Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) released a joint statement on Wednesday calling for bipartisan cooperation to solve the economic crisis. McCain announced on Wednesday he would suspend his campaign and return to Washington to help broker a deal on a financial bailout. Together, the candidates will meet with President Bush (CNN) and leaders of the House and Senate Thursday to work on the bailout plan.

DIPLOMACY: In a speech on national security on Wednesday, Obama’s runningmate, Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE), called for increased diplomacy. “The worst nightmare for a regime that thrives on isolation and tension is an America ready, willing and able to engage. Since when has talking removed the word ‘no’ from our vocabulary?” Biden asked.