Posted on 09/24/2008 4:14:39 PM PDT by GVnana
Reid to McCain: Don't Come Back to Capitol September 24, 2008 5:14 PM
A Democrat tells ABC News that, in a phone call late this afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., told Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., that it would NOT be helpful for him to come back to Washington, D.C., to work on the Wall Street bailout bill.
McCain this afternoon suspended his campaign and said he would skip the first presidential debate in order to return to Capitol Hill to work on the log-jammed Bush administration legislation, which, as of Wednesday afternoon, was in peril.
McCain had phoned Reid to ask about the prospects of him, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and others to sit down and work together on hammering out a bipartisan proposal.
"Sorry," Reid said to him, a Democrat close to Reid says.
Reid then read McCain the statement he had just put out: "This is a critical time for our country," says the Reid statement. "While I appreciate that both candidates have signaled their willingness to help, Congress and the administration have a process in place to reach a solution to this unprecedented financial crisis. I understand that the candidates are putting together a joint statement at Sen. Obama’s suggestion. But 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. If that changes, we will call upon them. 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.”
A source close to Reid said McCain didn't have much to say after that. Reid, the source says, thinks McCain's maneuver is a gimmick born from bad poll numbers and the fact that "debate prep must not be going very well."
- jpt
UPDATE: McCain senior adviser Mark Salter emails: "Yesterday, Harry Reid said that consensus couldn't be achieved without John McCain's leadership. John stepped up and is providing that leadership. Now Senator Reid seems to have changed his mind for reasons we'll let him explain. But what he should understand is that this isn't about Harry Reid or John McCain or Barack Obama. It's about the American people and, in the words of Warren Buffet, the financial Pearl Harbor they're facing. John's committed to doing his part to help avert that calamity. We hope Senator Reid is too."
McCain to Reid.....It is a free country....I’ll go when and wher I want...
Me to Reid: Get out!
Panic in the streets of obama land!
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
No one asked YOU Harry.
Bump.
Reid working for hussein.
McCain to Reid and Obama for that matter - read my lips:
Country First, you idiots!! (my additions)
Camp Obama wants to continue the debate while Rome burns Harry Reid said yesterday that this legislation would not pass without McCain’s presence.
Is anyone else ready to march on Washington????
If the Republicans carry out this attack well, not just McCain/Palin will win, but many Republicans can win new seats in Congress as well. Who knows. As a result, Reid may just end up getting out -- of the Senate Majority Leader spot.
McCain needs to hammer home this "Financial Crisis" is the sole fault of the democrats and Obama!
Reid is the type of person you want to take a shower with bleach after you meet him.
It’s been apparent for a while that Reid, Pelosi and 0bama want to prolong and exacerbate the situation for political gain. Unfortunately, most voters really won’t see through their ploy and they may succeed.
Palin quoted Reid best: “I can’t stand John McCain.” What he really means is that he can’t stand up to John McCain. And that’s the best reason to take the maverick out of the senate and put him in the White Wouse.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Harry Reid is an American disgrace, and the people of Nevada should ride him out of the state on a rail.
Country first not camapaign first, the only problem for the rats is that Mccain thought about it first
uh, since McCain is still a member of the Senate, he and Obama, who I suppose is a Senate memeber, need to have their sorry asses back to doing the job they are paid for.
I know, to a POS like Reid, that idea is foreign to him.
Unbelievable.
He must have just talked to the Messiah.
Is Pelousy still on her asinine book tour, while Rome burns?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.