September 27, 2008
Posted: 03:30 PM ET

From , ,
Sen. John McCain spent part of the day making phone calls to make sure negotiations go well on the bailout plan.
Sen. John McCain spent part of the day making phone calls to make sure negotiations go well on the bailout plan.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – A top aide to Senator John McCain said the Republican presidential candidate will not go to Capitol Hill Saturday afternoon, as negotiators meet to work out a deal on the financial bailout plan.

Senior adviser Mark Salter just told reporters outside McCain’s campaign headquarters in Arlington, VA that the Senator will instead continue to make calls to members of Congress.

Salter said he will not go because “he can effectively do what he needs to do by phone. "He’s calling members on both sides, talking to people in the administration, helping out as he can.’’ The campaign said it will release a list of people McCain spoke with later Saturday.

Senator Barack Obama, traveling for campaign events in North Carolina and Virginia, spoke Saturday with Congressman Barney Frank, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Senator Harry Reid, his campaign said. The Democratic presidential candidate was briefed on the latest with the negotiations.

McCain returned to Washington early Saturday morning from Memphis following last night’s debate because of the bailout situation. He decided to deliver a Saturday evening speech by satellite to a group in Columbus rather than traveling there in person.

Salter said, “We hope to have a deal in place so we can get back on the trail.”

Update: According to the McCain campaign, the Republican nominee called President Bush, Treasury Secretary Hank Paulson, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke, Sen. Mitch McConnell , Sen. Judd Gregg, Sen. Jon Kyl, Leader Boehner, Rep. Blunt, Rep. Putnam, Rep. Cantor, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, Rep. Tom Davis, Rep. Chip Pickering, Rep. Heather Wilson, Rep. John Shadegg, Rep. Flake, and Rep. Marsha Blackburn on Saturday.

Filed under: John McCain


Paul, NY   September 27th, 2008 4:46 pm ET

WHY COULDNT MCCAIN LOOK OBAMA IN THE EYES LAST NIGHT?????

Not ONCE!! Total lack of respect..Made him look like a real coward!!

Theogracias   September 27th, 2008 4:46 pm ET

After seeing him last night I know McCain will do nothing in Washington to improve the result. He clearly lacks the knowledge and the brains. He is as dumb as W.

Just another little man spoiling for a fight. Pathetic, makes America look dangerous and on the way down.

Martha   September 27th, 2008 4:44 pm ET

Oh, maybe he should suspend his campaign today, but that would not be too expedient, there's no debate on Monday. So, what was the big fiasco on Wednesday, putting country first or McCain first. All McCain is doing right is political posturing. He needs a something to redeem himself from the debate fiasco.

Sue Ellen Stamp   September 27th, 2008 4:43 pm ET

What can we say? The public knew that McCain was pulling a stunt when he rushed to Washington on Thursday, upset the organizers who had invested 5 mil. in hosting the debate, did nothing in Washington but cause dissention and waste the lawmarkers' time. I just hope that he was told by people on the Hill that he's not welcome to attend the meetings, and that they'll see him on voting day.

This man is scary! He's surely entering into the world of never,never,land and he should not even be on the ticket. Can't you just imagine he and Palin running the White House? God help us all if that should happen! SES

Cheryl   September 27th, 2008 4:42 pm ET

Does he really know where he is going on a daily basis?

surprised?????disgusted!!!!   September 27th, 2008 4:42 pm ET

Salter said he will not go because “he can effectively do what he needs to do by phone……so why in H__L did the Pitiful Old Warmonger go in the first place?……he really screwed things up big time…….

Michelle and Sen. Obama after the debate was over walked over to that couple and shake hands, WHAT A COUPLE!!!! superb performance during and after the debate.

kris   September 27th, 2008 4:42 pm ET

McCain just realized it could be done by phone! Hahahaha
He should have just suspended his run for president.

Jaz   September 27th, 2008 4:41 pm ET

We all know McCain did nothing to help push legislation for the bailout.

Obama/Biden 08

Independent   September 27th, 2008 4:39 pm ET

LMAO…oh my gosh this is surreal. IS THIS NOT WHAT OBAMA has said to do and has been doing for the past week. Handle the situation by phone so the cameras and stuff do not follow you into the negotiations. WOW McCian proved his incompetence with this crisis.

Ovitshio Branco   September 27th, 2008 4:37 pm ET

What a surprise. He is a joke and unfit to be President.
And just what Vets was he talking about that trust him? I spent 27 years in the military and I don't trust him and do not believe he has the best interests of the USA in mind.
And why hasn't anyone been discussing how Keating is once again donating to his campaign. Keating 5 part 2?

Independent   September 27th, 2008 4:36 pm ET

John McCain doesn't know whether he's going to the presidential debate. John McCain doesn't know if he's going to Capitol Hill. And he wants us to travel with him on his trip to nowhere???

I choose to follow Barack Obama's path. It will lead me to a better future.

helen   September 27th, 2008 4:36 pm ET

John MCain is a fraud. I am done with him. I will not even bother to watch the next debate. This man disapointed me so much. He has nothing new to say to me. I am still not sure about Obama but God help us if we have to go through a week like last with the childish behavior of Mcain.

Jeannie Ramberg   September 27th, 2008 4:36 pm ET

I'm beginning to believe More of the Same, McCain is losing his mind. I was always aliitle concerned that he may have some post traumatic stress disorder from his years of torture.
I am seriously afraid for this man to be commander in chief.

Hammerlock   September 27th, 2008 4:35 pm ET

What???

First he goes all melodrama and "suspends" his campaign and says he immediately needs to get to DC to move the process along (yet sits around for another 22 hours in NY). Then he potentially derails the process by egging on the House Reps to go into open revolt about the bill. Then in the meeting he himself asked for, he sits and says next to nothing.

And now McCain has finally figured out how to use one of them hi-tech talking-boxes to speak to people real far away….we call 'em phones. This guy's about as consistent as a roll of the dice.

Stick a fork in him; he's done.

Jason Rieger   September 27th, 2008 4:34 pm ET

Something tells me that all of the people he had called earlier told him to stay far away.

Walt   September 27th, 2008 4:33 pm ET

Good, John, stay home. In fact go home to Arizona and retire. Take your friend Henry Kissinger with you.

Kissinger is as disreputable as McCain. Saying he is in total agreement with McCain on unconditional talks is a lie. Seems to me I say the video of Kissinger saying that he would support unconditional talks with our enemies at high levels of government—and suggested the Secretary of State make the initial contact.

McCain is nitpicking now that it has been shown that Obama original concept of talking with our enemies is being embraced even by the horrid Bush administration that created such a mess in the last 8 years. And McCain is part of that mess. John don't go to Capitol Hill today or any other day. Go home.

Lisa   September 27th, 2008 4:33 pm ET

Salter said McCain will not go because “he can effectively do what he needs to do by phone." Really? What a change from earlier in the week!

And for all of you geniuses who keep saying that Obama kept calling Senator McCain "Jim" during the debate, that was the moderator's first name. Duh!

MS   September 27th, 2008 4:32 pm ET

So much for charging into Washington and saving the day. It looks like Obama called McCain's bluff.

JayInNewHampshire   September 27th, 2008 4:32 pm ET

Good!
John should stay home. Or is it his 5th,6th….. He already parachuted in and sabotaged the meetings once already. He is so un-focused clearly cannot multi-task and appears to obsolete. A political dinosaur it is time for John to call it quits.

Randy, San Francisco   September 27th, 2008 4:32 pm ET

McCain needs to stay out of the bailout negotiations. Even the Wall Street Journal reported that he injected politics into a bi-patisan effort by pandering to the conservative wing of the GOP.

Karen - Missouri   September 27th, 2008 4:31 pm ET

So let me get this straight. All last week, McCain appeared on Rachel Ray show and didn't think it necessary to get involved in Washington. By Wednesday he suddenly feels the need to be in Washington and actually hurt negotiations there. Then he wanted to cancel the debate. Then he did debate. Then he was going to Washington. Now he decides he can keep in touch by phone.

McCain is nothing but chaos! The last thing this country needs is an erratic person in the White House.

Lisa   September 27th, 2008 4:31 pm ET

OH NO!!! How will they ever manage without the MAVERICK????

Shelly   September 27th, 2008 4:31 pm ET

Seriously?? Did McCain just now discover the miracle of telephones? His tactics (or are they strategies?) would be hilarious if they weren't so sad!

Lachelle   September 27th, 2008 4:30 pm ET

Did anyone notice how hot-headed McCain appeared in the debate. We need a President who can remain calm and not taking the panic approach in a time of crisis. I hear numerous of individuals saying that Obama did not quickly address what he would do when hearing about the bail out plan once it was first announced.
As Americans, we have gotten into the "right now" mode. I mean wouldn't you all like for our leader to examine the situation, gain specifics, and arrive at a solution that will work instead of shouting out solutions that are way off, isn't that how we got ourselves into the Iraq war?

Party of Whiners   September 27th, 2008 4:29 pm ET

His little publicity stunt backfired.

chad   September 27th, 2008 4:28 pm ET

more of the same. lies. what was john laughing about last night?
he really does think this is a joke! wont look at barack but he can
laugh. this isnt funny john, things are serious. you "dont get it"
obviously.

Erica   September 27th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

Please tell me why Americans who are living from paycheck to paycheck, dealing with their home foreclosing, unemployed, or not able to afford health insurance voting for McCain and Palin.

It is astonishing that McCain has stated in several appearances that he is not comfortable talking about the economy, that he doesn't know that much about it, and to hear him say recently that the fundamentals of our economy is strong, are you kidding me.

This election should not be about who Americans would love to have a beer with, who we admire, or our goal of getting any female as VP.

I mean look long and hard at what we have experienced over the last 8 years, I mean seriously can we afford another four?

And frankly, I am so sick of McCain using his experience in the military has a core to being President. None of the candidates have Presidential experience because none of them has been President, don't you have to actually do the job before you can brag about having the experience.

Please vote smart this election, if not WE ALL WILL SUFFER TOGETHER (Democrats and Republicans)!!

OBAMA/BIDEN 08

Molly   September 27th, 2008 4:25 pm ET

GREAT Job McCain!!! McCain - Experience
Obam - "Book" answers

At least McCain is in DC - doing his JOB
Obama is out trolling for votes

Do YOUR JOB!!!!

Kris in Oregon   September 27th, 2008 4:24 pm ET

Do you think McShame got the message that his help was really making things worse?

McShame showed his real personality last night and it was scary. He refused to look at Obama. This shows that either he holds has true contempt for Obama or he was trying to not do one of his famous melt downs.

Is this what we need, a president that won't meet with leaders of other nations, because he sees them as an enemy.

I think McShame is becoming another Napolean type of figure,.

DianeKentucky   September 27th, 2008 4:23 pm ET

Perhaps someone told McCain NOT to go to Capitol Hill so he wouldn't gum up the process of a solution.

Deb, Allentown,PA   September 27th, 2008 4:22 pm ET

McCain could have done what he did on Thursday and Friday by phone, but instead he pulled his ridiculous "suspending the campaign" stunt. Never did really suspend his campaign though, did he?

What a liar he and Palin are. And they call themselves Christians?

jennifer, Evergreen, CO   September 27th, 2008 4:22 pm ET

Why does this candidate have any credibility left?

Hankers   September 27th, 2008 4:22 pm ET

I knew he wouldn't risk having to work Sunday. Now that his day off was at risk, he discovers that he can get things done by phone, as BHO said when JM was suspending his campain last week and threatening to call in sick for the debate. I wish he would just call in sick for the election!

Marge   September 27th, 2008 4:22 pm ET

Proof posiive the whole 'rushing' to washington thing was a stunt!!!
For all the good he did in DC he could have made calls Thursday,…
McGrandpa is too OLD to be playing all these games….Actually hes too OD for almost everything.

Joe Dallas/Fort Worth   September 27th, 2008 4:22 pm ET

McCain is realising that his presence in washington is not as necessary or important as he had portrayed last week. It really reinforces the democrats' claim that McCain was only trying to score political points by "suspending" his campaign to for the sake of the economy.

Mark Weller, Ohio   September 27th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

OH MY GOD.

McCain is just turning into a clown! What is his word worth anymore?

Pat from Cali   September 27th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

They don't need him because he knows nothing about the economy.

Perhaps he's doing some on the job training for Palin on how to be a vice presidential candidate.

McSameMcCain on myspace   September 27th, 2008 4:21 pm ET

What a surprise. He is a joke and unfit to be President.
And just what Vets was he talking about that trust him? I spent 27 years in the military and I don't trust him and do not believe he has the best interests of the USA in mind.
And why hasn't anyone been discussing how Keating is once again donating to his campaign. Keating 5 part 2?

north of 49   September 27th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

What a dog and pony show this GOP is.
Has Mccain finally lost it?

Guantanamo Hotel for Republi-con Scum   September 27th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

He's not going back to Capitol Hill?? what?..
We all know that the rubbish about his scampaign "Suspension" is really just an opportunity for the Old Geezer to get some rest. John McCain and his ideas two ideas (Iraq and Drill Now) are tired.

Linda   September 27th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

McCain is Much to Do About Nothing. In this case, as he apparently ignored due to political grandstanding, the stakes are the country. I am glad he is out of the picture as was requested by those desperately trying to find a solution to the mess created by GOP philosophy.

Sarah....and my last name isn't Palin   September 27th, 2008 4:20 pm ET

Of Course…this Drama Queen is becoming yesterday's news.

Paul, NY   September 27th, 2008 4:19 pm ET

So…. why did he "suspend" his campaign!!?? Gimmicks.. He thinks he can fool the American people! It's sad when realise that most of the American people fal straight into his trap!!

CNN, you failed to mention that McCain WASNT WANTED in Capitol Hill!

MM   September 27th, 2008 4:19 pm ET

"he can effectively do what he needs to do by phone" — which is next to nothing and this is what he could have done before the debates instead of trying to take the news away from the bailout and center it on himself by parachuting into DC to save us alll…….. unfortunately the McCain of 2008 would embarress even the McCain of 2000.

gino carter NYc   September 27th, 2008 4:19 pm ET

Now some republican tell me the whole suspending my campaign bid was not a gimmick ? please explain to me what senator Mccain has done since getting to washington a couple cocktail partys with bill and a fluff meeting at the white house were he didn't even make a statement or offer any type of contribution.

Anyone saying this man is ready to lead is a Joker

Nick   September 27th, 2008 4:18 pm ET

Sorry John, there's no way you're going to be able to spin this to benefit your campaign. Barack essentially did the same thing you did, without the theatrics. Another indication of who is more presidential, and it's not you.

Kris K from RM,CA   September 27th, 2008 4:18 pm ET

He is an old man. He needs his rest!

Sean   September 27th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

So the Republicans now think that MCCain can PHONe in his damage? Don't forget, they had a tentative deal worked out a few days ago, before McCain showed up and it suddenly collapsed!

Rich   September 27th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

But I thought they needed him! NOT. My guess is they told him to bud out as he was making things worse not better. He's not even President and has shown he'd do exactly the same as Bush, screw everything up!

McCain is a road to nowhere.

Mike Bulmer   September 27th, 2008 4:17 pm ET

Yet he couldn't do it by phone before the debate…

What a phony. Pardon the pun.

Billy   September 27th, 2008 4:16 pm ET

Translation:

My ploy to fool America into thinking I was rushing in to save America and single-handedly write the bailout bill has failed. Since it is now unlikely America will fall for this and give me credit as their savior, I will go back to the campaign trail.

Marc PDX   September 27th, 2008 4:14 pm ET

Obama is a better speaker and McCain is a better do-er. McCain is working on this problem in Washington today. Obama has gone to NC to resume his campaign. Probably gives Obama an advantage but the work needs to be done and McCain is a leader in the Congress and is needed now.

Gloria   September 27th, 2008 4:14 pm ET

He already screwed up once by showing up on Capitol Hill. He doesn't even realize that he is neither wanted or needed on the Hill…especially his fellow republicans!!!

Now they don't want to look him in the eye,,,,

Dan, TX   September 27th, 2008 4:14 pm ET

Thank goodness McCain is following Obama's lead and is now helping to work behind the scenes to get something done. Senator McCain's opinions will be valued by President Obama.

McCain simply does not have the common sense and poise to be president. He is a good soldier, and has followed President Bush well no matter how foolish Bush's policies were. I'm sure he will be an excellent follower of President Obama.

Cam   September 27th, 2008 4:13 pm ET

Hmmm……wasn`t it Obama who said that they didn`t have to be in Washington in order to supprt the negotiations…….oh ya, McCain mocked him about that and this morning McCain was the glue that holds a deal together…….WHAT A JOKE MCCAIN AND HIS CAMPAIGN ARE.

insanity   September 27th, 2008 4:12 pm ET

lol. so does that mean they didn't need McCain? This effectively proves that McCain was playing politics and that the senate or the house didn't really need him. He just wanted to play drama queen and get some photo ops. The sad part is that he failed to realized that by interjecting presidential politics to this negotiations McCain actually hurt the process and possibly delayed it by a day.

SOUTHERN HOTTIE   September 27th, 2008 4:10 pm ET

All that posturing earlier this week. . .

WHAT WAS IT FOR?

IT'S OVER MCCAIN.

RETIRE.

OR JUST SHUT UP. WE'RE SICK OF YOUR LIES.

JR Idaho   September 27th, 2008 4:10 pm ET

Hopefully Mr. McCain is meeting with Palin to discuss her withdrawal.

Barney   September 27th, 2008 4:09 pm ET

He's pulling all these stunts just to get the headlines and look like he's indispensable.

You are irrelevant, John McBush.

Obama/Biden '08 for our financial and national security (mcbush is trigger happy)

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

Follow us on Twitter

CNN on TwitterGet Ticker updates the moment they appear online via the Web, SMS, or instant messages.
Follow politicalticker

Categories
CNN Comment Policy: CNN encourages you to add a comment to this discussion. You may not post any unlawful, threatening, libelous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or other material that would violate the law. Please note that CNN makes reasonable efforts to review all comments prior to posting and CNN may edit comments for clarity or to keep out questionable or off-topic material. All comments should be relevant to the post and remain respectful of other authors and commenters. By submitting your comment, you hereby give CNN the right, but not the obligation, to post, air, edit, exhibit, telecast, cablecast, webcast, re-use, publish, reproduce, use, license, print, distribute or otherwise use your comment(s) and accompanying personal identifying information via all forms of media now known or hereafter devised, worldwide, in perpetuity. CNN Privacy Statement.
Home  |  World  |  U.S.  |  Politics  |  Entertainment  |  Health  |  Tech  |  Travel  |  Living  |  Business  |  Sports  |  Time.com
Podcasts  |  Blogs  |  CNN Mobile  |  Preferences |  Email Alerts  |  CNN Radio  |  CNN Shop  |  Site Map
© 2008 Cable News Network LP, LLLP. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by WordPress.com