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 hope the Democrats take this opportunity to say "well if mccain wants the presidential debate next week – lets have the VP debate this week – i.e. swap them!"
At least then we'll see if mccain really is cancelling it for the right reasons and not just to give palin more time (or indeed cancelling the vp debate altogether)
So is Bush providing McCain cover for his stupidity?
I was going to say, Dubya was going to suggest to meet at, oh, 8pm Friday night. Maybe McCain still will, being as how he will be sooo busy taking about his deep knowledge on the economy to those in DC the next couple of days. Crazy. Does anyone else think we SHOULD debate for more than ONE WEEK on a $700 BILLION plan that has major implications for our economy? Anyone? Especially with the utterly pathetic and insulting lack of detail in the plan?
something else that just occurred to me...didnt mccain suggest this meeting...isnt it kinda a trad olitically for obama to attend...isnt it just playing into mccain;s overall scheme of things? just a thot! these republicans will do anything...absolutely anything to win...obama stay sharp...we the people got ur back
That makes more sense. Instead of complicating the issue, you add your opinion when its asked. This situation is too delicate to be dictated by partisan politics. Maybe now we can the debate!!!
Bush listens to Obama...
THANKS to Sen. McCain – for showing true leadership in this time of economic crisis. Thanks to a man who consistently puts his country before politics, we might actually have a chance of making it through this financial disaster.
I know that it is hard for the media elite to admit, but flowery speeches just don't even compare to a politician taking action.
What the hell is going on?
Folks, there is skullduggery afoot. The same people who stampeded the nation into Iraq, into the Patriot Act, fumbled Katrina, and blew the surplus; yes, its the Republican Gang that Can't Shoot Straight. Once again they are telling us that it is urgently necessary to write a check for $700 million without first finding out what we are paying for.
We don't need bipartisan cooperation. One party is trying to pull the wool over our eyes, pick our pockets, skin us, and hang us out to dry. Why is it the American thing to do to cooperate with them.
Something stinks. If we fall for this, like we fell for everything else they put over on us, I guess we may as well just sell the country to China. We don't deserve it.
Why didn't Bush include the Disasta' from Alaska who says she is ready to lead the country? Her comments would have been "enlightening".
I wouldn"t trust either of these if they told me the earth circled the sun.
Masters of deception and distraction.
Obama-now you look REALLY FOOLISH-not going there first!!!-Too bad McCain beat you on this one!!!!-BO you're not a leader but a FOLLOWER!!!!
I figure Bush is just trying to buy time so that come Friday McCain can claim there's no way he can make it to the debate. This smells like another Bush/Cheney underhanded trick to me.
Obama, keep on preparing for the debate and show up whether McCain does or not. The media would have a field day with McCain as a no-show!
Gee thanks Barry.
Glad to have to you on board to help the Country.
Better late than never.
Boy...you're really giving the 'Bots fits tonight.
First it's one way...then the other....then back to this way???
It's hard to keep up!
McCain/Palin '08
I am sure this will take the rest of Thursday & all of Friday to conclude, therefore how could McCain make the debate on Friday. Prop him up, Bush! While Bush & McCain play Chutes & Ladders perhaps the grown-ups in the room can talk intelligently to find a solution.
WOW!!! This is major when the president invites the to guys up for his spot. I guess he is just going to laugh in their faces knowing theyone of them will have to take this on, cause he's for sure;"outta here"!!! Let him try an go out tonight with that MAJOR tactic of FEAR over the Americans as he always do....FEAR-"YOU WILL DESTROY"!!! UNITY-WILL BRING THE WORLD TOGETHER....
Maybe the three of them will share a malt together.
Obama's camp doesn't think he may be contaminated?
Wait. Is this an invitation where Bush asks Obama to suspend the dabate?
This is the most rational idea Bush has had in the last few months, maybe years, maybe his entire life. Hopefully, the Republicans don't over use it for a prop/photo op.
LT
If Bush hadn't been spending trillions in Iraq, there would not have been any need for a bailout! We couldn't afford that needless war. We will be suffering for years because of it!
Saving a bunch of bad investors – 700 BILLION dollars
Fighting terrorism in a country that DIDN'T attack us on September 11th, 2001 – between 2 and 3 TRILLION dollars
Seeing George W. Bush leave office on January 20th – PRICELESS
Good. Hopefully this will stop all the nonsense about skipping the debate. These two candidates are very competent individuals (supposedly, since we really aren't getting the full picture of McCain/Palin due to the media ban), who should be able to do more than one thing a day/week.
Comon' CNN
JOE BIDEN needs to challenge SARAH PALIN to debate is Mississippi Friday if Mac will not!!!
Ohh and I picked...OVER!! LOL!!! 3.5(days) is the number and let's see if its gonna take longer or not...
Show me the money!!!