The McCain camp has just sent word that the senator is suspending his campaign and returning to Washington to deal with the financial crisis.
McCain is also calling for a postponement of Friday night’s debate and for Obama to suspend his campaign as well.
We have McCain’s prepared remarks here.
Oddly, the cable news nets are now playing a recorded — not live — statement given by McCain himself announcing the suspension:
Late Update: The Obama camp initially sent out this statement from spokesperson Bill Burton in reaction to the McCain announcement:
At 8:30 this morning, Senator Obama called Senator McCain to ask him if he would join in issuing a joint statement outlining their shared principles and conditions for the Treasury proposal and urging Congress and the White House to act in a bipartisan manner to pass such a proposal. At 2:30 this afternoon, Senator McCain returned Senator Obama’s call and agreed to join him in issuing such a statement. The two campaigns are currently working together on the details.
Later Update: The White House approves and, as if on cue, issues a statement:
“We welcome Sen. McCain’s announcement,” said White House spokeswoman Dan Perino in a statement. “We are making progress in negotiations on the financial markets rescue legislation, but we have not finished it yet. Bipartisan support from Sens. McCain and Obama would be helpful in driving to a conclusion. The financial market crisis is a big problem that requires a big solution, and solving this in a bipartisan way will help prevent economic damage spreading from Wall Street to all Americans.”
