ABC News: Mccain/Obama to visit Ground Zero together on 9/11-hold joint event-statement issued

[Politics_Guy25]

ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: Senator Obama and Senator McCain on 9/11 will make a stop together to Ground Zero in New York City to commemorate the day.

"All of us came together on 9/11 - not as Democrats or Republicans – but as Americans," said a joint statement issued by both Senator's campaigns, "In smoke-filled corridors and on the steps of the Capitol; at blood banks and at vigils - we were united as one American family. On Thursday, we will put aside politics and come together to renew that unity, to honor the memory of each and every American who died, and to grieve with the families and friends who lost loved ones."

Both campaigns have already said that they will pull negative ads off the air-waves for the day.

[FrenchieCat]

1. McCain likes to celebrate 9/11 a lot!

[MindMatter]

2. Does this go for their running-mates too?

[MidwestTransplant]

3. This only helps McCain

[ComplimentarySwine]

4. Why would Obama agree to this? n/t

[Heather MC]

5. Why can he have ceremony in Arlington VA

We were affected too, and he doesn't have to stand next to McPOW and the Self described female dog with lipstick. I wonder if her shot record is up to date she might have rabies

[ComplimentarySwine]

6. I'm not saying that Obama can't commemorate 9/11

I just don't see why he would agree to do it with McCain. Did you read the part where they're going to stop airing negative ads about each other for ONE DAY? Then what, go back to bashing each other as usual?

I guess, when watching from the sidelines, it's easy to get caught up in this whole "battle" thing, and start to believe that the candidates actually don't like each other. Then something like this happens and it makes it look like it's all just a big show to get everyone riled up.

[Heather MC]

7. They don't have to dis-like each other to campaign against the other

But if it makes you feel better McCain sent Barack a scathing letter once for voting along party lines
when he and McCain worked on a bipartian bill together i with ted kennedy.

I can make nice with people I hate, you should have seen my college roomate and i when the parents where in town, best buds!!!!
yeah right

[Drunken Irishman]

9. Because if he turned it down it'd be campaign suicide?

Imagine the headlines:

OBAMA TURNS DOWN VISIT TO 9/11 MEMORIAL

[WinkyDink]

10. How could he not?

[vegansrule]

8. Obama's speech will make McBush look bad....he's a much better speaker.....n/t

[ladjf]

11. This seems like a mistake to me. The 9-11 event has been

over commemorated and under investigated.

[Teaser]

12. meh

that's nice.

[RagAss]

13. Is McNutsy going to bring a bullhorn ?

[sunnybrook]

14. this is even steven

Don't think this will necessarily help McCain any more than Obama. It will make them both look like they are not politicizing the day. Not that big of a deal, as far as political reaction I mean.

[regnaD kciN]

15. Despite what some think, it's a smart move...

By appearing with McCain, and without partisan rancor, Obama will be able to present himself as just as "dedicated to protecting our nation" as the Republican (an area which normally hurts us in presidential elections). Plus, just being up there with the senior senator from Arizona will be an image that will help frame them as being equal in standing, which hurts McCain's insistence that Obama isn't experienced enough to lead.

Plus, as others have pointed out, likely Obama's speech will blow McCain's away. This will be a major media event, with lots of people watching on television, and will serve to reach people in a way that sound-bites on the national news won't.

Right now, with both conventions over, the only real chances for each candidate to reach a wide audience will be the debates...and this. If McCain wants the election to be about "personality," this is a golden opportunity for Obama to, without campaigning or dealing with politics at all, out-point McCain on personality in front of a huge national audience.

Nicely played, I'd say.

[alwysdrunk]

16. This only helps McCain

It won't hurt Obama, but it won't help him like it will McCain. I very much disagree with this. Visiting ground zero for a photo op. Something Bush with do.

[JustAnotherGen]

17. I hope Obama

Insists that he speaks second. That way he can change his message/content on the fly to paint himself in a better light than McCain.

Sorry - we are in under 60 days 'til election day. I have no problem with Barack or Joe doing/saying WHATEVER it takes to elevate themselves to their rightful position.

[theothersnippywshrub]

18. Republicans likely will create and spread a lie about something Obama

or a member of his campaign staff say or do, or do not say or do, at this event. It would be completely unlike the republican party to pass up the opportunity to lie about a democrat in relationship to such a solemn event.