Both Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain are expected to be in the University of Mississippi’s Gertrude Ford Center for sound checks Friday afternoon, despite McCain raising doubt Wednesday over whether the first presidential debate would proceed as planned.
Ole Miss and the Commission on Presidential Debates both said they plan to hold the debate at 8 p.m. Friday, as scheduled.
“The commission has been working with these schools for a year and a half,” said Commission spokesman Peter Eyre. “We are ready to go on with the debate on Friday.”
Obama, the Democratic nominee, has said he plans to be in Mississippi for the debate.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who negotiated the terms of the debate formats on McCain’s behalf, told CNN on Wednesday that McCain would propose the debate take the place of the vice presidential debate, currently scheduled for next Thursday in St. Louis, if a financial bailout deal is not arranged by Friday.
Magnolia Tribune
