Commission says debate is on

OXFORD, Miss., Sept. 25 (UPI) -- University of Mississippi officials said they are preparing for Friday's first debate between Barack Obama and John McCain, despite uncertainty about the event.

McCain, the Republican nominee, has asked that the debate be postponed so attention could be focused on the financial markets crisis. Obama, however, said the debate should be held so the American public can learn where the candidates stand on the issues, particularly the economy.

The Commission on Presidential Debates, in a statement released Wednesday, said it was moving forward with the Oxford, Miss., debate, saying the plans "have been under way for more than a year and a half."

"We believe the public will be well served by having all of the debates go forward as scheduled," the commission said.

At a news conference at the university Thursday, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, a former national Republican Party chairman, said it was "my expectation" that the debate would take place.

"I look forward to it," he said.

Besides asking that the debate be postponed, McCain said he was suspending his campaign until agreement is reached on a proposed $700 billion Wall Street bailout.