John McCain suspends US election campaign

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Republican John McCain said he was suspending his White House campaign and asked to put off Friday’s presidential debate so he could return to Washington to help tackle the US financial crisis.

McCain’s bold gambit came as several new opinion polls showed him falling behind Democrat Barack Obama in the presidential race amid evidence that his slow early response to the financial crisis has hurt his prospects.

“Tomorrow morning I’ll suspend my campaign and return to Washington,” he told reporters, adding he had spoken with Democratic rival Barack Obama and asked him to join his effort.

“I have spoken to Senator Obama and informed him of my decision, I have asked him to join me,” McCain said in a press statement in the ballroom of a New York hotel.

However, Senator Barack Obama later said he was the one to call Senator McCain, suggesting the pair work together.

“I initiated the call … I called him this morning with the intention of issuing a joint statement.”

Mr McCain returned the call at 2.30pm, and he agreed with Mr Obama’s suggestion that the pair issue a join statement urging Congress to pass the rescue package for the US financial crisis, Mr Obama said.

However Mr McCain went ahead with his own press conference, announcing he was suspending his campaign and asking Senator Obama to do the same.

Mr Obama appeared to knock back the idea of suspending his campaign.

“What I’m planning to do right now is debate on Friday…. my general view is the American people need to know what it is we plan to do in moving the economy forward.”

Arizona senator McCain said that he would direct his campaign to work with the Obama campaign and the commission on presidential debates to delay Friday night’s scheduled debate on foreign policy in Mississippi.

“I am calling on the president to convene a leadership meeting from both houses of Congress including Senator Obama and myself - it is time for both parties to come together to solve this problem.”

“We must meet until this crisis is resolved,” McCain said.

“I am confident that before the markets open on Monday, we can achieve consensus on legislation that will stabilise our financial markets, protect taxpayers and homeowners and earn the confidence of the American people.

“All we must do to achieve this is to temporarily set politics aside.”

McCain warned that America was facing an historic crisis and Congress must pass legislation quickly.

“If we do not act every corner of our country will be impacted, we cannot allow this to happen,” he said.

AFP

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