Obama first challenged McCain to debate so Obama needs be willing to debate now!
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on June 19, 2008 - 2:55am.
Rapid Response
Hello Everyone:
I am not hearing many pundits and journalists in the mainstream media who are reporting that it was Barack Obama who first challenged Bush and John McCain to debate "any time, any place" back in May:
http://embeds.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/05/16/obama-strikes-back/
May 16th, 2008 4:20 PM Eastern
Obama Strikes Back — Ready to Debate Bush/McCain “Anytime, Any Place”
by Bonney Kapp
"Today, Obama responded with anger and forcefulness, while criticizing Bush’s “failed” policies abroad and hammering McCain for supporting them. “They’re trying to fool you. They’re trying to scare you. And they’re not telling the truth. And the reason is they can’t win a foreign policy debate on the merits, but it’s not gonna work. It’s not gonna work this time and it’s not gonna work this year,” Obama told voters in Watertown, South Dakota. “If George Bush and John McCain want a debate about protecting the United States of America, that’s a debate I’m happy to have, anytime, any place, and that is a debate that I will win, because George Bush and John McCain have a lot to answer for,” he said..."
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/16/obama-bush-and-mccain-have-a-lot-to-answer-for/
May 16, 2008
Obama: Bush and McCain 'have a lot to answer for'
Posted: 12:35 PM ET
From CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand
(CNN) – "Barack Obama struck back hard at President Bush and John McCain Friday, accusing them of hypocrisy and of distorting his position on dialogue with nations hostile to the United States, telling a South Dakota crowd that “I’m running for president to change course, not to continue George Bush’s course.”
“I want to be perfectly clear with George Bush and John McCain, and with the people of South Dakota,” he said at a Watertown campaign stop. “If George Bush and John McCain want to have a debate about protecting the United States of America, that is a debate that I'm happy to have any time, any place and that is debate I will win because George Bush and John McCain have a lot to answer for.”
Here is the CNN video link to watch Obama challenging Bush and McCain to debate "any time, any place" which takes place at close to the end of this short video:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/politics/2008/05/16/obama.hamas.response.cnn (03:02)
Obama: Bush attack 'appalling' 3:02
Sen. Barack Obama fires back after President Bush likened talking with Hamas to negotiating with Hitler.
Source: CNN
Added On May 16, 2008
Here is the ABC News video from May 19 where John McCain right at the beginning welcomed having that debate with Obama:
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4874358 (03:28)
John McCain in this Press Release from his website has clearly accepted Barack Obama's offer to debate:
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/PressReleases/ca3756f7-43f6-4a52-9c69-40124aabbce4.htm
Press Release
Email Print Digg Deli.cio.us
For Immediate Release
June 13, 2008 Contact: Press Office 703-650-5550
McCain Statement Accepting Invitation to Hold Joint Town Halls
"We have also today accepted the invitation from Mrs. Ronald Reagan, Lynda Johnson Robb and Luci Baines Johnson to attend town hall meetings in July at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library. As Mrs. Johnson said, these town halls will truly be an opportunity to "deliberate the great issues of our time." Their sponsorship certainly meets our standards for a positive and productive opportunity for voters to interact with the candidates. I hope you will agree.
However, at this moment, we fear that our negotiations over joint town hall meetings are turning into a debate about process. That is exactly what we have always hoped to avoid, and why we proposed a town hall format that would render many of these process issues moot. As Senator Obama has said, he is prepared to meet "anywhere, anytime" for a town hall..."
CNN has reported that the Obama campaign is now refusing McCain's offer to have these debates which would be on an even playing field:
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0806/16/sitroom.03.html
THE SITUATION ROOM
Gore to Endorse Obama; California Set to Recognize Gay Marriages
Aired June 16, 2008 - 18:00 ET
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: "There's a new development on the whole battle between McCain and Obama over these joint town hall appearances.
DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: That's right, what the McCain campaign hopes will be a new development. You will remember, late on Friday, the Obama campaign basically said no to John McCain's offer for about 10 joint town hall meetings, one a week until the November election.
They said, well, we will just have one on July 4, and the McCain campaign said, why would we do that? No one will be watching.
So, what John McCain said today is, why don't we make a joint appearance in mid-July in California at the Latino group La Raza? Why don't we actually make that a joint town hall?
Both candidates have said yes to appearing before that group. So, what McCain said today is, he wants to at least try to push that idea. He says it would be both informative and entertaining.
Clearly, the McCain campaign is trying hard not to let the idea of joint town halls go -- Wolf.
BLITZER: Dana, thanks very much -- Dana Bash reporting for us..."
I definitely believe that Obama should be willing to debate McCain on what would be an even playing field when so little is known about him, when so much is at stake in this election, and especially when it was Obama who first issued the "any time, any place" debate challenge to McCain. Both candidates in my opinion owe these very important debates to the American people which will be on many different key issues!
I am not alone in my opinion that Obama should accept McCain's offer to have a series of town hall debates:
1) Lou Dobbs is in favor of these town hall debates taking place:
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0806/12/ldt.01.html
LOU DOBBS TONIGHT
Tornado Terror Strikes Boy Scout Camp; Midwest Floods hit Great Lakes Region; Supreme Court Ruling; Failing FDA; Homeland Insecurity
Aired June 12, 2008 - 19:00 ET
LOU DOBBS, HOST: "You know, as you report, this has descended in point of fact, to a level of pettiness that's becoming some of a standard for the campaign as each day goes by. But irrespective of the partisan view of anyone or their ideological standing, Senator McCain has set forth a rational and appropriate proposal.
And that is, those town hall meetings, those men meeting face to face, head on, with a group of citizens to ask those questions and to find out how these two men who say they're qualified and appropriate leaders for the greatest country on the face of the earth, it would be a wonderful venue. Why is there no response from the Obama campaign? Why isn't it happening?"
2) Gloria Borger and Jeffrey Toobin of CNN who both lean toward Obama in my opinion when they give their analysis think that Obama should accept McCain's offer to debate:
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0806/10/sitroom.03.html
THE SITUATION ROOM
Interview With California Senator Barbara Boxer; Obama and McCain Spar Over Economy; Clinton's Red Ink; McCain Town Hall Challenge; Cindy McCain Says She'd Be A Different Type of First Lady; Paparazzi Starr Struck
Aired June 10, 2008 - 18:00 ET
GLORIA BORGER, SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: "But at a certain point, Obama is going to have to say yes. Because he's already said he thinks it's a good idea. So it's not like shying away from debates with Hillary Clinton at the end of the primaries. He's got to start doing some of these.
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: What do you think, Jeff?
JEFFREY TOOBIN: Well, it is a good idea simply on the merits. It is better to have the two candidates out there talking without prepared text and letting people size them up.
I think, actually, Obama would be smart politically to say yes, too, just because of what Jack was just saying. Everybody's saying oh, well, you know, McCain is so good at these town hall meetings. Well, maybe Barack Obama will turn out to be awfully good at it, too. He'll go in there with less expectations that he'll succeed. People think he's too young and inexperienced. If he goes to toe with McCain, it's a win for him..."
3) There is even bipartisan agreement where both Republican strategist Todd Harris and Democratic strategist Steve McMahon agree for different reasons that Obama should debate McCain in this Hardball video:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25217432#25217432 (06:48)
Town hall tussle
June 17: John McCain has proposed weekly town hall-style debates with Barack Obama leading up to the Democratic convention, but so far Obama hasn’t accepted. Should he take McCain up on his offer? A Hardball panel (Republican strategist Todd Harris and Democratic strategist Steve McMahon) discusses.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25217432#25217432 (06:48)
Todd Harris wants Obama to debate thinking that it will expose his lack of substance on the issues while Steve McMahon wants Obama to debate thinking that Obama will come out on top because he is on the right side of the issues. It is really nice in my opinion to see this kind of rare bipartisan agreement on such an important topic even if it is for different reasons!
Back in 2004, John Kerry challenged Bush to participate early debates from February to August which Bush refused to do and which he should have done for the good of the country:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2004/02/23/1050728.htm
Kerry challenges Bush to debate
Posted Mon Feb 23, 2004 1:00am AEDT
"The two leading Democrats seeking to challenge Republican President George W Bush appealed to voters in interviews published on Sunday, as frontrunner John Kerry challenged the President to debate their Vietnam war-era military service..."
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C04E7DF1F3EF937A25750C0A9629C8B63
Kerry Asks Bush for Monthly Debates Until Election Day
By JODI WILGOREN
Published: March 14, 2004
"Senator John Kerry came here to the site of one of the legendary Lincoln-Douglas debates on Saturday to repeat his call for President Bush to engage him in monthly one-on-ones from now until Election Day, saying, ''Americans shouldn't have to put up with eight months of sniping.''
"We confront big issues -- as big as any issues in the history of our nation -- and they call for a new and historic commitment to a real and informed exchange of ideas,'' said Mr. Kerry, the four-term Massachusetts Democrat who has all but locked up his party's presidential nomination. ''I believe the American people are hungry for a genuine conversation about the fundamental questions before us, and they are ready to begin this now..."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-08-26-kerry-debate_x.htm
Posted 8/26/2004 3:55 PM
Kerry challenges Bush to weekly debates
ANOKA, Minn. (AP) — "John Kerry challenged President Bush on Thursday to weekly debates from now until Nov. 2 on campaign issues like education, health care and national security.
"America deserves a discussion like we're having here today, which I'm prepared to have with this president every single week from now until the election," the Democratic presidential candidate said..."
Obama's own supporter Jamal Simmons admitted that "Debates are just not his particular forte" BUT Obama should have thought about that before he challenged McCain to debate "any time, any place" and before he became the presumptive nominee if he thought that this might have been a problem:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/15340
Obama supporter Jamal Simmons said "Debates are just not his particular forte"
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on April 22, 2008 - 3:13am.
John McCain is asking Barack Obama to do right now in 2008 exactly what John Kerry rightly asked Bush to do back in 2004. Many people agree with me that the country is entitled to this debate as I have documented in this post. I do NOT consider this to be an anti-Obama post when I am only suggesting that Obama follows through on his initial "any time, any place" debate challenge to McCain and that he does right now what John Kerry properly asked Bush to do back in 2004!
Obama in my opinion should definitely not refuse to debate McCain right now like how Bush refused to debate Kerry back in 2004 when so much is on the line in this election, when so little is known about Obama, when his resume is very thin, when he is running mostly on his judgment, and especially when it was Obama who issued the first challenge to debate McCain "any time, any place" back in May!
The bottom line to this in my opinion is that a series of serious town hall debates between Obama and McCain will help to better inform the voters on the issues, they will help to make Obama a better general election candidate, and they will help to make Obama a better President if he is elected!
Mitch Dworkin
http://www.securingamerica.com/
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/10756
StopIranWar.com: "War is not the answer"
Submitted by Wes Clark on February 21, 2007 - 11:40am.
http://www.securingamerica.com/ccn/node/7191
Listen to Gen. Wes Clark fight for Dems on Sean Hannity's radio program: An excellent example for all of us to follow and what we all need to be doing to help fight back against extreme right wing Neocon smear propaganda!
And he doesn't have to give McCain free exposure. Obama agreed to five debates. McCain rejected that. The schedule will be negotiated. There will be debates, but they don't have to be at McCain's bidding.
---------------------
I am asking you to come together and make sure Barack Obama is our next president. This is a critical mission. - Wes Clark
that are supposed to take place anyway, one around July 4 when there will not be much of an audience, and only one extra one that we will have to wait until August for:
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/13/mccain-obama-debate-debate-deals/
June 13, 2008, 1:24 pm
McCain, Obama Debate Debate Deals
By Michael Falcone
"After a week of proposals and counter-proposals concerning how many times Barack Obama and John McCain will meet for face-to-face debates between now and Election Day, both campaigns appear to be feeling a little rejected.
David Plouffe, the Obama campaign manager, slammed Mr. McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee, on Friday for declining to meet Mr. Obama in five joint appearances, which Mr. Plouffe said “would have been the most of any presidential campaign in the modern era.”
The proposal offered by the Obama campaign would have pitted the two candidates against each other at three traditional debates in the fall as well as a town hall meeting on the economy in July and a debate on foreign policy in August..."
The other side is all over Obama for his refusal to debate now:
http://thenewconservatives.blogspot.com/2008/06/why-wont-obama-debate-mccain.html
Monday, June 16, 2008
Why won't Obama debate McCain?
"So why is Obama afraid to debate John McCain? Is it because he feels McCain experience in foreign policy will make him look weak? Is it that Obama doesn't want to discuss tax policies with John McCain? Is it because Obama is not has quick on his feet has he great at giving speeches? Is he worried that he can't know the answers beforehand if he doesn't know the questions beforehand? Does he fear being showed up by Senator McCain on a national stage? Or is it just that he doesn't want those bitter bible thumping, gun toting, regular people asking him questions he does not want to answer? Yes..."
A "debate on foreign policy in August" that the Obama campaign is proposing does NOT sound to me like what Obama said in May which is exactly:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/16/obama-bush-and-mccain-have-a-lot-to-answer-for/
May 16, 2008
Obama: Bush and McCain 'have a lot to answer for'
Posted: 12:35 PM ET
From CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand
“If George Bush and John McCain want to have a debate about protecting the United States of America, that is a debate that I'm happy to have any time, any place and that is debate I will win because George Bush and John McCain have a lot to answer for.”
Why can't Obama do right now the same thing that John Kerry asked Bush to do back in March of 2004 when the country definitely deserved to hear that very important debate?
There are some of Obama's foreign policy ideas that concern me which is why I would like to hear this debate right now:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/15552
The false debate that both Bush & Obama offer on talking without preconditions!
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on May 20, 2008 - 9:33am.
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/15196
Michael Ware called Obama's 16 month troop withdrawal plan from Iraq "ludicrous"
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on April 5, 2008 - 7:16am.
which this YouTube video will positively verify:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMGgyPm9kh4
Obama: "Anywhere, Anytime" to Debate McCain on For. Policy (2:18)
Added: May 16, 2008
Barack Obama, May 16, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMGgyPm9kh4
So the series of town hall debates that McCain has proposed are NOT "at McCain's bidding" as you have said. They are very clearly at Obama's own bidding in my opinion when you see what Obama himself said in this YouTube video!
The bottom line in my opinion is that Obama should not have issued this very strong debate challenge to McCain back on May 16 if he was not willing to follow through on it. But since he did issue this debate challenge, then he should be willing to follow through on it and debate right now!
If not, then why not? What am I misinterpreting about Obama's own words in this YouTube video?
You're working so hard for him.
---------------------
I am asking you to come together and make sure Barack Obama is our next president. This is a critical mission. - Wes Clark
Though I've got to say the main thing it seems Mitch has been working at for months now is poking any stick he can find in Obama's eye.
Practice hasn't made perfect yet, but he's still trying.
I am obviously NOT "working" for John McCain!
I have legitimate concerns about both McCain and Obama's foreign policy ideas and I would like to hear them publicly defend their positions on the issues in a series of debates on an even playing field:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/15552
The false debate that both Bush & Obama offer on talking without preconditions!
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on May 20, 2008 - 9:33am.
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/15196
Michael Ware called Obama's 16 month troop withdrawal plan from Iraq "ludicrous"
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on April 5, 2008 - 7:16am.
What is so wrong with that when it was Obama who first issued the strong debate challenge to McCain back on May 16?
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/16/obama-bush-and-mccain-have-a-lot-to-answer-for/
May 16, 2008
Obama: Bush and McCain 'have a lot to answer for'
Posted: 12:35 PM ET
From CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand
“If George Bush and John McCain want to have a debate about protecting the United States of America, that is a debate that I'm happy to have any time, any place and that is debate I will win because George Bush and John McCain have a lot to answer for.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMGgyPm9kh4
Obama: "Anywhere, Anytime" to Debate McCain on For. Policy (2:18)
Added: May 16, 2008
Barack Obama, May 16, 2008
I am NOT the only person who is concerned about Obama's lack of experience as this poll suggests:
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/Poll_obama_experience/2008/06/17/105201.html
Latest Poll: Half Say Not Comfortable With Obama's Experience
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 10:40 AM
"The latest ABC News-Washington Post Poll shows that Obama leads McCain nationally by small margin -- 48 percent to 42 percent -- but lurking in the numbers is the data that nearly half say they're not comfortable that Obama has enough experience to be president.
This translates to a large number of doubters.
Among two pivotal swing groups, the rivals split independents evenly, while McCain is ahead among white Catholics.
Strain from the drawn-out Democratic primaries still shows: While nearly nine in 10 Republicans back McCain, just eight in 10 Democrats support Obama. Yet Obama leads McCain in trust to handle most issues asked in the survey, including the top problem — the economy. He also does better on most personal attributes, including better understanding peoples' problems, and is tied with McCain on leadership, an issue on which the Republican led three months ago.
The ABC News-Washington Post poll was conducted from June 12-15 and involved telephone interviews with 1,125 adults. It has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points."
Obama debating right now and doing well will only help to relieve people of these kind of concerns. Even respected Democratic strategists like Steve McMahon think that Obama should debate McCain right now:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25246944/
'Hardball with Chris Matthews' for Tuesday, June 17
Read the transcript to the Tuesday show
Guest: Chrystia Freeland, Jennifer Palmieri, Mike Paul, Steve McMahon, Todd Harris, Perry Bacon, John Heilemann, Margaret Carlson, Howard Fineman
STEVE MCMAHON, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: "He‘s got policy and politics on his side. He‘s the guy who is standing there saying, John McCain is a third Bush term. He‘s the guy saying, let‘s get out of Iraq, instead of saying there. He‘s the person who is going to be saying, let‘s change the economic course of this country and get it back on track.
(CROSSTALK)
MCMAHON: He‘s the one who is going to be saying, instead of everybody being on their own, everybody ought to have health insurance. He wins on the merits. He wins on the rhetorics—rhetoric. He wins on the politics. And he will pack in a crowd.
And he will—I think he should take him every week, every day, if he can get him..."
Here is the video link to watch Steve McMahon saying this:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25217432#25217432 (06:48)
Town hall tussle
June 17: John McCain has proposed weekly town hall-style debates with Barack Obama leading up to the Democratic convention, but so far Obama hasn’t accepted. Should he take McCain up on his offer? A Hardball panel (Republican strategist Todd Harris and Democratic strategist Steve McMahon) discusses.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25217432#25217432 (06:48)
Do you think that Steve McMahon is also "working" for John McCain as well since he too thinks that Obama should debate McCain right now?
You can disagree with me and Steve McMahon on our opinions that Obama should debate McCain right now BUT please do NOT ever accuse me of "working" for McCain because that is totally absurd!
to run his GE campaign against the Democrat while Barack Obama has only just begun to challenge the Republican nominee.
That you now feel that the Democratic nominee has some kind of duty to indulge his opponent in the venue of his choice, in any debate, is simply beyond all reason.
That has absolutely NOTHING to do with the facts that it was Obama who FIRST challenged McCain to debate back on May 16, that McCain has accepted this debate challenge, and that there are clearly enough people in the country who are concerned about Obama's lack of experience and would want to hear these debates:
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/05/16/obama-bush-and-mccain-have-a-lot-to-answer-for/
May 16, 2008
Obama: Bush and McCain 'have a lot to answer for'
Posted: 12:35 PM ET
From CNN Associate Political Editor Rebecca Sinderbrand
“If George Bush and John McCain want to have a debate about protecting the United States of America, that is a debate that I'm happy to have any time, any place and that is debate I will win because George Bush and John McCain have a lot to answer for.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMGgyPm9kh4
Obama: "Anywhere, Anytime" to Debate McCain on For. Policy (2:18)
Added: May 16, 2008
Barack Obama, May 16, 2008
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/PressReleases/ca3756f7-43f6-4a52-9c69-40124aabbce4.htm
Press Release
Email Print Digg Deli.cio.us
For Immediate Release
June 13, 2008 Contact: Press Office 703-650-5550
McCain Statement Accepting Invitation to Hold Joint Town Halls
"As Senator Obama has said, he is prepared to meet "anywhere, anytime" for a town hall..."
http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/Poll_obama_experience/2008/06/17/105201.html
Latest Poll: Half Say Not Comfortable With Obama's Experience
Tuesday, June 17, 2008 10:40 AM
"The latest ABC News-Washington Post Poll shows that Obama leads McCain nationally by small margin -- 48 percent to 42 percent -- but lurking in the numbers is the data that nearly half say they're not comfortable that Obama has enough experience to be president.
This translates to a large number of doubters..."
McCain: Sorry, Five Joint Appearances With Obama Just Won't Do ItBy Greg Sargent - June 13, 2008, 1:58PM
Five joint appearances between the two presidential candidates between now and Election Day isn't enough? That's the McCain campaign's claim, now that it has rejected Obama's offer to conduct three traditional debates, plus a joint town hall in July, and another debate on foreign policy in August. And as a result, the talks between the two campaigns over how and whether to hold these joint appearances has broken down. McCain campaign manager Rick Davis sent a letter to the Obama forces telling them that their offer was unacceptable because only one of the five meetings would be a "town hall" style event. The McCain camp wants 10 joint town hall meetings, because these "offer the best format for presenting both candidates' visions for our country's future in a substantive way," Davis wrote. To which Obama campaign manager David Plouffe responded in a statement sent out by the campaign: "That package of five engagements would have been the most of any Presidential campaign in the modern era." The McCain camp clearly sees the town hall format as their only hope of offsetting Obama's superior oratorical skills. As we've now learned the hard way, McCain's speechifying is flatter than a piece of matzoh under the wheel of a tractor-trailer truck. The Obama camp's full response after the jump. "Barack Obama offered to meet John McCain at five joint appearances between now and Election Day -- the three traditional debates plus a joint town hall on the economy in July and an in-depth debate on foreign policy in August. That package of five engagements would have been the most of any Presidential campaign in the modern era -- offering a broad range of formats -- and representing a historic commitment to openness and transparency.
"It's disappointing that Senator McCain and his campaign decided to decline this proposal. Apparently they would rather contrive a political issue than foster a genuine discussion about the future of our country. "Senator Obama believes that the American people deserve an open and accessible debate as they choose between real change and four more years of failed Bush policies, and he welcomed McCain's invitation to offer voters 'the rare opportunity of witnessing candidates for the highest office in the land discuss civilly and extensively the great issues at stake in the election.'"
PERMALINK || TOPICS: McCain, Obama +++++++++++ quotable, imho : "The McCain camp clearly sees the town hall format as their only hope of offsetting Obama's superior oratorical skills. As we've now learned the hard way, McCain's speechifying is flatter than a piece of matzoh under the wheel of a tractor-trailer truck."
would have taken place anyway, when one of them is around the Fourth of July where there will not be much of an audience, and when we have to wait until August for the foreign policy debate when Obama said back on May 16:
“If George Bush and John McCain want to have a debate about protecting the United States of America, that is a debate that I'm happy to have any time, any place and that is debate I will win because George Bush and John McCain have a lot to answer for.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMGgyPm9kh4
Obama: "Anywhere, Anytime" to Debate McCain on For. Policy (2:18)
Added: May 16, 2008
Barack Obama, May 16, 2008
Please see this comment above for the documentation about this:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/15840#comment-311489
Those 5 debates are not much of a deal when they include the 3
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on June 19, 2008 - 10:44am.
McCain is try to sucker Obama into having several sessions using Obama's weakest format. The less formal the format, the less well he does. He's too formal and aloof to succeed in the town hall format versus McCain. He's happiest behind a podium with thousands of people.
Stan Davis
Lakewood, CO
Wes Clark -- Make America All It Can Be!
McCain knows that he stands little to no chance against Obama in Obama's preferred venues, so does Obama know that his chances are weaker in the townhall venue. That he has agreed to one, is more sportsmanlike in a GE than Obama ever needed to be, but that's just my opinion.
Actually, I believe that O has a very good chance of succeeding against McC anytime/anywhere, in any venue where McCain is required to open his mouth and discuss issues before a 'non-preselected audience'. But that remains to be seen.
of said format.
But you are right about McCain trying to set the agenda to get what he thinks will be his "strong" point...maybe he could sing another chorus of "bomb, bomb, bomb Iran".
There's absolutely no reason for Obama to bow to John McCain's demands of town halls or anything else.
For Mitch to claim that just because Obama mentioned a debate (which he keeps referencing over and over) that somehow that means it has to be on McCain's terms is nonsense.
There will be debates...but please, let's not pin this election on them. 20+ debates in the primary proved little but that the moderators, for the most part were all working for the Enquirer on the side.
debates and that they are "Obama's weakest format. The less formal the format, the less well he does." Obama's supporter Jamal Simmons also agrees with you as well:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/15340
Obama supporter Jamal Simmons said "Debates are just not his particular forte"
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on April 22, 2008 - 3:13am.
This and the fact that "He's happiest behind a podium with thousands of people" are the reasons why he refused further debates with Hillary which I was very disappointed about:
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/15389
VIDEO: James Carville gave Bill Richardson good reasons why Obama should debate!
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on April 28, 2008 - 8:46am.
However Obama is going to have to debate sooner or later whether he likes it or not. If he does not like debates, then he should have thought twice before challenging McCain to debate "any time, any place" back on May 16 and he should have thought all of this over before he became the presumptive nominee!
Now that Obama is the presumptive nominee and since he has already challenged McCain to debate "any time, any place," then I definitely think that he is obligated to debate right now when McCain is taking him up on his offer. If there are problems or issues of some kind that we need to know about, then it is better to know about them right now before the convention rather than after the convention when a debate mistake will probably be more costly in the general election!
What is wrong with asking Obama to make good on his offer to debate "any time, any place" when John Kerry asked the same thing of Bush in 2004 and when Bush should have done it?
I would also like to hear some actual and specific substance on the issues from Obama instead of just watching his very generally oriented charismatic speeches. The more I see Obama running away from debates, the more concerned that I get about him!
Poll: ABC News-Washington Post survey finds Obama slightly ahead of McCain
By The Associated Press, Associated Press
Last update: June 17, 2008 - 10:02 AM
"Nearly half say they're not comfortable that Obama has enough experience to be president, a large number of doubters..."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080617/ap_on_el_pr/2008_race_rundown_117
Today on the presidential campaign trail
By The Associated Press
Tue Jun 17, 11:27 AM ET
WASHINGTON (AP) — "The ABC News-Washington Post poll finds Obama slightly ahead, 48 percent to 42 percent.
Nearly half say they're not comfortable that Obama has enough experience to be president, a large number of doubters. Among two pivotal swing groups, the rivals split independents evenly while McCain is ahead among white Catholics. Strains from the drawn-out Democratic primaries are still showing: While nearly nine in 10 Republicans back McCain, just eight in 10 Democrats support Obama...
The poll was conducted from June 12-15 and involved telephone interviews with 1,125 adults. It had a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points..."
http://www.abcnews.go.com/PollingUnit/Vote2008/story?id=5177916&page=1
Close Race: McCain Stays in Range Amid Challenges for Obama
Bush Disapproval at New High, Record Number Say Country is on 'Wrong Track'
ANALYSIS by GARY LANGER
June 17, 2008
"Obama, more broadly, also faces significant unease with his resume, with just half of Americans, 50 percent, saying he's experienced enough to serve as president. Forty-six percent think that's not so, a large number to lose on the basic question of qualifications...
Obama has work to do in his base, as well: Among Democrats who supported Hillary Clinton for president, about one in four, 24 percent, prefer McCain over Obama, and 13 percent pick someone else or say they wouldn't vote. Those are essentially unchanged from an ABC/Post poll last month, before Clinton suspended her campaign and offered Obama a fulsome endorsement.
Obama is not disproportionately weaker among Clinton supporters who comprised her core groups, such as women, seniors and working-class whites. Instead he's losing those who value strength and experience over change, who doubt Obama's qualifications and who see him as a risky choice – mirroring his challenges among all adults more broadly..."
And I know I'm not alone in that.
Though it seems there are some who have forgotten about him in favor of stewing over his opponent.
Hey, to each there own.
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/15788
VIDEO: Brandon Friedman of VoteVets.org on McCain's "not too important" remark!
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on June 13, 2008 - 1:30pm.
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/11611
Michael Ware calls McCain's comments about Iraq "beyond ludicrous" & "Neverland"
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on March 28, 2007 - 5:02pm.
http://securingamerica.com/ccn/node/11663
TRANSCRIPT & ANALYSIS: John McCain goes Round Two with Michael Ware about Iraq!
Submitted by Mitch Dworkin on April 3, 2007 - 2:46am.
However it is possible to be concerned about BOTH McCain and Obama in my opinion!
These arguments that Hillary made about Obama which I think are valid are not just going to automatically go away because the Democratic primary is over:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxDLKUeoJm0
Sen. Clinton On Obama And The "Commander In Chief" Test (1:11)
I think that Obama needs to specifically show us why these arguments that Hillary made during the primary should not be of concern to people and his being willing to debate McCain right now after having already challenging him to debate "any time, any place" would be an excellent way how he can do that in my opinion!
I need to start seeing some actual substance from Obama as opposed to just hearing his charismatic speeches in order to answer my honest concerns about him and his lack of experience to be President. I am being as honest, sincere, and as straight forward as I can possibly be about this and I am sure that I am not the only person who thinks this way!
Republican strategist Alex Castellanos said "I think Senator McCain's idea that they could have a town hall and discuss important issues together would be terrific for the country" and Democratic strategist Jennifer Palmieri's reply to the question "So is Obama going to do it?" was "And they're able..."
I agree with both of them:
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0806/18/sitroom.01.html
THE SITUATION ROOM
McCain-Bush Energy Embrace; McCain & Obama Side by Side at Tim Russert Funeral; Interview With Former Congressman Rob Portman
Aired June 18, 2008 - 16:00 ET
WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: "You know, I want to get both of your thoughts, because it was really nice to see Barack Obama and John McCain at the church today, the Catholic Church, for the funeral service, the funeral mass for our old friend Tim Russert.
They were sitting together. They were chatting for an hour-and- a-half basically, during the whole mass. And you don't often see that. But it was nice to see that today.
ALEX CASTELLANOS, REPUBLICAN STRATEGIST: I think America's hungry to see more of that. I think Senator McCain's idea that they could have a town hall and discuss important issues together would be terrific for the country.
This is such a serious election. There's so much at stake, a metastasizing threat all over the planet that puts us in harm's way, economic challenges like we have never seen. And I think people want serious discussions of these issues.
BLITZER: Yes. What do you think?
CASTELLANOS: I think it is -- I think not all candidates could do it. I think that these two candidates in particular are sort of able to rise above sort of party...
(CROSSTALK)
CASTELLANOS: So is Obama going to do it?
JENNIFER PALMIERI, DEMOCRATIC STRATEGIST: And they're able -- and in terms of interact with each other, and that they -- they have so much in common. There's no one else in the world that understands Barack Obama at some level like John McCain and vice versa.
BLITZER: Because they're two presidential candidates, and they have a lot of in common..."
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/09/politics/uwire/main4167252.shtml
Editorial: Obama Should Accept McCain's Town Hall Debate Proposal
Jun 9, 2008
(UWIRE.com) This story was written by DI Editorial Board, The Daily Iowan
"On June 4, with Barack Obama having clinched the Democratic nomination, John McCain wrote his presumptive rival a letter inviting him to participate in a series of town-hall debates. McCain's additional suggestion that the two candidates travel together while employing the town-hall style will draw even more public interest to this already uniquely compelling presidential race, but it will also help lend transparency to the candidates' platforms.
McCain proposed this format for a number of different reasons. In recent years, the three traditional televised debates have become circus-like productions marked by bland process questions from reporters and bickering spin rooms that control the message of the candidates more than the debates themselves. McCain seems eager to deviate from this path. He believes that Americans are tired of the spectacle that dominates current campaigns, a debacle that he believes is made up of "gimmicks, phony sound bites, and photo ops." For McCain, a town-hall meeting reflects a more revealing image of the candidates. By allowing audience members to ask their own questions, without the input of either candidate, the dialogue of a town-hall format could provide a more substantive level of discourse. A heavily orchestrated and highly fabricated mess could instead be a rewarding, concrete interaction with the audience. The candidates would be able to respond directly to the concerns of the American people...
Presidential campaigns have been characterized by attacks and mudslinging for far too long, disenchanting potential voters and lowering the stature of the office. Obama should accept McCain's challenge with the hope that this kind of respectful cooperation has the potential to cleanse the palate of the American electorate, a purpose that Obama has frequently called his own. Even though his acceptance doesn't mean that this negativity will become a thing of the past, his cooperation would provide an optimistic transition from the primary to the general election and cast the remainder of the process in a different light. The public will enjoy the breath of fresh air represented by the more personable and productive town-hall style debates. Any step taken away from negative campaigning, personal attacks, and the tired refrain from past elections is a positive one and should be taken."
when he was the one who first challenged McCain to debate:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25872804/page/5/
'Meet the Press' transcript for July 27, 2008
MR. TOM BROKAW: "Finally, Senator Obama, you said earlier when John McCain raised the possibility that the two of you could appear on a regular basis during the course of the campaign at town halls, you thought it was a good idea. We haven't heard anything more from you. Would you appear with him once, twice, three times a week in town halls at the end of the conventions until election day?
SEN. BARACK OBAMA (D-IL): Well, you know, the problem that we're going to have right now is we've got three debates that--official debates that we have definitely scheduled, and debates take time. I mean, when you start having presidential debates, there's preparation and all that stuff. I want to make sure that...
MR. BROKAW: Well, that would be warmup. I mean, it would be batting practice.
SEN. OBAMA: Well, here's the thing, I mean, listen, I, I, I think--I can say a little something about debates since I had 22 of them in, in the Democratic primary. I don't know how many John had. At a certain point, they become, I think, less of a serious exchange of ideas and rather they have--they become competing talking points or, or press releases. I, I think it's important for us to have some hard-hitting debates. I think it's also important for us to spend time talking to the voters directly, and that's what I intend to do.
MR. BROKAW: Senator Obama, thanks very much for being with us today.
SEN. OBAMA: I had a great time..."
Obama just wants to 'play it safe'...good way to lose. Just ask Kerry.
McCain and crew will score a few points on Obama 'being afraid' which is all it takes when you're up against someone like John McCain.
by the other side. How can I criticize the other side for this when I agree with them?
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2008/08/03/ap-obama-backs-away-mccains-debate-challenge
AP: 'Obama Backs Away From McCain's Debate Challenge'
By Noel Sheppard (Bio | Archive)
August 3, 2008 - 00:19 ET
What's going on at the Associated Press?
First, it publishes an article about how the McCain campaign feels the New York Times editors are like a blogger "sitting at home in his mother's basement and ranting into the ether between games of Dungeons & Dragons."
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2008/08/02/mccain-campaign-nyt-editors-blogger-moms-basement
Then, a few hours later, it publishes a piece about presumptive Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama being afraid to debate McCain in a town hall format.
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hjmksVl2byqc_-Lkbri0QQWkgUwgD92AFT400
Honestly, with fair and balanced coverage like this from America's leading wire service, who needs Fox News? (emphasis added throughout, photo courtesy Weekly Standard):
Democratic candidate Barack Obama on Saturday backed away from rival John McCain's challenge for a series of joint appearances, agreeing only to the standard three debates in the fall.
In May, when a McCain adviser proposed a series of pre-convention appearances at town hall meetings, Obama said, "I think that's a great idea." In summer stumping on the campaign trail, McCain has often noted that Obama had not followed through and joined him in any events.
Obama's reversal on town hall debates is part of a play-it-safe strategy he's adopted since claiming the nomination and grabbing a lead in national polls. Advisers to the Illinois senator, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss strategy, say Obama is reluctant to take chances or give McCain a high-profile stage now that Obama's the front-runner.
For those unfamiliar with campaign lingo, this is code for "chicken"...buck buck buck BAAWK!
McCain and Company fired back:
"We understand it might be beneath a worldwide celebrity of Barack Obama's magnitude to appear at town hall meetings alongside John McCain and directly answer questions from the American people, but we hope he'll reconsider," spokesman Brian Rogers said.
For a little background:
A day after Obama clinched the Democratic nomination in early June, McCain challenged Obama to a series of 10 town hall meetings. The candidates' campaigns began negotiations, telling reporters that they agreed in spirit to joint appearances.
When the idea first came up from the McCain campaign that May, Obama was still battling Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination. Obama said then: "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."
Unfortunately, the Obamessiah now says:
Hehehehehe. —Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters. Related Topics
"Buck buck buck BARAAWK!"
2008 Presidential
Campaigns & Elections
Debates
Barack Obama
John McCain
Associated Press
so I am not advocating anything right now that I did not strongly advocate in back 2004!
The issues at minimum are at least as important this year as they were back in 2004 which is why early debates are definitely needed right now in my opinion:
Subj: RE: Erin: Op-Ed: President Bush owes the American people legitimate monthly debates
Date: 3/14/2004 1:11:27 PM Central Standard Time
From:
To: Mitch Dworkin
Sent from the Internet (Details)
The best thing to do is send in the ones that get printed. There is also a thread in the Forum that is about LTE/OP-EDs and would be a good place to put all of them. That way we have them archived.
e
Erin
John Kerry for President, Inc.
519 C St., N.E
Washington, DC 20003
202-548-6800
Join others in your area who support
John Kerry at http://kerry2004.meetup.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Mitch Dworkin
Sent: Sunday, March 14, 2004 4:54 AM
To:
Subject: Erin: Op-Ed: President Bush owes the American people legitimate monthly debates
Hello Erin:
I hope that you are doing well. Below is an Op-Ed article that I have written to The Dallas Morning News, USA TODAY, and The New York Times so far calling on Bush to debate. Below that letter is a call to action e mail that I posted on the Clark Action Team yahoo group as well as on several other Clark and Kerry yahoo groups.
I will be glad to send that article to any other media outlet (especially in battleground states) that you would like for me to send it to. Please just give me a list of the media outlets that you would like for it to go to.
If it is easier for you and the Kerry campaign, you have my permission to edit the article at your discretion and send it to any media outlet that you would like to send it to.
I welcome any comments and feedback on my Op-Ed article calling on Bush to debate and I hope that it will be helpful to you, Dick Bell, and to the Kerry campaign.
I have written many articles like this and I have had several of my articles published in respectable papers. I will always be glad to do things like this for the Kerry campaign.
It was great to see Senator Kerry call for these debates and I will do all that I can to follow up on that to pressure Bush into doing what he clearly needs to do for the American people.
Have a nice day,
Mitchell Dworkin
--------------------
Subj: Op-Ed: President Bush owes the American people legitimate monthly debates
Date: 3/14/2004 2:53:35 AM Central Standard Time
From: Mitch Dworkin
To:
Dear Dallas Morning News:
President Bush refuses to publicly debate legitimate issues that clearly divide the nation and that the American people are entitled to hear.
This is especially true when President Bush wants to make his tax cuts permanent and wants to renew the Patriot Act. These two highly controversial issues alone will affect people's civil liberties and the nation's economy for many years to come if they pass.
Senator Kerry said on March 13 "But we can give this country a campaign that genuinely addresses our real issues and treats voters with respect." Steve Schmidt, a spokesman for the Bush campaign dismissed the suggestion, saying "John Kerry should finish the debate with himself."
I publicly ask President Bush to genuinely discuss the issues that divide our great nation by agreeing to fair and legitimate debates at least on a monthly basis as Senator Kerry is requesting. Debates are better than campaign advertisements and will help the American people to make the most informed decision at election time.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. You can edit and publish this at your discretion.
Sincerely,
Mitchell T. Dworkin, M.Ed.
Dallas, TX