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.
From CNN Politics
- US Army identifies nine soldiers killed in Black Hawk training accident
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Donald Trump Fast Facts
- Florida legislature passes bill allowing carry of concealed weapons without a permit
- Untitled
- Manhattan DA's office again slams House GOP's efforts to investigate Trump probe, says approx. $5k federal funds used
Prime example of why Obama should not be president and John McCain should. Obama wants to go as normal so he can use his prepared speeches and sound bites rather than actually do his job as a still active senator.
I guess if you have spent the past 3 years as a senator doing nothing why start doing your job now. Just mark him present as usual and have the real elected officials do the work.
This is Barack's example of how he leads or doesn't lead. Less than 40 days till the do nothing cult leader fades away.
Yes, thank you senator, the debates must go on!
What's the matter? McCain can do only one thing at a time. How about he work on the economy and show up at the debate. I mean if he was President would he ask Iraq to wait while he "focus" on the economy.
If he wants to leave campaign trail, fine. Maybe Barack could too and just have Biden take on all of his campaign responsibilites? Will Sarah do the same? Hey I got a better idea, lets see if the V.Ps are really ready to be President. Lets have the VP. debate on Friday. I bet Biden is ready. Is Palin?
McCain just made a desperate move. He is lost on how to solve this crisis... and obviously he can't multitask!
The debates should go on as planned this is a political ploy by McCain to upstage Obama and Bush to try to make himself look like his in command.There is no need for McCain to rush off to the hill.He is trying to make it look like he cares about the people this is him showing he does not care but that he is afraid of the polls,This is the same fly off the handle way he choose Palin.He is using scare tactics and this should be scrutinzed very carefully,this is not something that should be pushed through hurriedly,and we will sustain what will McCain do if they come to an agreement Friday or what if they don't before the vice presidential debate will he stay at the capital until this is resolved?Stop with lise again McCain.
It's time to debate. The American people are waiting and John McCain is hiding. This hide and seek game with the press has now gone far past ridiculous.
We Americans and the world want the debate to take place! The topic must be changed to the economy. Uncertainty about who will be our next President is contributing to the economic malaise!
The debate will require only a few hours out of the candidates' schedules. They will have plenty of time to attend to Senate business and vote on any critical issues.
Letting the candidates debate and clarify their positions on economics will benefit us far more than postponing the debate.
Obama should continue with the debate. Listen, when the Iraq war started no one stopped to to have congressional meetings to decide whether we needed to pull out or not ,when American Soldiers were losing their lives by the hundreds. Now that we have a financial crisis, and yes it is very serious, we have to come to a sudden halt. No, the President must be able to handle many different tasks, this is only a fraction of the challenges the next president of the USA will face. The debate is only 1 day.
Up until a few days ago I really wanted to vote for Obama but he is dropping the ball lately. I agree with McCain on this, debates should postponed a day or two. McCain is probably grandstanding though.
McCain knows the material, so he can pick back up later. Country first. Thank you John McCain. Obama doesn't want to waste his little "debate camp" cram session.
The Sheriff's going back to town and he's going to make sure this thing gets done right. This is the John McCain that earned the name Maverick.
Somebody tell McCain that there is a plane that flies from Washington DC to Mississippi on Friday!
Of course he wants to postpone it. If I were getting my teeth kicked in I would want to call time out also.
Of course because he is prepared to LEAD.
GOOD! McCain doesn't call all the shots! We want the debate and then go to D.C.!
Thank you Obama, please go ahead with it! The American people NEED a good debate right now . . .don't let McCain run away while pretending to be a hero.
Obama/Biden '08
Obama was elected to the Senate by the good people of Illinois. He should consider their needs above his needs. Is he afraid to be on hand for the vote because he cannot vote "present".
I say let the debate go forward, I think it is a political gimmick on McCains part, to try and stop the debates because he knows this is going to come up in the debate Friday and he is not ready to answer the questions, and his telepromter wont have them either he can never speak directly to the people he has to read from the telepromter so who knows what kind of answres he will give.. We have waited long enogh. Stop the games and let the debates begin.
McSame doesn't want to debate because he knows he is PART of the problem. His consistent work to DEREGULATE every industry and business these past 26 years is the cause. He can't face up to the consequences in a debate so he's found the perfect way to wiggle out of them.
Sad.
Now Obama must play the "bad guy" and ask for debates anyway...or fall into this trap.
I smell Rove again.
Way to go Barack, do not fall this Republican trick. You called McCain first and he stole your idea of bipartisanship. This is plain politics.
George Bush is the president, let him work on getting us out of this mess he has gotten us into.
Obama / Biden '08
They absolutely should debate. It's more important than ever for us to hear from them.
Of course Obama is inclined to debate, he's not about to do his job as U.S. Senator now is he! No, he'd rather go through with the debate, not do anything useful, constructive, or helpful, and just complain about the way things are and tell you who to blame. That's the kind of change we can expect from Obama. Thank you to Senator McCain for doing what is right, suspending his campaign, and going back to Washington to try and help fix this mess. This is the kind of leadership, dedication and great example we can expect from McCain and the kind of thing we will see from McCain as well. God bless you Senator McCain, and we will pray for all of our leaders in Washington. Thank you!
McCain 08!
Obama not worried, he'll vote 'PRESENT' either way...
Good. Someone needs to show McCain that a president has to be able to handle more than one thing at a time.
While I agree that the Senate has to work across all political lines to resolve our current crisis I see absolutely no reason that any debate should be postponed. Furthermore I do not believe this should be Senator McCain's call. Though his campaign will sure spin whatever the outcome to be used as part of his election campaign. Now THAT is politicizing the moment. It is disgusting.
There is not a person alive who thinks that it is acceptable to stop paying your mortgage, the electric bill, or stop feeding your kids and getting them to school on time just because your mother is on life support in the hospital.
McCain, Obama, and all of Congress are going to be basing decisions on being counselled and getting the "cliff note" explanation of what's going on.
There is no need for the debate to be suspended.
This is the same as the time out after time out at the end of the game to stretch out the game and delay the inevitable in hopes of some type of comeback.
Debate on!