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The debate over debates and town hall meetings continued between the Obama and McCain campaigns with each accusing the other of declining proposals to debate. As you may recall, McCain offered 10 town hall meetings which the Obama campaign declined before offering their own schedule of town hall meetings and traditional debates.
Story from the Earth Times:
Washington - Senators Barack Obama and John McCain sought to claim the high ground Friday by accusing each other of stamping out debates in the run-up to the US presidential elections in November. Both campaigns issued statements complaining that the other side had rejected offers for an unprecedented series of joint townhall meetings and traditional debates between the two candidates.
McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, had originally pushed for 10 townhall meetings between June and August, an offer widely seen as an effort to counter Democrat Obama’s likely advantage in raising campaign funds.
McCain’s campaign repeated the offer Friday, promising to keep a spot open in the candidates schedule every Thursday until August, and hoping Obama would “reconsider his position and agree to join Senator McCain as early as next week.”
Obama’s camp has countered with an offer of two townhall meetings between now and November to go along with the three presidential debates traditionally held after the parties’ nominating conventions in August and September.
“Its disappointing that Senator McCain and his campaign decided to decline this proposal,” said campaign manager David Plouffe. “Apparently they would rather contrive a political issue than foster a genuine discussion about the future of our country.”
The debate over debates continues.
This nonsense is silly, they’re both offering debates but neither will accept the other’s proposal. Just accept them already and get on with it. I’m betting they’ll soon agree on at least a few town hall meetings since that will be the halfway compromise. There are also 3 traditional debates scheduled and agreed upon by the DNC and RNC I believe.
(14 votes, average: 3.71 out of 5)
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Obama Camp says:“Its disappointing that Senator McCain and his campaign decided to decline this proposal,†said campaign manager David Plouffe. “Apparently they would rather contrive a political issue than foster a genuine discussion about the future of our country.â€
These are the types of statements and thing that really tick me off, when it comes from either campaign, its just a dumb shot at the other candidateover a dumb reason and both do it and its idiotic.
Well I say McCain is in serious trouble now, even GOP is not yet warming him up.But don’t worry it’s still an early race then. You never know a senior citizen might have the momentum to smoke the competition between the two; but then again I find this unlikely. The poll that I saw in PollClash, so far, is accurate. And it seems that the recent WSJ/NBC poll coincides with what pollcalash have, Now that the candidates are set for the US Presidential Election, Barack Obama and John McCain are beginning to set the tone for their campaign. Looking at their most recent speeches, what do you think about what you hear?
I agree O_S, but I think Obama has a general problem with control. He seems to have to have it. If the town hall debates had been his idea, it would have been fine. But anything that’s not his idea has to be spun to make it LOOK like his idea and his format. I’m not too crazy about that particular personality trait in him. Manipulation in his actions and even his answers (like you quoted above) just reek.
Come on guys. You are smarter than this. You know McCain only wants this many town hall meetings and debates because he has found himself left out of the media and has no money. This is just an attempt to get free publicity while taking time away from Obama fundraising. Seriously though, 10 town hall meetings? People would stop watching after the first couple anyways.
Tyler
Well said Tyler, well said.
Victor Draine
Tyler, McCain is doing well with fundraising presently, and if its money we want to talk about the RNC is Millions ahead of the DNC. It’s interesting that you say its a ploy to take time away from Obama fundraising - are you sure you meant to say that? Is that what Obama is doing? Just fundraising?
No, I do believe McCain wants to meet Obama toe to toe over the issues, and for some reason Obama is not comfortable with that. Maybe, as you say, it’s a lesser priority than fundraising.
I dont remeber the exact number but in may John McCain and the RNC combined to raise over 50 million dollars, and that was more than Barack Obama and the DNC raised in that month. So as of now McCain is not having a money problem.
Babs,
You are so right about him. He needs to be in control, and when he is not hes either grabbing at his noise or making some type of attack against McCain. He never accepts McCain proposals ever, and whenever he comes up with his own, and McCain does not agree, Obama attacks him, like his campaign did about htis.
from the Obama camp,
“Apparently they would rather contrive a political issue than foster a genuine discussion about the future of our country.”
When you ask your opponent to 10 town hall debates, I think it shows you care much more about a real debate and discussion than making it into a political issue. McCain cares more about these thing than just giving speeches and dumb attacks like Obama likes to do mostly because he is not good in debates.
Obama_sucks: “These are the types of statements and thing that really tick me off…”
Agree 100%. I would like to see a running total of comparing inane nonsense out of both campaigns. What really annoys me is the continuous game of umbrage played by both sides - as if these two were continually getting morally outraged on a daily basis.
Obama_sucks: “When you ask your opponent to 10 town hall debates, I think it shows you care much more about a real debate and discussion than making it into a political issue.”
Another more cynical explanation is that if you think you have some advantage over your opponent at town hall meetings, it is common sense to challenge him at it, and as much as possible. I think that’s a more straightforward explanation.
I agree with Tyler to the extent that it will help McCain more to have these faceoffs with Obama in terms of uninterrupted hours of TV time. They are both relegated to sound bites at the moment, but America has already gotten to know plenty about Obama from the debates this year. Anything McCain does on his own is not terribly newsworthy to the extent that these confrontational debates would be.
I worry McCain has underestimated Obamas dexterity in confrontation in a town-hall-esque scenario. I think he is making good ground at the moment as is, with smart recycling of the war in Iraq issue to build up knowledge of his experience portfolio.
Babs: “I think Obama has a general problem with control. He seems to have to have it. If the town hall debates had been his idea, it would have been fine. But anything that’s not his idea has to be spun to make it LOOK like his idea and his format. I’m not too crazy about that particular personality trait in him. Manipulation in his actions and even his answers (like you quoted above) just reek.”
I disagree with your general statement - that he has a problem with control. To be slightly facetious, I would content that anyone running for president is and should be a bit of a control freak. Furthermore, politics is practically defined as the practice of spin, and it is oozing from both sides - see: Both sides are apparently lowering taxes more than the other; Both are utterly outraged by the sins of the other; Both groups clearly have the most innocent set of advisors… I would like to think that an astute American could spot the irony in feigning outrage at either of these campaigns!
On an aside, I’m sure the charge of elitism will be brought up again, and loosely in that vein, I’m interested in what the explanation is for McCain graduating 894th out of 899 at the Naval Academy. Has anyone heard any discussion of that? I mean, we vote for a guy (or girl!) we believe reflects our values, good judgment and experience. However, it seems that fundamentally, we want the leader of the free world to be vastly superior - elite even - to the average Joe on the street.
Dhd, good post, and I agree that all politicians are a bit of a control freak. But there is a fine line between being controling and being like a dictator, and I think Obama crosses that line. That makes him dangerous to me.
The elitism charge probably will be brought up again whenever it’s felt that Obama displays that particular trait with actions or words. As to McCain’s graduating position at the Naval Academy, I don’t see that as an issue as it has no bearing on his ability as a politician or a leader. I do see it as a talking point for the media or someone who has nothing else to say, but not a relevant issue.
Babs,
Can you elaborate on how he crosses the line of being “like a dictator”? I read what you mentioned earlier about his personality trait but I fail to see the correlation between that and the extreme opinion you have of him.
Yes Will, I can. First of all, what I said refers to the word “dictator” as a type of character trait, I’m not saying Obama is going to be a dictator like Sadam Hussein, ok? To me, a simple “control freak” is one that seeks to control the actions of others around him. When you cross the line into attempting to control the minds and thinking of those around you that’s when I consider it a “dictator” like character trait. Some will say it’s a brain washing technique, something he’s been accused of more than once in regards to his “followers”. But me, I call it what I call it. I see Obama trying to convince the american people that we really don’t hear what we hear from him - like the clinging statement - or that we don’t really understand what we’re hearing - like Rev. Wright. We should have heard it differently - his way. That’s playing with our minds, and that’s dangerous. And again, I’m not saying he’s going to be a dictator, but the trait is there, in my opinion, for him to try.
I don’t understand why the McCain camp is turning down the two proposed by Obama… they said they were keeping time open for these debates. It seems the town hall style meetings were what they wanted. Does anyone know why the Obama offer won’t work for McCain?
Babs, you may think you can but that was one of the weakest arguments I’ve seen. Then again you dug yourself a deep hole. I’m sorry but your argument can be applied to many politicians.
First of all he has all the right in the world to AMEND the slander put out by others. You can interpret his words any way you want, he’s not trying to shove it down your throat.
To take the liberty of associating this so called “trait” to just him and to further comparing him to that of a dictator is simply ludicrous…
Reframing political blunders and minor scandals in order to put them in the best possible light for a bureaucrat is something that has basically been done by every politician ever. Obama has done it plenty, so has John McCain, and Hillary, George Bush, and Slick Willy too. I really can’t believe that you see this as a uniquely dictator-like trait possessed only by Barack Obama. It’s a fundamental trait of politicians everywhere.
Heck, it’s a fundamental human trait. No one paints themselves in a negative light if they can help it. Call it dictator brain washing if you want, but it sounds alarmist to me.
Well, Will, I seem to recall saying I WASN’T calling him a dictator, but you can certainly interpret my answer anyway you wish. Perhaps I just should have said I don’t buy into his “Jedi Mind Tricks”. *L*
http://youtube.com/watch?v=N-9eNSniQgg
“Barack Obama, The Jedi Master”
Babs, can you indicate where in my post I state that you are calling him a dictator? I said in my first and last post:
“Can you elaborate on how he crosses the line of being “like a dictator— and “…and to further comparing him to that of a dictator is simply ludicrous…”, respectively.
Please note that I am quoting you in my first question and the keyword is “comparing” in my second statement; I never said you called him a dictator.
You can spin the table any way you want you can put words in my mouth and whether you buy into his words or not is irrelevant. I asked you to justify your opinion (which is questionable), either you’ve failed to do so or I’ve failed to see your point. I believe it’s the former…I’ll justify that opinion once you’ve justified yours.
2 Town Halls is Enough. And I’m sorry but fundraising is part of a successful campaign.
Has anyone heard anything, or have any speculation, as to why McCain’s camp doesn’t agree to the two town halls that Obama proposed?
why should anyone make it easy for mccain, it,s not an issue of money, it,s one of gutts.
What is it with people thinking that McCain has no money???
In fact I think the Republican side is actually better off right now… than the Democrats - because of their extended primary…
GOP -
people give money to the RNC and less to McCain
Dem
people gave money to Obama - the DNC doesnt have much.
Last I saw was that McCain and the Republicans actually had about 5 million more than Obama and the Dems
and the reason he declined Obamas 2 - is because of the dates of them - Obama wants to do one the night of July 4th. Yeah whatever.
Go Obama! We need you and we need your real change. I can not believe that the Republican’s are actualy trying to steal your thunder about change. They must be desperate! Go Obama and God Bless You!
IT’S NOT BUSH’S FAULT ALONE!!! The republicans understand that the current head of their party, Bush, screwed up and is considered one of the worst presidents in history!! The fact is that Bush has “Rebulican” advisors and heads a “Republican” party that share his views and INFLUENCE his decision making… America is not voting for one person, America is voting for a group of people that contributed to the current mess that our government is right now… Why would anyone vote for another 4 years of that.. Palin said, “Washington has been asleep at the wheel”… who is she referring to when she says “Washington”..? She should say, “The republican party has been asleep at the wheel”… Wake up people!!! It’s common sense.
Who would be afraid to debate?
The one people are calling the greatest orator since Kennedy, or the one that’s easily frustrated and forgets facts about the Middle East?
I’m just sayin’… Once they debate, the election changes from a landslide victory, to an avalanche victory.
cant even waste breath on going over and over this habit the republicans have of taking things out of context and being captured on film over and over contradicting themselves!!!
God Bless America AND Barack Obama!!!!
Cant wait for him to be our next President!
The answer is simple. Move the location of the debate to wherever McCain will be. If he can’t take a couple hours out of his day to do a presidential debate, then what else won’t he be able to do.
i say this obama is in it to win it! he is going to be our nxt president so everyone look out. Mccain is going strong but Obama is way ahead. All of my Obama people scream for a change!!!!
All Obama needs is to talk about his *AWESOME HEALTH CARE PLAN* and his prowess in dealing with the economy! I personally do not care about personality traits - if someone says Obama touches his nose too much, well hey, if that’s true, then maybe McCain’s swollen cheek galnd bulges when he lies???
But whatever the case, for the good of our wonderful country, WE NEED YOU, OBAMA!
OR
Classy. Very Classy. That swollen cheek gland is caused by cancer he got while sitting in the sweltering Vietnamese sun for 5 years. You can go back to your dorm room now.
All the way with Obama! Bush=Mc cain , wake up people!
McCain was with the working men. Obama says he is all for. However, Obama was too busy to mingle with the “regular guys” and was in Beverly Hills raising money, sucking up to the super wealthy. The regular people couldn’t get near Obama because they could never afford it. This guy talks out of both sides of his mouth. Looks sweat. So did Castro
Rick, I’ve got a question for you.
If McCain=Bush, What does Obama+William Aires+Rev.Jeremiah
Wright+Jim Johnson+ x =? (Go to “GOOGLE” for the answers)
Why would you trust a man who associates with the above names and also believes, “I am my brother’s keeper” but won’t give his own half brother, George Hussein Obama one dime? Obama’s brother survives on about $1 a month and lives in poverty in Kenya.
Is that “the kind of change we need?”
Don’t believe me? Just Google his brother’s name.
Come on Rick, OPEN YOUR EYES!!!
I hope the our college students that live there lives in a text book and not in reality are hung over or standing in line at a starbucks on election day. We need to raise the legal voting age to 30. Thats when most American’s start learning from their mistakes. God help our country and forgive us if we elect the likes of the Obamalama!
How can some of you people be so ignorant? Does anybody recognize that all of these absolute catastrophes in the last 8 years all occured under George Bush’s presidency and Mc Cain supported much of that! Let’s see…..9/11, the war on Iraq, not supporting the poor people in New Orleans during hurricane Katrina, the highest gas prices in history, and now the collapse of our economy! Isn’t anybody ready for a CHANGE? This old school system doesn’t work anymore people! We finally have a man with a genuine passion for helping the American people that we haven’t seen with this kind of enthusiasm since Kennedy! The saddest part is the majority of you who voted for Bush and would vote for Mc Cain are most likely in the the economic class of people that Mc Cain could care less about! Please!!! We need someone fresh, eager and passionate about this country to take it in a different direction once and for all and that person is Obama! He actually brings us a feeling of hope!
In debate Mccain was shy of making eye contact. He looks tired and fearful.
Obama looks agressive, confident and dynamic.
Most of the point made by Mccain was experience Obama provided facts.
i think Obama won debate
I can see that several individuals here are really blind to the facts or are in denial. McCain is constantly beating around the bush he never gives a straight answer to a questions and always diverts the response back to him being captured Well enough already that was years ago it has nothing to do with helping the people assisting with health care,education, and the monetary problems we are having at the moment. McCain flew to Washington as if he were already president thinking his presence would make a difference and he just made things worse. His own associates were upset because he came in and disrupted the negotiations. McCain a man he had to steal another candidates slogan because he does not have the intelligence enough to come up with his own. How can he fight fought change yet does not want to change anything we will have another 4 years of the Bush disaster. Leave it up to McCain and he will lead us all into a Nuclear war. If people want to discuss Obama and Rev. Wright really he has no control over what came out of his mouth he was not present at the time so I don’t see what the problem is on the other hand sarah palin who could possibly be the next president if McCain becomes ill etc.. has a video in which a preacher is trying to rebuke the devil out of her are you kidding me. wake up and smell the java.
To Mr. “Open your eyes!!!!”, I think you need to close your eyes and stop looking at skin color and race. You might see the issues better. The number one issue is the economy and McCain and the Republicans have failed the American people.
Hold Firmly;
Nothing for nothing but, unfortunately, certain races are making this election ABOUT color - not political issues. I say this as a middle class white person, completely affected by the harsh realities of our current economical situation. I do not yet know who I am voting for BUT I am voting NOT on the color of the candidats skin BUT what I believe he can best accomplish. IF the rest of America would look at the Presidential Race as such, I would feel MUCH more secure whichever way the election took.
This is a bunch of crap. There are 8 candidates in this election. The other five are being excluded from the debates. That means we have lost our democracy because the coprporate media has decided who has a chance to be heard.
Only the candidates with corporate lobbyist backing can appear on the air. You pick either of these guys and the corporate lobbyists win. This is quite a racket.
If you want to see what options you actually have, see
http://www.baldwin08.com
http://digg.com/elections
I was an undecided voter until this debate.
Obama spoke specifics. McCain talked about himself but has vague ideas and few specifics about what he will do.
Just that tells me who is more competent.
I’m voting Obama.
Spoil what? Waste what? Steal what?
Barack Obama we do not doubt your intelligence. To be an effective leader one must display honesty, compassion, & guts. Stand with Ralph Nader, Ron Paul, & Cynthia McKinney. NOT John McCain. Your choice - your move.
im a young black woman and i am tired of hearing people not just black say that they are going to vote for obama because of his race its ridiculous. i was going to vote for hillary but im not sure who im voting for
Mackenzie, I like Obama as a person but I do not like the way that he feels he should take care of all the middle class
including Black people and me as a middle class working stiff
through government programs. I don’t need the government making decsions for me and giving me subsities from the rich people whom have worked for what they have as well. I am proud to hear of your stand and you are right we probably do not have the right candidates on the ticket but I would encourage you to vote for the lesser of the two evils and thats McCain.
MCCAIN!!!
C’mon on now… McCain will be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease any time now. He’s d*AMN old. He needs to just kick back and relax. LOL
Hello “HOLD FIRMLY”,
Read my comments again! I mentioned nothing about race or color. You brought it up and since you did…
Martin Luther King taught us that we should “not judge a person by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
The content of Obama’s character is what we should focus on.
Would you agree that a person is known by the company he/she keeps and associates with?”
Thugs tend to hang out with thugs, thieves and murderers tend not to associate with Bible believing Christians(unless they have repented and turned away from a life of crime). A godly woman has no business hanging out with a prostitute other than to preach the Gospel to her.
How could anyone approve of Obama’s Pastor making the statement “…God D— America…!” and many other ungodly statements from the pulpit! Obama, having belonged to his church for 20 years can not make the excuse “that’s not the Rev. Wright I knew.”
In regards to the economy and the Republicans, remember that it was President Bush & John McCain who warned us numerous times of the coming trouble we now face with Freddie/Fannie (Please check the facts, GOOGLE it).
Also President Bill Clinton, just recently said we face this current housing crisis/problem because the Democrats stopped/blocked the Republicans from requiring more regulations on Freddie/Fannie years ago! (don’t believe me? please research the facts or GOOGLE it).
Come on “Hold Firmly”, Open Your Eyes!!!
McCain sucks, he is touch of touch with reality and needs a wakeup call. OBAMA all the way!!!
Hello Obama 08,
Where is the substance in your comment?
What are Obama’s qualifications to be President?
What is his current relationship with William Ayers?
Ayers was a terrorist in the late 1960s and 1970s whose radical group set bombs at the Pentagon and U.S. Capitol. GOOGLE it and find out about Obama’s friendship with him. (an unrepentant terrorist)
What is Obama’s Relationship with Tony Resco,& Father Flager?
Why does Obama say he’s the best candidate to bring our country together–”Change” for a better America when in fact he’s a devisive person?
One Example:
In his audio book Dreams From My Father he’s quoted saying, “White Folks Greed Runs A World In Need” (Refering to comments made by his spiritual father Rev. Jeremiah Wright)!!
Is this “the kind of change we need”?
Come on Obama 08, Open Your Eyes
I think that Obama should win because he has better views in my opinion than mccain will ever obtain because he actually didnt pick a vice president that doesnt have experience and he dint pick one with a bad reputation if u ask me VOTE 4 OBAMA
Hello “OBAMA ROX,”
RIDDLE ME THIS…
He has the most liberal voting record than any other Democrat in office…
He supports abortion & didn’t even support a bill which would have given medical care to babies who survived botched abortions,that is to say, Babies who were intended to be killed (Aborted), were removed from the mother’s womb and survived but did not receive medical care and left for dead!!
Sometimes these babies were put in utility closets where medical professionals would put discarded medical supplies!!
Do you know the answer to this riddle?
I’ll give you a hint, “GOOGLE” this, “votes against botched abortion bill”
Also check his voting record on this and other liberal views he holds. (you can do this online too)
Come on “Obama Rox,” OPEN YOUR EYES!!!
WARNING!!!
DO NOT DRINK THE OBAMA COOL-AID!
WHY?
Because it is laced with mind-numbing deception. Don’t believe it? Just ask Hillary Clinton, who brought up the William Ayers(an unrepentant terrorist) issue and his associations with this person many months ago in a debate with Obama.
Come on Everyone, OPEN YOUR EYES!!!