McCain seeks to delay debate to focus on economy
By BETH FOUHY
Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK —
Republican John McCain said Wednesday he is directing his staff to work with
Democrat Barack Obama's campaign and the presidential debate commission to
delay Friday's debate because of the economic crisis.
In a statement, McCain said he will stop campaigning after addressing former
President Clinton's Global Initiative session on Thursday and return to
Washington to focus on the nation's financial problems.
McCain said he wants President Bush to convene a leadership meeting in
Washington that would include him and Obama.
"It has become clear that no consensus has developed to support the
administration's proposal," McCain said. "I do not believe that the plan on the
table will pass as it currently stands, and we are running out of time."
McCain said if Congress does not pass legislation to address the crisis, credit
will dry up, people will no longer be able to buy homes, life savings will be
at stake and businesses will not have enough money
"If we do not act, ever corner of our country will be impacted," McCain said.
"We cannot allow this to happen."
McCain said he has spoken to Obama about his plans and asked the Democratic
presidential nominee to join him.
The Obama campaign said Obama had called McCain around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday to
propose that they issue a joint statement in support of a package to help fix
the economy as soon as possible. McCain called back six hours later and agreed
to the idea of the statement, the Obama campaign said. McCain's statement was
issued to the media a few minutes later.
"We must meet as Americans, not as Democrats or Republicans, and we must meet
until this crisis is resolved," McCain said. "I am 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 am committed to doing so."
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