This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7638435.stm

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
US candidates' debate to go ahead US rivals ready for first debate
(about 4 hours later)
US Republican presidential hopeful John McCain will attend a televised debate with Barack Obama, reversing a move to delay it over the financial crisis. US presidential rivals Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama are set to meet in their much-anticipated first head-to-head TV debate.
Senator McCain had vowed not to attend the forum in Oxford, Mississippi, until Congress approved a bail-out plan for US banks and financial institutions. Senator McCain had earlier vowed not to attend the forum in Mississippi until Congress approved a bail-out plan for US banks and financial institutions.
However, his campaign said that enough progress had been made for it to occur. But he reversed his decision after some progress was made towards a deal.
Democratic leaders in Congress earlier criticised Mr McCain for his appearance there during efforts to agree a deal. The debate in Oxford, Mississippi, was due to focus on foreign policy but it is likely economic issues will come up.
The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, said the "insertion of presidential politics" into the delicate negotiations had been "harmful". Earlier this week, Mr McCain announced he was suspending campaigning in order to concentrate on finding a solution to the nation's financial crisis.
All [John McCain] has done is stand in front of the cameras - we still don't know where he stands on the issue Senator Harry ReidSenate Majority Leader Who will show best in the debate?How should foreign policy change? But less than 10 hours before the debate at the University of Mississippi was scheduled to start, Mr McCain's campaign announced it was "resuming all activities" and that the senator would take part. My strong sense is that the best thing I can do... is to go down to Mississippi and explain to the American people what is going on Senator Barack ObamaDemocratic presidential candidate Who will show best in the debate?How should foreign policy change?
Talks between Congressional leaders and President George W Bush on a proposed a $700bn (£380bn) package resumed on Friday morning after ending in deadlock on Thursday evening. Mr McCain was now optimistic that there had been "significant progress towards a bi-partisan agreement" on the bail-out, the campaign statement said.
The government's proposal ran into renewed difficulties when some Republican Congressmen withheld their approval, offering an alternative scheme.
In a statement on Friday, President Bush conceded that there were disagreements over aspects of the plan, but stressed everyone agreed something substantial had to be done.
'Tough debates'
Less than 10 hours before the debate at the University of Mississippi was scheduled to start, Mr McCain's campaign announced it was "resuming all activities" and that the senator would travel there on Friday afternoon.
The senator was now optimistic that there had been "significant progress towards a bi-partisan agreement" on the bail-out, it said.
Mr Obama has already left Washington for the debate in Mississippi
"Following the debate, he will return to Washington to ensure that all voices and interests are represented in the final agreement, especially those of taxpayers and homeowners," it added."Following the debate, he will return to Washington to ensure that all voices and interests are represented in the final agreement, especially those of taxpayers and homeowners," it added.
The campaign also defended Mr McCain's intervention in the negotiations on Thursday evening, saying that until then there had been no deal "that included adequate protections for the taxpayers". Speaking to reporters on his way to the debate, Senator Obama said: "My strong sense is that the best thing I can do, rather than to inject presidential politics into some delicate negotiations, is to go down to Mississippi and explain to the American people what is going on."
The US Commission on Presidential Debates had earlier warned that Friday's debate would go ahead with or without Mr McCain. Mr Obama has always insisted he would attend the event and has already left. The BBC's Jamie Coomarasamy in Mississippi says this debate would have been a huge set-piece event under any circumstances - but the economic crisis and its political fallout have only heightened the sense of drama.
The topics for the debate are national security and foreign policy, considered Mr McCain's strengths, although correspondents say the financial crisis is almost certain to be discussed. Add to that Mr McCain's late decision to take part - and the fact this is his first head-to-head debate with Mr Obama - and it seems likely to attract a huge audience, our correspondent adds.
An adviser to Senator Obama said the debate offered the Republican hopeful a "major home-court advantage". 'Tough debates'
"Anything short of a game-changing event will be a key missed opportunity for him," Robert Gibbs said. The US Commission on Presidential Debates had warned that Friday's debate would go ahead with or without Mr McCain. Mr Obama has always insisted he would attend the event.Aides to both Mr Obama and his rival have sought to play down expectations
The topics for the 90-minute discussion are national security and foreign policy, considered Mr McCain's strengths, although correspondents say the financial crisis is almost certain to be discussed.
An adviser to Mr Obama said the debate offered the Republican hopeful a "major home-court advantage".
"Anything short of a game-changing event will be a key missed opportunity for him," Robert Gibbs said of Mr McCain.
Earlier this week, Mr McCain anticipated a major challenge, citing his rival's oratory skills and victory in the Democratic nomination race.Earlier this week, Mr McCain anticipated a major challenge, citing his rival's oratory skills and victory in the Democratic nomination race.
"He was able to defeat Senator Hillary Clinton, who as we all know is very accomplished... so these are going to be tough debates," Mr McCain said."He was able to defeat Senator Hillary Clinton, who as we all know is very accomplished... so these are going to be tough debates," Mr McCain said.
'Political theatre' 'Harmful' politics
Earlier, Mr McCain was accused by angry Democrats in Congress of interfering in the financial crisis talks in order to try to promote his electoral fortunes. Talks between Congressional leaders and President George W Bush on a proposed a $700bn (£380bn) package resumed on Friday morning after ending in deadlock on Thursday evening.
The proposal ran into renewed difficulties when some Republican Congressmen withheld their approval, offering an alternative scheme.
Senators Harry Reid and Chris Dodd lay out their termsSenators Harry Reid and Chris Dodd lay out their terms
"The insertion of presidential politics has not been helpful... It's been harmful," said Senate majority leader Harry Reid. In a statement on Friday, President Bush conceded that there were disagreements over aspects of the plan, but stressed everyone agreed something substantial had to be done.
"A few days ago I called on Senator McCain to take a stand - let us know where he stands on the issue, on this bail out, but all he has done is stand in front of the cameras. We still don't know where he stands on the issue," he added. Earlier, Democratic leaders in Congress criticised Mr McCain for his appearance there during efforts on Thursday to agree a deal.
The Senate majority leader, Harry Reid, said the "insertion of presidential politics" into the delicate negotiations had been "harmful".
The head of the Senate banking committee, Christopher Dodd, described Mr McCain's appearance in Congress as a "photo opportunity and political theatre that had nothing to do with us getting to work".The head of the Senate banking committee, Christopher Dodd, described Mr McCain's appearance in Congress as a "photo opportunity and political theatre that had nothing to do with us getting to work".
Mr Obama accused his rival of creating "more problems rather than less".Mr Obama accused his rival of creating "more problems rather than less".
Mr McCain's campaign accused the Illinois senator of playing politics and said there "never was a deal" and more work was needed to get both Republicans and Democrats on side. Mr McCain's campaign defended his intervention in the negotiations, saying that until then there had been no deal "that included adequate protections for the taxpayers".
It accused the Illinois senator of playing politics and said there "never was a deal" and more work was needed to get both Republicans and Democrats on side.
You can follow a live text and video commentary of the first presidential debate from 0100 GMT on the BBC News website.You can follow a live text and video commentary of the first presidential debate from 0100 GMT on the BBC News website.