McCAIN TRIES HAIL MARY "SUSPENSION" TO REVIVE SLUMPING CAMPAIGN; OBAMA SAYS AMERICANS NEED TO HEAR FROM BOTH MEN; PREZ DEBATE COMMISSION SAYS DEBATE GOES FORWARD AS SCHEDULED.

P2008. In a totally unexpected move, John McCain announced Wednesday afternoon he was suspending his campaign, cancelling all TV ads, returning to Washington to get involved in the Wall Street bailout plan negotiations, and was demanding a postponement of Friday night's scheduled debate. "I am calling on the President to convene a meeting with the leadership from both houses of Congress, including Senator Obama and myself. It is time for both parties to come together to solve this problem," said McCain. The announcement came just hours after McCain initially said he wouldn't return to Capitol Hill -- for the first time in five months -- to get involved in the negotiations because it would distract from the ongoing bipartisan discussions. The announcement also came just a few hours after Barack Obama telephoned McCain to suggest the two men issue a joint statement supporting a bipartisan congressional effort to stabilize our failing economy. In an immediate response to McCain's risky political gamble, Obama said the debate should go forward -- possibly on the topic of the economy (instead of foreign policy). "This is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person will be the next President. It is going to be part of the President's job to deal with more than one thing at once. It's more important than ever to present ourselves to the American people," said Obama. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D) also slammed McCain's move: "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. 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." The bipartisan Presidential Debate Commission said Wednesday evening that the Friday night debate in Mississippi will go forward as scheduled months ago. That means McCain must uncomfortably decide between giving Obama a solo national TV appearance against an empty chair (and with an audience 100 million viewers) -- or retract his vow that he will not appear at the debate unless there is a bailout deal finalized before Friday night. FYI: A SurveyUSA snap national poll taken hours after McCain's announcement -- conducted for 42 TV stations around the country -- showed only 10% of voters thought the debate should be postponed and just 14% supported McCain's decision to suspend his campaign. In related news, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin and Senate Budget Committee Chair Kent Conrad said Senate Democrats had reached a very "general, conceptual -- but fragile -- agreement" with the Bush Administration on the bailout, according to The Hill. However, the Senators warned it is a "fragile framework could very easily fall apart as more specific definitions and details begin to be ironed out."

SEND A PIN = GET A FREE PLUG HERE. Here's my open offer for every campaign (and campaign supporter): send me a button or pin from the Governor, US Senate, Congressional, Statewide Office campaign you are involved in -- feel free to add a sticker and brochure -- and I'll place a link to official campaign site here on our home page blog in a daily "thank you" note. (FYI: Presidential coattails items always appreciated). My address: Ron Gunzburger, 409 NE 17 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301. Today's thanks go out to:
Non-profit executive and peace activist Gordon Clark (Green-Maryland) - Candidate for Congress in CD-8.

US SENATE. The latest independent polls for the US Senate match-ups:
KANSAS (SurveyUSA): US Senator Pat Roberts (R) - 55%, former Congressman Jim Slattery (D) - 35%.
SOUTH CAROLINA (SurveyUSA): US Senator Lindsey Graham (R) - 54%, engineer Bob Conley (D) - 40%.

Posted by Ron Gunzburger - 09.25.08