Presidential debate will include both candidates

By Patricia Chambers

Friday, September 26, 2008 3:12 PM MDT

Tonight’s presidential debate at the University of Mississippi will include both major party candidates, afterall.

The debate will air at 7 p.m. (MT) Friday (Sept. 26) from the University in Oxford, Miss.

Republican Nominee Senator John McCain announced earlier this week that he would suspend his campaign to return to Washington D.C. to join the negotiations meant to rescue the financial market after the failure of several financial banks.

Secretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson had presented the Congress with a plan to bailout the failing companies with a promise of more than $700 billion of taxpayer money.

Congressional leaders announced an agreement shortly before they and Presidential candidates McCain and Democrat Barack Obama were to meet Thursday with President George W. Bush. When the meeting ended, however, a group of Congressional Republicans said they opposed the plan worked out by leaders of both parties in the Senate Banking Committee.

As negotiations continue, McCain announced Friday morning that he changed his mind about suspending his campaign and not participating in the scheduled debate until Congress approves legislation resolving the financial crisis that has gripped Wall Street during the past two weeks and announced this morning that he will participate in the first of three televised debates.

The McCain campaign released a statement Friday that “he will return to Washington to ensure that all voices and interests are represented in the final agreement, especially those of taxpayers and homeowners."

The Republican presidential campaign released a statement attacking Senator Obama as part of the announcement.

"The difference between Barack Obama and John McCain was apparent during the White House meeting yesterday where Barack Obama's priority was political posturing in his opening monologue defending the package as it stands. John McCain listened to all sides so he could help focus the debate on finding a bipartisan resolution that is in the interest of taxpayers and homeowners. The Democratic interests stood together in opposition to an agreement that would accommodate additional taxpayer protections.”

Jim Lehrer, anchor of the PBS “NewsHour” will moderate the debate, which is slated to focus on the topic of “Foreign Policy and National Security.”

The topic of the first debate was changed at the end of August with the agreement of both presidential campaigns from “Domestic” issues to Foreign affairs when the military conflict between Russia and Georgia dominated the headlines. It is expected, however, that Lehrer will ask the candidates questions about the financial crisis on Wall Street.

In a related matter, the Associate Press reported today that Vice President Dick Cheney canceled today's trip to New Mexico because of the market turmoil.

Cheney was to have appeared at a private fund-raiser for Republican congressional candidate Ed Tinsley, who is running against Democrat Harry Teague for the Second District Congressional seat now held by U.S. Senate candidate Steve Pearce.


Bicyclist still in critical condition after auto collision		Senate nearly final vote on New Mexico water settlements

Article Rating

Reader Comments

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of The Taos News.

RandyNason wrote on Sep 28, 2008 8:18 PM:

" I don't mean to nit-pick but, Obama said McCain adviser Henry Kissinger backs talks with Iran “without preconditions,” but McCain disputed that. In fact, Kissinger did recently call for “high level” talks with Iran starting at the secretary of state level and said, “I do not believe that we can make conditions.” After the debate the McCain campaign issued a statement quoting Kissinger as saying he didn’t favor presidential talks with Iran.
McCain tripped up on one of his signature issues – special appropriation “earmarks.” He said they had “tripled in the last five years,” when in fact they have decreased sharply. "

Report Abuse

Submit a Comment

We encourage your feedback and dialog, all comments will be reviewed by our Web staff before appearing on the Web site.

The Taos News requires all commenters to register before posting comments. It's quick, it's easy, and it's free! Just fill in the information below to get started!

Your privacy & trust is important to us. The registration information we request is secure and for the use of The Taos News only & will not be given to any third party in any way. Your Member ID is the only part of this information that will appear on your comment posting. Any violation of our conduct policy will result in the suspension of your registration.

Already a Member?

Login Here:

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login? (requires cookies)
	Forgot Your Password?

Become a Registered Member

When you register, you will get an email confirming your registration. Please read the email & click the link provided. This confirms your registration and you can post comments. If you do not respond, you will not be registered and unable to comment on stories. If you have SPAM filters, please add registration@taosnews.com to your address book or filter to ensure you get this email.

Do not use usernames or passwords from your financial accounts!

Note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required!

*Create a Member ID:
*Choose a password:
*Re-enter password:
*E-mail Address:
*Year of Birth:
	(children under 13 cannot register)
*First Name:
*Last Name:
*Zip Code:
*Gender:	Male Female
*Do you read the print edition:	Yes No
*Would you like to get our free Inbox Edition Email?	Yes No

Return to: News « | Home « | Top of Page ^

Archives > News