Friday debate still up in the air or is it?
Both McCain and Obama met with U.S. President George Bush on Thursday afternoon. At the time, congressional leaders said they were close to a deal, but talks on a final bailout settlement stalled late in the evening. They are expected to continue Friday.
“I’m very hopeful that we’ll get enough of an agreement tomorrow so we can make this debate,” McCain said Thursday on NBC’s “Nightly News.”
In an interview with CBS News, however, he remained coy about his debate attendance.
“I understand how important this debate is and I’m very hopeful, but I also have to put the country first,” he said.
Obama has said he will attend tonight’s debate in Oxford, Miss., suggesting that McCain should not be afraid to argue his positions.
“Senator McCain has no need to be fearful about a debate,” Obama told reporters. “He’s a person of strong opinions and he’s been expressing them on the campaign trail.”
CTV’s Tom Clark told Canada AM from Mississippi on Friday that although McCain has kept everyone guessing about his attendance, his staff has been involved in the debate preparations.