Yes, they should debate. We need to know exactly where each candidate stands on this issue directly from the horse's mouth.

Yes they definitely need to debate. There are enough people in Washington to "take care of the economy mess". Time is passing quickly and we need to have our 2 candidates in front of America face to face debating the issues.

Frank,
Here is a wild and crazy notion. Since Senator McCain is so focused on saving the world and can’t make time to get to Mississippi, how about letting the Vice Presidential running mates step in and debate on Friday? This would be the perfect opportunity to see if the governor of Alaska is really ready to handle being a heartbeat away. I know Joe Biden could do it no questions asked!!!

Long ago my Father told me there are two people in this world you never trust, one is a car salesman and the other is anyone who is in politics. How many times have politicians promised the world and delivered a tenth of what they said. Should they debate, would it really matter, since most of what they will say is just for show anyway and just a lot of empty promises.

The debate should absolutely go forward. People that vote/or register to vote, deserve to know what's up. Perhaps JM isn't going because HE'S a COWARD?

With only 40 days left in the Presidental Campaign, and with many voters still undecided, it is vital that the candidates move forward and debate on Friday. McCain does not need to be in Washington to interact with his fellow congressmen (what happened to phones, faxes, e-mails?) To cancel the debate at this late date is irresponsible and irrational, and leaves a STRONG impression that McCain is afraid of Obama.

I would'nt be surprised if everyone but you, Frank, and perhaps Jessica, would agree with whatever Obama wants to do. It took Obama several days for him to formulate his own plan plus he wants to stay in Florida where he can vote "present" instead of sitting across fellow senators and coming up with a solution that doesn't further damage the working middle class who make a decent wage but still live paycheck to paycheck. There is nothing better than looking at someone face to face to arrive at a common goal.

YES YES YES, Let the Debates begin, this is excatly the time we need to hear from both of the canidates.John and Sarah want the job but they dont' want to show up for the job interview.What are they hidding????

I personally like the idea they're actually doing the job they're already paid to do in the time of a crisis.

If McCain were down 20 points in the ratings, it would be arguable that he wanted to drop the debate in order to avoid it.

But he goes ahead and does what he thinks is right, and shows some leadership, and Obama's upset his people could continue to "spin" it?

For the record, I'm a "decline to state" and haven't decided who I'll vote for, but I still have 40 days to make a decision, so what they DO rather than what they SAY will weigh a lot in my decision.

We already know where each candidate stands. We need ACTION! Barak Obama has turned down several town hall meetings with McCain and didn't do well at Saddleback Church in California so to suggest that McCain is afraid to debate Obama is absurd.

debate?..YES!!!....once again..the "art of distraction" from the GOP...listen carefully to his decline yesterday...McCain wants to cancel HIS debate..but more IMPORTANTLY>>he wants to cancel the VP debate...the GOP camp knows...SHE'S NOT READY

Postpone the debate? You must be kidding! This toe-to-toe comparison is what everyone has been waiting for! I'm sure Congress can excuse the Senators for a few hours. I think McCain is afraid he won't fare well. Or maybe he's trying to give Palin more time to prepare for her debate with Biden, which is coincidentally the day he suggested to debate Obama...hmmmm

Dows it really matter if they do debate? They both keep saying the same thing anyway. These 2 corporate sponsored candidates don't really have their own opinions anyway. If there is really going to be a debate, they need to include Ralph Nader. He is the only major candidate that actually has a different opinion on the issues. But the "debate" as they keep refering to it, is sponsored by the 2 major political parties and is only there to promote their propaganda. Let Ralph speak.

The problem I have with Obama's "Campaign We Must" position is it indicates that running for the office of President trumps everything else. Obama would rather "talk" about what he would do as President rather than do his job as Senator and actually roll up his sleeves and work on a solution. Would a President Obama leave pressing national issues to his staff during his run for reelection?

And wouldn't we be able to determine "where they stand" by the actions they take rather than the words coming out of their mouth?

Just a thought.

We need action AND the full presidential campaign ... especially the debate.

If that's too much to ask from John McCain -- then perhaps the Republicans can come up with someone else.

This is so obvious -- the numbers started to tank once the undecideds finally figured out that 2 + 2 = 4 and that John McCain-style deregulation is what got us into this crisis. The polling numbers tanked and McCain suspends his campaign to look presidential.

How very cynical.

Should they debate, sure. Does it have to be this Friday, not necessarily but bravo for once again spinning things so that John McCain is damned if he does, damned if he doesn't. That's the real power of the media.
And the David Letterman story, excuse me but it doesn't take a genius IQ to know that a stint on his show would have been mostly humorous and that the content w/ Couric was about this crisis. If it had been Obama that had cancelled DL to instead appear w/ KC, the headline would have read "Pres. candidate Obama shows his priorities during a crisis ... a true leader".
That's crap and you know it.
Want a job at most any news media outlet in this country, be prepared to check your objectivity at the door.

There is no question the Debates Must go forward... The people deserve this. If McCain can't be there, than let the VP Debates happen Now, before Anything should come up to Cancel the VP Debates???? If a Pres. can't be where he should be it's the job of the VP to step in. Let's see Palin steps in like she would have been expected IF she was elected to this position! I'm a Registrated Repulican, and this Whole thing smells a bit funny to even a Repubilcan!!!

The debate should go on. McCain cancelled his participation prior to Obama reacting and agreeing. Obama can't very well conduct a debate alone.

I believe the reason the McCain camp cancelled the debate is because the debate was originally supposed to focus on "Foreign Affairs".

However in this unprecedented economy crisis, they can't just discuss foreign affairs, surely the economic situation and the bailout will need to be addressed.

McCain doesn't appear to be prepared to discuss solutions. However Obama has already been holding meetings with Clinton's former economic advisors. This group of advisors has a proven track record of success.During the Clinton administration this economic group along with Clinton left our country in a much better economic place, than it currently is in.

These candidates will have to be able to “think on their feet “if they are going to run our country. They have not been sitting in their senators seats for a long time, since the presidential campaigns have begun. If they attended these economic stimulus meetings in Washington, it would just complicate the negotiations and the emphasis would shift to political partisanship...even more than it is now on the Hill.

No the debates should go on...America is expecting it. The candidates need to get the best advice they can to discuss the issues intelligently... right now. This crisis should help show who's got what it takes to handle the economy that they will inherit in January.

If McCain is not ready to discuss solving the enormous problems that America faces ....maybe he is not ready to govern our country and get us out of this catastrophe!

Are they not currently elected senators? Go to Washington and do their job!!! And PROVE their mettle!!

They are the peoples" employees as such they need to be doing the peoples" business which means working on the bailout not personal business which is what campaigning is all about. Ban all campaigning (and debates) until the financial crisis is handled!

Both Obama and McCain are still US Senators. They both still have important jobs to do, which includes working out this finacial crisis. I believe they should BOTH be in Washington until the houses reach some agreement on how to proceed. If one of them was President now, and war was about to break out, whould they stay on the campaign trail, or drop politics for awhile and go to work????

Yes, the debate should go on - the subject, the ECONOMY!

Yes both Obama and McCain should participate in resolving this problem. The news is now reporting that both candidates and leaders in Congress will meet to discuss solutions.

I absolutely agree that they should be a part of finding a speedy resolution that can be passed by Congress, quickly.

However airplanes are still pretty fast method of transportation and if they have to reschedule the debates until Saturday then okay...but America wants to hear what these two gentleman plan to do to fix and stabilize our numerous problems facing our country. These questions and more importantly the solutions...are essential to deciding who will become our president in January.

Good morning Frank,
Enjoy your dinner with your neighbors tomorrow with or without a Presidential debate. We think more highly of Senator McCain now than ever before,that he will put the country first above politics. Indeed we commend him that he wants to postpone the debate until this economical mess is solved.

Let McCain stay in Washington and posture himself as Economic Saviour! Obama will have the whole floor to lay out point by point why he is the best Presidential choice.