NPR: Dems Unimpressed With McCain's Return to Hill

Dems Unimpressed With McCain's Return to Hill

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has issued a sharply-worded statement in response to McCain's call for both candidates to suspend campaigning to help broker the bailout plan -- possibly jeopardizing Friday's debate. The statement sounds better coming from Reid than it would from the Obama camp (though we assume the Obama folk had a role in crafting the release):

This is a critical time for our country. 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 Senator 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.

House Financial Services Committee Chair Barney Frank (D-MA) had a pithier take, calling McCain's move "the longest Hail Mary pass in the history of football...or Marys."

-- Evie Stone

4:10 PM ET | 09-24-2008 | permalink

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Thank you Harry Reid!!-McCain is down sharply in the polls so he is trying to pull a fast one.

Sent by jen | 4:51 PM ET | 09-24-2008

Yes! Let's keep the debate on!

Sent by Mary Reed | 5:01 PM ET | 09-24-2008

Funny thing is, the debate isn't about the economy, it's about foreign affairs? Did Obama's camp (AKA Reid) forget that?

Sent by JB | 5:11 PM ET | 09-24-2008

I don't think that in the two hours it takes to debate Senator Obama, this complicated financial crisis will be solved. This is a tactic to make McCain seem "presidential", involved, and ready to leap into action. But given his record, it's really not very credible. Besides, shouldn't our leaders be able to multitask? Bring on the debates!

Sent by M. Breslau | 5:41 PM ET | 09-24-2008

Isn't this the same McCain who one week ago said the economy was fundamentally stable? Wow the winds of political polling sure do blow this "maverick" around. I don't want a president who uses the polls to figure out there is a crises, is this the same as Bush's "dear in a headlights" look when told of the 9/11 attacks in the schoolroom in FL?

Sent by Bill Gissenaas | 6:00 PM ET | 09-24-2008

Everyone has a right to change their position as information is gained. Debating is less important than trying to resolve a problem that is facing the country. We've had more than enough talk, it's time that the people we are paying actually do something. McCain shows that when the chips are down let's get to business. Obama is saying that even though this is a bad situation, we should still debate. I would rather see someone who wants to get to action than debate about what they may do.

Sent by Peter Knipschield(nip shield) | 9:41 AM ET | 09-25-2008

If McCain, by his own admission, doesn't know much about the economy, why is his presence suddenly so desperately needed in Washington?

Sent by Andy | 3:28 PM ET | 09-25-2008

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