>Mixed thoughts. McCain is a veteran of the Senate and involved in committee work with a direct bearing on the crisis and I think he needs to be there. I think it's fair to say that if negotiations are on-going Friday evening then he can't commit to the debate because we're paying him to be a Senator.

Um, which of McCain's committees is involved in this? According to his Senate website, he's on three: Armed Services; Indian Affairs; and Commerce, Science and Transportation. Clearly not relevant to the first two.

The hearing on Wednesday was before the Senate Banking committee. I checked a couple of news stories and see no indication that Commerce, etc., is involved in these discussions.

Tamar