Suspending the Campaign is a Stunt

Senator McCain just announced he was “suspending” his campaign on Thursday so he could return to Washington to focus on the unfolding economic crisis. He also asked that Friday’s debate be rescheduled.

I agree Washington should work quickly, yet carefully to address the financial calamity facing Wall Street and Main Street. But, suspending the campaign seems more like a stunt than an act to “put politics aside for the moment” as stated by the Senator.
This presidential campaign is our opportunity as a nation to decide how best to handle more than just the crisis of the moment, but the hundreds of others we face and the ones we will in the years to come.

Yes, Congress and the Administration need to come to an agreement as to what the government’s role will be in righting this ship. And, the presidential candidates need to help this process, not play a game of one-upmanship with a serious situation. But, something healthy actually comes from honest and open debate. I believe Senators Obama and McCain owe it to the country to have this vigorous exchange - now more than ever.

The Obama camp may decide to follow the McCain folks to Washington in hopes that doing so will make them look equally concerned and patriotic. Such a move is nothing more than theatrics.

Working to solve the financial mess and campaigning for president are not mutually exclusive. The candidates should agree to hold the debate as scheduled, but instead of focusing on foreign policy as a topic, they should address the largest economic emergency of our times.