McCain Invites Obama To Debates [Updated. Cruelly.]
If We Can Only Tear Obama Away From His Teleprompter
By California Yankee Posted in 2008 | debates | McCain — Comments (58) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
On a conference call with bloggers this afternoon, Senator McCain congratulated, Senator Obama and announced that he invited Obama to a series of weekly town hall meetings:
Dear Senator Obama:
In 1963, Senator Barry Goldwater and President John F. Kennedy agreed to make presidential campaign history by flying together from town to town and debating each other face-to-face on the same stage. In Goldwater's words, those debates "would have done the country a lot of good."
Read on there is more.
Unfortunately, with President Kennedy's untimely death, Americans lost the rare opportunity of witnessing candidates for the highest office in the land discuss civilly and extensively the great issues at stake in the election. What a welcome change it would be were presidential candidates in our time to treat each other and the people they seek to lead with respect and courtesy as they discussed the great issues of the day, without the empty sound bites and media-filtered exchanges that dominate our elections. It is in the spirit of President Kennedy's and Senator Goldwater's agreement, in the spirit of the politics of change, and to do our country good, that I invite you to join me in participating in town hall meetings across the country to discuss the most important issues facing Americans. I also suggest we fly together to the first town hall meeting as a symbolically important act embracing the politics of civility.
I propose these town hall meetings be as free from the regimented trappings, rules and spectacle of formal debates as possible, and that we pledge to the American people we will not allow the idea to die on the negotiation table as our campaigns work out the details. I suggest we agree to participate in at least ten town halls once a week with the first on June 11 or 12 in New York City at Federal Hall until the week before the Democratic Convention begins at locations to be determined by our campaigns. Federal Hall is particularly fitting as it was the place where George Washington took the oath of office as our first President and the birthplace of American government hosting the first Congress, Supreme Court and Executive Branch offices. These town halls should be attended by an audience of between two to four hundred selected by an independent polling agency, could be sixty to ninety minutes in length, have very limited moderation by an independent local moderator, take blind questions from the audience selected by the moderator and allow for equally proportional time for answers by each of us. All of these are suggestions that can be finalized by our campaigns. What is important is that we commit to participate in these history making meetings to join in the higher level of discourse that Americans clearly would prefer.
To show our good faith, we should both commit to the first town hall I have suggested. In the mean time, we can work out dates for future town hall meetings.
I look forward to your favorable reply and to the opportunity to work with you to give Americans a better opportunity to understand our differences, our agreements and the leadership we offer them.
Sincerely,
John McCain
During the conference call McCain said the town hall format is the best because it provides voters more participation and a greater voice in our democracy:
Unfortunately, the town hall debates aren't likely to happen. Obama wants changes to the format before accepting the invitation:
“As Barack Obama has said before, the idea of joint town halls is appealing and one that would allow a great conversation to take place about the need to change the direction of this country,” said Obama campaign manager David Plouffe. “We would recommend a format that is less structured and lengthier than the McCain campaign suggests, one that more closely resembles the historic debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas.”
That's consistent with my impression that Obama is usually heavily scripted and prefers to deliver long speeches from a teleprompter. Without that remote control from his handlers, Obama is prone to gaffes such as his infamous clingy remarks at that San Francisco fundraiser.
In the Lincoln-Douglas debate format preferred by Obamna, one candidate spoke for an hour, then the other candidate spoke for an hour and a half, and then the first candidate was allowed a half hour "rejoinder."
[UPDATE, Moe Lane] For our lurkers: what this means, of course, is that contra Plouffe's suggestion for a "less structured" format Barack Obama is instead aiming for a more structured one - one where he has sufficient time to do everything except think on the fly. So, my question to the Obama supporters out there: how does it feel to know that your candidate is afraid of matching his wits against that of a 71 year old?
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McCain Invites Obama To Debates [Updated. Cruelly.] 58 Comments (0 topical, 58 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
Seriously? Did you see McCain's speech yesterday? The poor addled guy can barely get a sentence out. He has that constant look of confusion that dogs get get when they've been bred too many times.
Obama is going to hand him his head. Count on that.
1 point Obama
CIC experience -- -1 Obama +100 McCain
(Bi-partisian) Leadership experience -100 Obama +100 McCain
Sacrifice for country -100 Obama +1000 McCain
Score -- Obama = -202 McCain 1200
Gee a well spoken person with old, failed liberal, Marxist ideas -- this is what the Obama supporters think is qualified leadership material.
And people think earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, floods, famine, and wild fires are disasters --- wait until they see what havoc a POTUS Obama (spit, shudder) could inflict on the world.
M Penny
that point
michelle is jealous of barack
hence the airing in public by her that barack is stinky when he wakes up in the bed in the morning
i kid you not
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
we'll be hearing much less from her in the coming months, but when we do, the pent-up diva in her will be released with an uncontrolled fury. Should be fun.
Leave it to Obama to think we'd want to see him prattle on ad infinitum.
Nonetheless, it seems to indicate he realizes that the other forum would play more to McCain's strengths than his own.
Well remember, we have to keep the forum limited to short answers that McCain's handler's can feed to him. If we agree to Obama's proposed "free thinking" forum (read commie) then McCain is going to have to engage in an a conversation about complex issues, and we don't want that.
I certainly hope that Obama excepts. It would be far better than the staged road shows we've seen in the past.
You mean "accepts"?
I don't think Obama is going to need a staged scenario to out debate Senator McCain, at least not based on the pathetic showing he made yesterday.
...don't mess up basic pronoun usage.
(pause)
Oh, what the heck. If I ban you, then maybe the next few clone troopers will demonstrate a better grasp of written English.
Blam.
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
Wow. That's awesome. I made two posts before I was banned. I didn't even say anything derogatory - I just expressed a dissenting opinion. I'm sure I was just banned for the pronoun mixup thing though since you guys are all about an intellectual exchange of ideas.
How is the air in that bubble? Don't you ever want out?
snarky insults jackass. We have liberals on this forum who actually discuss issues. Go back to Kos and fill your pathetic life with hate each day.
"Nothing works like freedom, Nothing succeeds like liberty"
Kyle
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
would he use the same rules to talk to our enemies?
I had a similar thought:
There is absolutely no way Obama can refuse to do at least one joint townhall meeting with McCain.
He believes that we must "talk" to people (enemies) who oppose us.
This is truly a master stroke. McCain has to do it or his whole schtick of kinder gentler foreign policy is shown to be a fraud. Especially given Obama's reluctance to a joint Iraq visit. Fraud Fraud Fraud
The Poseur Extraordinaire est encore expose! (grammer/spelling is off the cuff, but you get what I mean!)
sorts of rules, restrictions, parameters -- but talk to any wack job dictator in the world and obama will not establish any restrictions.
If the RNC plans on spinning out commericials as fast as the Rezko one I just may send my shoe budget.
M Penny
But Obama has nothing to gain and everything to lose from such a format, which is why ultimately he will turn it down.
....McCain should say "See? Perhaps now Senator Obama understands why meeting with an adversary without preconditions isn't always a good idea. Because sometimes there's nothing to gain and everything to lose. If Obama debated me at a town hall meeting, that's what he would discover."
then they should try multiple formats and just simply have about ten of these. That way the public could see which format is best and it would allow each to participate in a format that plays to their strength. This is the simple solution. Just have more than and try multiple different formats.
Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor
I went to the McCain rally in Baton Rouge earlier today. I've got to tell you, he's really great at this town hall thing. I like the idea of joint ones, but I have doubts the Obama camp is willing. Btw, Bobby Jindal introduced Senator McCain, so it was very interesting. McCain kind of said " I really like Bobby, but he's got a huge job to do here."
Stand up, and let's acquit ourselves like men.
...where I bloviate endless platitudes about the horrific condition of the United States and how I can heal with the touch of my hand while you stand by quietly and listen? M'kay?"
Fear spontaneity, Senator Teleprobamampter. Fear it!
--
"We want great men who, when fortune frowns, will not be discouraged." - Colonel Henry Knox
I find it interesting how Obama is willing to meet with rogue nations around the world that sponsor terrorism without preconditions, yet he refuses to have a debate with Sen. McCain without making it as scripted as possible.
Barack fears a Republican armed with facts more than he fears terrorists and dictators armed with nuclear weapons.
--
"We want great men who, when fortune frowns, will not be discouraged." - Colonel Henry Knox
The "netroots" think Obama should definitely talk to Ahmedinijad. But they also think Obama should never talk with Fox News, because talking with Fox News "elevates them and helps legitimize them."
It never seems to occur to them that this argument holds equally well for America's adversaries.
(against John McCain)Sen. Obama is dangerously low on ammunition.
This is going to be an interesting five months.
"You never need a firearm,until you need it BADLY!"
"We're sorry Barack is to busy cleaning out his pre-nomination bus under caridge and stuffing his skeletons deeper in a hole, please contact again when MSNBC sets a debate up where i can make out wi....talk to keith Olbermann"
I hate scripted "debates" or "conferences." You know, like, I don't know, say, Bush's press conferences.
After watching the two speeches last night, I think McCain must be careful what he wishes for. Granted those were speeches and not debates, Obama's oratory skills are impressive. I think he did just fine in the Dem debates.
I don't think there's anything wrong with Obama's choice of format. The format of the Lincoln-Douglas debates is what is used today in most competitions.
Either way, I think this should be interesting how it all shakes out now.
...and he was never challenged on policy substance in the Democratic debates because everyone shared the same policy views.
McCain can't give a speech. However, he has a very impressive grasp of the issues, speaks clearly and concisely off the cuff, and connects well in small crowd settings - three things Obama has proven to find . . . challenging.
--
"We want great men who, when fortune frowns, will not be discouraged." - Colonel Henry Knox
20-yr pew-parked butt.
McCain landslide.
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
"perky butt" at first and got confused.
I think McCain has a great grasp of the issues, which I must say is also very refreshing.
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
are not answered!
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
The name is sort of a play on words. There's the meaning you mention, but at my job I also feel like they give me the work that nobody else wants to do, sort of the "default" "go-to" guy. Or the office "mikey" of Life cereal fame.
Future partner
schlub
gopher
license to sue
God
little lord fauntleroy (I apologize for that one)
Can I bill 1/2000th of an hour, esq.
another slip and fall.com
smile
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
My wife was a JAG attorney for a while. For 20 years I regaled her with shark jokes and ambulance chaser nicknames. One day she turned to me and said, "you know, that sh*% is getting really old."
I got the message. :)
"If all men were just, there would be no need of valor."
- Agesilaus
Obama's oratory is impressive--when he's delivering a prepared, polished, rehearsed speech. No other candidate this year could match him.
But I've heard him on the few times he had to take searching questions, off-the-cuff, from the press, without a prepared script. (VERY few, because the press had given Obama a virtual free pass till the Reverend Wright controversy exploded.)
And he was just terrible: Halting, uncertain, unconvincing; that confident, determined tone was utterly gone from his voice.
What Obama has been hoping for, is to avoid having to face an openly adversarial questioner--either McCain or a good reporter or good questioners at a town hall type meeting. And if he can continue ducking those, he's got it made. He'll hide behind an openly adoring media who will grease his way all the way into the White House.
I think if I called myself little lord fauntleroy I would have to start wearing "britches," or at least know something about IP law :)
If I was a female, charming betsy would be nice.
And I'm billing for this right now.
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
but I don't know if I want that gig. They make a lot more $ than me, but work A LOT MORE. I don't know how they have time for relationships with other human beings.
a fortune with to work for me.
stock up on the bi-carb
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
What if we copied a tactic from Code Pink, and sent right-wing hecklers to interrupt and harangue Obama at HIS rallies?
You think Obama could take the heat?
Liberals aren't used to taking that kind of treatment. Only dishing it out.
and throw objects at blonde conservative babes. They only turn the other cheek to foreign enemies.
Mike DeVine’s Charlotte Observer columns
http://thehinzsightreport.com
www.theminorityreportblog.com
www.race42008.com
"One man with courage makes a majority." - Andrew Jackson
I "trolled" around a liberal blog today. One I use to actually comment on, but my comments no matter how well they were articulated were clearly not wanted (well I am assuming this by being told to STFU...I did not even know what that meant) but I digress.
The libs were discussing this challenge and feel the following:
*Obama will cream McCain in debates, I cannot wait to see it. We need a president that speak eloquently and as we all saw from McCain's speech last night, that is NOT him.
*You could clearly tell that McCain was unsuccessfully reading from three teleprompters.
*McCain is hoping Obama will reject this, a) he looks like the big guy and b) he knows he cannot handle a town hall meeting. Earlier this year a citizen asked him about his infidelities and he was at a loss, but THAT is "off limits now".
I am going to pray every day at 1pm CST that Obama takes him up on this. I personally do not care if my President is the greatest speaker or not, I care about his experience in office, his life experiences and his policies-call me crazy. When taken to task on actual policies, Obama will fail miserably. Then we can go in for the kill by quizing him on the number of states in the USofA.
Oh please, please, please Obama!
MelZ
"One I use to actually comment on, but my comments no matter how well they were articulated were clearly not wanted "
I'm pretty much a lurker at this site (very few posts), and I've never posted at DailyKos. I have been doing this for roughly the past 18 months.
In my opinion, the regular bloggers on both sites are generally vicious when an opposing view is posted. However, the language used here is more civil than at DailyKos. I assume this is due to the enforcement of the site's rules by the moderators, and that is something I truly appreciate.
Getting back to the point of this thread though, I would enjoy seeing Obama accept McCain's offer. As some have already noted, Obama might not be as eloquent without the well rehearsed speech, but I think he could improve those skills with time. There was a significant improvement in his debating skills as the Democratic primary carried on.
That said, he will need to be clear on the issues. Regardless of how well one speaks, if the words are empty, it is hard to impress the non-Democratic voters. In that respect, I think McCain currently has an advantage over Obama.
that are written for him, hense the suggestion of a Lincoln Douglas style debate. When he has to speak extemporaneously he is a loose canon, his handlers won't allow it, period.
I'd love to see Obama bite - not sure if it will happen, perhaps the media will pressure Obama to do so. Gaffes make great stories...
After generous contemplation and mind altering MSM observation I conclude it must be Obama’s diffident posture. He believes McCain is feeble and suspects Alzheimer’s may be a factor. He therefore deplores putting McCain in that position as it may increase Obama’s high negatives with the older electoral demographic.
His obsequious behavior will earn him accolades amongst the general electorate and further secure his place as a doyen amongst the Democratic Party gnathonic faction.
As an aside, I will take McCain over Obama in arm wresting, fist fight or American History exam. After all, McCain endured years in a POW camp and Obama endured years of paper cuts and hang nails from Ivy League typing (and all that ribbing about his ears-gee, I like anatomical juxtaposition). Anyway, it's not as if we collectively don't know who the real sissy is now n'est ce pas?
"Nec Aspera Terrent"
bene ambula et redambula
Contributor to The Minority Report
I'm just trying to finish my waffles.
I leave the definition of waffle to you....
"Government of the people, by the people, for the people."
A. Lincoln
and why the rush to do it now, when most of the public won't pay attention until the fall. What is the McCain campaign really up to?
I get the premise that Obama is regarded to be stronger at set-piece speeches, while McCain is better at unscripted interactions. But that is CW, and CW is always a slim thing to hang your hat on. It could just as easily turn out that Obama improves with practice and the whole thing is a wash.
I think the real motivation has to do with denying Obama the chance to redefine himself. In accordance with the Iron Law of American Politics, Obama must now pivot back to the center and away from his liberal primary stances. McCain must prevent him from doing this. Right now, Obama has all summer to dance to his own tune and establish a record of "centrist" pronouncements. McCain's task is to disrupt that dance.
In an unscripted environment like a town hall meeting, McCain can repeatedly staple Obama's liberal positions to his forehead. And everytime Obama starts with the "Bush third term" nonsense, McCain can smack him on the spot. That is more effective than the "dueling soundbites" method.
I think it's a smart move. McCain should be willing to yield on certain procedural details to get the process underway soon.
"If all men were just, there would be no need of valor."
- Agesilaus
McCain is just trying to get "equal time."
Right now, Obama's war chest is TRIPLE the size of McCain's. (McCain has been reduced to taking Federal matching funds.)
That's not counting the $350 million in PAC money that George Soros is reportedly planning to hurl against McCain in the upcoming election. It's the largest disparity in favor of a Democrat candidate in my lifetime;. Traditionally, the GOP candidate has had the funding advantage. Not this time.
In a one-on-one town meeting, that advertising advantage is nullified; McCain and Obama get equal time.
Whereas in a battle of TV video ads, you're liable to see four or five pro-Obama ads for every pro-McCain ad.
McCain is trying to throw a monkey wrench into Obama's momentum.
The Soros money, et al, will try and put Obama out of reach over the summer. McCain will try and badger Obama into town hall events to put Obama into an environment that is not controlled by Obama's people. McCain can handle this, he's done it hundreds of times.
McCain is trying to keep Barack within the MOE during the summer and keep the Young Jeebus within striking distance while Soros, et al, hammer him. Only the free media from unscripted town hall debates can help him do that.
"History will be kind to me, for I intend to write it"-Winston Churchill
But it doesn't seem Obama will do it.
Anyway, point to McCain for spoiling Obama's day with a "challenge".
this should play well for mccain,