Obama Joint Statement Proposal

- Obama called McCain 8: 30 a.m. on September 24th asking for campaigns to issue joint statement
- McCain called back six hours later and said he agreed in principle
- Minutes after calling back, McCain issued statement suspending campaign and asked Obama to do same

Six hours prior to John McCain's suspension of his campaign on September 24, 2008, Obama called McCain and asked that the two candidates issue a joint statement in support of the proposed mortgage bailout plan. McCain called the Obama campaign back six hours later, told them that he agreed to a statement "in principle," and then immediately appeared on television to announce the suspension of his campaign. McCain also called on Obama to suspend his own campaign and asked that the September 26, 2008 Mississippi debate be postponed.
Joint Statement

"The American people are facing a moment of economic crisis. No matter how this began, we all have a responsibility to work through it and restore confidence in our economy. The jobs, savings, and prosperity of the American people are at stake.
Now is a time to come together - Democrats and Republicans - in a spirit of cooperation for the sake of the American people. The plan that has been submitted to Congress by the Bush Administration is flawed, but the effort to protect the American economy must not fail.
This is a time to rise above politics for the good of the country. We cannot risk an economic catastrophe. Now is our chance to come together to prove that Washington is once again capable of leading this country. The Atlantic: The Joint Statement (September 24, 2008)