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LEADING UP TO THE DEBATE

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 28, 2008

A rough chronology of John McCain's and Barack Obama's negotiations concerning the bailout bill and the debate:

Tuesday evening

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Oklahoma, calls both candidates - not immediately reaching either - to suggest they "rise above politics and work together to help resolve the financial crisis," said Coburn spokesman John Hart.

Hart said Coburn suggested no particular course of action, only that they work together, and that Obama was the first to call back. The two discussed a joint statement.

Wednesday, 8:30 a.m.

Obama calls McCain to suggest a joint statement that would emphasize areas where he and McCain agree on a bailout bill - eventual repayment of tax money, limits on CEO pay and others - but doesn't reach him.

McCain's campaign says Obama didn't leave a message giving the subject of the call, and that despite the calls from both Coburn and Obama, McCain didn't know what the call was about.

Wednesday, midday

McCain delays calling Obama back while he meets with economic advisers and calls congressional leaders, according to a statement from his campaign. He also meets with Lady Lynn De Rothschild, a former Clinton backer who recently came over to his campaign.

Wednesday, about 2:30 p.m.

McCain reaches Obama at Knology Park in Dunedin, where Obama has just finished speaking at a rally.

Obama said McCain agreed to his suggestion for a joint statement, but also suggested a meeting in Washington with the congressional leaders and the president, and delaying the debate.

"I thought this was something that he was mulling over," Obama told reporters later Wednesday afternoon. He said he responded that the two should issue the joint statement first "to send a signal to the members of Congress," and discuss the other ideas later.

Wednesday, about 3:30 p.m.

By the time Obama's motorcade reaches the Belleview Biltmore in Clearwater, where he was staying for debate prep, McCain has issued his statement on suspending his campaign and calling for a debate delay, but does not mention a joint McCain/Obama statement.

In his statement, McCain gives a different description from Obama of their conversation an hour earlier: "Tomorrow morning, I will suspend my campaign and return to Washington ... I have spoken to Senator Obama and informed him of my decision and have asked him to join me."

McCain does not immediately return to Washington, despite having said in his statement it was urgent to reach a consensus before the markets open Monday.

Wednesday night

A joint statement is issued, but it doesn't mention any areas of agreement on the bailout bill.

Thursday morning

McCain goes to Washington.

LEADING UP TO THE DEBATE

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