Obama 'optimistic' a deal can be reached
Watch: Sen. Barack Obama says he is optimistic a deal can be reached on the financial bailout.
(CNN)— Sen. Barack Obama said Friday he is “optimistic” a deal can be reached on the financial bailout and the best way forward is to explain his vision to the American people at the debate in Mississippi.
“I think that there is real progress being made this morning and last night,” Obama told reporters onboard his press plane en route to the debate.
Watch: 'real progress being made," Obama says
The Illinois senator said he had several conversations with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Sen. Chris Dodd, and other Republicans involved that reassured him progress will be made.
McCain also announced Friday he will head to the debate, feeling sufficient progress on the bill had been made.
Watch: GOP leaders say the return of McCain and Obama helped talks progress
“At this point, my strong sense is that the best thing that I can do, rather than to inject presidential politics into some delicate negotiations, is to go down to Mississippi and explain to the American people what is going on and my vision for leading the country over the next four years,” Obama also said.
Asked if Thursday’s meeting at the White House was a mistake, Obama admitted he wasn’t sure “it was as productive as it could have been,” adding the best move at this point is “to just move forward.”
Both John McCain and Barack Obama are expected back in Washington D.C. after Friday night’s debate to finalize plans for an economic package.
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Independent but Leaning
THIS GUY KNOWS WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT. NONE OF THAT MATERS UNFORTUNITLY OBAMA WIL WIN THIS ON HATE FOR BUSH AND THE FEALING THAT PEOPLE GET WHEN THEY THINK THEY HAVE MADE HISTORY.
With all deference to the centrist Republicans who are as appalled at how the Republican party has been hijacked over the past decade by the extremist Right...
I can't figure out John McCain. He reminds me of a Chihuahua; barking and yapping and jumping up and down for attention. He appears to be a master of the zig-zag – weaving and dodging at "incoming", but offering nothing of substance with regard to the country.
This latest "escapade" to Washington is a clear example. So what exactly has he added to the discussion? Even if he manages to get the House conservatives on board, all he will have done is to get them to do him a solid on someone elses idea!
McCain may not be as empty-headed as Palin – but truthfully, he's not far behind.
With all the drama around McCain – we should step back and recognize how calm and steady and statemanlike Obama has been. McCain is a hothead who is lurching about shouting and throwing out random ideas and relying on gimmicks. And Obama just continues on calmly, showing steady leadership. McCain is willing to throw caution to the wind and take impulsive risks. Obama is thoughtful and steady and acts with respect and integrity. Isn't that exactly what we want in a President? Isn't that what we need in a time of crisis?
Guys, tell the Conserves to be careful what they say, they gotta take it slow. And by the way, I'm just being nice...
And by the way, I warned them. Well, not exactly them but Ed(Rollins).
Just don't say I didn't care...
contrary to idiotic belief, and those who believe the nonsense lies of the repubs. Obama was the one who laid out the democratic stance in that meeting. MCCAIN SAID NOTHING, NOTHING AT ALL, YET HE THINKS HIS PRESENCE WAS NEEDED...HOW CAN YOU PEOPLE VOTE FOR THE ARROGRANT IDIOT THAT IS MCCAIN?
Wow,! that is leadership man.
The majesty said Call me if you need me!!!!
This is the biggest crisis of our time and Obama needs to run for the presidency, he can’t just run to save our economy.
Some people have very unreasonable expectations.
Does Barack Obama know he can not vote "Present" on this one? Obama is actually going to have to make a decision between "Yes" or "No". WoW
I know its tough for Obama to actually take a position, but lets watch and see how many times he twists his position to seek more votes.
I am astonished that we are in the final stretch of this election and it is a virtual tie. Obama should be leading by over 30 to 40% with the mess the Bush administration is leaving us. Here we are on the verge of a recession and the Maverick is still in it. This would be the biggest upset of all times if McCain pulls it out. Obama gets way too much credit for his intelligence level.
Go McCain
Dear Friends:
Not only should Palin not be in the White House or on the ticket she should not be Governor of Alaska. She is worse than the guy before her per smoke signals from Alaska. Buy the way it is a real person of whom I am protecting.
According to sources in the room, the meeting began like this;
After Pres. Bush convened the meeting, Pelosi began as is customary. ( as the majority leader of the House) She and Reid deferred to Obama. He laid out, without notes, the Democratic ideas about what safeguards the bill must have. When finished, Pelosi asked Sen. McCain to respond with the Republican plan at which time Sen. McCain deferred to the Republican Congressional leadership and said nothing else.
Yep, he’s quite the leader.
What an idiot!!!!!!!
I hope you morons are happy when Obama ends up "president" not because of his leadership or accomplishments, but because the press wanted him to be.
Won't that be great?
Obama needs to quit. NOW!
Say what you will right wing-nuts, but at least Obama isn't fool enough to release internet ad's proclaiming he "won the debate" like ol' McSenile. Boy, has your nominee got some serious problems.
Obama showed up because Bill Ayers needed some earmarks thrown on to the bailout bill... something about funding radical activist fringe "educational" groups in Chicago. For more information google Obama chairman annenberg. Great guy that Obama.
You know since CNN closes these blogs so fast today I just have to laugh that only 4 comments got through on another one of Bidens Gaffe's in the factcheck. They let Palin's stepping down with unlimited sleazy responses but Biden with all this so called experience has made so many mistakes in one week and no mention of that.
Calm,cool and very Presidential!!!
It sounds sooo good...President Barack Obama!!! I LOVE IT!!!!
YES WE CAN, SIR!!
eVERYBODY RUN INTO YOUR HOUSE I AM SHUTTING DOWN THE COUNTRY. MEDIA HOUSES SHUTDOWN,MALLS CLOSE UP ...ETC
IF EVERYONE HAD FOLLOWED YOUR LEAD MCCAIN WE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN TOTAL CHAOS.
Jmac too panic too lead...No judgement to pick his VP...Self first Country last...No wisdom to be president...
I am Mike from Chicago and i approve this message.!
Lee: Until Wednesday McCain was out parading his VP around the United Nations, was campaigning and actually showed up in Washington only a few hours before Obama did . MC hadn't even read the Bush proposal, had nothing to offer at the meeting at the White House and even Republicans are criticizing the division he brought to the negotiations.
Breaking News......The United States has just been attacked again. Obama "I'm a phone call away, call me if you need me. I'm going to debate tonight". And this man talks about being bi-partisian. Now we know who is real doer (McCain) and who's a talker (Obama). It goes to show that this man has no good judgement. If anybody is injecting any politics it's the Dems. Didn't Reid say they needed McCain in Washington, well McCain called his bluff no the Dems are backpeddling. I don't care about a debate tonight, I want to see results on the economy!
He's got it.
Calm in the face of disaster. Able to think things thru without reacting rashly and belligerantly.
He's got it.
Go Obama. Our Country NEEDS a good President.
Sen. Barack Obama inspires my confidence.
Lets talk about Davis! When will people start to focus on this? How many more tricks will McCain pull to distract us?
Prediction: Palin drops out Monday. Another distraction.
I'm still waiting to hear how the Democrats are going to explain to the 90% of their constituents who do not want this bail out and have taken the time to call, write, and tell them about it–will respond to those voters.
I guess it's just the Democrat way. It doesn't matter what YOU want–we're smarter and WE'LL DECIDE WHAT'S BEST FOR YOU.
So–give it up $700 Billion blank check to forestall the hypothetical disaster. Now we have socialized risk–and privitized profit. Remind me again which party is on the side of big business?
Well, Obama, you will get to see what a real President is the next four years as you call John McCain "Mr. President" every day.
Notice there is absolutely no specifics in his reply to the reporter.
In other words, "Let me see what my speech writer has to say."
Obama is a disgrace!
Why isn't anyone in the media talking about part of the bailout the Democrats wants 20% to go to ACORN?? This is something the Dems don't want the american people to know. This organization has false voter registration, ACORN employee's forged thousands of fraudulent signatures and misspening government grants. Why in the world would the taxpapers want to help this organization.
anyone with just normal intelligence can see that McSame was just trying to get credit for solving a problem in crisis. He has flopped as usual. McSame has no idea what he is doing. He darts out in all directions, not knowing what he is doing. He insisted he had to be in Washington. For What ??? He did not contribute anything. He is a total and complete JOKE. He should step down along with his vp. who is way out of her league. No McSame, No Palin, No Way, No How ! !
I think this I am so confident our next president is going to be Obama, I do not even follow the news anymore like I use to.