(CNN) - McCain supporter Sen. Lindsey Graham tells CNN the McCain campaign is proposing to the Presidential Debate Commission and the Obama camp that if there's no bailout deal by Friday, the first presidential debate should take the place of the VP debate, currently scheduled for next Thursday, October 2 in St. Louis.
In this scenario, the vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Sarah Palin would be rescheduled for a date yet to be determined, and take place in Oxford, Mississippi, currently slated to be the site of the first presidential faceoff this Friday.
Graham says the McCain camp is well aware of the position of the Obama campaign and the debate commission that the debate should go on as planned - but both he and another senior McCain adviser insist the Republican nominee will not go to the debate Friday if there's no deal on the bailout.
It's a very good idea to delay the debate. Palin is not ready to debate the issues and her advisors need more time to help her prepare.
OMG! Ole Miss has said that they have already spent millions putting this on. They don't think that they can handle the change. If he is so concerned about the economy, the American people, and this bailout plan, he should debate on the issues surrounding the economy.
Is this all an effort to keep Sarah from ever meeting up with the press or answering questions for the American people. And to say that cancelling the debates is a patriotic thing to do, is injecting presidential election politics into the whole process of hammering out a solution. This is insane and proves that he is unable to lead or follow! He usurped Obama's effort to have a statement from the two of them.
WHAT?!!!! No way. You know McCain camp is being silly now. Please. They want time to regroup. They're running around like chickens with their heads cut off.
Go Obama/Biden
Just ANY old excuse will do if you're not prepared. This is DISGRACEFUL. The American people NEED to hear what these candidated have to say....PERIOD!
THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE! How does the McCain campaign just think they can call all of the shots? They prevent the American People from knowing what Sarah Palin's beliefs are by hiding her from the press and now they are canceling debates.
UNBELIEVABLE!
I truly hope the American People can see McCain's actions for what they really are; distractions from discussing the important issues and getting to know our candidates as best as we can before we put one of them in the White House.
Neither McCain nor Palin is prepared to go to white house. This is the best drama that can stage to claim Maverick status. At best a political gimmick, McCain is not collected nor wise. But he has suddenly found an opportunity to claim deal breaker status. It is rather shameful that someone who has been part of the problem will go to claim the solution and the presidency. No wonder America is on the decline. There are enough people to fall for this man who is abysmal in his acumen.
So basically what we've confirmed today is that McCain is NOT ready to be POTUS and Palin is NOT ready to be VP. McCain cannot handle more than one major issue at a time and Palin cannot articulate a clear foreign policy position. Okay, can I "call the question"? Let's vote and get this thing over with...it's time for Obama/Biden.
great way to bailout from debate lol
Weak!
Thus, the REAL reason why McCain wants to postpone the debate.
A certain VP candidate needs more time to prepare for their debate.
John McCain
Gimmicks First!
Hmmm, could he be buying some time for Palin?
I knew this was next. Calculated and obvious. So now the McCain is worried about the economy. This is not foreign policy that you claim to know everything about.
This is yet another stunt to shield Sarah Palin from the public view. You would have to ask, "What's the McCain campaign hiding?"
He is acting more like her father, "The Protector ", than her running mate.
If she's ready to be a heart-beat away from the president, then she should be ready for public viewing. She should be insulted that he's not letting her show how capable she is. Or is she capable?
McCain you coward: face Obama like a man!!!!!
I want to hear the debates to cast an educated vote. This crisis is no excuse.
Oh Brother, this really tells me PALIN/MCCAIN should not be elected. NO Way, NO how, NO McPALIN
So the other shoe drops. That's what they were headed for all along. Sarah Palin's head is probably about to explode trying to cram all that she needs to know in less than 10 days. If you saw the interview with Charlie Gibson and Katie Couric she definitely needs more time.
Can McCain only do one thing at a time. The debate is only 90 minutes. Come on John.
Oh Hell NO!!!! We are not falling for the Okie Doke. Don't debate and your slim chance will become null
What a bunch of scam artists: The news turns bad (lobbyist ties to Freddie Mac) and the polls are tanking – it must be time to for a photo op in DC.
If you can't debate foreign policy and think about the economy in the same week, then you're not presidential material.
PLEASE EVERYONE—
GOOGLE KATIE COURIC'S INTERVIEW WITH SARAH PALIN TODAY.
I AM BEGGING YOU IN THE MOST INDEPENDENT MINDED WAY…ALL REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT, AND INDEPENDENT…..PLEASE!!!
So now he McCain wants to control everything including the Presidential Debate Commission!! Next thing you know they want to postpond the elections too! Common now, it is clearly obvious that McCain-Palin campaign is not ready for the debates and is now looking for every loophole, tricks and excuses to escape the debates. And if Obama-Biden campaign says "no way, no how, no mccain-palin delays accepted here" they will quickly spit out an attack ad accusing Obama of not putting country first just so he (mccain) can jump start his poll numbers!
McCain-Palin, people are not stupid and you are too transparent to pull off any trick...everyone is tired! You have played your tricks and you are quickly running out of breath. The clock is ticking...get on with the debates and let the world see what you've got!! Bring your maverick & pitbull game on!
If McCain won't debate, give Obama and Biden the air time. They can discuss foreign policy and economic issues and perhaps have a question session.
What a moron.
OBAMA/BIDEN '08!!!!!!
Surprise, surprise!!
I would suggest that neither McCain NOR Palin show up and let Obama and Biden have the entire time alone. I bet if the networks said that they would give time to who ever showed up..... McCain and Palin both would be there. The networks should call their bluff.
In the next article the President of Pakistan calls Palin Gorgeous and wants to give her a big hug during their deep foriegn affairs meeting. Finally, International Respect and Experience for Paris Palin