Subscribe by RSS
In a gutsy move by John McCain just minutes ago, his campaign will be suspended on Thursday to head back to Washington and deal, as a Senator, with the current economic and financial crisis on Wall Street. McCain is calling on the Obama campaign to do the same. Furthermore, the McCain camp has requested to the Commission on Presidential Debates that Friday’s debate be postponed to deal with the current economic issues.
Prelimnary report from Fox News:
John McCain asked the Presidential Debate Commission on Wednesday to postpone Friday’s scheduled debate with Barack Obama so that he can work on the financial crisis bailout plan now on Capitol Hill.
The Arizona Republican senator said he will suspend his presidential campaign on Thursday to return to Washington to help with bailout negotiations. He urged Obama to do the same.
Longer report from CNN:
NEW YORK (CNN) — Republican presidential candidate John McCain announced Wednesday that he is suspending his campaign to return to Washington and focus on the “historic” crisis facing the U.S. economy.
The Arizona senator called on his Democratic rival, Barack Obama, to do the same. He also urged organizers of Friday’s presidential debate at the University of Mississippi to postpone the event.
“I am calling on the president to convene a meeting with the leadership from both houses of Congress, including Senator Obama and myself,” McCain told reporters in New York. “It is time for both parties to come together to solve this problem.”
There was no immediate response from the Obama campaign.
The Obama campaign responds, via Politico:
At 8:30 this morning, Senator Obama called Senator McCain to ask him if he would join in issuing a joint statement outlining their shared principles and conditions for the Treasury proposal and urging Congress and the White House to act in a bipartisan manner to pass such a proposal. At 2:30 this afternoon, Senator McCain returned Senator Obama’s call and agreed to join him in issuing such a statement. The two campaigns are currently working together on the details.
Video of McCain issuing his statement preceded by the breaking news from Fox News, McCain’s statement begins at the 5 minute mark:
The Obama campaign is not buying the debate postponement, via Political Radar:
However a senior Obama campaign official said Obama “intends to debate.”
“The debate is on,” a senior Obama campaign official told ABC News.
Obama supporter and chief debate negotiator Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., told MSNBC that “we can handle both,” when asked about his reaction to McCain’s call to postpone the first debate because of the administration’s bailout plan.
He believes they are making good progress on Capitol Hill on the bailout and his initial reaction is that the work on the Hill should not preclude the debate from taking place.
Waiting on the joint statement and Obama’s official position, will advise if and when we get word of the debate’s rescheduled time. Obama is supposed to release a video statement soon.
Via Politico, McCain ads going dark Thursday:
Aiming to prove how serious he is about addressing the financial crisis, John McCain has instructed his staff to take all his campaign commercials off the air, a spokesman tells Politico.
“As John McCain said, now is the time to put partisanship aside and come together to do the work that the American people expect,” said Tucker Bounds.
McCain aides are now in the process of contacting TV station across the country to get their ads taken down, according to Bounds.
Asked how long they would go dark, Bounds only said: “We’re taking our guidance from Sen. McCain on that.”
Update
Barack Obama’s entire statement on McCain’s campaign suspension and the fate of Friday’s debate:
Update
A report from Yahoo News on the unfolding events:
NEW YORK - The economic crisis and raw politics threatened to derail the first presidential debate as John McCain challenged Barack Obama to delay the Friday forum and join forces to help Washington fix the financial mess. Obama rebuffed his GOP rival, saying the next president needs to “deal with more than one thing at once.”
The White House rivals maneuvered to claim the leadership role in resolving the economic turmoil that has overshadowed their campaign six weeks before Election Day. Obama said he would proceed with his debate preparations while consulting with bailout negotiators and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. McCain said he would stop all advertising, fundraising and other campaign events to return to Washington and work for a bipartisan solution.
“It’s my belief that this is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who, in approximately 40 days, will be responsible for dealing with this mess,” Obama said at a news conference in Clearwater, Fla. “It’s going to be part of the president’s job to deal with more than one thing at once.”
But McCain said they must focus on a bipartisan solution to the nation’s financial woes as the Bush administration’s $700 billion bailout proposal seemed headed for defeat. If not, McCain said ominously, 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 to pay workers.
“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.”
Sen. Lindsey Graham, McCain’s representative in debate negotiations, said McCain will not attend the debate “unless there is an agreement that would provide a solution” to the financial crisis. Graham, R-S.C., told The Associated Press that the agreement would have to be publicly endorsed by Obama, McCain, the White House and congressional leaders, but not necessarily given final passage by the House and Senate.
Asked whether the debate could go forward if McCain doesn’t show, Obama spokesman Robert Gibbs replied, “My sense is there’s going to be a stage, a moderator, an audience and at least one presidential candidate.”
Their competing positions came after the two senators spoke privately, each trying to portray himself as the bipartisan leader in a time of crisis.
So here’s where we are. McCain is still threatening to not attend the debate if there is no consensus reached on some kind of legislation aimed at stemming the current Wall Street banking crisis. Obama has flatly stated that, in his view, the debate will happen on Friday regardless of McCain’s request to postpone it, opting to say that as President, they must be able to handle multiple things at once.
So who benefits from this mess? In my view, McCain started leading the day by putting the ball in Obama’s court and seeing how he would respond. Obama faced the choice of following McCain’s lead, which would make McCain look like the leader, or balking at McCain’s move and continuing to campaign. Obama chose the latter and is now putting the ball in McCain’s court with regard to the debate.
Both candidates took a hard line today and we will see what happens. I’m guessing, from what I’ve heard today, the Commission of Presidential debates is still prepared to move forward on Friday holding the debate. Will they dare to do so without both candidates? Will McCain dare to bypass the debate and risk terrible media coverage?
A lot will be happening in the next 24 to 48 hours with regard to whether the debate will happen and how this goes over with voters. We’ll be on top of it with updates.
(5 votes, average: 4.6 out of 5)
Loading ...Visit the You Decide 2008 Store »
Will you accept the scripted Presidential ‘debate’ again?
Brought to you by your ‘good friends’ at Wall Street.
No Paul or Nader Main Street USA,
nor Cynthia McKinney.
Was wondering if you were nearby to pick up on this, Nate.
Once again, McCain proves that “Country First” isn’t just words. This could cost him the election - since I don’t forsee Obama stepping out from in front of the cameras and going back to do his job.
Let’s see how the liberals chew this one up, I’m sure they will try. Of course, I’ve already seen on the Greta board one saying that Obama doesn’t have to go to Washington - he can call in his “present” vote from Florida. *LOL*
I think that McCain needs to focus on increasing his knowledge of the economy before the debate on Friday. He is clearly afraid that the debate will be focused on the economy, a subject which he has far inferior knowledge of.
McCain’s move is as transparent as they come. Putting country first? Ya Right! This is completely politically motivated since he himself said just yesterday that his vote does not matter on this issue!
McCain has put country last again and again. John McCain, Politics First, Deregulation Second, Country Last.
It’s a simple fact, McCain is SCARED of the debate & scared of Obama.This is a ploy to get Obama to stop campaigning.I hope he doesn’t fall for it, we need him.
“A vote for Obama is a vote for change, not EXchange, exchange Bush for McSame.”
As usual McCain is showing what a President should do in a crisis and Obama is showing what an inexperienced self centered person he is. Obama will NOT do this country any good on the economic front.
Chicken!!! Baack! Baack! Baack! C’mon you chicken-hawk, come out and fight like a man!
See, I told you. *LOL*
Nate, I’m hearing now that someone in the Obama camp is claiming they thought of it first. What’s up with that? *LOL*
Yes like Mc Cain is really going to do somthing ………..
please lets get on with this
RUN MCCAIN, RUN!!!!
Obama supporter and chief debate negotiator Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., told MSNBC that “we can handle both,” when asked about his reaction to McCain’s call to postpone the first debate because of the administration’s bailout plan.
“At 8:30 this morning, Senator Obama called Senator McCain to ask him if he would join in issuing a joint statement outlining their shared principles and conditions for the Treasury proposal and urging Congress and the White House to act in a bipartisan manner to pass such a proposal. At 2:30 this afternoon, Senator McCain returned Senator Obama’s call and agreed to join him in issuing such a statement. The two campaigns are currently working together on the details.”
Wow, Do you know how stupid this is?! McCain isn’t even educated enough on the economy to make any sort of decisions, he has admitted this fact himself. So now, (all obvious strategy) he is trying to look like he cares more about the “economy and our country” than he does about the debate and campaigning. Campaigning is one thing, sitting down and answering the questions that the Americans want to hear is IMPORTANT. He is SCARED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Email
Blackberry
Video Conferencing
Fax Machine
Cell Phones
Surely some one in the MCCain campaign knows these things exist. It’s the 21st century!? McCain needs a “..for Dummies” book and learn that you don’t need to be physically anywhere anymore….
I think it’s a cop out, hopefully Obama says he’ll handle it via these methods and show how out of touch Mccain is and how he can handle more than ONE thing at a time.
For all you that think McCain is scared to debate Obama on Foreign Policy need to get a grip. McCain is hardly even practicing for this debate. He’s lived it, so he doesn’t need much practice.
Saying that McCain doesn’t know anything about the economy is just ridiculous. This problem is so incredibly complex there is no single person on this planet that knows all the details. It’s not knowing everything that matters, it’s having the leadership to assemble and delegate to those that can help.
I think this was a very smart move by McCain. His campaign has stagnated in the past week and he need to make a bold move. This is bold and if he can take the lead on this it will be a nice bump in the polls and hopefully for America
What a farce! If this man can’t handle his basic senatorial duties and hold a debate over what he should already know….how is he supposed to run this multifaceted nation? Is he going to put the war on hold while he “handles” the economy? Obviously, if a debate is this overwhelming, the duties of Commander and Chief would make his head explode.
I’m a bit confused… are either McCain or Obama on any committee directly dealing with this crisis? Currently they are senators, not yet presidents… so what influence is McCain going to have NOW, today, tomorrow… when he didn’t immediately fly to DC when the proverbial sh-t hit the fan weeks ago? Let the EXPERTS do their jobs.
In the mean time, here’s what you do… Have the debate in DC, take a few hours out of your time if being there is necessary, and discuss the economy. Or better yet, how about a town hall meeting??? Obama, McCain, and a couple hundred average Americans in the audience asking real questions that concern everyone these days?
Postponing it is a ploy. It’s clear the vast amount of Americans know this, liberal or conservative. It’s pretty transparent.
McCain will use ANY event that happens to jump thru the republican weasel holes to avoid actually facing the issue and hide behind natural disasters like Ike then now hiding behind this economic disaster to avoid facing Barack face to face and doing EXACTLY what they are doing with Palin hide behind closed doors and tell the American people Hey trust me with out question….. Sounds a lot like Bush to me. They think the American people are nothing more than statistics on pieces of paper and voting demographics. We have questions why do they hide and shut the press out not allowing any “Straight Talkâ€
Ricky
You need a Politics for Dummies book. You can’t vote by absentia or by proxy.
McCain is afraid to debate with Obama, clear and simple. NO let the debates go on. There is nothing more important than getting these neocons out of office. They are the ones who have cause dall of this. including McCain, Google Keating Five and you will see what I mean. This is a ploy.
You mean he is suspending his campaign to do what he is being paid to do in the first place - be in the Senate? Be there in the Capital to vote on legislation? Gee what a novel concept!
I am glad that Obama stated that he is capable of doing both which is focusing on the economic crisis and conducting a debate. People…we have an election that is on the horizon. We, the American people deserve to know how these two candidates operates within a debate to aid in forming a decision about which one is worthy of being president. We have a VP nomination that we have not fully heard from. If they postphoned the presidential debate…that will mean that the VP debate will be postphoned as well. This is not fair to the American people. We need to know who these candidates are and how they can function and communicated free style for if in office…they will not always have a script in front of them. I respect John McCain desire to focus on this crisis…but one has nothing to do with the other. As possible president…both of these men will have to know how to multi-task and there is no reason to cancel the debates unless one feels as if he or she needs more time…and that is not acceptable. DEBATE and let us …The American people have an observation to assimulate within our decision process. If not, I will suspect one camp is not prepared and using this as an excuse…Unacceptable.
No, the campaign needs to continue. John McCain is using this crisis for another diversion so he won’t have to talk about the economy, something he knows very little about. I hope the voters can see throught this grandstanding attempt. The campaign and the debate needs to continue as scheduled. They have congress and the treasury department dealing with this crisis, and I think they can spare John McCain’s expertise.
I think the debates are more important to the American people. We need to see these two candidates side-by-side. This debate will be the first time most of us have seen them in action.
We can spare these two in the Senate. They haven’t been there for a long time anyway!
They can keep in touch with the bailout issue while continuing their campaigns. It is called multi-tasking.
Does anyone know if they can vote in the Senate by proxy? I wonder why McCain thinks it is so important to physically be in Washington.
How about we move the debate to Washington? I am sure Georgetown would host it.
You know, I really hate slang, but as some of my students would say, “This is a “PUNK” move on the part of McCain.â€
How many years has he been involved in politics? Why didn’t his Conservative Administration help oversee the economy such that we would not be in this place? Maybe it is because while Wall Street was busy getting rich, SO WAS MCCAIN!! People get real — McCain could care less about the average working American. He cares about himself and his cronies. And so now, he is going to use the near demise of the economy to manipulate ignorant people and make them believe that he cares, as well as get out of debating on Friday because really, he does not have a clue. Please somebody, help him buy a vowel.
Why don’t we also have a moment of silence for the economy on Friday also.
McCain really thinks Americans are the dumbest most gullible electorate in the world.
A McCain senior adviser said that Obama called McCain early Wednesday morning to asking a joint statement of “shared principles and conditions” for the bailout proposal.
An Obama campaign source confirmed the call and said that McCain returned his call six hours later, and accepted the concept and suggested the two of them return to Washington to join the negotiations. The source says that Obama told him that he would do that only if negotiators saw it as useful.
According to the Obama source, soon after they ended the call, McCain announced he was suspending his campaign and returning to Washington.
It would have been better for Mr. McCain to just go and do his job and not have to ANNOUNCE it on CNN. That way it wouldn’t look like this was some type of GIMMICK to get support.
McCain is afraid of the forign Policy Debate. He knows that when Obama tells the country on friday that the wars have a direct effect on our economy which they do, McCain campaign will never recover. He is extremely afraid ,” my friends:.
I think both Obama and McCain have already put in their ideas on the Wall Street issues. Their presence will not make it any different than what they have proposed. I think they should both continue compaigning or at the very least have the debates on Friday.
I firmly think McCain is grandstanding or so he thinks? I don’t think much of him for this move.
Mccain is doing exactly what he needs to, his job! I’d rather see him doing that than scripted preaching on what this country needs and what he intends to do about it. What happens on wall street is key to the future of our country.
John McCain is suspending his campaign because he doesn’t want to debate the issue of the economy since he’s part of the republican group that’s responsible for this debacle. He wants to brush up his skills because he knows Obama will clean his clock on this issue. CHICKEN!!!
why can’t he do both? its an hour or so debate.
I guess he is trying to buy some time to get more educated about how the economy works and what is really going on now.
For sure he doesn’t want to look stupid during the debate in front of million Americans and specially his opponent Barack Obama.
Ummm.. he’s going to vote friday night at SIX?
You can pretty much count only McCains core will think this is a good idea, the rest well consider it obscene grandstanding at its worst.
If McCain can’t handle his campaign and the “financial crisis”, then how would he do if he were pres and had 3 or 4 big things happening in the country or the world like is the usual. I mean he is not even responsible for handling this, all he has to do is vote. McCain is not ready to be pres.
If McCain does attend congressional meetings about the economy and finance, I hope all of the meetings are in public and on camera, not behind closed doors. I feel the need to keep an eye on McCain if he plans to mess around with my economy and tax dollars.
mccain said himself that he is not an expert on the economy SO HOW DOES he think that he will change anything by cancelling the debates and going to washington??? he is so arrogant. does he need more time to cram for the debates for something?
seriosuly, this is so political of him. he’s trying to make it seem like he is taking the high road by turning things off now.
Hysterical. Mr. never retreat, never surrender himself runs like a fairy 2 days before he meets his maker.
What exactly will McCain accomplish in the next few days that wouldn’t get done without him? Thought so.
Stalin (nice),
Not vote absentia or by proxy, will a vote be held daily? No. When it is voted on, then sure, stop what your doing and vote, but putting it together and getting it ready doesn’t require one to be there.
Unless the vote is tight and happens during the debates, I see no reason to call it off.
John McCain has traveled to six different states and taken 5 flights in one day during his campaign. He can be there to vote as well, still make it to the debate. I think he is nervous about debating someone with the intelligence of Obama. Ivy League undergrad top of class… Ivy League Law school top of class… Professor at University of Chicago…. McCain, I was shot down buy a Vietnam pilot, must not have been the best of pilot. Time for a Smart President.
Like Obama just said, if they need to be there physically, they have big planes with big slogans that will get them there rather quickly.
It is the honorable thing to do, putting the campaign on suspension that is. We elect these politicians for this very reason, to speak for Americans. Not to call in a vote. This is their job, to deal with any kind of a crisis that America is facing. Barack can’t vote present on this one, what would that look like. For goodness sakes this is his job, get to work or lets fire him.
Ricky,
You don’t just vote on capital hill, you lead and you debate. McCain is taking the lead here…Obama is just following…again.
WERE THE HELL DID ALL THESE OBAMAHEADS COME FROM?
It is amazing that some of you would rather the candidates bicker over the next few days than help solve one of the worst financial crises to ever hit our country. I don’t think taking a few days away from campaining is going to kill anyone. This damn thing has been going on for over 2 years anyway!
Justin,
You **DELETED BY ADMIN** have no respect for the military.
Mary,
It’s Obama you need to be worried about messing around with your tax dollars. 95% of American will get a tax cut! Yeah right, only 60% of American pay taxes!
They both have planes and a President better be able to Multitask! You can be in Washington to vote and still be on air later to debate then guess what?! You can get back on a plane and get to Washington that NIGHT! RUN McCain RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Debate Dodger
seriously, what is this guy going to do over there? Fire some experts? come on. No I think the problem is one step deeper then you all think. If this crisis allows mccain to suspend his campain, then what can stop the government for suspending the elections in november indefinitely? This ofcourse only if the problem isn’t solved by then. The chimp has the power. serieously, this might be the beginning of the end. Think about it.
Man, you’re right, Stalin!! Isn’t it amazing that the Obama trolls are put on red alert whenever McCain rolls those dice! *ROFL* We’ll never see them on this board again.
Listen up, all you jerks. Being a senator is McCain’s day job, it’s what we pay him for, and he’s going back to work - period. Don’t you listen to the news? Its already been said that without McCain’s support the bill on the floor now will never pass. Reaching across the aisle and bringing the two parties together on major issues is what he’s known for - it’s what he does, and what he’s DONE for over 2 decades. And he’s going to do it again. Same as his attitude with the surge. He held fast and did what was right, even though he knew it could cost him the election.
Obama’s day job is a senator representing the people of Illinois. He’s decided he’ll phone in his solutions for his paycheck this month. Typical Obama. Not doing his job that he’s getting paid a salary to do. He’s dumbfounded that McCain has had the audacity to ask him to go do the job he’s getting paid to do. He sarcastically quips he’s got a fancy plane with his logo on the side, give him a call if you need me. To hell with that.
If a solution to this crisis isn’t hammered out, who’ll give a damn about a debate on foreign policy. That’s McCain’s strong suit anyway, he’ll win it hands down, everybody knows that. McCain has no fear of Obama, you liberals live under a rock.
My inbox is jammed with people who are shocked and amazed and supportive of McCain right now. And I’m damn proud to be a part of his campaign. You want real leadership? Or do you want a few more photo ops from the guy with big ears while the country is facing the biggest crisis since the DEPRESSION?
Grow up people, this crisis is real, and maybe it WILL cost McCain the election. But if it helps pull our country out of this economic crisis, guess what - he won’t care, he’ll have done the job that he was elected to do. Obama doesn’t seem to know what his job is.
And now I’m taking a break, because my boss just gave me a few days off.
Babs,
I don’t know if you objectively listened to what Obama said. He can be in Washington to Vote and be at the debate so to say that Mccain is not using this as a political gimmick and nothing more than a photo op to say hey look I’m a statesman. Give me a Break. Learn to multitask!
Stalin
Kinda causes a sick feeling down deep when the people start talking and you realize you are out numbered don’t it. Wait until election day. Oh, and slow down and read some of the post better. You might start to understand. LOL
OBAMA/BIDEN ‘08
I’m sure by now you all know that the debate will go on.
I think the reason McCain came up with this ploy is because he’s tired & wants a rest from campaigning.Today when he spoke he looks terrible.I’d really like to know what they have been shooting him up with to keep him going this long!
“Presidents are going to have to deal with more than one thing at a time. It’s not necessary for us to think that we can only do one thing and suspend everything else.†- Barack Obama
Babs - “My inbox is jammed with people who are shocked and amazed and supportive of McCain right now.”
LOL…. hahaha… You are apart of the McCain Campaign! Were you expecting to get emails from Obama!???
You crack me up Babs.
Stalin - “You don’t just vote on capital hill, you lead and you debate.”
Well, in McCain’s case you don’t debate. The lead part is still questionable too.
Bruce, *omitted by admin* McCain is not going to vote, he’s going to help hammer out a bipartisan bill that will pass congress.
He’s actually going to do work.
I am sorry Babs, but no. McCain has missed dozens upon dozens of votes this year as he campaigned– as had Obama, this is par for the course. They multi-task for the important bills and do not show for the others.
In addition to this, there are 98 other well qualified Senators present to deal with the bi-partisan venture. It will not make things better to have two presidential candidates showboating about with the national press close at hand.
Right now McCain and Obama are officially nominated presidential candidates for their respective Parties. As SRD explained, that’s a job too. They need to step it up and multi-task, not step down from one position. They have only a handful of debates to do before November. This country needs to see these two discuss issues like the economy, not see them sitting in the Senate and saying “Nay” or “Yay” for the vote. Dibs said it right when he pointed out the time for the debate. McCain and Obama do not need to be in D.C. at 6pm on Friday. They each can spare a few hours to talk about the issues.
CG, I do not understand the honor comment here. Serve your country in the dual capacities you have been charged with, there is the honor– you have repeatedly said that you think very little of either candidate’s expertise on economics (especially McCain who has admitted so, as soldier-cold and Amanda reminds us), so why do you suddenly desire them at the Senate?
“Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, told Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that it would NOT be helpful for him to come back to Washington, D.C., to work on the Wall Street bailout bill.”
“This is a critical time for our country,” says the Reid statement. “While I appreciate that both candidates have signaled their willingness to help, Congress and the administration have a process in place to reach a solution to this unprecedented financial crisis. I understand that the candidates are putting together a joint statement at Sen. Obama’s suggestion. But it would not be helpful at this time to have them come back during these negotiations and risk injecting presidential politics into this process or distract important talks about the future of our nation’s economy. If that changes, we will call upon them. We need leadership; not a campaign photo op. If there were ever a time for both candidates to hold a debate before the American people about this serious challenge, it is now.â€
“Debate commission says they’re going ahead full speed with Friday’s face-off.”
When Newt Gringrich can talk to NPR and say he thinks we need to take some time and not rush into an immediate agreement, perhaps we should all slow down and do alot more research instead of pointing fingers and jumping to conclusions and binding legislation. I don’t think either candidate has a grasp of what happenned and what is happenning with our economy, but It is who they have advising them that will make the difference.
Let them do their jobs as Senators and also have a debate.
Video of Barack’s Response
http://www.youtube.com/wa.....y7kUjDEH3Y
Babs,
Babs,
I can tell that you are flustered so no real need for the name calling. Lets get something settled here McCain will be doing nothing more by his appearance than use it as a political stunt. To say “he’s going to help hammer out a bipartisan bill that will pass congress” is to say that he is going to VOTE on it ! Or it wouldn’t be a BILL. And for the sake of this country of which I have served proudly this can’t be “hammered out” It’s not a dent it’s a gaping wound. If you want to show the people that he is ready He can debate Obama and attempt to show the American people that he is a leader. This BETTER take more than a 3 day 3 page fix! Remember if it wasn’t for McCains proven record of being a Anti regulatory fighter which allowed the insanely rich greedy wall street exec’s to get us where we are at today we wouldn’t be in this situation in the first place
I just saw this… It will be long and most people may not read this but here is a list of past events that happened on Presidential debate days.
AND THE DEBATES STILL HAPPENED…
HIGHLIGHTS OF MAJOR NEWS EVENTS ON DAYS OF PAST PRESIDENTIAL, VICE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES
1960 DEBATES
Sep 26, 1960
Soviets announce ready to put first astronaut into space
Oct 7, 1960
Cuba accuses US of links to invasion
Pentagon curbs spending in light of trade imbalance
Oct 13, 1960
KRUSHCHEV BANGS SHOE ON DESK
Bomb injures 33 in Times Square in 3rd explosion in 11 days
US embargo on Cuba announced
Oct 21, 1960
KRUSHCHEV SAYS USSR HAS NUCLEAR SUBS
Gold price problems in world markets
SOURCE: Front pages of New York Times on debate day
1976 DEBATES
Sep 23, 1976
SEC probing US Steel, including Gerald Ford Congressional activities
Oct 06, 1976
Chinese nuke tests fallout on US soil
Oct 22, 1976
Swine flu vaccine leads the news
Oct 15, 1976 (VP)
Castro says CIA involved in crash of airliner of Barbados, won’t renew anti-hijack agreement with US.
Watergate: no investigation of Ford blocking probe
SOURCE: NBC Nightly News evening of each debate via Vanderbilt TV News Archive
1980 DEBATES
Sep 21, 1980
Iran/Iraq war developments, including US role
Cutoff of rail access for West Germany to West Berlin.
Follow-up on Titan II Missile explosion earlier in week
Oct 28, 1980
Iranian parliament resumes debate on US hostages. Questions of arms to Saudi Arabia from US
Record loss for car company from Ford
SOURCE: NBC Nightly News evening of each debate via Vanderbilt TV News Archive
1984 DEBATES
Oct 07, 1984
Space shuttle Challenger difficulties in orbit
Oct 21, 1984
El Salvador reports CIA agents killed in plane crash
Oct 11, 1984 (VP)
Chief Justice Burger blocking abortion for retarded, dead, blind rape victim
Threats confirmed of plan to crash plane into US embassy in Middle East
SOURCE: CBS (10/7, 10/21) and CBS (10/11) Nightly News via Vanderbilt TV News Archive
1988 DEBATES
Sep 25, 1988
Oct 13, 1988
New stats on growing trade deficit
Oct 05, 1988 (VP)
US hostages in Lebanon
Elections/violence in Chile
SOURCE: NBC Nightly News evening of each debate via Vanderbilt TV News Archive
1992 DEBATES
Oct 11, 1992
Reemergence of tuberculosis
Oct 15, 1992
Oct 19, 1992
Oct 13, 1992 (VP)
SOURCE: New York Times, 10/11/92
1996 DEBATES
Oct 6, 1996
Oct 16, 1996
Oct 9, 1996 (VP)
2000 DEBATES
Oct 3, 2000
Oct 11, 2000
Middle East violence erupts
Oct 17, 2000
Debate goes in the aftermath of the sudden death of Senator Mel Carnahan
Attack of USS Cole occurred 5 days earlier
Oct 5, 2000 (VP)
Middle East peace talks fall apart
SOURCE: AP, 10/17/00; New York Times, 10/5/00, 10/11/00, 10/14/00
2004 DEBATES
Sep 30, 2004
“North Korea has said it has turned plutonium from 8,000 spent fuel rods into nuclear weapons.†[BBC, 9/28/04]
Fannie Mae Agreed To ‘Major Changes’ In Its Accounting And Management Practices. [New York Times, 9/28/04]
Oct 8, 2004
Oct 13, 2004
Oct 5, 2004 (VP)
SOURCE FOR DATES: Commission On Presidential Debates (http://www.debates.org/pages/history.html)
NOTE: There were no debates in 1964, 1968 or 1972
Geezus where in the hell did all these people come from! I haven’t even read all of these responses.
Neither one of these guys can really do anything. Both of them can just take advise from their own experts on the matter. What is postponing a campaign going to do? McCain isn’t scared to debate Obama. I think this idea is kinda far fetched. Looking at some of the shoot from the hip ideas he has made like firing the SEC guy then later the FEC this is probably just another knee jerk ploy. He is competent enough to do both things at the same time. His economic advisers will be working on the ins and outs of this thing and will give him a finally analysis for him to make a decision which will also be in his favor politically. Don’t believe for a second that they are going to put politics aside. Both of them are going to try to use this to attack the other and Obama has the huge upper hand right now. Being that McCain was on the side of the deregulation folks. Maybe a possibility would be that he is stalling so he can redesign his debate angle now that the game has changed.
Bus suspending the campaign over this? He has an entire staff and he has Palin for back up. Let her handle things while he focuses on this major issue.
And thank you JD It couldnt be said any better than that Get on a Plane and Show up to the DEBATE. All he is really trying to do is use this situation to bump the VP debate because they are scared to death to let Palin actually answer questions.
First of all the first debate topic is slated to be foreign policy….a topic which McCain does not have to postpone.
I think if this federal bailout is going to cost each American including infants and children $3000, then pull yourself out of the spotlight and WORK!!!!
Obama is sinking himself deeper and deeper…he is transparent…and I believe Americans are about to see his true colors.
You liberals are to blind to see that this truly is “Country First.”
McCain will help spur both parties to real bipartisan work something Hussein Obama has never done ONCE!
Let him campaign and talk about his crap change when he is really as you libs say MORE OF THE SAME.
Oh yeah and this whole Bill Ayers thing, aint going away. the two werent just neighbors LOL not at all, they spoke frequently and they also had some very radical teachings for school.
One last thing. Maybe McCain wants to go vote on this not only to help bipartisanship but to actually vote “Yes” or “No” on something. That is somethign so simple that Obama couldnt do 160 times and had to vote present. Maybe McCain is going back because congress knows he is a true leader who has lead before in congress while Obama either didnt show up because he was already campaigning in 2006 or he just coulndt make a decision.
Boy Dreadsen you right who are these people ?
I see politics in both sides of the issue.
Obama is having no problem telling folks that he called Mac first and suggested a joint statement. You folks act as if Mac was therefore mandated to do what Obama said. Had Mac done that Obama would have no problem exploiting the fact he was the one who picked up the phone. Had Mac fell for it Obama would be on TV 2nite telling us that the joint press statement was an effort he determined was needed in order to put politics aside at a time such as this, and you would have lapped it up. He would have said this is proof that he can lead on the major issues and reach out to the other side on important matters. So it was completely political by Obama in the beginning. By the way if you guys really believe that senators have no reason to be in Washington during what the DEMOCRATS have described as the worse economy since Roosevelt then when should they be there? and why would Obama have suggested any release ? After all as JD pointed out Reid asked that they stay out of it in order to avoid injecting politics into it.
Anyway Mac sought to get the upper hand on the issue and block Obama’s we are the world attempt by saying Ok I will do you one better, lets suspend the politics and both of us can go back and actually participate in the negotiations. Obama didn’t like that B/C he is in the south right now and he would have had to cancel all his scheduled attempts to gain a foothold there, Florida in particular.
I can see you Obama folks now had you found out that Mac text his vote, used a blackberry (is that allowed in the senate anyway ?) or any other device to solve the “crisis” instead of actually going to the senate and reading the bill and participating in the make up of it. Once again your trying to have it both ways.
You dummies are also showing your complete lack of knowledge about the debates or either your attempt at lying/slanting is bad.
The first debate, the one that Mac wants to delay, is on Foreign policy and National Security. Not The economy (that’s in mid October)–so neither candidate has been preparing for an economic debate in the first place. This is yet another fact that shows Obama is trying to keep us on the economy instead of National Security which is the subject everyone believes will be his biggest weakness and is the subject tbey are suppose to talk about Friday. I would imagine Mac would like the economy issue to die down before he debates on National Security so what should be a major plus for him will not be overwhelmed by economic news.
Here is the debate schedule, if you would like to look at it before you make stupid statements like Obama suggesting the Nation needs to hear form it’s future leader, the one who will have to handle this issue. By the way what is he planning to do scrap the agreed upon format and just talk about the economy or was he saying the people need to hear the man who may have to handle the economic issue talk about Foreign Policy ?, it’s ok go with what your told to think—-dang Dreadsen it’s the blind leading the blind and all are complaining that the lights aren’t on.
http://www.boston.com/new.....le_is_set/
At least he is going to Washington to do what his constituents sent him to Washington to do in the first place. As a resident of Illinois I am personally sick of Obama not doing the job he was sent to do. Of course if all he will do is vote “present” then I guess it won’t matter if he isn’t there. By the way, I voted for him then.
The debates? I’ll bet Palin at least knows that FDR wasn’t president in 1929 and that there wasn’t television.
Each side sees what they want. Each side picks apart whatever they want to pick apart.
It really doesn’t matter who actually wins the debate anyway because the media will put their liberal spin on it and tell America who ‘really’ won the debate. I can’t believe that Obama is going up int he polls when you consider that one of his head financial gurus was the chair of the board for Superior FSB and went under due to major risk taking in mortgage lending and auto loans. Her company payed out millions and it still wasn’t enough to pay back all that was owed to the folks who were screwed. What kind of financial advice is he getting anyway?
Wow! An explosion of irrationality…I had to filter through a lot of junky, excessively partisan rancor to get to the substantive comments - thanks JD, Dreadsen, Todd & Stalin. At least you had reasonable remarks. Some of the others did as well (Bruce and U.S.A., I think), but they were well-buried.
This *is* all politics. To say that isn’t insulting either of them, it’s what politics are about. Gain the upperhand somehow over your opponents. Scoring points with the electorate.
McCain suspending his campaign will win over some undecided people and may lose some people he was holding on to by a thread. It will, clearly, raise the ire of people completely disinterested in him.
Obama making the suggestion of a joint statement will win over some undecided. I don’t think there’s a downside on this one - smart move.
The bottom-line, though, is both candidates would do well to stay far away from the House & Senate. As much as they might want (or not, in-truth) to keep it from being a media circus, their presence would simply lend to chaos that wouldn’t be helpful.
I did like McCain’s idea of the House & Senate leadership meeting w/Bush & his croneys *and* including McCain & Obama in it. But, again, pr’ly too much politricking would get induced and we may delay any resulting solution.
Politicking aside, the debates should move forward as we need the direct discussions to happen with both candidates on the state.
THANK YOU JD for the “what events occurred on debate night” list! That was awesome. If they had a debate the night Kruschev banged his shoe on the desk, that *surely* proves the campaigning can continue as usual…that was a *huge* moment in foreign relations madness!
Todd - “By the way what is he planning to do scrap the agreed upon format and just talk about the economy or was he saying the people need to hear the man who may have to handle the economic issue talk about Foreign Policy ?”
Are you serious??? I want to be clear with my question to you Todd. Are you suggesting that our economy is relatable to foreign policy?
There are a couple questions that come to mind when looking at this situation.
Are we in this situation because we had the wrong foreign policy and left our economy unattended?
Does a 10 trillion dollar deficit and economy on the brink of heading toward a depression mean a US that is more vulnerable to economical pressure from Russia, china, EU…
This is just two ways (off the cuff) I can see how our economy is connected to foreign policy. Not to mention our nation has been using its economy to effect or pressure the decisions of other nations for years now which means our economy is a tool we use in our foreign policy weaponry.
I just watched video from 2006. McCain again wants reform of Fanny and Freddy. Talked of possible dangers. Unfortuneately Democrats stopped it. Now the same Democrats (Speaker of the House & Reed) tell McCain he need not come. There are Republicans not for the rescue, if John can help that is good. It is said Wall Sreet Market will have a major fall if not passed. Some say McCain is doing this for politica resons. I can not read his mind. But historically I guess it is not. I elieve he ould give up the job he seeks, to protect his Country.ime
For all of you die hard Republicans…Thanks for driving the country in a ditch then try to clean it up with a political stunt. McCain cant go back on every blunder and serious lack of leadership and judgment by simply showing up to Washington now. Enough said
JD,
What is your deal ?
are you so blind that you can’t even see the stupid statements you make ?
Talk about dirty politics you are in the cess pool.
Take your point up with the Obama/MCain campaigns. When you get through with that talk to the Presidential debate committee. All of them decided to separate Foreign policy from Economics, I didn’t decide it -they did, so apparently Obama agreed at one point that the issues were separate enough to set two separate debates. If Obama believed they were the same issues I doubt he would have agreed to a format that separated them. I doubt that he would have agreed to talk about the ECONOMIC issues in October if he thought it was part of the September Foreign Policy debate. He, like Mac, is just trying to drive the issue he feels strongest on and he will do it in any format.
Just use your brain a little, I know you hate Republican’s with so much vigor that you cannot see the politics behind senator Obama’s moves and apparently you are so blinded that you believe everything democrats tell you. Being partisan is one thing being blind and stupid is yet another.
I have readily admitted that I am partisan but I have also tried to take the middle road where I can, I took it on this issue when I said both of them are playing it fop what they can. You have no such ability.
The stupid list you posted about previous debates proves your lack of ability to reason.
Not one of the nine presidential campaigns from the 1960’s to 2004 included two Presidential candidates who were senators-Senators who had law making/voting/oversite responsibilities. Plus not one of the “crisis” you list involved a matter that required the two parties to negotiate any differences in order to avoid a catastrophic impact on the personal lives of everyday America. What did you want ? the parties to discuss the Middle East Peace process and put the U.S. election process on hold ? What about The time Sqaure Bombing-did the Republican and Dems need to get together and discuss the fact it was a tragedy ? Rail Access to Germany ? USS Cole ? Hostages ? Space Shuttle ? Did one party want to blow up more shuttles, abandon Germany, take more hostages –what issue needed to be discussed between the parties that would have stopped the election process ? You try to compare a Financial issue/disagreement among parties over an issue which democrats are saying is ruining American’s lives and needs to be addressed thoroughly ASAP and you compare it to railroads in Germany ?
Let me know one time in the last 9 debate season’s that a senator went up against a senator, you can’t b/c it didn’t happen.
Oh yeah Obama now says he will attend the White House meeting 2morrow with McCain was that two positions in 5 hours–in truth yes very much so–he didn’t want to cause it to be politicized at 5pm and thought a press release was sufficient, now at 10pm he feels he need