Bush asks Obama to come to Washington

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's campaign said Wednesday night that President Bush called the Illinois senator shortly before the president was set to address the nation and asked him to come to Washington to discuss a solution to the country’s financial crisis.

Obama's campaign said that the senator agreed to meet in Washington, but he still "strongly" believes Friday night's debate between him and GOP candidate John McCain should proceed as scheduled.

{mosads}The announcement came just as the Obama proposed joint statement between the two candidates was released. It called for a bipartisan approach to solving the Wall Street crisis.

“The American people are facing a moment of economic crisis. No matter how this began, we all have a responsibility to work through it and restore confidence in our economy. The jobs, savings, and prosperity of the American people are at stake,” the joint statement said.

“Now is a time to come together – Democrats and Republicans – in a spirit of cooperation for the sake of the American people. The plan that has been submitted to Congress by the Bush Administration is flawed, but the effort to protect the American economy must not fail,” Sen. Obama (Ill.) and McCain (Ariz.) stated. “This is a time to rise above politics for the good of the country. We cannot risk an economic catastrophe. Now is our chance to come together to prove that Washington is once again capable of leading this country.”