CNN confirms: McCain, Obama to meet with Bush about bailout
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/09/24/art.bushwave0924.ap.jpg caption="Pres. Bush has summoned Sens. McCain and Obama and congressional leadership to the White House to discuss his plan to bailout the nation's fianancial markets."]
WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Bush has asked both Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama to join him for a meeting at the White House Thursday afternoon to discuss the economic bailout plan, a White House officials said.
"The President called Sen. Obama tonight around 7:30 pm," said Dana Perino, White House press secretary. "The president has invited the bicameral and bipartisan leadership, and the two senators running for president, to the White House tomorrow to work on driving to a bipartisan and timely solution."
Obama's campaign said in a statement that he has accepted the invitation.
"A few moments ago, President Bush called Senator Obama and asked him to attend a meeting in Washington tomorrow, which he agreed to do," the statement said.
"He has said that he will continue to work in a bipartisan spirit and do whatever is necessary to come up with a final solution."
A McCain adviser said McCain also plans to attend.
- CNN's Elaine Quijano and Dana Bash contributed to this report.
Based on what the campaigns have said, it would have been courteous for McCain to discuss his plans with Obama first, as Obama attempted to do with McCain. Instead he discussed Obama's plan and agreed to it, then secretly forged ahead with an idiotic macho attempt at muscle that backfired because...it was idiotic. SO SICK with inept attempts at tricky manipulations – out with Mcpainbushney. No blinkie no thinkie.
and by the way NO BAIL OUT...thanks but no thanks to dinging me $10,000 to save a bank shareholder. How about putting it in a ballot referendum this November.
John McCain is unprepared to lead and most certainly unprepared to debate.
As I read a lot of these comments, I'm reminded why many democrats nauseate me. Both candidates have agreed to put aside a rancorous and increasingly bitter campaign to focus their energies on accomplishing something necessary and positive. Yet all the lefties here can do is call names and make "McShmae" jokes. It sounds like a bunch of snot-nosed third graders screaming in the schoolyard. Nothing less than puerile and pathetic.
While Obama has been going to acting school this week, McCain will be showing up to work.
Obama wants to debate because he could care less about doing the job he just wants to have the job.
I find it hillarious that people think McCain is dodging the debate for a couple of reasons, but primarily it is funny to think that Obama has a chance in a debate against McCain!
My coworkers, who are mostly strong McCain supporters were cringing today. What a spectacle.
Obama should wear a dust mask, lest he will contract the republipuke virus. McCain = Cut and Run!
I saw Obama's press briefing today. Just listening to him speaking on the issues that concern the American people just adds another stamp of approval for Obama to become the POTUS. Obama is very presidential and he can multi-task which is one of the skills you need in the White House. I agree with you Greg too, things are dire in Washington and that's why Obama will be in that White House come January 2009. Keep up the good work Obama. You are what we need and I'm glad the American people are realizing it and were not swayed with all the rhetoric of the Republican party.
If Obama would have stuck to his promise, we would have had about 7-8 joint town hall meetings by now. We have to rush the debates but can't rush figuring out the current crisis?
You people are weird.
Yesterday McCain hadn't even read the proposal.Today he is running off to DC for the financial emergency.
From what I have read he didn't decide this til after he spoke to Bush.So baby Bush gets McCain to kick conservative butt into line.McCain gets out of the debate til the dust settles.And Palin's debate gets bounced for the make up debate with the boys.
Good Plan McCain
So a bipartisan committee of Congress have been working non-stop for the last 5 days to come up with something palatable and McCain (who has been a complete non-factor in ANY of this as evidence by both Paulson and Dodd) wants to swoop in at the last minute for a photo op? Yeah, Country First my rear-end.
Obama should stay away from this one.
What he needed is for McCain to snuggle up to Bush and he got it.
He had the perfect target sitting in his sights.
He didn't need to join them and validate it.
Obama knows nothing about economy. He only knows politics.
This is crazy. Neither of them should involve themselves, but let the rest of congress to deal with the issue and they need to focus on what they will do in January.
> McCain showed true leadership today.
Considering that the crisis has been ongoing for the past week and a half and McCain has been busy taping the Couric show, etc. this is nothing but a cheap and hopeless political stunt.
I saw both statements today on CNN. McCain had a worried, deer-in-the-headlights look about him about the crisis which gave me no confidence in his ability to lead our nation. Obama, on the other hand, looked and acted "presidential". He spoke like a very intelligent, thoughtful, person who has the capability to lead our nation out of a crisis. Also, his running mate, Joe Biden, is not afraid to talk to the press.
McCain doesn't want to debate, Palin doesn't want to debate, Palin and First Dude won't answer subpoenas. Good solid strategy, run and hide.
They should go ahead and have the debate. If McCain won't show up, put a cardboard cutout of him behind his podium. Carry on the debate as if McCain were actually there. You probably wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
Bush : Either we win the election, or loose with $700 billion on hand, no strings attached (see Section 8 of the proposal).
McCain : Sounds good to me.. I think this election starts to slip away, so let's force the bill by friday. I'll use the debate as an excuse..
What I find interesting is that Obama and McCain are senators, part of the legislative branch therefore, they don't have a vote in Congress (hence not a congressman or woman). Why is it important to be in Washington if not to change the talking points. Last week tthe media discussed how the Republicans were responsible for this financial mess because of their ideology (less regulation/ less oversight). The Republicans had the majority in both the House and Senate for more than a decade. John McCain and Bush will try to use this situation to hurt Barack. Barack suggested a bi-partisan statement FIRST and then the gimmick guy attempted to upstage him. Wake Up America
Obama/Biden 08
what about those ten to 12 debates O BAMA PROMISED MC CAIN ON THOSE TOWN HALL MEETINGS..... forgot about those..... it is silly O BAMA IS THE RUNNER he doesn't want the easy comparison a debate presents.... TRUE LEADERSHIP DOESN.T RUN TO HAWAII TO cover up those C O L B. ALL 3 were fakes just like the way o bama and BIDEN voted FOR THE BRIDGE TO NOWHERE not once but T W I C E THAT'S THE KIND OF JUDGMENT AMERICA doesn't need/// AS FAR AS THE DEBATE THIS FRIDAY.......O BAMA WILL GET CLOBBERED unfortunately one trip to EUROPE. JUST WON'T GET IT... GOT IT////
McCain demonstrated yet again that he doesn't just talk. He puts his COUNTRY FIRST ahead of a political campaign.
This financial crisis is real impacting all Americans. A plan needs to be put in place as soon as possible.
In comparison, a political campaign and foreign policy debate can be postponed a few days without impacting a families' ability to stay in their home or survive this crisis. Its called common sense.
Too bad Obama doesn't get it.
Wake up America before its too late !
More games being played by Bush, the worst president in the history of our country, and McCain, who will do anything to disrupt the campaign. Ditto with keeping Palin from having to answer to the public and the press, lest everyone see how incompetent she is! McCain, who claimed he'd avoid "negative campaigning" has run the most dishonest and negative campaign ever – nothing but lies in his ads! Hopefully America will see through this garbage and realize a vote for McCain is a vote for four more years of Bush's policies, which have virtually destroyed America. If congress allows Bush's scare tactics and fear mongering to strong arm them into giving him a "blank check" to "bail out" these companies without insisting on accountability and regulations being imposed, heaven help us all.
They should still hold the debates. Obama can go by himself and argue both sides of the issue, he has had plenty of practice with that. It should be entertaining.
we all need a change. we all need obama. let him go. God is with him. they need him to fix things. they can't do without him. sorry mccain. i know u re confused. just surrender and clear the path for the chosen one.
Is it just me or does it feel like Iraq again?
John McCain, Bush and the Republican party caused this mess and now they want Barack Obama to go back to Washington to fix the problem. A President, A leader, A boss must be able to do more than 1 thing. This proves John McCain, who is not needed for this, is out of touch.
It looks like the Government is about to give Billions of dollars to companies. I could use some money and it will help, Can I get a bail out Washington?
@Gayle. . .if this made up your mind, I am truly scared for the future of my children. Anyone of any party that cannot see what McCain is doing is an idiot. The debate should go on. It is important for Americans to hear direct answers from the candidates and not just speeches or interviews, especially in times of crisis. Keep sending your money, but don't say it is because of this ploy. Your ignorance is showing.