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Why Won't Obama Agree to Townhalls?
Real Clear Politics ^ | June 13, 2008 | Mort Kondracke

Posted on 06/13/2008 2:06:17 PM PDT by vietvet67

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) got an answer from Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) Tuesday on his proposal for 10 town hall-style debates: Not going to happen. That's too bad - and, the fewer there are, the more Obama should suffer for it politically.

The town halls not only would give ordinary citizens a chance to ask the candidates some pointed questions (see suggestions below), but - because they would be nationally televised - they would let voters nationwide see how the candidates handle challenges from across the political spectrum.

When Obama was debating Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and - in the distant past - when McCain debated his GOP rivals, the Democrats rarely got tough questions premised from the right, or the Republicans, from the left.

McCain has challenged Obama to 10 joint appearances to take place before the national conventions. Obviously, McCain thinks they're to his advantage because Obama is such a better orator and McCain performs well in informal settings.

Moreover, McCain - with less money to spend than Obama - wants the free national exposure that the town halls would provide. Obama is ahead in the polls and probably doesn't want to risk his advantage on possibly risky joint appearances.

So, on Tuesday, Obama told reporters, "You know what we've said is we are happy to do more than the three typical presidential debates in the fall ... We hope to have negotiations soon."

He added, "It's not realistic for us to do 10 ... It will probably be somewhat fewer than 10 but more than the three that have been already agreed to, and we'll probably propose a mix of formats."

(Excerpt) Read more at realclearpolitics.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: chicken; debates; gutless; kondracke; loser; mccain; obama; townhalls; wimp
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To: MNJohnnie

mclame would NEVER do such a thing!!! That would be impolite!!!


21 posted on 06/13/2008 2:20:30 PM PDT by NoGrayZone (A Lesser Evil Is Still Evil.)
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To: vietvet67

>Why won’t Obama do Townhall?<

Because he wouldn’t be provided a reader board?


22 posted on 06/13/2008 2:20:46 PM PDT by Paperdoll ( on the cutting edge)
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To: Mrs.Z; avacado

Have you ever seen one of GWB’s town hall meetings? He’s great — well-prepared, warm, and likeable. He does many of them in the round and connects beautifully with the crowd.

Of course, the Drive-By Media would never tell you that. GWB being a clumsy communicator is entirely their creation, pounded into Americans’ heads so relentlessly that it is accepted as fact — the same way the “Reagan is goofy and dense” perception became so widespread.


23 posted on 06/13/2008 2:21:05 PM PDT by JennysCool (They all say they want change, but theyÂ’re really after folding money.)
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To: vietvet67

Let’s face it. Town Halls are HAND PICKED audiences!!


24 posted on 06/13/2008 2:21:46 PM PDT by acoulterfan
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To: JennysCool

I know a lot of folks dislike him, and I’m still a little mad at him regarding the scamnesty, but I do love my President.

I think he was the right guy for the right time. And he took many many many “hits for the team”.


25 posted on 06/13/2008 2:22:57 PM PDT by NoGrayZone (A Lesser Evil Is Still Evil.)
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To: MNJohnnie

Excellent idea!!!


26 posted on 06/13/2008 2:24:18 PM PDT by avacado
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To: NoGrayZone

100% agree!


27 posted on 06/13/2008 2:25:46 PM PDT by avacado
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To: JennysCool

Do you remember him in the 2004 election talking about a lumber mill that he had a partial interest in, that somebody in the media was making a big deal over? He turned to somebody in the audience and said, “Wanna buy some wood?” and just cracked the whole place up.


28 posted on 06/13/2008 2:26:57 PM PDT by Hoffer Rand (0bambi: the audacity of hype)
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To: vietvet67

Let the man eat his waffle in peace!


29 posted on 06/13/2008 2:31:14 PM PDT by Argus (Obama: All turban and no goats.)
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To: Baladas

30 posted on 06/13/2008 2:32:39 PM PDT by Mark (Don't argue with my posts. I typed while under sniper fire..)
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To: Mark

Why? Because he is afraid to be exposed as the dim wit he really is....

He uses a teleprompter...and he learned speeches, but he cannot answer questions.


31 posted on 06/13/2008 2:34:40 PM PDT by JaneNC (I)
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To: vietvet67

Have you seen these meetings?

There are no Che flags, they are full of typical white people, and you can’t get a decent latte.


32 posted on 06/13/2008 2:35:04 PM PDT by envisio (If you ain't laughin yet... you ain't seen me naked. 8^O)
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To: NoGrayZone

Agreed


33 posted on 06/13/2008 2:36:30 PM PDT by envisio (If you ain't laughin yet... you ain't seen me naked. 8^O)
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To: Mark

LOL!!


34 posted on 06/13/2008 2:39:38 PM PDT by penelopesire ("The only CHANGE you will get with the Democrats is the CHANGE left in your pocket")
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To: JaneNC

No, not that. It’s because the Main Stream Media says so. (see t shirt)


35 posted on 06/13/2008 2:39:54 PM PDT by Mark (Don't argue with my posts. I typed while under sniper fire..)
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To: vietvet67

I’m more concerned with why our guy, McCain, refuses to take solid, principled conservative positions on issues ranging from the Border to Drilling to Embryonic Stem Cell Research.

I’d rather we fixed our problems first, before we attempt to point fingers at the enemy!


36 posted on 06/13/2008 2:42:01 PM PDT by SoConPubbie (GOP: If you reward bad behavior all you get is more bad behavior.)
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To: penelopesire

BHO may think he doesn’t need to expose himself to public crutiny but when this dunce’s poll#’s start collapsing this summer he will be whining for the opportunity to debate...what an arrogant little Marxist is this NOBAMA


37 posted on 06/13/2008 2:44:03 PM PDT by iopscusa (El Vaquero. (SC Lowcountry Cowboy))
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To: iopscusa

Be careful what you say....his minions are watching and might report your ‘smears’ to his secret police.

This guy is arrogant beyond belief and now I will probably be called a ‘racist’ for saying so......LOL

psst....he is also a Marxist.


38 posted on 06/13/2008 2:51:54 PM PDT by penelopesire ("The only CHANGE you will get with the Democrats is the CHANGE left in your pocket")
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To: avacado

Barry would fold like a cheap suit in an unscripted forum.


39 posted on 06/13/2008 2:54:25 PM PDT by Jackknife ( "The Bureau of Alcohol,Tobacco, and Firearms should be a department store, not a gov't agency.")
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To: avacado
"Why won't Obama agree to town halls?"

He has absolutely no need to. He is now and will continue to be in the lead unless the Republicans can produce a real candidate.

40 posted on 06/13/2008 3:00:43 PM PDT by isrul (Help make every day, "Disrespect a muzzie day.")
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