Republican John McCain said Wednesday he was suspending his White House campaign and asked to put off Friday's presidential debate as he returned to Washington to help tackle the US financial crisis. "Tomorrow morning I'll suspend my campaign and return to Washington," he told reporters, adding he had spoken with Democratic rival Barack Obama to inform him of his decision.
McCain said he did not believe a 700-billion dollar rescue deal before Congress would pass "as it currently stands. "It has become clear that no consensus has developed to support the administration's proposal and I do not believe that the plan on the table will pass as it currently stands," McCain said.
"We are running out of time," he warned, adding he was planning to briefly suspend his campaign and return to Washington to deal with the financial crisis.