Should the debate still happen?

The debate should continue. It should NOT be stopped by what is going on in Washington. If the two candidates interject their party politics into the mix, it will make it much more difficult to get a good deal made in Washington. The candidates should stay out and only step in at the end to encourage their respectives to vote yes or no on the final proposals.

I think they should both cast a vote on the bailout but I don't really see why it should cancel or delay the debates. The economic crises doesn't rest on the shoulders of these two guys and neither one of them is an economist. Primarily the responsiblity rests with George Bush and the expert is Henry Paulson. I think at this point it's a little presumptious for McCain or Obama to assume this is their show. They don't have any more say here than any other member of congress. They need to live up to their responsiblity and vote but they are certainly not in charge.

I think they need to be in washington doing their jobs instead of campaigning. Debates and campaigning can be postponed. Our economy cannot.

The overwhelming majority of those polled feel the debate should go on but that it should be changed from a debate on international policy to one about the economy. As I write this they're reporting that an agreement has be reached between the Congress and the White House so it may be a moot point and McCain may lost his excuse for backing down from a debate. The point is there are only so many days left before the election and these debates have been set for a long time. If this one gets postponed chances are at least one of the four debates originally scheduled will have to be canceled due to time constraints and I think we all know which one it would be - the vice Presidential Debate, because it wouldn't do to only have two debates between the Presidential candidates because there could be a tie, which each one winning one. To cancel the V.P. debate would be a tremendous disservice to the voters but could work greatly in the McCain/Palin camp's favor. For this reason I honestly believe McCain only suggested Friday's debate be postponed as a ploy. If he can't do more than one thing at a time he certainly shouldn't be running for President! If I were asking questions one of my first would be, "Senator McCain, can you walk and chew gum at the same time?"...lol! Annie

I feel the candidates should still hold some responsibility for their current jobs. They are both SENATORS and should be concerned with their Senate duties as well as their campaigns. In a crises of this magnitude the USA needs all the help we can get. I admire McCain for putting aside his political ambitions and going to help when his country needs him. I think the debate should still happen at some point in the future, but, as with the 9/11 anniversary, I think both of them should put aside their political ambitions for awhile and joing the efforts of other politicians trying to keep the US from economic collapse.

I believe that there should be a debate, but not at this time unless an agreement is reached regarding economic issues before the scheduled time. There is no reason that it can't be postponed until such time as this is resolved. If I were living in the states they represent, I would want them to be in Washington doing their jobs as Senators.

I think McCain is right to suspend the campaign and go back to Washington. Yes, Obama wants to debate about the bail out crisis..but hell, he too should go back to Washington and DO SOMETHING about the crisis instead of talking about it. i don't see it as McCain bailing out or running away from Obama, actually his decision to do this has given him more credibility in my eyes and Obama just seems to be doing the wrong thing now. the next president needs to know when to take action and stabilize this economic situation.

What can they individually do? McCain or Obama. There's no agreement so far, right? So there's no voting being done. Now if either of them have some solution, an alternative to this then DEFINITELY they should skip the debate. But if NOT, then they really need to go through with the debate (which I think they are right now, right?) *is out of the loop, a little, today*

It is called multi-tasking and I sure hope whoever is voted into office is able to do it. Im sure the vote wont take all day/night and isnt the debates held at night?? Not like they dont have the ability to fly to the debate after the voting. Also if one debate gets cancelled where does that put the rest? There is only so much time before voting time.

well, i am not american, but i think that it should be held off until this mess is over and i think that mccain is right in thinking that stuff like that should be delayed as to fix up the bigger problem that is now plaguing the usa.

Well both McCain and Obama have been back and forth to Washington a few times already. And still a decision hasn't been made on this bailout. Because they are presidential candidates people are behaving like they hold the sole responsibility. This is not the 1st debate that McCain has avoided. We have senators from all the states who should be working on this issue. I for one want to hear what our next potential leader is going to say.

I think that Rick Davis is working overtime to try to win this election, and I don't think he cares about what this will do to McCain's reputation. This is purely political, his poll number are tanking, and he has nothing left to help his campaign. He also wanted to move this debate back later because foreign policy is his specialty, and the later in the election cycle he can talk about it the better he is. I think Barack should show up, and let Amreican see how much of an idiot McCain is, and how elitist he really is. McCain thinks that the only why the country can get out of this mess is with his assistance. Sounds like an elitist to me, how about you?

yes debate is a wonderful thing to make your mind active ! it is all so a good idea !

IF they vote and debate the issues...does it really run into the evening? If debates are held in the evening why couldnt they do both? Its not like they cant fly or have the money to be where they need to be....as for being Senators...They have both been out campaigning...I wonder how many votes they have missed? IF anyone can seriously, with no sarcasm, could tell me why they cant do both I would appreciate it. Debates are usually held in the evening and Congress doesnt go all night like a dance club.

I think the debate will be happen in sometimes,but please don't worry,every thing will be better.