From FOX NEWS.
MOBILE, Ala. - Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee said Thursday that Sen. John McCain made a "huge mistake" by even discussing canceling the presidential debate with Sen. Barack Obama.
McCain's campaign has said the Republican wouldn't participate in the Mississippi debate Friday unless there was a consensus on the financial crisis, but Obama still wants the debate to go on.
Huckabee defeated McCain in the Alabama GOP primary in February.
Huckabee said Thursday in Mobile that the people need to hear both candidates. He said that's "far better than heading to Washington" to huddle with senators.
He said the candidates should level with the people about the financial crisis and say the "heart of this is greed."
Huckabee said he still backs McCain's candidacy, but said the Arizona senator should not have put his campaign on hold to deal with the financial crisis on Wall Street. He said a president must be prepared to "deal with the unexpected."
"You can't just say, ‘World stop for a moment. I'm going to cancel everything,"‘ Huckabee said.
Huckabee also was critical of President Bush's handling of the crisis.
He said to lay the $700 billion obligation on the nation "in 24 hours" amounts to "holding the country hostage."
"I just think the American people ought to be screaming their lungs out, saying to Congress, not so fast. That's our money you're giving away," Huckabee said.
He said the burden of the $700 billion relief package will fall on the next generation and those in their teens and 20s.
Huckabee spoke to reporters before attending a benefit for the Baptist-affiliated University of Mobile. Huckabee is an ordained Southern Baptist minister.
While in Mobile, he also played a little blues guitar with a student group.
Since losing his bid for the Republican presidential nomination, Huckabee said he has formed a political action committee and advises other candidates.
"I don't have any immediate plans to seek office," he said.
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Comments: 16
He jumped the gun in an attempt to upstage Obama and failed.
The problem recurring with McCain is-- seeking recognition and publicity...a leader is recognized by what he does as he does it...he has pretty much adopted the middle the road stance and he will lean wherever the chips fall.
In fact he has no opinions, just a flag in the wind.
Time and time again Charles people do not take time to check they just rather gossip.
"It did no favors for Obama either as I seem to remember his title is senator and it would be nice if he could show up there once in awhile at least to say present... "
That's funny stuff. McCain has been a non-factor throughout this entire session of congress, failing to show up for votes more than any other senator. At this point, this year, he's not attended a vote since April. Wear him proudly, Charles...he's your guy.
Now McCain can't stake out a position on the bailout lest he anger one or the other waring Republican faction. And, he has to do an about face on his pledge to postpone the debate with Obama until a deal is done.
They fumbled this one badly. He looks like a meandering old fool.
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