Sep 11, 2008 8:08 pm US/Eastern
McCain, Obama Visit Ground Zero Memorial Together
Presidential Hopefuls Call Off Dogs For 1 Day; Former President Clinton Predicts Big Win For Democrats
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama agreed to put partisan politics aside, in order to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11.
CBS
Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama agreed to put partisan politics aside, in order to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11.
The presidential campaign was suspended Thursday - no ugly ads or personal attacks on this day of sadness for our nation.
McCain and Obama went to ground zero together. With Mayor Bloomberg at their side, the two symbolically and silently shared the nation's grief at the loss of life on 9/11.
It was a day to put aside partisan attacks, but not necessarily politics.
"I have witnessed great courage and sacrifice for America's sake, but none greater than the sacrifice of those good people who grasped the gravity of the moment, understood the threat, and decided to fight back at the cost of their lives," Sen. McCain said at a gathering in western Pennsylvania to honor the 40 passengers and crew killed seven years ago when United Flight 93 crashed into a hilly field.
McCain paid tribute to the passengers who stopped terrorists believed headed to the United States Capitol Building, but it wasn't lost on anyone that Pennsylvania is a key battleground state hotly contested by both candidates.
"Today's the day to pray for the families of those who lost their lives," added Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Sen. Joe Biden.
Biden went to a battleground state to - he was at an American legion post in Parma, Ohio.
"We're putting him to work," Obama said today, referring to former president Bill Clinton.
Before his Ground Zero visit, Obama had lunch with Clinton in Harlem, where despite vows to drop politics, the talk was political.
"I predict that Sen. Obama will win and win pretty handily," Clinton said. "There you go," Obama added. "You can take it from the president of the United States. He knows a little something about politics."
Both Obama and McCain will appear at a forum at Columbia University where they will discuss their views on the role of public service and civic engagement in the post 9/11, post Katrina world.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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