McCain Says He Needs a Time Out. Obama says, "Play Ball!"

Despite John McCain's desperate and cynical call for a political "time out", Barack Obama reflects the public's need to hear the candidates debate the issues in a difficult moment: "This is exactly the time the American people need to hear from the person who in approximately 40 days will be responsible for dealing with this (economic) mess," Obama said. "In my mind, the debate is more important than ever."

The Commission on Presidential Debates said the debate will go on Friday despite McCain's request:

"The plans for this forum have been underway for more than a year and a half," the commission said. "The CPD's mission is to provide a forum in which the American public has an opportunity to hear the leading candidates for the president of the United States debate the critical issues facing the nation. We believe the public will be well-served by having all of the debates go forward as scheduled."

"Indeed, both campaigns, without public controversy, with quiet cooperation and with minor revisions, have agreed to The Commission on Presidential Debates' (CPD) proposal that each debate will be divided into issue segments allowing time for each candidate to comment on that issue followed by a free-flow conversation/ discussion between the candidates including the possibility of direct exchange between the candidates."

"These formats are an historic breakthrough in the history of televised debates. Televised debates have been hampered by restrictive time limits resulting in scripted, poll-tested, bumper sticker responses. In 2008, when stakes are higher than ever, issues more complex than ever, voter interest more intense than ever, voter education calls for a more expansive discussion between the leading candidates for president and vice president of the United States on the issues confronting America. The Commission commends Senators Obama and McCain for their understanding and acceptance of this need."
-Paul G. Kirk, Jr. and Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr., the co-chairmen of The Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD)

“Under the pressure of the financial crisis, one presidential candidate is behaving like a flustered rookie playing in a league too high. It is not Barack Obama."
-George Will

More on the debates at:
The Commission on Presidential Debates