Obama aide: McCain likely to be at debate

Gibbs argued that the timing is right for a debate. "I can't think of a better opportunity to talk about a global financial crisis than in a debate where the discussion is about global affairs," he said. "The moderator already let each of the teams know in advance that the subject of the financial crisis would lead to questioning in the debate."

"Forty days from today, one of these two presidential candidates is going to be the president elect of the United States of America, and for all intents and purposes inherit all of these individual crises and messes and have to deal with them," Gibbs continued.

"I think that the president of the United States is going to have to be able to do more than one thing at a time. I think we can make significant progress, I think the Hill is making significant progress on a series of principles that we have been talking about for almost a week as it relates to this financial crisis. I think we can do both that and somehow still end up in Oxford at 9 p.m. on a Friday night to discuss this and other issues."

Gibbs mocked the idea that McCain had "suspended" his presidential campaign, citing numerous examples of how the campaign was proceeding apace.

"I was on TV with [McCain aide] Nicolle Wallace today, so if they suspended her she didn't get the memo," he said, referring to a McCain spokeswoman.

Another crack: "I bet if I went online and tried to give them five bucks, somehow I bet the Internet would somehow process my Visa."

He also referenced McCain's decision to cancel a scheduled appearance Wednesday on CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman." Mr. Letterman did not hide his irritation. Check the YouTube of his reaction, Gibbs suggests.

"I think David Letterman pointed out that John McCain didn't exactly tap the driver on the shoulder and say, ‘To the airport posthaste,' since by all accounts he spent the night in New York."

Letterman was further infuriated when he discovered that McCain was a few blocks away preparing for an interview with CBS anchor Katie Couric.

Ms. Wallace, the McCain spokeswoman, said Thursday that the campaign "felt this wasn't a night for comedy," according to MSNBC.

McCain addressed the Clinton Global Initiative in New York Thursday morning, in person, while Obama was to address the same forum Thursday via satellite. Both McCain and Obama are to be at the White House for a meeting Thursday afternoon with President Bush and congressional leaders on the bailout plan.

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