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McCain and Obama agree to town hall debates across the U.S.


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McCain challenges Obama on town hall meetings

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- John McCain asked Barack Obama to join him in 10 town hall meetings with voters in the coming months, and their campaigns began negotiations to make it happen. McCain, the Republican nominee-in-waiting, made the request Wednesday, the day after Obama clinched the Democratic nomination.

"We need to now sit down and work out a way that we can have these town hall meetings and have a great debate," McCain told reporters in Baton Rouge.

Campaign managers for the two sides later spoke by phone and agreed in spirit to participate in joint town hall appearances, McCain's campaign said.

"They both expressed a commitment to raising the level of dialogue, and they will be in close contact as we work together to make this idea a reality," McCain spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker said.

McCain said the more intimate town hall format, a give-and-take between a candidate and the audience, allows real interaction and is more revealing than formal televised debates. He held 101 town hall meetings in New Hampshire before winning the primary there and launching his climb to the GOP nomination.

"I don't think we need any big media-run production, no process question from reporters, no spin rooms," McCain said. "Just two Americans running for office in the greatest nation on earth, responding to the questions of the people whose trust we must earn."

McCain suggested the first town hall be held June 12 in New York and said he would love to fly there on a plane with Obama. He said President Kennedy had made such an agreement with Sen. Barry Goldwater for the 1964 election, though neither was their party's nominee at the time. Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963.

A McCain adviser first floated the idea last month. At the time, Obama said, "I think that's a great idea."

"Obviously, we would have to think through the logistics on that, but ... if I have the opportunity to debate substantive issues before the voters with John McCain, that's something that I am going to welcome," Obama said in Bend, Ore., in May.

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said Wednesday that while the idea is appealing, the campaign would recommend a less-structured, lengthier exchange more in line with the historic Lincoln-Douglas debates.
pigmonkey

33 responses // McCain and Obama agree to town hall debates across the U.S.

  • I think this could back fire on McCain. Barack is famous for his great speeches and debates. McCain isn't noted as being a great speaker or debater. Just watch any debate with McCain and Ron Paul If you disagree.But that is my take on this.Tell me what you think. Is this a good move for Mccain or Obama?
    pigmonkey
  • very true but obama could be easily cornered to a defensive mode about the whole experience thing and all. But in new york mcain is bound to have a very hard time making his case.
    stone246
    1 response to this
  • I think it's a shame that the world of politics can be so superficial, but it's a fact that McCain is going to have to deal with. Unfortunately for him, I think he's going to look like a cadaver next to Obama. Not just the age difference, but the charisma. In debate and speech formats McCain's an effing quaalude. It'll be interesting to see how he tries to overcome that in their first meeting. He can be a bit fiery at times, but he tends to come off as vitriolic and/or condescending when he goes that route...which will look bad when contrasted with Obama who more often than not comes off as uplifting and dignified. McCain's got his work cut out for him, for sure.
    recommended by  Marilynn_Murray
    gizzard
    1 response to this
  • Obama called for debates at several of his stump speeches.
    McCain had to respond in kind.
    I honestly don't believe that his heart is in it.
    McCain is cornered and has no choice.
    Any move away from debates would be seen as a serious weakness on his part.
    huntre
  • I recommend that everyone watch McCain's speech last night with the bizarre background and new slogan stolen directly from Obama and then compare it to Obama's speech to tens of thousands in the same venue that McCain will receive the Republican nomination in Minnesota. I'm not worried about these two going head-to-head, especially considering McCain's daily gaffes and misstatements.
    Brendan_M
  • Barack's got to be careful, McCain could be going after the sympathy vote.
    Dee_Eee_Tee
  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=on2aD62Xdq8
    I already have the debate between these two at my fingertips......
    currenton
  • Somthing to think about... most of obama's speaches are scripted via a teleprompter. I dont remember seeing obama do nearly as well off the cuff.
    flip side
    most of mcbush big verbal mistakes have been off the cuff in town hall style "might be there for 100 years (iraq)" "bomb, bomb. bomb, bomb Iran (sung to a jingle)"
    thebullet
  • I still think that Obama supporters should not underestimate how much John McCain's message and style still resonate with many millions of Americans, especially if all they see of him is the best 25-second clip out of a 25-minute speech or debate; or if they READ his words in a magazine, newspaper, or internet instead of hearing them spoken; or just grew up voting Republican and haven't ever really thought about THIS particular Republican.

    My point is: if you know someone who you suspect might be a McCain supporter or susceptible to support his message, try to talk to that person about it. Over time, you might persuade him/her to change their vote. But if we're all just talking to each other, this election remains a significant risk and one that McCain can still win.
    edmubnd
    1 response to this
  • John McSlain.
    wiredbirds
    1 response to this
  • Lets get ready for the Old Folks Homes Debates!
    chillwillNJ
  • McCain and his evil vampire grin should quit now before Obama makes him look even dumber in front of the whole country.
    Albinopollock
  • Here's the deal: Obama has nothing to gain by having a debate with mccain, but mccain has everything to gain by having a debate with Obama. Same as it was when Hillary suggested Obama and her have a debate.

    Think about the nature of debates. The purpose of mccain having a debate with Obama isn't to help Obama, it's to help himself - it's an attempt to "frame" Obama and Obama's position in a manner that serves his own interests and those of the people he answers to.

    If, Obama get's into this 10 date debate with mccain, it really isn't mccain he's debating with. It'll be Rove, Cheney, pollsters and all those behind mccain who have plotted strategy and will simply be unrolling it on Obama and the American public just as they did with the WMD's, Al Queda and so forth.

    It'll go something like this: mccain will conspire to help Obama win two or three debates - and then begin to turn the tables on him. The idea is to enable Obama to look like an arrogant black man who thinks he's better than the white working class Americans and that he really only represents blacks with a similar view.

    Obama doesn't need to convince mccain of anything, and mccain has nothing to offer Obama.
    VoyagerFilms
  • I don't think we will see the whole series of debates. McCain will forget who we are fighting or what country and whether or not they were armored and will find a reason not to do them anymore. Obama has more class than to try to trip him up. McCain needs no help with screwing up. It will be a McCain disaster.
    Marilynn_Murray
  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6fMqwRobuQ
    Ron Paul vs Mccain
    pigmonkey
  • This will be the first time that some on the radical right are forced to listen to Obama's message. Having only heard opinions from the lunatic fringe like Limbaugh, Coulter and Hannity, these good people will be shocked to find that Obama doesn't have an Arabic accent, horns growing from his head nor a tail from his ass. Head to head with Barack Obama, John McCain and his blind alligence to failed policies that have wrecked our country will finally see the light of day. How will he excuse the Senate report on pre-war intelligence that calls the Bush Whitehouse a pack of liars?
    The war is the issue that will bury MCain.
    bansheewail
  • Im glad Obama accepted. This reminds me of a little historical moment, Kennedy vs. Nixon.

    "The Great Debates [of 1960] marked television's grand entrance into presidential politics. They afforded the first real opportunity for voters to see their candidates in competition, and the visual contrast was dramatic. In August, Nixon had seriously injured his knee and spent two weeks in the hospital. By the time of the first debate he was still twenty pounds underweight, his pallor still poor. He arrived at the debate in an ill-fitting shirt, and refused make-up to improve his color and lighten his perpetual "5:00 o'clock shadow." Kennedy, by contrast, had spent early September campaigning in California. He was tan and confident and well-rested."

    McCain will look like hes in the beginning stages of decomposition next to Obama.
    Good luck sucker.

    http://youtube.com/watch?v=iOQKzRSeuHo&feature=rela....
    carligula
  • Marilynn, you know the folly of someone who is "too" confident in himself, or "too" self assured of the inadequacies of his opponent.

    Obama isn't going in to debate mccain, but against every Republican strategist, the (Republican) biased media, the (Republican) oil, corporate America and multi-national corporations (who largely have the same board members).

    Obama doesn't need to confront mccain head on, mccain isn't that strong in the first place and most of America is tired of those policies any way.

    Obama needs to address Republican's and potential swing voters head on (not mccain). mccain's only good for one vote, and he ain't gonna vote for Obama any way.

    Debating mccain makes it appear Obama is dependent on mccain. It gives the false appearance mccain is more important than he really is, and that Obama's position is less significant than it really is.

    Many think HIllary will do anything, ANYTHING to get elected. Obama's strength is the American people, period.

    Obama doesn't need a one-two punch from HIllary and mccain.
    VoyagerFilms
  • You might be right Voyager. If McCain gets confused and stumbles around it will just make people feel sorry for him. I remember the transmitter on W's back and him saying to no one in particular "Let me talk." We can't frisk them, so maybe it is best left alone.
    Marilynn_Murray
  • The portrayal of mccain as a bumbling fool such as by pigmonky above, only serves to dupe people into a false confidence.

    Besides, if mccain is such a fool, why would Obama want to engage such an idiot? What could he gain from such an exchange?

    If Obama doesn't debate with him, does anyone have any doubt mccain the bumbling fool will trip himself up any way?

    A better debate would be for mccain to show his conviction to the American electoral process and debate Ron Paul, a fellow party member. Why should he betray a member of his own party - and not betray the American people, or Obama?

    Hillbillary is waiting to endorse for what reason? Who does it benefit? If she is in this for the American people, why does she hold out for herself? Question everything.

    Think: one two punch from Hillbillary / mccain.

    Obama's got a great thing going, a great connection to the American public, just keep it going, keep building - in contrast to the Republican and Hillbillary's destructionist techniques.
    VoyagerFilms
  • OOOOOOOOooooooo I cannot f(&(*#$#%ing wait for this!

    McCain might as well have conceded.
    beedee
  • http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/2007050...
    The only thing about this story that gives me pause is the two of them flying in the same plane. I know I'll get slammed as a conspiracy theorist, but that just seems too tantalizing an opportunity for Bush/Cheney to orchestrate some sort of attack that allows them to initiate their "continuity of government" plans. And the sudden death of both of our '08 candidates would certainly give them the opportunity they'd need.

    No matter how much of a tinfoil hat I may be wearing on that issue, anyone who reads these executive directives and DOESN'T throw up a little in their mouth, doesn't realize how absolutely terrifying it is that they can do this in a national emergency.
    beedee
  • This is the next sport, and the black man is going to be the best in this too. I see Obama winning all these debates.
    cerealforeal
  • .
    BretByron
  • Obama better be careful. McCain is known for his great debates. He is a pro just like Hillary.
    cyndeewi
  • Is Ralph Nader going to be allowed to participate?
    ivxx
  • A video you should watch about Obama!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTgqQ2_KQkc
    cyndeewi
  • I agree with, well, someone from above. After the speeches on Tuesday, this is a no brainer. McCain might not be a fool, but he will certainly look it with his dry witticisms and empty language.

    "A tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing."

    (ps, that's old timey idiot, not the 21st century connotation, look it up)
    chet_arthur
  • Barack's got to be careful, McCain could be going after the sympathy vote.

    I should add that McCain needs to tie-up Obama for twelve weeks, because McCain's short on money. This will keep Obama from going to states that McCain thinks is solid red or pink or purple, etc. And if they share planes, they both get free publicity, but which one needs it free? Debates will tie down Obama, in places Obama may not need to be in, for at least 2days/wk; probably 4days. However, Obama will save campaign money for his second term campaign in 2012.
    Dee_Eee_Tee

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