Update [2008-9-24 17:2:4 by Glic]: This was a very good statement. Obama that the American people need to know about the candidates and hear from them and that there are many situations where a President has to do more that one thing. He also very carefully, but graciously, made the point that he initiated the contact about the joint statement and McCain agreed to it. They did not agree to canceling the debates. Obama said McCain asked for that but Obama said they should just make their joint statement; by the time he got back to his hotel, McCain was on TV suspending his campaign and trying to pull out of the debate.
"This is exactly the time the American people need to hear from the person who will be responsible for dealing with this mess."
Barack Obama is scheduled to begin speaking at about 4:45pm Eastern time. Obama is expected to say that the candidates should be able to both work on the financial situation as well as debate and that the only thing that has changed is McCain's position in the polls.
Obama is speaking:
"This is a moment of great uncertainty..much blame to go around, but we're now here and every American has a stake in solving this crisis.
Clarifies that he initiated the call to the McCain campaign. Give credit to Tom Coburn who suggested a joint statement. McCain called him back around 2:30 and Obama asked him to join him in issuing a joint statement.
Update [2008-9-24 17:2:4 by Glic]: Obama: "There are times for politics and there are times to rise above it and do what's right for the country. No matter how this began, this is no longer a Dem or GOP problem..it's an American problem."
Question: "Is McCain playing politics with the debate?"
OBama: I called him this morning with the intention of issuing a joint statement...he called me back...agreed and then additionally suggested we meet in Washington. I told hime why don't we get the joint statement out first...to show a bi-partisan agreement. When I got back to the hotel I saw on television what he intended to do about the debate"
Regarding the degate, it's "more important that ever that we present ourselves to the American people."
"I've spoken to congressional leaders and Paulson every day this week to see how I can help. It's important that the Dem standard bearer and the Rep. standard bearer have come together to work on this."
Q: Are you going to stay in FL or go back to Washington?
A: I'm prepared to be anywhere, anytime that I can be helpful and I've told congressional leaders that. I think the message is "if you need us, if I can be helpful, I can be there." I'm talking to them every single day and have been working around the clock. Presidents are going to have to deal with more than one thing at a time.
I continue to insist that this package have the conditions that I've set forth.
Q: About the debate..
A: I believe we should have the debate....Obviously, if it turns out that we need to be in Washington, we have big planes and they can get us from DC to Mississippi very quickly.
Q: Question about canceling campaign events
A: I think it's important for the American people to see the people who could be in charge of this in the next couple of months. We need to focus on solving the problem, as we have been doing over the last several days, but ....it's possible for us to do both.
Q: Regarding the lack of communication...will a joint statement help?
A: I have done what I agreed to do....talks about bi-partisan package.
Q: About suspending McCain's campaign..is it a stunt?
A: Direct that to Sen McCain. The conversation we had was cordial, we both agreed this was a very important issue to deal with. I proposed putting out th ejoint statement and he concurred. He then siad 'I would like to look at us pushing debates off and suspending campaigns..' I said to him why don't we get the joint statement out first.
Implies that McCain jumped the gun.
Q: Did you know when you talked to him ..did you tell him you didn't want to?
A: I told him we needed to get the statement out first. But look, let's be clear. Sen McCain is running his campaign and I'm running mind. Given the fierce competition of this election...both parties agree that we need to focus on this problem on Cap hill..this is an issue that should transcend typical day to day politics and I'm glad to be a party to that. We need to be clear to the American people that this is a serious problem.