Campaign First

Senator John McCain: “America this week faces an historic crisis in our financial system. We must pass legislation to address this crisis. If we do not, credit will dry up, with devastating consequences for our economy. People will no longer be able to buy homes and their life savings will be at stake. Businesses will not have enough money to pay their employees. If we do not act, ever corner of our country will be impacted. We cannot allow this to happen.”

Senator Barack Obama: “I made the suggestion [a joint statement] to him, he agreed to that suggestion and made the suggestion in addition that we need to have a meeting in Washington with congressional leaders and the president. When I got back to the hotel, he had gone on television to announce what he was going to do [suspend his campaign].”