September 24th, 2008
04:43 PM ET
15 years ago
Obama 'inclined' to debate
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/24/art.debate.gi.jpg caption="Obama wants to press on with the debate."](CNN) - Barack Obama is 'inclined" to go ahead with the debate Friday night, campaign sources tell CNN.
McCain said Wednesday the debate should be postponed if the economic bailout has not passed congress by that time.
Obama is expected to make a statement around 4:30 p.m. ET.
Keep the debate. Do it in public and let the two men discuss it moderated. What is the big deal.
I think the debate should go on, it is ashame on the 11th hr when McCain see himself down in the polls now he wont to do something if working people can do two things at once so can McCain and Obama
the house do not need gardans, they can both go to Washington and back to the debate there is on reason to stop the the debate.
HOW ABOUT WORK TOGETHER FOR THE SAME NATION!
UNITED WE STAND!
PANIC! Cheap political stunt! Distraction! What the country needs is for the two candidates to get up there and debate the issues, not hide behind some committee. This is so ridiculous. Reckless, impulsive, and desperate. The last thing we need in the White House.
I watched the Senate and the Congress and nobody panicked yet. They negotiate.
What will be funny is now the Obama backers will say McCain is weak and that is why he wants the debates delayed, but if Obama flips and say the delay is good then oh how the Obama backers will sing that tune.
So much for careing about the economy.....election more important then the country just like McCain keeps saying about him.
The suggestion to postpone presidential debates is disheartening. Americans should expect that these candidates are capable of handling more than one critical issue at a time. There is debate prep along with keeping up with domestic issues, daily economic changes, reacting to world events, and campaigning. However, they have staffs, advisors, and colleagues they are hopefully using wisely. A show of leadership would be a demonstration of how they can balance all of the challenges of the office they seek.
If you postpon it can not be no later than sunday period.
I have no doubt that both of them have been in constant contact with senate members every day, especially party leaders. This is 2008 after all and worldwide instant communication (certainly video conferencing for the campaigns) is available to even us Joe Schmoe's. So unless a vote is going to happen fast there is no need for physical presence other than for image. Also, if it was that important to be there in person both should have flown to DC on the weekend.
If McCain just announced he was not going to be at the debate then so be it. But the other part about suspending campaign ads and the like was fishy. That part is more of a stunt and maybe even to get Obama off the air.
that a boy!
why postponed, its not like the crisis can be solved and fixed over night... i do believe a 2 hr debate wont harm anythign... besides, it's a friday night!
With a Treasury Department, a Federal Reserve, the President's staff, and hundreds of other Representatives and Senators hard at work, it seems silly to pretend that these two guys are so important they can't take two hours out of their busy schedules to help Americans make an informed decision about the direction of the free world for the next four years. Of course they can. Theatrics won't solve the problems of Washington. These two men aspire to a higher calling than any single crisis. Let the current President do his job, to the best of his abilities. For better or worse, we elected him to do that.
Which is the best evidence that we can't afford to make another uninformed decision about electing a President. Of course they should debate.
So, Barry O doesn't want to postpone the Friday debate. Shows me where his priority is...he had rather, by using the politics of personal destruction (sound familiar, all you Hillary fans?) to continue bashing John McCain with the same old rhetoric the last three Democrat campaigns have used to try to unseat the GOP. Come on BO; it's country first!
What in the HELL? What kind of mess is this. No. No he should not postpone this debate. WHY? No, what you should have postponed was your whole bid for presidency. But since you entered the ring come on in. The issues on Wall Street have been coming down to this for awhile and you made no quams about doing anything about it then. Did you call back to Washington to see what your counterparts thought of this brilliant idea to take the attention off of your screw up. No McCain the debate will go on Friday, and if you feel after that that you still would like to go to Washington well, leave Saturday. Two more days will not affect this mess on Wall Street.
Why can't they do both? I Quess Sen. McCain Is Too Old To Do Both!
Sen. McCain Is Grand Standing on This Issue.
Relax Sen. McCain, Take A Deep Breath.
I Think There VPs Should Of Went, And Keep Watch.The Campaigning Should Continue.
This Debate is vitally important to our Nation. This Debate puts 'Country First. McBush puts Grand Standing First. Lets Debate!!!
McCain can see his demise and is trying to weasel out of the debates. For the sake of our country the debate should proceed as scheduled.
That's right Obama! Both can be done...still take your trips to Washington to help with this financial crisis, stop campaigning and advertising, but there must be a debate, we have just over a month to go before the election and only three debates. Undecided voters especially need to hear what the candidates have to say in order to make an informed decision!
one VIRGINIA voter for OBAMA!
And rightly so..... I am fairly sure Congress will manage without them for heaven's sake. Meanwhile the election will happen on November 4, no matter what else is going on. The two candidates should go on with the show.
Don't let grandpa off the hook!
I thought he said the economy is strong?????
Of course! Self before country. Obama's standard.
Of course Obama wants to debate. Having formed no opinion on the bail-out or lack there of, what else does he have to do? Maybe he could spend a little energy on an actual stance on the matter – sounds kind of important.
Good. With the mess we are in, I want to hear from the these two. A president has to be able to multitask. McCain cannot handle both.
The debate should go forward because the election is too close. Maybe, they could pitch in and pay to have it in Washington. Take 90mins off the floor and debate somewhere in DC. We don't want any excuses for botching the election. I see this as a stall tactic.
I guess I should be more clear about which "he" I mean. I was referring to John McCain as the person who is running for cover (although it should be obvious but you never know how some will twist your words).
How many other senators do we have to work on this issue. They have been discussing this for since last week, now he feels it's urgent to suspend his campaign 2 days before the debate. Once again he's avoiding a discussion about the issues. The public is being deceived again by the John McCain and Sarah Palin. I want to hear the candidates talk about the issues.