Obama aide: Debate should go on

Posted: Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:17 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC's David Gregory

From a top Obama source -- He will appear soon to say debate should go on .. perhaps the subject matter can be augmented to include discussion of the economy, but a president should be able to multi-task.

This source says the only thing that has changed is McCain's standing in the polls.

It's clear from speaking to Obama advisers they consider this a ploy by McCain to try to assert that he's putting country first. One adviser said, the time to do that was long before a few days before a debate.

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Comments

The room reeks of desperation. What a pathetic man he is...

cr (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:22 PM)

You remember in school when a few days before a test or a paper was due you asked the teacher for an extension because you were ill-prepared? Yeah, that's what John Mccain is doing now. What a joke!!!!

Young Democrat (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:22 PM)

Yes! Don't let him get away with it, Senator Obama. A real president can indeed do two things at once. We have only 41 days until the election. The voters need to be able to see the difference between the two candicates.

Cathy, Portland, Oregon (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:23 PM)

Doggone Skippy!!!

McCain made this mess. Now, let him smell the dump he took on the financial carpet.

Retribution (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:24 PM)

Words vs. Action

Chris, Arlington VA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:24 PM)

No kidding it's a ploy. Too tired to stand up since you spent the day taking Sarah to work.

You are right McJoke. Suspend your campaign indefinitely. You are old enough to be my grandfather and do not want to be direspectful. However, pass the baton and go home to Cindy if you can figure out which house and which car you'll be driving. WHERE'S THE MAVERICK NOW? BIG LOSER!

Jai, Orange County, CA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:25 PM)

I'm so glad that Obama didn't fall for this obviously desperate ploy to 1) look "presidential," and 2) delay the inevitable slaughter that will be the debates. This is a stunt that will backfire on the McCain campaign - Americans aren't idiots (well, most of us aren't).

Shannon Winkelman, Copperas Cove, TX (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:25 PM)

Amen. You go Obama. Finally, a Dem who is not weak kneed and who will not cow toe to the Republicans. Not now, not this time. This is our time. This is Obama's time.

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:25 PM)

Good!! Call him out. It's weak that McCain wants to cancel.

Chris, CT (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:25 PM)

Postpone the campaign? Give us all a break and drop out. Eight years of embarassment is enough already!!

Paul - Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:25 PM)

Providing the electorate with useful comparative information IS putting country first!

New Indi (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:25 PM)

BRAVO Obama....double checkmate! I'm glad Obama thinks beyond the political mind and actually deals in COMMON SENSE. The consensus I have seen is that this is a ploy by McCain. Obama moves on and the press refers to McCains tactic as a diversion rather than Obama caving in.

CJ (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:26 PM)

YES!! Stay strong Obama!

Katie, Wisconsin (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:26 PM)

NO NO NO It's just BS let the debate go on. If he can't Multi-tasking that's on HIM.

Baltimore_Fan, MD (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:26 PM)

Get'em! Don't allow the mockery of our country continue any longer Sen. Obama. The time for McCain to pull THIS stunt was last week not 2 days before he has to face the nation with the lies he and side-kick Barbie have been telling snapping at their heels. Like others have pointed out...natural disasters (when peoples' very lives were at stake)didn't stop McCain from going to high-end fundraisers, birthday parties, etc. so this mess that has been years in the making is no excuse to carry on like a true statesman worthy of holding the highest office in the land would and should do. Don't fall for the BS! Lay your cards out on Friday night so the American people can see you've got nothing to hide.

Cut The Drama (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:26 PM)

That is exactly what America wants to hear!

LD, Brew City, WI (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:26 PM)

Obama has to debate this week -- before he forgets everything!

Illini (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:26 PM)

Good Choice Obama.......Take McCain Down!!!!!

Michigan Democrats (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:27 PM)

McCain looks like a predent Senator. Obama looks like a President.

adam/Brooklyn New York City (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:27 PM)

"It's clear from speaking to Obama advisers they consider this a ploy by McCain to try to assert that he's putting country first."

----------------------------

This is completely and fully true. When there is a vote on the bailout, they can vote, then hop on a jet and proceed with the debate. There is nothing either one can do to change any outcome of voting on this bill. There is no reason whatsoever to delay the debate. It sounds more to me like McCain simply isn't ready, or, he's trying to make it look like he really cares, seeing as how he helped to create this entire mess. It's a game of politics by McCain who is obviously in panic mode and unprepared for the debate, or the presidency for that manner, nothing less, nothing more.

Steve in Portland (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:27 PM)

Fair is fair, and McCain will have to honor his agreement. It is not like he needs much prep anyway.

I am sure he is as prepared now as he will be in a couple days. Both candidates can fly to D.C. after the debate is over.

N7r3pyd (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:27 PM)

Yes ! The debate must and will go on. I applaude Senator Obama for his decision, because the American people deserve a full discussion of all international issues.Senator McCain is acting like Bush every day, the it must be done now syndrom. Just because I say so, isn't going to fly !

Gina Polesky, Sarasota,Fl. (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:27 PM)

Now THAT is presidential. Thank you Obama for putting the people first.

Pam, San Gabriel CA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:28 PM)

Obama is not stupid. As our good friend C A, from Tuscaloosa has said, Obama, the cold blooded politician, would show up if McCain pushed him to it.

They all took his kindness for weakness.

Well, the blood is in the water, and Barack 'the shark' is circling.

Obama/Biden '08 (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:28 PM)

So let me see if I got this.

McCain says he doesn't understand the economy. And he says the fundamentals of our economy are strong.

And yet now he says we need him - the guy who admits to not knowing much - to delay scheduled events and chair discussions about how to fix our fundamentally strong economy?

That's some pretty strained logic. Of course the alternative we can believe is McCain is simply trying to score a few political points from this crisis.

But, nah, it can't be that. He always puts country first, right? Except when he doesn't, like in 2002 when he told us his first run for president wasn't to reform anything or out of a sense of patriotism, but instead to simply satisfy his long held ambition to be president.

I'm so confused. Listening to McCain contradict himself can do that to anyone.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:28 PM)

Exactly. Obama is far smarter than the GOP publically gives him credit and McCain knows it and is running scared. Obama is going to shred McCain on every subject and the McCain's campaign knows it!

Ian (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:29 PM)

One thing no one has pointed out - McCain admittedly does not really understand how the economy works, so what the heck does he think he'll contribute during the bailout negotiations anyway?

You can run, but you can't hide McSame! The American electorate is on to you!

KP, California (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:29 PM)

Good Going OBAMA!!!! I KNEW YOU WERE TOO SMART TO FALL FOR THE OKEYDOKE....

Hillary Clinton put it best herself, "If you can't stand the heat, STAY OUT OF THE KITCHEN!!!"

CanNOT wait until friday. I am going to make me one BIG JUG of KOOLAID.

And you know what else I am going to do? I am going to DRINK IT ALL DOWN.....

OBAMA 08!!! (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:29 PM)

The american people agree. We want the debates. Chuck let people know we want the debates to go on!

pitts pa (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:29 PM)

YES! YES! YES! THOSE WERE MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY! your little trick didn't work McFossil.

gepa (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:30 PM)

Bring it on! I am sure that MY candidate is prepared, qualified and ready to answer any question. He's quite capable of multi-tasking and he KNOWS that this debate is what the American public wants.

Run and hide, johnny, run and hide. (and take the moosekiller airhead with you)

MissouriMom (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:30 PM)

Where was the discussion to suspend the campaigns before McCain just hauled off and did it, anyway? If this was truly meant to be a non-partisan choice, there would have been a clear agreement between the candidates first. McCain made a naked attempt to politicize the bailout crisis and was rightly swatted down. Kudos Obama!

TLH (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:30 PM)

I think the Obama campaign is right on this one...no matter what they do, they will be criticized by Republicans. I say stick to your guns and move forward and turn this into a discussion on rash decision-making or smart, careful leadership.

Thomas, Chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:30 PM)

The needs of the nation are greater than just a bunch of people and that goes for Obama, too. How can we get into the meat of a subject on a Friday....get it? Meat on Friday. Huh huh. The nation's suffering economically for some reason so it would be a good time to take sweet cheeks to DC for some real work. So I know you my friends understand. Afterall I was a Peeeee OH DoubleU.

navy ball cap (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:30 PM)

I agree 100%. This is a political ploy! I am sick of McCain and his games. He should be able to jugle both! I hope Obama's statements destroy McCain and focus on the debate. McCain should not get away with this! I hope Obama destroys him in the debate Friday!

Randy Smith, NY (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:30 PM)

"the time to do that (put country first) was long before a few days before a debate." Yeah, like all those years he was backing the deregulation that allowed this crisis to develope in the first place.

John B, Des Moines, IA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:30 PM)

Obama should stick with the "PANIC" argument. McCain is panicking again. The issue is serious and needs to be dealt with. But there is no need to panic and dramatically changing the debate schedule will lead people to believe that there is reason to panic. What a McWrong!

Martin, San Antonio (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:31 PM)

I still say: Senator McCain, prove that you are putting the country first- by flipping the debate topics. Discuss the economy and bailout Friday with Senator Obama. Let the American people know where you really stand in all of this- just "straight talk".

You do remember "straight talk" don't you?

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:31 PM)

What... did the dog eat your prep notes, John?

Independent POW (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:31 PM)

Now BO wants to debate after refusing McCain's request to hold townhall debates. McCain and Obama should go back to work and take care of this mess ASAP

Mike Littleton, CO (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:32 PM)

Once again, the leader is making leadership style decisions and the professor is still trying to get a sounding from the polls about what to do.

It amazes me that we are fighting TWO wars and there are voters that actually think a 2yr senator is better equipped to handle the current situation.

PS-Now that there will be no money for Obama's massive debt-creating promises, what is he going to promise you guys now? since he can't afford to bribe all the college students, maybe he'll promise them free tennis balls.

Kyd70SC (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:32 PM)

Becareful people, McCain will come in and mop the floor with Obama !

Anybody but obama (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:32 PM)

I'm glad to see that not everyone is asleep at the wheel. This is obviously a desparate attempt by McCain to appear so concerned and committed that the government does the right thing. For anyone with eyes to see, this was nothing but a ploy to buy some time and perhaps make Barack look bad for not agreeing to postpone the debate (can't you hear that coming next?). This is truly a pathetic display of can't make up my mind, can't get the story straight, can't understand what the h*ll economics means by a candidate I have ever seen. Let's just get to Nov 4 so that we can be done with this excruciatingly painful circus of an election and let Barack get on with the real business of trying to clean up this mess.

Lori, Cranston, RI (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:33 PM)

The presidential debate should go on. Millions of dollars have been spent on this scheduled event. Both candidates can be in and out of MS in 5 hours or less. They can then return to the Battle of the Bailout on Capitol Hill. We have less than 50 days until election. Stay on track!

DWoods, Northbrook, IL (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:34 PM)

The way I see it: Sen.Obama called Sen.McCain first and wanted to really put country first and issue a joint statement. What did Sen.McCain do? He put himself first and issued his own statement and muddied the water. Who do you think will work better with other leaders? How would you like to work with someone like Sen.McCain? You know you do the legwork and the guy shows up for the credit.

Enough of this nonsense. The debate should proceed. If McCain did put country first, he would have done it discreetly like Sen.Obama, not flashily trying to gain political points. This is not leadership. This is gimmick just like Palin pick was. Now, more than ever, I don't want these knee jerk reactions from my President. I do not have the luxury to suspend activities as a working mom. Neither should McCain.

Becky, CA (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:34 PM)

A president has to deal with dire issues, both domestic and foreign, every day, 365 days a year! If McCain can't run a presidential campaign AND put 2 coherent sentences together about the current crisis with the economy, he doesn't have what it takes to be POTUS!

Jon, Chicago (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:34 PM)

It is obviuosly a politial ploy. Mccain is not ready on the debate and he knows it. Why suspend it while the is only a month and a half till the election?? Mccain camp don't want the debate because the more of it, the less possibility they would win the election.

David, Bloomington, IN (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:34 PM)

McCain's numbers are tanking all over the place (Even FOX Noise has Obama ahead by 6pts), so now he wants to use the current crisis as an excuse to get out of debating. Keep in mind that this is the man who wanted Obama to engage him in 10 town-hall debates, and uses that as an excuse for his dirty, lying ads against Obama.

This is clearly a ploy meant to box Obama into a corner. If he takes it, it buys McCain time for the crisis to blow over (and his (McCain's) poll numbers to rise again). If he declines, then he's "putting politics and ambition before country". It's a no-win scenario for Obama here. But fortunately, the people are awake enough to see this for what it is. I say let the debates go on and let the GOP spin it however they want, since they will anyway.

SURRENDER SARAH!

Obama/Biden '08!

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:34 PM)

Country first is talking to the people. Not hiding behind the whitehouse doors.

Billy, Mi (Sent Wednesday, September 24, 2008 4:34 PM)

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