On the campaign trail, both major candidates shared the same stage Thursday, one night after their third and final debate. Senators Barack Obama and John McCain appeared at the annual Al Smith fundraiser, which has drawn presidential candidates in all but two elections since 1945. Obama joked about McCain’s apparent reluctance to discuss the economy.

Sen. Barack Obama: “Of course, I am especially honored to be here tonight with my distinguished opponent, Senator John McCain. I think it is a tribute to American democracy that, with two weeks left in a hard-fought election, the two of us could come together and sit down at the same dinner table without preconditions. Now recently, one of John’s top advisers told the Daily News that if we keep talking about the economy, McCain’s going to lose. So tonight I’d like to talk about the economy.”

McCain, meanwhile, invoked his own mention of Joe the Plumber, real name Joe Wurzelbacher, an Ohio resident who questioned Obama about whether his tax plan would threaten small businesses. Wurzelbacher came up more than two dozen times in Wednesday night’s debate.

Sen. John McCain: “And this is a very distinguished and influential audience and as good a place as any to make a major announcement. Events are moving fast in my campaign and, yes, it’s true that this morning I’ve dismissed my entire team of senior advisers. All of their positions will now be held by a man named Joe the Plumber.”