To Debate Or Not To Debate: What To Do?

UPDATE: Sen. John McCain's campaign reports that the GOP presidential candidate WILL participate in tonight's first presidential debate in Oxfprd, Miss.

As I write this, I have no idea what I'm doing tonight, which sounds like a personal problem ... but it isn't.

Tonight, I am scheduled to anchor, along with NPR's Tom Gjelten, NPR's post-debate call in special, planned to follow what was supposed to be the first Presidential Debate hosted by the Commission on Presidential Debates.

But as of this writing, we have no idea whether the debate is going forward or not.

Now the smart money is that it WILL happen, but I have to tell you, I am not so sure. I am not so sure because it really does seem as though the negotiations over the bailout are at an impasse. Congressional Republicans, particularly on the House side, are balking at the cost, at the level of power that would be invested in the Treasury Secretary and at the fact that the U.S. will be investing taxpayer money in junk securities with an uncertainty over whether the money can actually be recouped.

Meanwhile, the Democrats, who control both houses of Congress by a narrow margin, seem to have been making more headway with the White House with their priorities ... but somewhere along the line the whole thing broke down. They are back at it as we speak, but the point is that John McCain says he is not feeling going to Mississippi unless the deal is done. So, what's a maverick to do?

And more to the point, am I getting the free pizza or not?

You'll find out as soon as I find out.

In the meantime, here's what we're working on for next week:

An interview with a woman who has one of the most interesting jobs I've ever heard of. You've heard of peace keeping, but have you heard of peace building? There is now such a commission at the United Nations, and we will learn more about it and the person who is doing it ... or trying to.

Are you an Ani DiFranco fan? She is a trailblazer in the music industry, has always recorded under her own label and supported herself and her business with a heavy tour schedule. She does her own thing her own way, and now she has a new project: a baby! How is she making it work? We'll tell you.

The vice presidential debate is (supposed to be) next week. You might remember that I complained about the fact that the only non-white man moderating any of the debates was assigned to the VP debate. Well, gee, now it turns out to be kind of the most interesting. We'll talk about it.

And we have a few other surprises for you. Lose sleep trying to guess ...

Have a good weekend.

Michel Martin

10:47 AM ET | 09-26-2008 | permalink

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10:47 AM ET | 09-26-2008 | permalink