He is scared of another complete melt down.

Obama said ok to a debate a long time ago, but Hillary didn't agree with the timing and wanted to have a debate 1 day after PA. They didnt agree to a time that they both liked and then the DNC in NC canceled it.

Spade: I DO think there is a point - this format could be:
1) a way of calming down the "bitterness" within the party - good for Democrats (bring DOWN both of their negatives)
2) a two-hour infomercial about why the Democrat will be the better choice in November
3) actually show voters still unfamiliar with Obama and Clinton (and believe it or not, there are such voters) why either would be a good President.
4) a way of making it difficult for either of them to "go negative"
****
Mus-Hussein-Grove: I don't think it should be dropped there.

gotalife: I think he'd like this format

How is the bitterness in the party going to be lessened when they're given free reign to ask whatever of each other? It's just going to be about who does better opposition research. We've heard about their policy differences and I for one don't care anymore.

Barack has to start getting his debate game on for McCain.

Why would he waste his time with Hillary? She lost. All he has to do now is keep the primary schedule that he has so he can g ahead and visit ALL the states thus build upon his campaign organization for the fall.

Obama gains nothing from the debates is the reason he is not doing anymore. Sen. Clinton will take every cheap shot at him possible while he has to play nice. He cannot go for the knockout punch with her because he needs her supporters come the general, while she continues to stab and pick at him at every opportunity.

He's talking the "Cold War" approach - he's going spend, spend, spend and she'll have to try and match to stay competitive. However she doesn't have the money to do so and she'll bankrupt her campaign and have to bow out.

Agreeing to another debate would also be giving Hillary free television time, both in the debate, and in the 2-3 days afterwards in the coverage. Obama wants Hillary to have to pay for every minute of coverage at this point. Hillary did Larry King, Stephen Colbert, Keith Olbermann and I believe one other in the lead up to the Penn primary - so she burned those free plugs for the next while - she couldn't do any of those shows again in a mere two weeks time.

She's got two States to spend on now and has to decide where to focus her resources. NC is set up for Obama like Penn was for Hillary - if she wants to make in-roads she's have to focus a lot of attention there and still probably won't win, whereas Obama can focus most of his resources in Indiana. If she concedes NC, Obama could blow her out there and Indiana will still be a battle ground that could go either way.

please..... no more debates.... i'm begging you... please... make it stop..... i feel like i'm burning on the stake... pleaseeeeeeeeeee....

There is nothing more to be gained by either candidate with another debate. Every time there is a debate, it gives a false sense of hope to Clinton supporters that she can win... time for the grieving to begin. Let's start with no more debates. We need to focus on John McCain.

Obama already knows what it's like to have a ton of horse manure dumped on him. Bring on McCain!!!

A comment from an Obama supporter/friend of mine from another forum:
"As the person who is going to win the nomination no matter what (fact), Obama had nothing to win and everything to lose by doing a debate that he does not have to.

All the more reason why he should.

Prove that he is the "new kind of poitician" that I believe him to be.

And, 100% I agree, no moderators."