McCain, Obama (Mostly) Put Partisan Politics Aside Amid Economic Crisis

Just one month away from Election Day, White House contenders call for unity.

ByABC News
September 30, 2008, 3:53 PM

Sept. 30, 2008— -- A day after the historic Wall Street bailout failed in Congress, Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama struggled on the presidential campaign trail to modify their tone, muting partisan blame and trying to make proposals on an issue so complex that few understand it.

The most dramatic difference in how they will handle the current impasse over the Wall Street meltdown is that they will both stay away from Washington.

McCain indicated he is not likely to rush back to Capitol Hill a second time, a tactic employed last week that was criticized by both Democrats and even some Republicans for drawing volatile presidential politics into the delicate financial negotiations.

"I'll do whatever is necessary. I don't know that that necessarily means go back to Washington, but I know it's a top priority," McCain told ABC News' Ron Claiborne in an interview. "I'll rely on the advice of some of my colleagues as to how I can be most effective. The last thing I want to do is go in and harm the process."

Watch ABC News' World News With Charles Gibson at 6:30 p.m. ET to Hear From Both Obama and McCain on the Economic Crisis and How Their Plans Will Affect Your Financial Future

McCain's decision to suspend his campaign last week and rush to the nation's capital to help solve the crisis may have cost him more than Obama, since the dramatic action failed to produce a solution.

But with the economic crisis now the overriding issue in the campaign, McCain denied that his election hopes are tied to Congress' ability to come to some kind of deal.

"If it were, I would be very optimistic," McCain told ABC News. "The important thing is to work together for Americans today. I can't frankly consider what effect this has on my political fortunes."

The candidates agreed on one thing today, that the federal government should raise the ceiling on bank deposits that will be insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

The FDIC, created during the Great Depression, currently insures bank deposits up to $100,000. McCain and Obama both suggested that limit be boosted to $250,000 so that it would protect the finances of small businesses as well as of individual savers.

They also agreed on sparing the blame, sort of.