US bailout: Public in mixed feelings

RESCUE MISSION: President Bush says the plan is aimed at rescuing the economy.

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Washington: One of the main reasons the bail out deal could be stalled is the economic crisis in the US.

The public has mixed feelings about the government rescue plan.

President George W Bush warns Americans will pay a heavy price if Congress doesn't pass the massive bailout package.

Bush says the plan is aimed at rescuing the economy.

He said that the rescue effort is not aimed at preserving any individual company or industry. It is aimed at preserving America's overall economy.

Voters agree that the Federal Government should do something but critics warn that they may have taxpayer bankruptcy for the next generation.

Asked whether taxpayer dollars should be used to rescue private companies whose collapse could have adverse effects on the economy, most Americans say no.

Suppose Congress and President Bush come to agreement on a new plan.

Do Americans not believe it will treat taxpayers fairly? The answer is no.

Do they believe it will help the economy? The answer is yes.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain said he was suspending his campaign and favored postponing the first debate in order to keep politics out of the financial negotiations.

“All we must do to achieve this is temporarily set politics aside, and I am committed to doing so,” he said.

Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama argued the negotiations cannot be isolated from public debate.

Obama says, “This is exactly the time when the American people need to hear from the person who, in approximately 40 days, will be responsible for dealing with this mess.”

The Marist poll interviewed voters Wednesday night. By 53 to 42 per cent, most wanted the debate to go on as scheduled.

When asked whether the topic of the debate should be foreign policy, as originally planned, or the current economic crisis, voters were split.

Most democrats want the debate to be about the economic crisis where as the Republicans want to stay with foreign policy.