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Why OBAMA Should NOT Take the McCain 'Bait'
John McCain recently 'offered' to debate Senator Obama in a series of 10 'town hall' style 'debates. Largely unmoderated, and in casual settings, while this would seem to favor Obama (who is rhetorically and presence-wise many levels above McCain), in reality, the outcome could do nothing but maintain Obama's advantages - while potentially HELPING McCain in three ways:
1. The free nationwide exposure and publicity (desperately needed in what will be a far-less cash-flush campaign).
2. The free platform from which to attack Obama - obviating the need for expensive attack ads.
3. The potential for a campaign-ending stumble or misstatement or event.
Obama should respectfully but firmly DECLINE this 'generous' offer and maintain what has been political history - a series of 2-4 national moderated debates, with conditions and moderators agreed upon by both camps well in advance.
Comments (9)
At least at this early date. Ultimately they should meet - but I think closer to the election. Debates are nearly pointless at this stage. I'm guessing Obama will drag his feet and have a slowly-slowly approach to completing format negotiations.
What I want to see is Obama refuse to debate unless it is in an open forum - with all media allowed equal access. This turning our elections into a commercial ratings bonanza really sucks - as does having a debate that can't be put on the web for 3 days.
June 8, 2008 7:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
You mean, like refusing the ABC/Bloomberg offer to host a "town hall"? Both campaigns said they weren't interested in a commercialized appearance.
June 8, 2008 10:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
I'm all for the open debates without moderators, although I'd be slow to agree to ten. I think voters would see that Obama is far more versed on the issues, and McCain wouldn't have an arbitrary 90-second time limit to bail him out. McCain looks good on the talk shows when he's not seriously pressed on the issues--I'd love to see how he responds when repeatedly pressed on his lack of knowledge on the issues or his proposal to continue Bush policies. Did you notice how uncomfortable McCain looked while appearing on "Ellen" when Degeneres pressed him on gay marriage? She bailed him out with a joke about McCain walking her down the aisle, but Barack ain't in the comedy business...
June 8, 2008 7:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Workin:
Yes - I saw that - but, of ocurse, since Obama has the same position on gay marriage as McCain.....(though both you and I know that may be true, but it is not 'true' in the ways that matter. Obama would not interfere with the advance of GLBT legislation - McCain would).
Frankly, I think Obama would mop the floor with McCain - but it is the FREE AIRTIME and EXPOSURE that McCain would receive - while Obama would receive nothing he does not already have. In other words, no town halls = Obama status quo. Town halls = Free McCain exposure and potential missteps on both sides.
June 8, 2008 8:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
I too think he should decline. As you say it's just McCain trying to get exposure at half price.
Obama can just say he wants his townhall meetings to be him with people - McCain's free to have his with people - as many as he wants.
The good aspect of McCain's invite is that he shows he considers himself behind.
Did you see one of the journalists on today's media laughing about how the invitation was sent by the McCain campaign on letterhead - delivered. Burton, I think it was, said to the journalist `why didn't they just email it?`
Just goes to show how behind the times the McCain camp is.
June 8, 2008 9:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think Obama should agree to have some town hall meetings with McCain. Ten is over the top, and even if it ends up being ten, he should agree to only a few at a time.
As far as free publicity -- both these people are running to be President of the United States -- they should be SEEN! Do you honestly think it is appropriate to refuse to debate just so that people won't see McCain? Truth is, the more they see of the two of them together (as long as the group they meet with is not one-sided) the better. Obama can think on his feet; McCain can't keep his facts straight, never mind thinking through a response to a question.
Obama may make a mistake or two, but on the whole, he will make far fewer than McCain. Also, seeing the wooden (and medicated) McCain against the easy-going Obama responding to questions will be a valuable thing to help people decide.
I am also not worried about McCain making an attack on Obama that would stick; maybe Obama could get McCain riled up and we could see his famous temper. Maybe Obama could ask him if he thought that bombing Iran was something to joke about, or maybe a questioner could do that.
The debate format is a complete loser; it is stupid and the moderators ruin the whole concept. They aren't even debates. I hope I live to be a ripe old age and never have to see another ridiculous "debate" especially if a former staffer of the husband of one of the debators is the "moderator." But they all suck. George Stefanupilus was just the most blatant.
So, long story short: Yes to town hall meetings; no to fake debates, but let Obama control the frequency of the former.
June 8, 2008 10:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
Obama has already taken part in 22 debates,
His web site has his positions on all major issues.
Just what - exactly - are we going to 'learn' that we either do not know already or cannot locate in 2 mouseclicks?
Town hall 'meetings' are only a benefit to the person who is BEHIND. Which is why McCain is so desperate for them.
Why should Obama - the frontrunner - indulge his opponent - for no potential gain?
3 or 4 moderated debates are enough.
June 8, 2008 10:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Barack has responded that he wants to engage in Lincoln Douglas style debates -- where each candidate speaks for an extended period, with rebuttals. This of course shows off Barack's oratorical superiority over McCain. McCain's front man -- I think it was Davis -- bristled at this suggestion implying that there would be no negotiations over format -- take it or leave it. As if.
I think they should do alternating town halls using both formats.
No reason for Barack to walk into a town hall without getting something in return. I also agree that ten is over the top, at least as an initial round. Agree to four -- two L-D debates and two open ended town halls.
In either case, I think this is a case of "be careful what you wish for" and is a sign of desperation on the part of McCain that will backfire in a huge way. Most of the gaffes that McCain has made came out of town hall meetings e.g. 100 years in Iraq. He is a loose cannon who speaks without thinking. I trust Barack not to immolate himself in these situations. Plus, Barack gains stature simply by being on the same stage as McCain. The more people see them side by side -- the better Barack will look. Moreover, its an excellent way to trump whatever slime the 527s will try to cover him with. The more people see him -- the more they will see that he in no way resembles the scary, liberal, closet-Muslim, radical-loving extremist image of him being painted on the internets.
The real trick is how do you make sure that all of the questions don't come from Repug plants in the audience. Who gets in the room? Undecided voters selected by a third party? Supporters of each candidate? I seem to recall that the audience of the town hall style debate between Kerry and Bush was selected by an independent polling firm and consisted of undecided voters.
June 8, 2008 11:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
"The real trick is how do you make sure that all of the questions don't come from Repug plants in the audience."
There should be NO questions. Just topics. Name a topic; let one man speak; let the other rebut.
June 9, 2008 6:44 AM | Reply | Permalink
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