Sen. John McCain Suspends Campaign, Asks for Delay in Debate

CQ Transcripts Wire 
Wednesday, September 24, 2008; 3:34 PM

SPEAKER: SEN. JOHN MCCAIN, R-ARIZ.
[*] MCCAIN: Good afternoon.
America this week faces an historic crisis in our financial system. We must
pass legislation to address this crisis. If we do not, credit will dry up
with devastating consequences for our economy. People will no longer be able
to buy homes, and their life savings will be at stake. Businesses will not
have enough money to pay their employees. If we do not act, every corner of
our country will be impacted. We cannot allow this to happen.
Last Friday, I laid out my proposal, and I have since discussed my
priorities and concerns with the bill the administration has put forward.
Senator Obama has expressed his priorities and concerns.
This morning, I met with a group of economic advisers to talk about the
proposal on the table and the steps that we should take going forward. I've
also spoken with members of Congress to hear their perspective.
It has become clear that no consensus has developed to support the
administration's proposal. I do not believe that the plan on the table will
pass as it currently stands, and we are running out of time.
Tomorrow morning, I'll suspend my campaign and return to Washington after
speaking at the Clinton Global Initiative. I've spoken to Senator Obama and
informed him of my decision, and I've asked him to join me.
I'm calling on the president to convene a leadership meeting from both
houses of Congress, including Senator Obama and myself. It's time for both
parties to come together to solve this problem. 
We must meet as Americans, not as Democrats or Republicans, and we must meet
until this crisis is resolved.
I'm directing my campaign to work with the Obama campaign and the Commission
on Presidential Debates to delay Friday night's debate until we have taken
action to address this crisis.
I'm confident that, before the markets open on Monday, we can achieve
consensus on legislation that will stabilize our financial markets, protect
taxpayers and homeowners, and earn the confidence of the American people.
All we must do to achieve this is temporarily set politics aside, and I'm
committed to doing so. 
Following September 11th, our national leaders came together at a time of
crisis. We must show that kind of patriotism now.
Americans across our country lament the fact that partisan divisions in
Washington have prevented us from addressing our national challenges. Now is
our chance to come together to prove that Washington is once again capable
of leading this country.
Thank you.
END

    
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