were strong? And now he's putting his campaign on hold? If anything, the fundamentals of the McCain campaign are about as strong as Wall Street investment firms.

I know McCain's trying to look proactive in an attempt to convey to the public that he knows what he's doing, and to do so ahead of Obama, but he just highlights the fact that he rushes to judgement with random, out-of-the-blue decisions. Not very presidential.

If anything, he's stalling because his poll numbers are sliding, he's not ready to debate, and suspending the campaign would give him an excuse to hide Palin away for a little longer.

McCain is setting Obama up-trying to run from the debate on Friday where
he knows he'll be swamped by playing oh so ever patriotic to the cause.
He knows nothing of economics so surely noone would consider anything
he says. If debates are held after the attempted cure is affected then
McCain will tout he "fixed the problem". Under no circumstance should
the debate be postponed even if it meant being held in Washington and
let Lehrer and Obama go there.

No, no, no! We need the debate on Fri and see you loosing. You can run but you can't hide, McCain.

You simply cannot trust McCain. He is a proven liar. He doesn’t care about helping the American people.

It is odd how he chooses to ‘suspend’ his campaign on the same day that he fell significantly behind Senator Obama in polls focused on the economy.

Another trick by McCain & Palin.

I've been waiting for weeks for this debate. Are you kidding me? It's a few hours. Give me a break!

McCain is unable to multi-task. What else is new? Obama was correct in calling McCain in an attempt to work through the financial meltdown. But for McCain to try and weasel out of the upcoming debate on Friday just goes to clearly show that he is not ready to lead this country in times of crisis. Where are the McCain economic advisors to help him. Oh, right, he's fired them all.

why postpone the debate? we're not going to delay the election,too, are we? he may just not be prepared. he's afraid of barack.

I don't trust McCain. He is upto something

Hate to be the first to say this, but I am sure if McCain were up by 10 points, he would not be asking for this "time out" from the campaign.
He stands to gain nothing from stopping the campaign, he does however stand to lose the election with the debate tomorrow.
Lets see where this plays out

A good political move for McCain. It's too bad he has destroyed his campaign with lies and boneheaded moves (like picking Palin).

He is obviously trying to show leadership and while some will see this, others will question his sincerity, preferring to say he is pandering to appear Presidential. He brought that criticism on himself by running a very bad campaign that has seriously diminished his credibility as an honest and sincere candidate.

I think both should go back to Washington and work on this, and who cares who called who first. It really doesn't matter.

McCain is not prepared for the debate…plain and simple.

You got to be kidding me right. He picks a loser. And now he runs from a democrat. You just lost my vote and confidence.

COWARD.

This is a cop out by McCain!!!! He needs to get out of the race completely!!!! McCain is responsible for the this whole mess all the way back to the Keating 5 savings and loan bail out when he should have gone to jail. He has been head of the commerce commission and he deregulated all the rules that were put in place after the 1929 crash!!! McCain NEEDS to go to jail this time and Cindy's money CAN NOT buy is way out!!!

This is truly ridiculous!!! What's next, delaying the election altogether?!! Can't McCain walk and chew gum at the same time? Apparently not.

Impressive. Except the bailout is a terrible, terrible idea. I really hope they don't decide to give my money away to these companies. I mean, are they going to bail me out when I'm in trouble? And I'm not even making bad financial decisions!

MCCAIN ISN'T FOOLING ANYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

HOW STUPID DOES HE THINK AMERICANS ARE?!

THIS IS JUST ANOTHER BS CAMPAIGN MOVE!

GO DEBATE YOU OLD COWARD!!!

Let McCain go to Washington. Let Obama play this little game.
THEN move the debate to Washington. If McCain doesn't play things as such, he's chicken, and definitely not fit to be the President of the United States of America.

This is a ploy! McCain is not ready to go head to head with Obama and his campaign is falling apart around him with people getting wise to Sarah Palin and Rick Davis once again being exposed as the liar that he is. $15,000 per month for consulting through last month from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. You mean that when my tax dollars are spent on the bailout, they will be contributed to the McCain Campaign by way of its manager.

NO WAY! NO HOW! NO MCCAIN/PALIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

John,
Now is the time to multi-task. Go to Washington during the day, Thursday and Friday, do the debate Friday night and back to Washington on Saturday. How hard is it? I mean I (as others) often fly around the country for business and then fly home that same evening to go to various meetings before having to return to work the next day. Really…. I mean it… How hard is that???

What grandstanding! Does anyone think that Congress is waiting for a plan from the guy who has several times admitted he doesn't know much about economics? Is he consulting the person he said is the best economist, Phil Gramm, who says our recession is imaginary and we are whinners? The fights for deregulation by Gramm and McCain have gone a long way to get us into this mess. Why should anyone trust their judgment for anything?

A born leader, not one propped up by the media.

MCCAIN WILL BE CHOSEN BY THE TRUE AMERICANS IN NOVEMBER!!

MCCAIN/ PALIN '08!!!

Nice Try McCain, but it'll take more than that to get out of this one…

Do us a favor John "Maverick" and suspend your campaign for good so America can move on and original real change candidate can go to work for us.

Palin can then go back to thinking and speaking for herself and moose hunting.

Your not ready to lead and your scared to Debate because Rove can not be there to tell you what to say…

Obama-Biden 08′

Right, he needs more time to prepare and this is just a so-called interest in the regulation of the markets , which he had never wanted to do prior to this week.

hmmm… not quite ready to debate John? Nice manuver.

Brilliant!! Obama now has to follow McCain and return to to washington or continue his campaign while McCain tries to fix the bailout plan. nice move.

He is just scared

Wow! That is a bold and respectable move on McCain's part.

Still not voting for him.

McCain waits till now to suspend the debates,excuse me, he surely does not want to debate Obama on National TV. I want a debate and I want it this Friday !!!!!

Suspend away Grampa – We have campaigning to do. By the way, are you going to try to co-opt "patriotism" for the sake corporate welfare along with being a war monger? If so, I must clearly not be a patriot.

nice way to save Palin from being roasted at the debates

Just figured out he can't compete…..

Here's reality….McCain is not president, Obama is not president…..McCain is blowing smoke by saying he has to work on it (not his job) and then criticizes Obama for not working on it (not his job either).

These issues need to be answered by the person who is the president, but he of course has no idea.

I'm sorry guys but this is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. Would somebody tell the Senator that he's running for President. I don't care who did that, or who said who, what the heck is this? All of a sudden we turned into a country of shame?? The election is about 6 weeks from now and I hear that the Senator is suspending his campaign? I don't get this…

I swear, I'm getting ticked of every minute…

Whew!

I'm glad that Sen. McCain is on the job!

Where the hell was he when all of this mess occurred?

Oh yes, he and his economic adviser, Phil Gramm were CREATING the situation by gutting all regulation.

Always the showman, never the statesman!

He knows that if the economy stays an issue he will lose…Wasn't it just last week that McCain stated that the fundamentals of our economy is sound? Now it is a disaster? Shows you how far removed this guy is from reality.

Oh OK…I thought the economy was sound an we were just whining. Now all of the sudden it's in such bad shape that a debate can't continue as scheduled. Which is it?

I guess the the telegraph which was meant to tell McCain of the failing economy finally reached him.

Just typical political tactics.

The Debates are the most important thing that the candidates can do now. Americans have the right to see these candidates debate each other, and hear their plans for our future. It is more important today, than it was last month, that they debate.

seriously mccain. you dont need to be scared of barack. you were a POW!

Nice trick. "Putting country before my campaign."

Oh… look… It's just a way to try to delay debating and look like he's so concerned about this bailout package.

Things not going his way so he has to mix it up and try to stop the trends… good strategy. But people see through it, and it is not going to work. The campaigns should continue while they address these important issues. You cannot call a "timeout" while being President. Multi-task and get it done.

What? What the heck? He can't campaign for president while fulfilling his other duties?

What a shrewd stunt this is by someone who knows he is going to get trounced in the debates. the sad part is that America and the Obama campaign are probably going to fall for this. As always, the Reps are shameless.

Could it be that McCain doesn't want to debate this issue? What better time to discuss the economy? Come on Obama…don't you cave!

GRANDSTANDING!!!!!

Now thats what you call a leader. He is making a decision to work on the economy instead of what may get him elected.

Obama – An empty suit saying anything he can to get elected. A man with no backbone and will not take a stance on anything unless its going to get him votes.

McCain – A battle tested leader who puts his country first.

This is political grandstanding, nothing more, nothing less.

Neither McCain nor Obama are members of the banking committee and the banking committee is the group that should be deciding this – they're the ones who are actually the experts on this.

Neither one should suspend their campaigns. They both have important jobs to do – talking to the American people and helping us make one of the most important decisions we have to make in choosing the next President of the United States.

McCain's request to suspend the debate is a slap in my face. It tells me he doesn't have enough respect for me to actually bother to speak to me. Instead, he wants to hole up with his cronies in Washington.

He is not ready to debate Barack Obama! He is posturing. Go Chris Dodd. You can tell McCain that you have the crisis in hand and that McCain support of deregulation over the years is the catalyst of this problem. Do not let McCain come into Washington trying to look presidential. This is what he wants. He is down in the polls and the American people think that he is not in control of his campaign.

Sarah Palin is right where she is most comfortable being. If she was opposed to the so called Sexist treatment, she should say so. She doesn't, because she is in her element.

Do I hear a chicken clucking?

Just a suggestion:

They should come together Friday at the debate.

MCShame delaying the debate to work on the Economy? That is a bunch of crock! This guy is looking for any excuse to delay the debate. You have the house, senate, many other advisors and congressional leaders to work on the issue of the Economy why does he have to delay the debate.

Why, you ask? McLoser isn't ready for the debate. He knows he will lose because he knows nothing about anything.

Why would he help with issues with the Economy. He has even said on national television that the Economy isn't his thing. Hell, I will go to work on the Economy in his place. I am much more qualified because although I can't see Russia from my bedroom window I know I am better with numbers because I know how many homes I have.

GO HOME MCLOSER AND FAILIN!

OBAMA/BIDEN 08!

Why not move the debate to DC? Why postpone? Is he not prepared? They are at 9:00PM. Seems he needs to lean to multitask. If he cant debate and work on the economy how on earth can he run a country??

The American people want to hear from Obama, McCain and Palin. We heard a GREAT speech from Biden today. Let the debate go on! What in the world can McCain do now? He did not do any thing all those years who was in camp with Bush? Let the debate go on … McCain does NOT have an answer for the economy woes, or we would not be in this predicament today.

It's the same as him saying, "When I'm President, I'm going to get BIn Laden … why wait?"

lets just go ahead and vote Barack in today and let him get to work fixing what the republicans messed up, why wait till nov. lets impeach Bush and Cheany and vote today for either mcSame or Barack. Thats something I can vote for. Barack Obama is going to be the next President of the United State, McCain and Palin Know it Bush knows it lets just get this thing moving along. We can afford more of the same we can handle any more Bush or any Mccain

So let me get this right. Obama's camp called McCain's camp at 8:30am. Both camps wanted to release a joint statement to the public? Yet McCain's camp acts as if it was their idea, and wanted to beat the Obama camp to the punch and released a statement first, so Obama's camp wouldn't get credit for coming up with a plan to have both camps put campaigning and politicking aside? McCain is a real loser!!! Unoriginal, uninspiring, NEMWIT!!!

What? you've got to be kidding me. I hope this is not Mc Cain running with his tail between his legs from the debate.

Now McCain wants to one-up Obama by suspending his campaign after Obama reached out to him to issue a joint statement…another extreme irrational response by McCain. He knows that he is not doing too well in the Presidential race and he wants to post pone the debate because he is ill prepared. McCain is desperate! LOL

Puhhhhleaze! Using the current economic crisis for BS campaign posturing and decrying UNITY!

I can so easily picture the McCain of years past slamming his fists onto a fold-out table in some dank room with drop-ceilings while screaming at everyone around him, "DEREGULATION! DEREGULATION! DEREGULATION!"

This guy is such a political stooge. Oops, sorry, I mean… MY GOSH! What a leader! Willing to put aside his campaign to go back to Washington and lead our economy back from the brink! PLEASE! Save us John!

PUH-LEEZE! Stop MCSAME! You are all over the place and you ERRATIC behavior is not helping your campaign! You are TANKING in the polls and now you are trying another stunt!!!!!!!!!!!!

HEY MEDIA! Don't let the McCain camp hide under these false pretenses!! Grow some spine and go after them! Their platform of reform and transparency is being destroyed by their insistence on secrecy and lies, just like the Bush administration.

HEY PEOPLE! If McCain tries to control the media during his campaign, how transparent and accountable will his Whitehouse be?

WAKE UP!!!!!

I think McCain's position is a brillant political move. It smacks of Karl Rove! Do I believe McCain's motives are pure? No. And, bringing up the unity that followed 9/11 is stretching. We all know the outcome of the 9/11 move. We are in deep kaka.

No..No..No do not delay the debates. They are crucial right now. I feel as though you all should be able to do both. It's called multi-tasking.

McSame is just trying to stall. And then he will try and move back the debates with Good Ole Sarah and Joe Biden. I say no..no..no…McCain/Palin!!!

I'd think this was a thoughtful gesture, but it smells of political posturing to me.

McCain is not the man he was in 2000.

Everything he does is for political game. He has lost all credibility with me.

Another cynical move by John McCain to dupe the American public. He is so ready to bailout his millionaire corporate buddies he will vote for the bailout that President Bush is seeking. Where is the self-touted Maverick? He has turned into an unprincipled man. I once had great respect for him. I will vote for Obama in November.

There is no better time for a debate than now. This is an incredibly transparent indicator that McCain is simply not prepared for the debate.

Obama had called each McCain this morning to work something out bipartisan, but leave it up to John Wayne McCain to run out on his own and try to make himself look more American. They could have made this announcement together.

and then to bring up Sept 11th! Seriously??

Obama is always suggesting unity while the other side can only win with division. It's so sad to see McCain throw himself away this late in the game.

OBAMICANS

This is ridiculous! McCain at his own admission knows nothing of Economic yet he is suspending his campaign to solve the crisis. Maybe it would be best if he just suspended his Campaign.

Yeah, lets' postpone the debate so we can hurry and create a long-term solution for a huge mess in as short as time as possible. Hit the panic button! Are you kidding me? Mr McCain this financial issue is, or should, going to take a lot longer to fully digest and solve than 8 weeks. What, you want to postpone the election as well? I mean, I appreciate the effort, but I highly doubt two guys missing from the table will have much impact. Especially when YOU'RE the one who favored deregulation which helped lead to this mess.

Or how about all you politicians take a look at Economist Wesberry's plan. Google it. It's a great idea the media isn't reporting on. Extend insurance but extend no loans. This would help unfreeze the market and cost around 40 billion instead of 700 billion. I don't like it, but 40 is less than 700.

HMMM DID NOT SEE THIS COMING BUT IF I COULD DODGE A POTENTIAL DAMAGING PERFORMANCE BUT NOT ATTENDING MEDIA EVENTS (ALA PALIN) THEN I WOULD ALSO. BUT THE TRUE TEST OF HIS WILL IS IF HE WILL PULL HIS NEGATIVE ADS WHILE SUSPENDING HIS CAMPAIN OR IS THIS JUST A CHANCE TO GET OUT THE DEBATES.

FREE SARAH PALIN! Brown said it BEST!!!

Is John McCain afraid to debate Obama? Seems like it.

McCain has been nothing but a complete jerk during this entire campaign, now, he wants to work with Obama? Neither of them are in the white house and what can they do?
This is just a campaign ploy on McCain's part.

Oh my God! The old man is done. Why does he need to be physically in Washington. The campaign is too hot for him! He needs to cool off. The GOP is up to no good.

THIS IS THE TIME THAT MCBUSH TRIES TO DECEIVE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE BY PRETENDING TO HELP SOLVE HIS PARTY'S WRONGDOINGS.
I AGREE THAT THE FINANCIAL CRISIS WE ARE IN NOW IS EVERYONE'S FOREMOST PROBLEM… BUT THERE IS NO WAY HE CAN PUT HIS REPUBLICRAP VIEWS BEFORE OUR COUNTRY'S HEALTH. TO ME HE SHOULD REALLY CHANGE THAT "COUNTRY FIRST" B.S. ON HIS POSTERS TO "PARTY FIRST" OR "CEOs AND SHAREHOLDERS FIRST."

GIVE ME A BREAK HE IS GOING UP TO CAPITOL HILL AND TRY TO GIVE SECT. PAULSON THAT BLANK CHECK HIS IDOL W. BUSH WANTS IN ORDER TO LEAVE AMERICA WITH A GREATER DEBT IN CHINA, AND GIVE BIG OIL AND BIG COMPANIES MORE MONEY… AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR SOCIAL SERVICES.

I cannot believe McCain is taking this step! Cancel the debate? How about DEBATING THIS IN FRONT of the public? I want to hear what each of them have to say!!!Does he think the country will just stop unless he runs back to Washington to fix everything for us? That's it, he's officially a nut job in my book.

AGAIN, McCAIN AT ONE OF HIS POLITICAL JIMMICKS AT WORK.

THERE MOST BE PERSONAL REASON FOR THIS!

NOT JUST A MATTER OF PUTTING COUNTRY FIRST.

I BET IT.

So it was Obama's idea, but McCain is making it look like it's his…

I don't know for you guys but there is something not very clear about McCain's intentions!

very admirable for mccain to do such a thing – regardless of motive. but, at least for me, it still does not sway my opinion of his debilitating economic philosophy that has led us to this crisis in the first place. see, if politicians can just sway back and forth between what issues and policies to advocate on their platform according to what is "right" at any given moment, heck then even I can be president. all I would need to do, as mccain is doing, is reinvent myself every step of the way so I can garner whatever support I can get.

what a coward

Look, I get that they want to help the economy, but maybe, just MAYBE McCain should have thought of this back when his pal Phil Gramm was deregulating the crap out of the economy. This is so ridiculous.

This is BS!!! What does doing your day job have to do with a Friday night debate? McCain has been slipping in the polls, and he's trying to curtail Obama's momentum.

McCain is afraid to face Obama in a debate. If I was a moron, I wouldn't want to debate Obama either. He is hoping that the mystery that is Palin will carry him to victory. I would not bet on it.

Mr. Obama, PLEASE DON'T FALL FOR THIS, as President, there will be many issues, job, commettees, and world issuese you will have to deal with at the same time. I sure you can debate, on Friday night, get to Washington by Saturaday and still do your duities are a Senator.

By the way he only call you Senator, when he up to something and other time you just Obama

I'm a lifelong Republican, but this is the last straw. Canceling one debate on Friday to fly back to Washington is going to help mitigate the crisis? What is McCain going to do? Rewrite the bailout legislation? He's just not ready to debate and needs an extension. This is the kind of thing I used to do when I was in college and needed more time to write a paper. The duplicity has reached new heights, and I may now need to hold my nose and vote Democrat for the first time in my life.

Jacques Hampstead

Obama has to make the first moves. Good leadership makes the first move.
That is our leader, Obama.

Well, if it was Obama's idea, it would only be because of his inexperience with foreign policy and worried about the impression he would make in Friday's debate.

or…

It would be just like McCain to ROCK THE VOTE!

absolutely not! what a crock. Scared for the debate are we?

How many mulligans before this man puts the ball in the hole? This is another in a line of desperate maneuvers.

Here's hoping that Congress says NO to the Financial PATRIOT Act. Millions of Republicans, Democrats and Independents are against this full and unlawful bailout.

Looks like McCain is doing some Show business. There is a Republican President to deal with the crisis. No need for McCain.

Suspend his presidential campaign and debate? Why not just forfeit altogether? Acknowledge that his Party has messed up big time and nothing can be done to fix this short term. Hell no, people. We absolutely need MORE debating right now. Let US ask the questions and get straight answers.

Can anyone say "Grandstanding"? Give me a break!

A solid bipartisan move by Senator McCain. Leadership defined.

Chicken!!!

What the **** does 9/11 have to do with this? You can't just keep bringing it up and hope it makes sense. Do you really think we are this stupid? This "financial crisis" is nothing compared to 9/11. You ought to be ashamed for comparing the two, McCain.

Weak. Excuses, Excuses.

Sounds to me like somebody isn't ready to debate. This is exactly the kind of self-rightous move I should have expected from McLAME.

Puked out of the debate is more like it!! Puh-leeze!!! McCain is running scared and knows he will loose the debate against Barack Obama!! The crisis has been ongoing for the past week and a half, and now, two days before the first debate, McCain wants to cancel!!! He all of a sudden NOW wants to show bipartisanship because he's unprepared and slipping in the polls. JOHN McCAIN – NOT READY TO LEAD!

Barack the Vote!!!

The American people are ready for this debate….stalling McCain??

Newsflash to John McCain. The Congress is already working on it in a bi-partisan way and has been doing so since Monday. They're trying to hammer out a sensible and fair deal from the ball of wax that Bush and Paulson tried to ram down our throats. There's no need to turn this very serious issue into a publicity stunt Mr. McCain.

This action by John McCain seems like a political stunt. I am getting sick of politicians playing around with the American people's lives just to get elected.

McCain sure knows how to pull a rabit out of his hat. This just shows McCain is not ready for the debate nor did he say that Obama reached out to him 1st.

Why can't he fly to DC … help out and fly out to whereever the debate will be … AND then FLY back to DC ….. the thing here is to FLY .. duh! of course he wants to stop and re group cuz he is losing! I am ok with you and Obama no geting your hands in this mess.

What in the hell is he up to now? I smell a rat!

This is a pitiful attempt to delay the debates which McCain knows he is not ready for. He is trying to play Americans for pity after he has had years in the senate to show some leadership. Obama said it best, "they think we are stupid" unfortunately some people are.

McCain is a sly one, you have to admit – if Obama keeps campaigning, it will appear as though he doesn't care about the American people, but if he suspends his campaign, McCain will maintain his slight lead until the election.

Let's see if Obama will actually put the country first over his own ego.

This is BS- he is grandstanding!! The only problem with this how can they reschedule a debate 2 days before it is supposed to take place. This is Malarky as my boy Biden would say. He is trying to stall so that the Debate- although primarily about Foreign Policy- doesnt turn to Economic issues. This is a STUNT of all STUNTS!
As much as I agree that attention should be paid to this Economic Crisis there are more than enough butting heads in Congress right now the last person they need is McCain mixing things up- even Congressman have suggessted the Candidates stay out of it right now- there are only 39 days until the election and the clock is ticking for American's to really hear out both candidates on the issues!
This is a joke! McCain is trying to buy time for himself and nothing more. You can't try to change the game in the 9th inning… this is so rediculous and now Obama is going to railroaded to go along with it.
Whatever- another show from McCain…

Obama/Biden 08!!

Don't trust McSame on this. It's all politics for him. Watch the debate, and he'll bring it up to say he called for this first.

It would be best for McCain to cancel all debates

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He should just go on and suspend his campaign indefinately.

McCain shows us that America is First by stepping back to solve our economy problem while Obama enjoys it because he believes that the economy down turn will help him to get elected!!!!

Wake up Americans!

McCain has sunken to a new low. He's using this economic crisis as a political tool to demonstrate his "leadership". Meanwhile, he avoids the debate and puts Obama in an uncomfortable position. I hope that the American population is smart enough to see through this scummy tactic.

Great leadership Obama, do not accept to be led because you are born to lead. McCain is suspending his campaign saying that he wnats to fix this economic crisi created by republiacans and their government. But the problem is that McCain does not understand economy, he could have continued his campaign and Obama will solve it while campaigning, multitasking is somehthing Mccain cannot do, but Obama well.

What is not reported here is that Obama was the first to contact McCain to come together to issue a joint statement on this crisis. How interesting. Once again, McCain takes Obama's lead.

This is gamesmanship, plain and simple. It's so funny because I just saw Rick Santorum on Fox last night saying that these candidates have no business coming back to Washington because neither are on the Senate Banking Committee and so they'll get in the way more than they can help. I think McCain realizes that the American people are waking up to what Republicans, with his help, have done to this economy. He needs to seem like a leader so this was his way of doing it. I'm pretty sure when everyone realizes there is nothing McCain or Obama can do about this situation except vote yea or nay, this will backfire. McCain hasn't voted once since April and now he wants to rush to Washington and ring his hands while other people do their jobs. Give me a break.

WHAt? Why in the world should the American public have to wait another moment for the debates. If anything this makes them more important as we need the forum so we may decide who will something about the unregulated mess created by BUSH!

John, I support you, but you've fallen into the trap of asking "what's the government going to do about this". How about nothing? Why should I trust a government solution? Why should I think the price will stop at $700B? I'll bet it goes over $1T.

John, this problem will outlast the campaign, so it sounds like you just want to approve the $700B package and move on.

If you want less government, then let's have less government. This whole mess is a trap for the Republicans and for the taxpayers. I feel the hands of both parties on my wallet – does anyone think $700B comes for free?! Let these financial houses fail!

What is it with our entitlement-driven culture today? This $700B bailout is no different from bailing out New Orleans after it's been destroyed numerous times by flooding, or bailing out the insurers who do business there. Why do we do this to ourselves?

give me a break – there is a different reason you don't want to debate – because you have no ideas. You can't simply stand up there saying Obama this and Obama that. Sorry John, at the debates you actually have to start talking about what you stand for and since pandering to the rich isn't a great debate theme, you've got nothing.

Ugh please. You didn't do anything for 26 years. You know NOTHING about the economy, yet you're going to suspend your campaign????

Give me a break!

mc cain is doesnt want to debate the economy what a coward.

Houston, I think we have a problem!

Ok, so, oversights are going in, exec.’s compensation is being deliberated on, mortgage pieces are being put into play, but no one has addresses what about those people that were too poor to even get a home and that have been laid off one or more times in the last few years? They just get to help pay the bill but not get any benefits?!?! This too needs to be addressed. But hey, I am just a little fish in a big pond that will be gobbled up without anyone taking any notice
Obama / Biden 08

This a poltical trickery game, if it was so important to devote time to work on the economy, why wasn't this decision made days ago?? The polls are scaring the McCain camp, again by any means necessary.

Ok so change the subject for the debate to the Economy and hash it out there… They are trying to kill two birds with one stone here…Delay all the debates indefinately and rush through a rediculous bail out plan..and if Obama says "Nope, lets have the debate" then McCain will look like he is putting "Country First" Tell me why someone who is on record saying to the effect "I dont know jack about the economy" suddenly is needed to help figure out this mess? Whatever

Obama/Biden '08

This from mister "fundamentaly strong economy"…

He and Bush must have really screwed things up…

10 to 1 away from the camera he Asks Obama how to make it all better, because he doesn't have clue 1.

I guess he is going to fix the economic problems all on his own. Sorry Mr. McCain but your running like a dog with it's tail between it's legs. You know you are a lousy debater, and that there will never be a rescheduled debate. America, this should be a wake up call. He and his PAL IN lies will never get to the Whitehouse.

hmmm no coverage for his vp pick and now he wants to delay the debates????either mcains not ready or he has something up his sleeve

Don't do it Barack. This just proves McCain doesn't know how to multitask – he is not ready to President. This is crazy and another republican scam!

Smart move on McCain's part. He was getting killed in the polls over his economic philosophies. He also knew the debates were focused on Foreign policy and that Iraq would be center stage, putting more light on the amount of money we're spending to "help" the Iraqis while Americans are hurting.

He's going home to lick his wounds and hide behind the "crisis"

talk about bailing out when times get tough…maybe it would be better if they kept the debate, but changed the subject to the economy

Hmmm…so it was actually OBAMA who contacted John McCain in the hopes of issuing a bi-partisan statement, and showing true leadership in the process. And then it was MCCAIN who twisted that for political gain by issuing a statement without Obama that makes it look like he's above board, not to mention adding the extra effort of trying to wriggle his slimy way out of the debate on Friday? Interesting. That's right, McCain, Country First. It doesn't matter if you have to steal someone else's idea to do it.

it's simple, if you delay this debate, then you have to delay the debate between Palin and Biden, he's equally scared of that.

nice try, mr maverick, but you know that debating at this time when americans blame republicans 2 to 1 for the economic woes, that you dont want to be up in front of that many viewers being proven to be an avid deregulator.

the debate goes on. now is the time to debate. you keep crying that there aren't more debates, so debate. its friday night, the markets are closed and Paulson is asleep anyway.

This is a ridiculous stunt cooked up to avoid the first debate as John McCain and his handlers begin to realize his campaign is going down the tubes. Let Congress do its job and then vote on the final plan. To use this economic crisis as a way to avoid the first debate, and thereby prove how weak a candidate he is, John McCain only proves more and more why he will lose this election.

McGrampy is scared!

IMVHO, I think it is another ploy by the Mr. McCain and the RNC as a delaying tactic so they will have enough time to think what exactly are they going to do for the current financial crisis and to let some steam come off for the Republican party. Unfortunately for the RNC, the wall street disaster has given Mr. Obama the boost and actually refocuses the people 's attention to what is really important ( and that wouldn't be Mrs. Palin's debutant ball, i daresay). Surveys have shown that more than 50% of the nation thinks the economy's woes are because of the republicans. More than ever, the American people needs the debate because I believe we need answers and concrete ideas to what will happen in the next 4 years. Postponing it for a day or two won't change anything. The entire world is looking at America's economy. Don't you think that is the greatest pressure of all to force the present government to do something. I am not belittling Mr. McCain's "honorable" motives but I don't think that both McCain and Obama can do something drastic to change it when "everyone" in the government is already trying to figure things out. Doing the debate as scheduled is actually more help to the people to decide on what they want for their future and their sons or daughter's future. Besides, in less than 50 days, wall street may still be weak but there would be a different president with perhaps a different approach by then.

McCain is scared. I am beyond sick of his tatics. I don't trust him, just like i dont trust Bush's Bailout Plan.

NO WAY NO HOW NO MCCAIN/PALIN

Well, if it was Obama's idea, it would only be because of his inexperience with foreign policy….

Don't fall for it Obama. I think McCain is not ready for the debate. How can someone "suspend their campaign" to work on the economy when they have stated that they don't know that much about the economy? He's one of the reasons why the economy is in the sad shape that it's in now.
Just say NO.

Sorry if I sound a little jaded when it comes to the McCain camp, but this smacks to me of a political stunt to make Obama look bad and to postpone a debate for which McCain doesn't clearly feel ready.

I feel pretty confident that many people are going to make this appear as though McCain is running away. I will say that I'm glad they're making an effort to unite, as I'm worried about what will happen when a new president is elected and half the country is unhappy with the choice. Maybe this will remind everyone that no matter who wins, we must unite as one country once it is finished, and work together to make the future brighter for BOTH Republicans and Democrats.
However, I am disappointed that the debate is being pushed back, as I was looking forward to finally getting to some substance of the issues rather than just hearing ads and finger-pointing.

Obama asked for bi-partisonship *three* days AGO.

Why is the Obama Campaign lying, McCain did the right thing for the country "Country First", Obama once again is following behind and trying to take credit as usual, he is a fake.

Thanks John McCain

I beg my candidate, Sen. Obama, to not fall for this McCain "theatrics" and stick to the plan for the Debate on Friday night. We need to see how our candidates think on their feet about this serious crisis and how their plans differ. Could it be that McCain doesn't feel prepared to debate Sen. Obama? The experts are dealing with this now let's hear how the candidates shape up during the debate process. Early voting has already begun and the voters deserve more than a "run and hide" maneuver by the McCain camp.

Its total gamesmanship by McCain! There's no reason he can't debate on Friday. First Palin. Now this? Enough with his seat of the pants style! He wants to hold the debates hostage to the financial crisis. I feel sorry for all of the folks on Oxford Mississippi

he does not care about the economy…he cares about his campaign—this is not suspending his campaign-this is all about campaign.
Will the public buy it?
Lets see how gullible they are?

This is the pander of all panders! The only thing that has changed this past week is McCain's poll numbers.

THIS IS CLEARLY ANOTHER McCAIN JIMMICK.

I BELIEVE HAVING A DEBATE ON FRIDAY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHATS GOING IN CAPITAL HILL.

AGAIN, IS HE TRYING TO SHOW HIS LEADERSHIP OR TRYING TO AVOID THE DEBATE. CERTAINLY HE WILL LATER SAID HE PUT HIS COUNTRY FIRST, AGAIN!

WHY DID'NT HE SUSPEND HIS CAMPAIGN BEFORE NOW? HE THING MEETING WITH THE WORLD LEADERS IN NYC IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE ECONOMIC CRISIS OR WHY IS HE SUSPENDING HIS CAMPAIGN AT THE EVE OF THE FIRST DEBATE.

I DON'T BUY THIS AND I THINK OBAMA SHOULD NOT SUPPORT THIS. BOTH CAN RETURN TO CAPITOL HILL ON SATURDAY AFTER THE DEBATE.

THAT IS IT.

McCain has had decades to work on the economy and look where it's gotten us.

absolutely not! what? can't mccain multi-task? this is ridiculous. if mccain becomes president is he going to postpone one agenda for another?

how convenient to ask for a delay in the presidential debates. unexceptable!