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.
I understand the importance of the crisis, but to postpone the debate on Friday is ludicrous. If McCain's tantrum is that bad, maybe Obama should agree to not having a Presidential debate, but instead offer an impromtu Vice-Presidential debate!!! Now that Palin has met with world leaders, she can show off what she has (not) learned.
They are still Senators and are being paid while doing their campaigning. They need to do their job. One of them will be President in January and will be inheriting this. Barney Frank the number one recipient of money from Freddie and Fannie said they were fine a year ago and then the domino effect started when they came down. Being Senators is their job. I don't want either of them to be absent when there's a vote. I don't want them to vote "present" either. They need to put legs on what they are saying on the campaign trail. This is just as an important test if not more important than a debate on foreign policy that has historically been less watched than any of the others. They need to do their JOB first. Just over a week ago Harry Reid was leaving for the weekend because they didn't know what to do.
Those who compromise have agreed
Those who surmise have a need
Those who perpertrate will succeed
Over those they continue to bleed
It's obvious that John McCain has spent the last 6 weeks studying up for his phony johnny-come-lately economics message instead of preparing for the debate.
John McCain is as subtle as a trainwreck.
I can't believe you, Obama's supporters are so childish and unreasonable. Bush invited both because no one knows who will be the next president at this time and he needs to make sure both of them are included in the decision-making process and both of them understand the consequences of making the wrong decision. Do you think they really need Obama there, LOL, he knows nothing. I guess the media did not really report what he said today about the bailout. He said" call me if you need me". What kind of president will he be? – selfish. Also, do you think he is really multitasking to say that he still wants to debate on Friday. That's because the only thing he is focusing on right now is the debate not the economy. This is not multitasking. Or may be he is, I forgot to say that besides focusing on his debate on Friday, he is also cheerleading about the financial crisis right now so he can blame the Republicans. Just in case you do not know, he got big money from Freddie and Fannie. Do some research, don't depend on the media.
Obama doesn't realize that either him or McCain will be the next President of the United States. When the current President says be there to help solve the crisis, they had better be there.
Apparently Obama only cares about winning, rather than actively solving problems. He'd rather stay on the campaign trail while the economy implodes. He doesn't want to get his hands dirty in what is a dirty job.
The Oval Office is the loneliest place on the planet and there is no high road there.
John McCain won't have any input in this conversation because he doesn't have a grasp of the subject. GWB didn't need to invite him. He could have stayed aboard the Straight Crap Express with his Econ 101 tutor studying for the debate. Hopefully he'll carry one of his surrogates who he intends to place on his "911 Commission" (Yeah I know it's ridiculous but McCain did say he would set up a 911 commission to investigate the causes of our economic crisis).
George W. Bush is an IDIOT.
Gayle September 24th, 2008 10:24 pm ET
"McCain showed true leadership today. Obama, on the other hand, seemed like an actor saying "the show must go on." I've made up my mind. I don't want someone for president who playacts the role. McCain and the Republican party got my first donation today but not my last."
Well you got something right anyway. With a $700 billion dollar bailout we will all be making "donations" for many many years to come thanks to your heroes. I just cannot fathom how people can be so clueless. I guess you can fool some of the people all of the time
My prayers for the Obama campaign
No John McCain and Pres. Bush are not trying to derail the debates and pull a fast one over on Obama. Excuse me as I choke that lie back. McCain must really think the American people have not been paying attention. Seriously, anyone that thinks this person is the best candidate for us is sadly mistaken and should not complain if he becomes the next Prez and the country continues on a downward slide. You had your chance to make a difference.
Stick to the issues and keep the debate as scheduled.
Go Obama/Biden 08!!!!
I hope that the President , when he meets with Obama and McCain, can propose to simply take the $1 billion dollars per day that it takes to run the war in Iraq, and bring the troops home instead, that will fix our own economy by saving billions of dollars. We should end the war, quit writing a check to Iraq, and reinvest that back into our suffering economy. In 700 days, we'll be out of debt!!!
John McCain have nothing to loose cause he have cindy bank book waiting for him ....the Republican's think we are going to elect them in office again no more chad no more McCain no more palin this not 2000 when they steal the election along with crazy karthine harris and the suprem court
SO OBAMA THE CLOWN SAID HE WOULD JUST KEEP ON HIS SCHEDULE. THAT IS WHAT A ROCK STAR DOES. THINK OF HIMSELF. SELF INDULGE WHILE THIS COUNTRY IS IN A SERIOUS TIME. HE SAID NO TO MCCAIN BUT THEN SOMEHOW HE WAS PERSUADED BY THE MAN HE HAS BEEN HATING ON FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. HMMMMM SOUNDS LIKE OBAMA DOES NOT HAVE A CLUE WHAT TO DO WHEN THERE IS A PROBLEM. HE IS A SCUM BAG. MCCAIN PUTS HIS COUNTRY FIRST.
Continue on with the debate! If the government will be using $700 billion of "our" money, the two presidential hopefuls will need to explain that to the American people...and the debate is the best forum to do so!
The timing of the bank bailout summit seems suspicious, being so close to the first Presidential debate. I heard that the Treasury Dept had been working on a plan for months. Why did the Bush Administration wait until this late date, so close to the election, to submit the plan to Congress, and try to rush it through without giving Congress time to consider it in a thoughtful manner?
It will be interesting to see who – if anyone in Congress – stands up for the interest of the average American, not just for the mortgage / investment bank lobby.
The American taxpayer should not be the victim of extortion and be forced to pay a blank check without knowing the hundreds of billions we pay will accomplish anything. Won't all the additional debt and increased deficit further reduce the value of the dollar, and worsen the problems of our economy?
The election process and a free and open debate should not be held hostage to the outcome of the bank bailout summit. It's critical that we hear how each of the four candidates stand on this issue of how we got into this mess, and how they propose to get out of it!
I guess he's going to confess his sins...
no, I guess he's going to invite bobo the clown for the party...
okay, bad jokes...I guess he's going to tell the truth, show the hand bag the economy is in and a map to show where its going.
The last thing I read was that Congress & The Senate was very close to a compromise....so why are they meeting anyway??
Palin is a barbie doll in a barbie world.
McSame is out of his league. War hero, yes...fit to be president...HELL NO!! If Obama had done this, the McSame camp would be calling Obama chicken...not ready to lead ...etc. Cut the crap McSame and let Bush and his people do their job. What do you want.. a photo op? These are games and the McSame camp is trying to pull the low information voters. I don't want a Maverick in office.. I want somebody who's smart and level headed. This is plain crap that they think most americans are just plain STUPID and an insult to everyone. Just like Palin. What sad is some people actually fall for this stuff. Why do you think most (not all) but most educated people in general are for Obama?? Hmmmm ...you have to wonder.
Obama/Biden !!!
No offense, but most of you are warped in your blind hatred for anything not pro-Obama.
Obama himself said this financial crisis is the worst America has seen since the Great Depression.....yes....a century ago. I am happy that he is so good that he can multitask other things in addition to what he considers the worst financial crisis in American in the last century.
Of course, Obama isn't a leader among the Democrats, but is merely a mouthpiece for Pelosi, so why should we expect him to actually display leadership and try to resolve what he considers a once-in-a-century crisis?
Skip around Florida and Mississippi and give pretty speeches while real leaders fix America's problem.
I was shock that one of McCain's advisor said on Chris Matthews, "why should McCain show up at the National Debate, when Obama did not show up at the town hall meetings" (When John been asking Obama to showup)! Help me understand, this is the National Presidental Debate right? This is something set up for the people, by the people! Right!
And why the President did not ask Biden to report to the white house? Something just don't sound right with the move by John McCain or the President.
I am looking forward to the National Debate, and I don't want any candiate going AWOL now! Yes, we have a crisis, but that is why the elected officials back in Washington is working harder than ever to reach a resolution!
Refuse to shake his hand.
Why Can't They Do Both!
Oh I Forgot, Sen. McCain Will Be Too Tired!
They Both Have Jets.
Sen. McCain Overacted On this!
Stopping The Campaign and Not Wanting To Debate. What About Puting Your VP To Work.
You Have A VP, Advisors, Capaign Managers, Surogates, TV Ads
Why Stop?
The Debate Fly Time To and From 3 hours, The Debate 1 1/2 hours.
Fly Back To DC Take Care Of More Business, Than Call It A Night!
Sounds Do'able To Me.
McCain is so full of lies and BS it is no longer.
He is 'suspending' the democratic process ..
He has to get back to Washington immediately. He calls Letterman, tells him the economy is crater (last week it was fundamentally strong according to this man) – has to cancel his appearance because: he has to get back to Washington, and again, he is suspending his campaign.
GUESS WHAT.. in the exact time slot he was slated with Letterman, McCain then goes to do an interview with Katie Curie!?!?!?! Did he miss his plane back to DC, and he decided to wait with the suspension just a wee bit?
Oh, and why is it again that his VP can not take over on the campaign trail as McCain heads to DC to meet with President Bush and save the country?
Heck, let her and Senator Biden do their debate on Friday!
Keep the democratic process moving. That IS the American way.