Clinton challenges Obama to debate without moderator

Hillary is a desperate politician. Obama is a great actor and McCain doesn't know who he is.

Clinton the bully needs to be shut down before she “obliterates” something.

Debate.

I think they should replace moderators with referees who penalize debaters for pandering or avoiding the issue.

DO IT DO IT DO IT!

It really bugs me to read threads like this. Hillary supporters seem to really dislike Obama. The only thing another debate will create is more separation with democrat voters and give mccain more votes he doesn't deserve.

can't we all just get along?

I'd be interested in seeing this debate, because i'm pretty confident that Hilary would try to sling mud as she always has, and get booed off the stage as usual by democratic supporters. Obama is a much more genuine person than Hilary will ever be, and it would be interesting to see Hilary push such a debate only to be beaten decisively. However, it may be smarter for Obama to reject this debate and continue with his grassroots efforts that seem to be working pretty damn well to secure favor amongst voters. This is Hilary's last ditch effort to revive her campaign; I hope if he does agree to an unmoderated debate, that he steps up and shuts her out.

It would be good to see them ask unmoderated questions. Is Obama afraid of questions that Clinton may ask ? Do we not deserve truth ?

Hillary’s only option now is to “goon up” the primary.

To “goon up”: Hockey term used when there are only a couple of minutes left in the game and the loosing team starts fights with the winning team because they are behind by 2+ goals. It’s a psychological thing to make the winning team look weak.

Couldn’t resist the hockey metaphor during the playoffs.

Hillary needs Obama to be weakened so John McCain could win the election and Hillary could run again in 2012.

Typical Hillary move to Goon Up the primary.

I like thedismembermentplan’s idea. Let the public ask “relevant” questions and have the candidates answer them on the fly.

If she was wearing a habit she would look like one of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Or at least a Catholic school teacher.

maltesetitan, You are still full of macaroni.

Vierotchka, Perfect answer.

Mrs. Clinton, please give up the ghost for the sake of your party and your country.

no problem. nopressure.
the answer is:
" no one kicks a dead rat."
May be some one should ask her what she wants to debate on. is this a way of spending time away from bill?
the obama campaign has to learn to challenge the clinton campaign when it comes to taking the headlines. I say be more assertive.
I can see topics such as:
obama takes clinton on her unwise announcement of obliterating iran!
obama calls her choice of words un diplomatic, irresponsible and political pandering.
Obama calls on a one on one in (name your sport).
Obama challenges bill on a one on one in basketball.
the obama campaign calls on wolfe to come out of the closet and tell us who he supports.
Susan Rice attacks the clinton explanation of their erroneous position on diplomacy.

actually , as a chess fanatic and a poker fiend , not to mention darts and billiards , and a master of any drinking challenge , i 'd like to see O. and H. compete in a pub at all the above on a rainy day - at a certain point , after 21 debates let's say , all the merely rhetorical stunts amount to the same white collar BS and intellectual masturbation which leaves me limp and ready for a real test of sheer cunning not requiring words .

"break a deal; face the wheel"

The only way I would EVER be interested in hearing about yet another "debate" after TWENTY-ONE of them would be if it was done Thunderdome-style! Two people walk in, one person walks out. As extreme as it sounds (and no I'm not serious), right now that seems to be the ONLY way we're going to get a resolution.

H. Same old same old: Carville, Axlerod, Daschle

G: Corporate Czars?

What a joke some of this is.

Obama has nothing to gain - win, lose or draw. Hillary, at best can maintain the self-deception she is a real contender at this point. Give me a break.

Take note, there is going to be an IQ test immediately following: want to take note of who is in power here and who isn't? Why is this invisible to some of you??

Hillary needs Obama. HIllary needs Obama to say yes. HIllary Is waiting for Obama.

Meanwhile, Obama and team are carrying on as they had planned, unaffected and without needing anything from HIllary.

Quiz: who is in control?

A) grandmother
B) Obama
C) yo mama
D) the cat not previously mentioned
E) Hillary
F) all of the above

Please submit your answers below. Thanks for participating.

Marlynn Murray, Chique, Krag2112,

The Great Obama supports are scared. Hillary wants to Debate Obama runs and hides. Lets discuss why he does not Salute the American Flag & the connection to Rev. Wright and why he makes a Pledge of Allegiance to the Black Value System.

You who are trying to say that there has be 21 Debates what more needs to be discussed, or that someone just wants air time, or that Hillary doesn't have any money is not paying attention to this election!

Hillary WON! IN Pennsylvania! The people in that Great state watched the debate very closely and they saw Obama was full of hot air.

They saw that the only change he wanted to introduce was a change or his pocket not for the people of this country.

How if Obama is scared that Hillary will just tear him apart again in another Debate I can understand why those of you would not want to see the defeat of your great leader get flushed down the tubes. But that is to late.

He lied on 3-18-08 when he tried to give a speech and change the subject to race when the subject was his pastor and he was to suppose to focus on that issue not on race.
Instead he threw in while talking about race that he had heard his pastors comments before and knew of his feelings towards the United States, were before he said he never had known of them until he started his campaign. I HAVE THE QUOTES WANT THEM!

All of them. He stated it 4 times. That was 4 lies. then the truth and he did it while trying to change the subject and so many of you just did not STILL catch it!

I will place all the lies on here so all can read them.

Again I say are you Obama fans scared of Hillary that she will beat him in a debate you should be because she has the experience. As VoyagerFlims, said on here, she will use Washington tricks. See even he knows she has experience.

Vote for Hillary!

If he can't lose why is he afraid to let us hear what he has to say without Axlerod telling him what to say?

FACT - If Obama does nothing,absolutly NOTHING - Hillary CAN NOT win the nomination. She is in the race to expend energy and her plan is to attempt to paint Obama as a racist, communist, terrorist-friendly enemy of America.

Why debate the "mathmatically dead" Clinton. SHE CAN'T WIN !!!!!!

Welcome back from wonderland Alice.

I supported Obama because I believed he was bringing in a new type of democrat ie the young liberals. The Clinton strategy had always been fight for the conservative democrat that could vote republican on social issues and democrat on economic issues.

The more I read of Obama supporters I am discouraged by the rank sexist and ageist comments used to belittle Hillary a fellow democrat and life long public servant. I also see attacks on her by Obama supporters right out of the Republican playbook. The impeachment of Bill was a shameful day in partisan politics. a president's personal and sexual dalliance was used to disrupt the government and bring in an era where Pat Robinson and his ilk had undue influence on politics. I understand why comedians can't stay away from this issue. I don't understand why Obama democrats stoop to this low level. Maybe Obama democrats are really just conservative followers with no grasp of the party or history.

Obama is the same type of package democrats have been offering for years. The package has a pretty new ribbon that attracks the young and uninformed.

Actually, Vierotchka, debate may or may not have a moderator. In "formal" or competitive scholastic debate, there are judges but the question or "resolution" to be debated is predetermined. Each team gets two speeches to present their case and them two shorter speeches for rebuttal.

Personally, I wish the candiadtes would engage in a hybrid of scholastic debate using predefind and RELEVENT QUESTIONS. No interpretation from or stupid questions from talking heads. Just answers and plans.

this sounds great to me! maybe with out the moderators asking their ridiculous questions, we can learn something new about the candidates!

She offered no moderator's because Obama complained so about the questions raised... Character does matter to the American people... Look at what happened to "Bill" for his lack of judgement and morality! It matters alot to me if Obama has a hidden Black Nationalist vent... and his associations do reflect on my trust level of him... and her too. And seriously, I question the judgement of a leader (OBAMA) who smokes cigarettes in this day and age which to me indicates character flaws such as; Weak minded, low self-esteem, suicidal subconscious, lack of self-discipline, poor leadership/example to our youth, just a plain environmental hazard, and huge lack of self-control... Character does matter! ISSUES YES, CHARACTER YES! Let the debates continue! And p.s.Krag... Those cigarette smoking ads of McCains really "suck" too! Truth be told, I'm not thrilled with any of the candidates running at this time... I'm trying to figure out which one will actually move their way around the issues and get the most done... I am inspired by some of the rhetoric of Obama, I just don't believe he is painting a realistic picture of what actual changes can happen with two opposing parties in charge and feel that his age/lack of experience interferes with his vision.

Vierotchka, this is true. at least she went for a serious title. now whether she can read, well I have no proof of that.

and @ jlaboy - nobody would quiet them down! that's the fun of it. let's just give them knives and see what happens. they're just politicians, no big loss. besides if at least one of them could not maintain composure and confidence, presenting solid facts and thoughtful persuasive arguments to show that they're the better candidate, then they're both fools.

Both are egotistical. When there are moderators, they can't be shut up, who would quiet the now?

hedismembermentplan - at least she can read, which is more than can be said of Bush. Oh, and the book isn't full of pretty pictures, either! :D

HAHAHAHAHAHA what a photo. "oh you want to take a picture of me? wait, wait, let me grab a book! let's see here.....oh! the Iraq study group thingy! perfect! I'll look so sophisticated! ok, ok, wait, ok, ready!"

I want them to individually take questions from citizens without any moderation or major news network question screening. 50 questions, first come, first serve. "Ms. Clinton, what will you do to end the drug war?" "Mr. Obama, how will you pay down the $10 trillion federal debt that Mr. Bush accrued?"

According to Ben Smith at Politico.com Obama has turned down Hillary's offer.

http://current.com/items/88921110_obama_rules_out_indiana_north_carolina_debate

plusaf, Small American Cocker Spaniel. Molly. Spoiled rotten. She is sitting at the tabel with us for morning coffee. Not at dinner though. Thanks for LYAO at my sick humor.

definitely this would be interesting.

but then who would broadcast? I can imagine NPR doing it. who else?

Nice retort JohnA. I'll share it with my intern as an example of our highly valued right to free speech. Thanks for your thought provoking comments.

ps...my comment about the photo was to answer someone else's response to my posting. I've separated the comment directly to you so as not to confuse you any further. thanks again, jp

I wasn't even looking at the picture, who cares, she's old. Who cares what makeup they wear? What are you gay?

Well, at least in this primary season we are getting a lesson in Democracy. Let the debate go on with no moderators and let the questions be hard and truly on issues. That is one debate I would like to see. Something we would never see from Republicans.

Clyburn Says Blacks Think Clintons "Hell-Bound" to Irreparably Damage Obama:
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/04/clyburn-says-bl.html

Chris Matthews: The Media Created "Delusion" That Hillary Can Win (VIDEO):
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/22/chris-matthews-the-media_n_98086.html

Its not unflattering, it's what she looks like right?

Obama should not do this. It's just an opportunity for HIllary to use the old Washington tricks to attempt to slit Obama's neck - politically.

It could only benefit Hillary - if she achieved some degree of success. If Obama were the "winner" of the debate - he'd gain NOTHING from it.

Not to worry Jimmy, There is nothing wrong with the photo except it is of an old not airbrushed woman. That's not your fault. This was an excellent post.

to JOHNA: If you don't like the content in my posts, please discuss the content as others have. You belittle yourself and the forum by suggesting my feelings were hurt.

About the photo: The photo was the first I could find on line of Senator Clinton. I could not get the photo in the story to come over. But someone else has posted it, so have a look at what a good make-up artist and flattering light can do....As a professional photographer, I was immediately intrigued by the difference in Senator Clinton in this photo and the made for TV person we've seen lately. I'm sure if we look, we will find some equally less than flattering photos of Sentor Obama. The additional point I am trying to demonstrate is to show the senator in a reality which is usually altered by the media with lighting and makeup. In this area I am an expert and could prbably take a few years off your photo as well JOHNA. That said, she IS a sage women with a lot to offer.

At this time I am sure I will not vote for McCain, but not sure if either of the other two is far enough removed from the machine to make a real difference.

A little anecdote may better explain my point of view: In highschool our colors were ironically blue and red. At soccer practice we made two teams...red shirts and blue shirts. But, we actually both were on the same team...this is the way I perceive the government of our country.

Red shirts and blue shirts...all playing for the same corporate team.

Best Always, Jimmy

Obama would crush Hillary with the questions game. He's just a smarter person. Hillary is desperate to try anything she can. Her whole campaign team has failed miserably in every aspect of the game. The only thing keeping her afloat right now is the fact that she is a woman running for president.

I think the reason Hilary looks so haggard is because she’s reading “The Iraq Study Group Report.” I tried to read that thing once, it sucked ten years right out of my face. In any event I would love to see the two go head to head. Who needs a moderator anyways? We are of course talking about the next president of the United States. Do we really need someone to guide the leader of the free world, or do we need a strong leader that can stand up and kick butt solo? Just imagine if we put bush in this situation. “Look you mis-underestimated me. Fool me once…..See you can’t foul me more than one time, blah blah blah…Mental breakdown, mental breakdown….Head explodes.”

Hilary knows what she's doing, maybe obama is afraid he'll pee his pants, lol !

No moderators? Fine by me. Let it happen.

Ticks me off, that what i wrote wasn't put, but someone else's comment was, what's up with that ?

All joking aside. I don't care if there is another debate or not. I don't think Obama had a great debate last time, but Clinton didn't either. And the one before that he crushed her. I seem to remember a lot of complaining during and after that debate from Clinton...but NOW we get all the heat and kitchen talk. How soon we forget. But to think that after 21 debates we are all of sudden going to get new information is a little naive. It will be just another opportunity for Clinton to try to tear Obama down. Sad state of affairs.

There have been 21 debates first with 12 candidates where few got any chance to speak at length, some where they onlygot to raise their hands, some where they picked straw man positions from cherry picked question on YouTube. AFAIK only one with them one on one.

All with the distortions of the moderator which was the point of a different debate.

Out of 21 debates, what have we gotten but questions about flag pins, who doesn't believe in evolution and other similar distractions?

That's exactly why we need a debate that focuses on the depth instead because the dialogue has not been open

If Clinton doesn't follow the rules and tries to dominate the discussion, won't that show something about her character and motives?

If either of them still smear each other, play the same kinds of games and tactics that have been used for decades. What kind of message will that send?

That they are incapable of rising above politics as usual and better to find out before the convention declares the nominee.

WHY use that unflattering picture of Hillary Clinton?!

-- why not debate? Who ever ends up on top between the two democratic candidates is going to have to face republicians. IT"S Great practice.. let the democrats and the COUNTRY see and get to know ...our future nominee..it will help in the general election.

LET the system work.. I dont' vote until may 6th... i would like to see them debate again.

Krag, not only do you photoshop well - you're damned fast!

To be frank and Honest, Hillary has proven in past debates that she will force her way through a debate and damn any and all rules about speaking time.

A debate without a moderator would be Hillary dominating the conversation in her obnoxious way

Actually, I don't think he's responded yet either way. And lately people have been suffering when the dialog IS open! ;~)

Standard politics is the leader in the race does not want to debate. I thought Obama was a different type of candidate. I guess his handlers want to rest on the old style of politics. The people suffer when dialog is not open.

Thanks Cosmo, we needed that!

There have been 21 debates. They have been going on for over a year. Argon18...what more needs to be discussed? Flag pins? Bosnia? When is enough enough? Seriously...lets see Obama and McCain debate. That's what I'm interested in.

What? jjmaster...really? He's not a very good speaker? Um...okay. What color is the sky in your world?

Say what you will jjmaster, but to say Obama can't talk without prompters is absurd. He's one of the best impromptu speakers we've heard for generations.

Apologies for my cynical side Argon18, I just haven't seen much straight talk and honesty lately by half of this equation. Had Clinton not jumped in with the moderators on this last debate maybe I'd see things differently. Just can't see how a debate between Clinton and Obama will rise above politics as usual at this point - - but I guess anything is possible.

good god yes - this is exactly how politics should always be conducted - and the history of this country would have been far different if just going all out had been the norm - for all that , i'd like to see hillary and obama wrestle , or square off with a set of pistols , or rapiers - politics is basically a spectator sport anyhow - why not ? i think i'm starting to like hillary.

Whoopsthereitis... He can't talk without prompters or prememorizations of his speech! UutOH

Yeah, I suppose it would be fun to watch. Maybe Obama should accept but, due to his commitment to a firm schedule, plan it for after the NC and Illinois primaries. ;~)

It might be at that.

This is exactly what flagging campaigns with no money left do to get press. Politics as usual. You know who should be debating? Obama and McCain, as they are the two candidates who are going to be their party's nominees.

Though an unmoderated debate would be fun to watch.

I don't know maybe Jimmy is mean and we just don't see it? Look at that picture of Hillary looking rode hard and put away wet.

I'm all for a debate of this type. Bring it on.

Funny, I was told only Obama supporters were snarky.

Although the questions asked in the last debate were ridiculous, The Great Obama did answer them.

Personally, I've seen all of the debates I care to sit through for a while. This one wouldn't avoid spin and PR either. They both can state their positions to NC and Indiana's people just fine and let the voters decide. Clinton is well aware Obama doesn't want to debate any more and she just wants to bait him. If he refuses she'll use it against him. If he agrees it'll be said that he's not strong enough and is bending to her will. She's too desperate for me to trust at this point.

Isn't JohnA projecting? How did he interpret that about feelings hurt and Obama being great from what was directly quoted from the news article?

It sounded to me like a genuine offer to clear the air and get their respective positions stated without distortion.

Which is a better interpretation?

I don't see that anywhere in his post?

Ah, sounds like jimmyp got his little feelings hurt when the big bad moderaters asked The Great Obama a question he will eventually have to answer. No one may question The Great Obama!

Sounds like Hillary wants a little air time. Maybe a dirt bike is the answer.