Republican
presidential nominee John McCain said Wednesday that he
would suspend campaigning to focus on a "historic
crisis" for the U.S. economy, reports Reuters. By
suspending his campaign, McCain also seeks a delay in
Friday's planned presidential debate.
"I am
calling on the president to convene a meeting with the
leadership from both houses of Congress, including
Senator Obama and myself," he said in New York
on Wednesday afternoon. "It is time for both parties
to come together to solve this problem."
McCain said
he called Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama
before making the public statement, asking for a
"political free zone" until a deal is
reached on the legislation for a $700 billion bailout of
the financial industry, according to MSNBC.
Senator Obama
proposed a joint statement be made in support of a package
to help fix the economy, while Senator McCain proposed
pulling all political television advertisements from
airing.
Obama also
rejected McCain's suggestion that the debate be
postponed. "In my mind, it's more
important than ever that we present ourselves to the
American people and describe where we want to take the
country and where we want to take the economy," Obama
said.
The economy has
not been McCain's strongest suit, and his move is seen as
an attempt by some to turn it into an opportunity to show
he's the candidate of bipartisanship and action.
Recent polls show Obama has an advantage with voters
regarding the economy. (Kandice Day, The Advocate)
