McCain, Obama to pull critical ads on September 11

WASHINGTON: Presidential contenders Barack Obama and John McCain plan to pull ads on September 11 that criticise each other, a respite from the political fray to honour the anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks.

The campaigns made their decision known on the same day that a group backing community service on that day called on the candidates to refrain from partisan campaigning. The group, MyGoodDeed.org, wants September 11 to become a national day of voluntary service and asked Obama and McCain to perform acts of community service instead.

McCain spokesman Brian Rogers said McCain did not plan to advertise at all on the anniversary. "Nine-eleven is not a day for politics," Rogers said. The Obama campaign said it plans to stop airing anti-McCain commercials on September 11.

"We hope September 11 is a day when Americans come together and reaffirm our resolve to address the common challenges we face together," Obama spokesman Hari Sevugan said.

Both campaigns have been running ads against each other, with negative commercials outnumbering their positive spots.
MyGoodDeed.org is also among a number of organisations and families of September 11 victims who plan to hold a ServiceNation Summit on September 11-12 in New York. Sponsors invited Obama and McCain to attend a presidential candidates forum on September 11.

McCain has agreed to appear. Obama's campaign said it is talking with event sponsors about the possibility of an appearance.