California's two U.S. senators criticized Republican presidential nominee John McCain on Wednesday for suspending his campaign to return to Washington, D.C., to deal with pending legislation aimed at stabilizing the turbulent financial and economic environment.
 
U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-San Francisco) accused the Republican nominee of "engaging in political theater."
 
Boxer also hit McCain on his request to postpone Friday's scheduled presidential debate with Democrat Barack Obama in Oxford, Miss.
 
“This is certainly the right time for the American people to see these two candidates talk about the serious challenges our country faces both here and around the world,” Boxer said in a statement. “We need a president who can handle more than one challenge at a time. In life, when times get tough, you don't get time-outs.”
 
U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Oakland) said McCain's return to Capitol Hill would only make it harder to reach a compromise.
 
"Senator McCain's announcement won't help find a solution," said Feinstein in a statement. "It's a distraction, at a time when sober reflection is needed. Simply put, we must not inject Presidential politics into this process."