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
- These 5 states will be the first to kick residents off Medicaid starting in April
- 10 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2024
- Inside the long and winding road to Trump's historic indictment
- Listen: After negotiating a peace deal, Jimmy Carter taught this Bible class
- Abortion foes take aim at ballot initiatives in next phase of post-Dobbs political fights
- Untitled
McCain must not be prepared. Otherwise, why postpone something he could easily fit in to his schedule, even in so-called 'crisis'.
Curious, also, that now the economy is in such crisis that all things must be canceled immediately. It was much more than a week ago we were cruising along fundamentally strong, I thought.
Just because McCain has gotten here late it doesn't mean everyone else has and everyone else must drop everything they are doing immediately to respond to McCain.
What an egomaniac. And an ill-prepared one at that.
The whole point of having these debates is to know the position of the candidates. We had economic downturns in the past but it never stopped having presidential debates on schedule. McCain is just trying to pull a political stunt.
If it's important enough to put US taxpayers on the hook for 700 Billion dollars or more, then get all of your butts to work !
That's because Obama can only think of himself. And why did he call John McCain and want to make a joint statement? Can he not speak for himself? Sounds like he took Rudy Gulliani's advice and instead of trying to make up his mind, called McCain for some answers. Obama is a fraud!
Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain demonstrated real leadership today in announcing the temporary suspension of his Presidential campaign to return to Washington D.C. to work toward a bipartisan solution to this nation's economic situation. It's the right thing to do. McCain is putting this country first and politics second.
The debate should be postponed.
John McCain looks like a President today. Barack Obama does not.
i.e..., Politics is much more important..
Why?
So we can listen to him stutter for 2 hours without his teleprompter?
Yes we can...
This mess happened over 8 years and McSame should know about it. The debate should focus on the future and how we got there in the first place. It is the war and the failed economic policies since the turn of this century.
Change is coming... McCain needs to be brave and debate
Please do not stop the debate. I have some popcorn to pop and I want to take out the Garbage that Mr. McCsane is going to bing with him. Do not stop the debate.
The debate should proceed. These 2 men joining in is not going to expedite the situation. Don't let McCain off the hook. If he can't prepare for a debate, how can he be prepared to lead this country?
The debate should go on.
By all means, both Senators can return to Washington and work on the bill, but the debate need not be postponed.
Hmm.. maybe McCain thought he could waltz his way through the debate spewing soundbites with no preparation, Obama should call him out on it!
I love Obama! "inclined to debate." Yes we can!!!!.
Good judgement, Obama.
Obama Biden 2008
The debate SHOULD go on. If either McCain or Obama are concerned of being away from Washington during this fiasco then just move the debate to DC. It's not hard to do.
Bye Hillary, bye Pumas, Palin will win this election for McCain without your help. No more kissing up to screaming clinton supporters.
Palin 2012
If he can not put aside his 'wanna be president' for now and get to work, then what makes you think he will care if he gets in the white house. He has spent his time campaigning and what has else has he done.
why should the debate be postponed? who benefits? only McCain. definitely not us, the American public. he SHOULD be eager to speak directly to the people and Obama, but he knows that he and his party caused this economic crisis by suppressing regulation for the last 8 years. this is a dirty political trick – if Obama says no, McCain will say he puts "politics above country" blah blah etc. If Obama says yes, he looks bad for backing down and for not "taking action first", blah blah etc. Dont be fooled, EVERYTHING that either candidate does at this point IS PART OF THE CAMPAIGN, directly or indirectly. McCain is just trying to make Obama look bad AND avoid any actual debate at the same time, the two most important objectives of the republicants. they certainly dont want to have to answer any tough questions from Obama or the "libs" (aka THE BETTER EDUCATED HALF OF THE UNITED STATES) that supports him.
GOOD! I'm glad Obama's not falling for the okey-doke here. McCain is just pulling a stunt because he knows Obama is having a surge in the polls, especially in swing-states and even some states that McCain thought he had a lock on. McCain has nothing to lose by this "delay of game" tactic, so he's trying to goad Obama into a trap. I'm glad Obama's not falling for it. We absolutely cannot have a politician as cynical and manipulative as John McCain in the White House. I used to like and admire the guy, but he's become a major disappointment. He's no maverick; he's as sleazy as they come.
If McCain is so concerned about the economic crisis then why not change the debate to be about the economy rather than foreign policy? It is irresponsible to delay a debate when so much hinges on this election. Sen. McCain has professed himself to be illiterate when it comes to the economy and so his presence in D.C. would not be crucial and given that Sen. McCain keeps claiming that Barack Obama's economic policies would be a disaster then he should welcome a chance to keep Sen. Obama away from this.
He can multi-task. McCain can't. McCain's incompetence and lack of moral integrity is becoming more and more visible by the minute.
There's no reason Obama should postpone the debate. What is this...college basketball??? Calling "time out" when the other team has momentum??? John McCain isn't going to fix the economy in the next 48 hours (nor will Obama, for that matter). This is nothing more than a tactical move by McCain to deflect some attention away from the election, and buy a little time.
When you know you will lose the debate, deflect your true intentions with a nobel cause. This is the same old bull. I'm more patriotic than you.
What in the HELL? What kind of mess is this? No! No he should not postpone this debate. WHY? No McCain, 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 now 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 so strong about postponing your Presidential bid after that and you still would like to go to Washington well, you can leave Saturday. Two more days will not affect this mess on Wall Street.
Obama I hope you do the debate McCain is scared because he know the republican mess up the economy
Obama is not letting the little snake go that easily. good job!!!!!
Boo-ya!!
Debates a go. This is the best time for the next President to talk about what he will do and show his ability to do several things at once.