McCain Talks Economy At Clinton Global Initiative Conference

By: John Bentley
Topics: John McCain

(CBS)

From CBS News' John Bentley:

(NEW YORK) – The $700 billion bailout plan currently being worked on in Washington is in danger of not being passed, according to John McCain, and that's why he's going back to the nation's capital.

"I do not believe that the plan on the table will pass as it currently stands, and obviously we are running out of time," McCain said. "So I am returning to Washington to seek five fundamental improvements to this critical legislation." McCain has suspended his presidential campaign until an agreement is reached.

He made the remarks this morning at the Clinton Global Initiative conference, which is Bill Clinton's organization designed to address global concerns. After advocating a bipartisan solution to the financial crisis, McCain also talked about setting aside party differences to solve global warming, something that not all in the Republican Party agree is a man-made phenomenon.

"We now know that fossil fuel emissions, by retaining heat within the atmosphere, threaten disastrous changes in climate. No challenge of energy is to be taken lightly, and least of all the need to avoid the consequences of global warming," McCain said.

"Global warming presents a test of foresight, of political courage, and of the unselfish concern that one generation owes to the next."

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by missglo September 25, 2008 8:37 PM EDT: MCcain should tell the truth. He''s going to Washington, to make sure that he do not lose his investments.; Reply to this comment


by veteran22 September 25, 2008 7:26 PM EDT: Well just send in pittbull Sara Barracuda to fill in at the debate. After all she was a point guard for her basketball team, can see Russia from her house, and hunts moose as well.; Reply to this comment


by butt.doc September 25, 2008 6:18 PM EDT: So let me get this straight... McCain "suspended" his campaign to head back to Washington and spearhead the critical legislation for a Wall street bailout, because the issue is too important to let politics get in the way. Somehow though, during his "suspended" campaign, he found time this morning to head to New York and deliver a speech at the Clinton Global Initiative to let us all know how he had "suspended" his campaign because he was badly needed in DC to help break a partisan stalemate.

"I cannot carry on a campaign as though this dangerous situation had not occurred, or as though a solution were at hand, which it clearly is not. As of this morning I suspended my political campaign...
It has become clear that no consensus has developed to support the Administration''s proposal to meet the crisis. I do not believe that the plan on the table will pass as it currently stands, and we are running out of time. So I am returning to Washington to seek five fundamental improvements to this critical legislation."
It''s a shame that because he was so busy grandstanding (and delivering a campaign speech while his campaign was suspended) about how he was urgently needed in DC to broker the deal, he was too late for the meeting where the deal was reached. No doubt he''ll still try to claim credit.; Reply to this comment


by DCropp September 25, 2008 3:48 PM EDT: Great, just saw video of McCain attacking Obama today.

So much for McCain stopping his campaign. He''ll give speeches about himself, attack anyone who questions his judgment, meet with Baronesses, but McCain won''t debate.

Instead, McCain''s trying to get Palin''s debate canceled. Watch part 2 of the Palin interview by Couric and you will understand why McCain is panicking.; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 September 25, 2008 3:18 PM EDT: The %u201Cnew%u201D nine worst words in the English Language:

1. I%u2019m
2. a
3. Republican
4. and
5. I
6. have
7. a
8. $pending
9. Plan; Reply to this comment


by nancysabet September 25, 2008 3:08 PM EDT: BRAVO MCCAIN, he is a real mavreck and I am confident he is going to Washington to help to solve our crisis. He ahs proven record that he can do it. Where is Obama going? Who cares!; Reply to this comment


by mattcat25 September 25, 2008 2:59 PM EDT: The Republicans are attempting to fleece another $750 Billion Dollars out of the US tax paying workers just like they did in Iraq, and Katrina. What exactly will be this plan? Have Halliburton own all the repossessed houses?

(and have BlackWater kick out the residence); Reply to this comment


by annmar3 September 25, 2008 2:50 PM EDT: I also thought he stopped campaigning. And, why does Clinton have McCain on the podium. What happened to Obama and why is he not invited. I also understand that Palin is going to be at the summit. What''s with this?; Reply to this comment


by stevemehere September 25, 2008 2:06 PM EDT: I don%u2019t believe anything McCain says now or then. The story about him telling his captors he didn%u2019t want to go home unless others went home doesn%u2019t make sense. As a 23 year vet, your enemy didn%u2019t say to you, %u201Cyou can go home because you daddy is a big wig in the military.%u201D If anything, it was more reason to keep him for interrogation. The story is full of holes and all we have is McCain%u2019s word that it happen.

It is unfortunate McCain was a POW, but McCain is an opportunist then as he is now. A man of any integrity does not approve such low blow campaign ads, distort the truth, and out and out lie as he has in this campaign. I don%u2019t care if you feel Obama has done the same. As a military man, we still maintain our integrity no matter how dishonest the enemy is. McCain%u2019s campaign character does not reflect the integrity of a true hero.

I want proof from McCain that someone in the enemy camp said he could go home. McCain, do you really expect veterans, like me, believe that? When in history has the enemy told a captive he could go home? You have proven your word means nothing now and I suspect you took the opportunity to distort your story then for political purposes, as you seem to be doing now. Country first, if it advantages McCain, is your true motto.; Reply to this comment


by DCropp September 25, 2008 1:56 PM EDT: What is McCain still doing campaigning in NYC?

McCain said he was stopping because he had to rush back to Washington.; Reply to this comment