McCain challenges Obama to town halls
John McCain challenged Barack Obama today to a series of town hall meetings around the country over the next two months.
The presumptive Republican presidential nominee said he sent a letter to the newly minted Democratic nominee to take part in 10 town hall meetings, one a week between now and the Democratic convention in late August. The first would be June 12 in New York City's Federal Hall.
McCain called the 2008 race the "most important election in a long, long time" and one with perhaps the biggest differences between the candidates on the issues.
"No matter who wins the election, the direction of the country is going to change dramatically," McCain said in Louisiana.
The Arizona senator said town hall meetings with the candidates answering questions from real people is far preferable to "media productions" with spin rooms. McCain has flourished in such settings.
"I believe it's the best way," he said.
McCain said the two contenders could travel together to the meetings on the same plane to save on energy. He said that Republican Barry Goldwater and President John F. Kennedy had agreed to such a series of meetings for the 1964 campaign before Kennedy was assassinated -- though it's unclear whether such a deal had been inked.
So far, there are three officially sanctioned presidential debates scheduled, Sept. 26 at the University of Mississippi, Oct. 7 at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., and Oct. 15 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.
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Obama's campaign suggested some openness to the idea, but didn't commit to the town halls.
“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. 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. But, having just secured our party’s nomination, this is one of the many items we will be addressing in the coming days and look forward to discussing it with the McCain campaign,” Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said in a statement.
UPDATE: McCain communications director Jill Hazelbaker issued a statement:
"The American people deserve a debate worthy of their concerns and hopes for the future. Everyone can celebrate today's step toward that goal with an agreement, in spirit, between the McCain and Obama campaigns to participate in joint town hall appearances. Earlier this afternoon, the respective campaign managers spoke; 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."
Libertarian candidate Bob Barr, a former Georgia congressman, also wants in on the action.
"In congratulatory letters I am sending, I challenge Senators Obama and McCain to meet me in weekly debate in cities across America with just the candidates and a moderator to keep order," he said in a statement today. "Let us argue the issues, after which the American people can make their decision on Election Day. Surely the citizens of the greatest nation on earth deserve no less."
It's usually the underdog that challenges the leader to debates, forums, and whatnot. This is quite telling how McCain views himself. Based on last night's competing speeches, Obama will kill McCain in a discussion on issues. Old man versus something fresh and exciting. Hmmmm...
Sorry McSame - go retire to one of your 8 houses.
Now I'm officially pledge my allegiance to John Mccain of the GOP after our candidate Hilliary Rodham Clinton was thrown under the bus by the Democratic Party leaders.Goodbye Dems hellow Repub I'm here.
Can't comment because you wont posted
Obama sucks
HRC was thrown under the bus by herself. She ran a terrible, miscalculated campaign. She had no plans in place after Feb 5th, discounted caucus states and belittled small western states. Her husband pissed off black people, so she lost the south which she should have done better in. She ran out of money. In an early debate she came across as in-decisive and wishy-washy by not taking a stand on Iraq and drivers licenses for illegal immigrants. She lied about Bosnia. Hillary Rodham Clinton is the only reason Hillary Rodham Clinton lost.
You cannot pin this on the Democratic party because they were in her back pocket. She just failed miserably.
Truly, I do not understand those who would support a democratic candidate (presuming it is about issues), but then switch sides because of allegiance to that democratic candidate. To support McCain and the republicans flies in the face of the policies that HRC supported. Should the election be so petty as to prompt a switch to a side which has completely opposite views because your candidate lost the nomination? Get smart, stick with your party, stop whining. Our party is not weak, McCain is.
Personally, I am not of Either Party and vote for who, I believe will be the best President. I, to my disgrace, voted for George Bush. He turned out to be both incompetent and illiterate. Bad choice on my part, but we all make mistakes. Now I have to choose again and have decided, after much consideration, that I will vote for Obama. He will change this country. Good or bad, the thing we need most is change. The "old boy" mentality of both parties needs to go away. We need fresh new minds, that are willing to take a chance, to try to make things better. In my opinion, people who decide who to vote for by what the candidates "preacher" says need to use their brains and see that one persons opinion, "preacher" or not, does not make another's opinion. You want a better future for our children?
know I do
With the General Election now started, I'm sure that the candidates are viewing all of their options for their running mate. If you want to see what America thinks who should be the VP for either dems or reps, you should go to
http://www.votenic.com
They started a VP poll last week, and the results from that poll have just been posted. This poll is honest and represents all of America. Help your favorite candidate choose his/her running mate.
I hope they actually do this. The last few democratic debates were such circus acts, voters deserve better. Had George and Charlie not insisted on asking 55 minutes worth of pointless stupid questions, maybe a real debate could have happened.
I think McCain and Obama (and Barr for that matter) could set a new precedent in electoral politics with these type of weekly meetings. And the shared plane idea is a great one, too (although McCain's probably just in it to save money!).
Imagine if George W Bush had had to think on his feet once a week before the 2000 election instead of standing on the stage of a totally sterile "official" debate accusing Gore of citing "fuzzy numbers"
Mr. Plouffe get real! Do not let McCain tell you how to run your campaign. That is bad political strategy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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