[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/11/art.mccainobama.ap.jpg caption="McCain and Obama visited Ground Zero Thursday."](CNN) - The idea of a joint September 11 visit to Ground Zero by both John McCain and Barack Obama was in the works for less than a week, according to both campaigns.
Obama suggested the idea to McCain Friday afternoon when the Democratic presidential nominee called his Republican counterpart Friday, the day after the GOP convention ended, to congratulate him on his convention speech.
"[Obama] called after the convention speech, and over the course of the
discussion they mutually agreed to meet jointly in New York," said McCain spokesman Tucker Bounds.
The two men went to Ground Zero Thursday, entering the site together. Both candidates exchanged brief remarks and spoke with some of those on hand for the commemoration.
Whoever suggested it is NOT a big deal!!
Too much of our time and energy is wasted on trivial matters. We should be spending 90% our attention should be on detail examination of policy differences between the two candidates. That is what will effect us ALL!! Not who did or did not initiate a meeting!!
America DEMAND MORE REAL INFORMATION, not filler.
Elizabeth: That is not Obama's grandfather. Obama's grandfather is hiding in a cave in Afghanistan.
It was really great of Obama to extend the olive branch to his competition. Obama shows how his temperment and willingness to work with people and his ability to bring out the goodness in people could lead to a more inclusive world of politics and therefore more positive things will get done! Obama will make a great President to send abroad and this is just another example of how creative Obama is and this is why he will make a great President. God Bless America! Vote for Obama 08 and 2012.
Great thing to see these two together.. indeed.
Why was Cindy there?
I notice that McCain did not wear the American flag lapel pin. Weren't they the ones who cast the lapel flag pin as a requisite, important symbol of patriotism? Seems to be another example of Republican double standards.
God bless both of them!
But Obamao 08!
Showing his leadership, again Barack knows the path to take...Well Done Future Mr. President.
Obama/Biden/08/12
It's nice to know they can both be civil for 9/11.
I'm glad Obama thought of it and reached out. He has many brilliant ideas and once again proves to be someone who is willing to reach accross the party lines for the good of the nation.
Now why can't they be this civil with one another all the time? Tomorrow it will be back on like donkey kong. Let us enjoy this moment.
Nice to have both candidates together just for the sake of all
America!
Too bad the obama group cannot just wish GOV Palin well and get on with the campaign. WHY all the trash talk of her????
She seems to handle pressure very well – look how well she did with all the media abuse of her – and her family – WHO here could handle such abuse and then give a great speech.
Everyone says that obama gives a great speech – and he does –
why can't you just give credit where credit is due!
i feel sorry for Sarah Palin. Her son left for Iraq today. It had to be especially hard for her to let him go today of all days. Sept. 11 is hard on everyone We must pray for Sarah, she is such a warm and caring person. our prayers are with you Sarah. Amen.
This comment is for tomorrow.
McCain says he knows how to find Osama Bin Laden and will find him when elected. So I guess if we don't elect him he will keep this knowledge to himself. So much for country first.
Better yet, why don't he tell Bush how to catch him right now and save all of our lives.
while we are busy fighting wars, borrowing money to fund the wars and our economy is down the toilet, EU is adding countries to join them, shaking their pigging banks to buy American companies and beating us to the ATOM race.
Good job America! the loser is All of US... so choose a president with judgement, vision and patience...
McCain is a good man, but no vision. Palin is a good mom, but no vision.
Obama, i believe if you pick him, will Light America, Brighter than a Christmas tree.
It's time for change. We need to change our dirty underwears. We have had it for 8 years...
Well, Obama called McCain. You would think someone who is so in love with America would be thinking of reaching out and showing a united American front on this day.
But it was Obama who was thinking. Naturally!
The judgement of a gentleman, Barack Obama.
Too bad some of you do not have the decency to share in the candidates show of unity on this day.
For the two candidates, good job.
Come on people put away your hate and think for once. This day is not about your hate of each other because of parties.
I WAS THERE SEPT 11TH 2001 WORKING TO SAVE THE LIVES OF MY FELLOW AMERICANS.!!!!!!!!!
We have lost are way when we attack becuase we can not try and understanding each other.
On my web site photo page you will see people saving life not killing each other, that is CNN post this
Jerry R Lucas RN
Male Nurse Magazine
NObama wanted to invite Hugo Chavez.
NObama ran for the state legislature and he got elected. And nearly 130 times, he couldn't make a decision. He couldn't figure out whether to vote "yes" or "no." It was too tough.
He voted - he voted "present."
ROFL!
I just saw a rare film clip on AOL of POW John McCain's prison release. In this film clip he is not on crutches and can salute. Now what is 'cocky wacko' is I just heard on the RNC that he was never able to salute again after being a POW. Everything is 'cocky wacko' about the Republicans.
OBAMA asking McCain for a joint visit.
A true Leader that OBAMA is.
United with stand, but divided we fall.
Unity in the United States of America.
Thank you LORD!!!
With the mess that the Republicans have created over the last 8 years how cn anyone trust these people with anything..that goes for the White House and the Congress...do we never learn.
No way Mc cain and Palin...no how...never
Change them all
Yep, your right Republicans.
The polls show that Obama's numbers are dropping.
I guess all of you Republicans can just stay at home on election day since McCain has already won.
The rest of us will really appreciate it.
Thanks!
Funny – the only NEGATIVE comments here come from the obama group – that great UNITER! The guy of Change.
Give it a rest! – This is a day for all Americans.
just because obama reached out to mccain for this day doesnt
exactly make him bigger and smarter of the men. the battle is
experience(mccain) vs inexperience(obama), and soon america will
realize this.