McCain, Obama fail to agree on town halls

[The Wolf]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080613/ap_on_...wn_hall_debates

 

WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Friday rejected Republican rival John McCain's proposal for 10 joint town-hall appearances, offering instead to have just one on the July 4 holiday.

 

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said he offered to meet McCain in five joint appearances between now and the Nov. 4 election. But only one of those was a town-hall meeting, plus three traditional debates and an in-depth debate on foreign policy.

 

The McCain campaign said Obama's offer was to hold the single town hall on Independence Day — which likely would have resulted in less attention while Americans are on holiday. McCain told reporters traveling with him in New Jersey that was "a very disappointing response."

 

McCain had said the more intimate town-hall format, a give-and-take between a candidate and the audience, would allow real interaction with voters and would be more revealing than formal televised debates. Town halls are also McCain's favorite style of campaigning and would allow him to get free media attention alongside the better-funded Obama.

 

When a McCain adviser first floated the idea last month, Obama said it was a great idea. But the Illinois senator told reporters Tuesday that it's not realistic to have 10 town halls with all the other campaigning he needs to do after just clinching the Democratic Party's nomination months after McCain wrapped up the GOP nod.

 

The two campaigns have been unable to work out a deal, other than to agree that the town halls should not be sponsored by media organizations and instead be open to all networks like presidential debates. The two sides on Sunday jointly rejected an offer by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and ABC News to host the first town hall for that reason.

 

Plouffe tried to place the blame on McCain for refusing to agree, saying five joint appearances "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," Plouffe said.

 

McCain responded during a brief news conference in Pemberton, N.J., where he traveled for his own town hall.

 

"I'll let the American people decide which is the preferable proposal," he said. "I want the American people to have the exposure to a number of town hall meetings, not just one."

 

OK...now I am really getting pissed off...this is the HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE LAND, one that determines the fate of 300 million people. How the heck are these debates/meetings, etc NOT already standardized??? Why do we leave it to the two camps to decide when all they will do is play their partisan games?

Edited June 13, 2008 by The Wolf

[TheShiznit]

Seems to me that Obama was trying to reach a consensus....while McCain is holding tight to what he wants.....if you use this as a launching point for how they would govern.....seems Obama is true to his word and McCain is demanding full capitulation to his side or nothing. Godd for you John...you maverick you....way to work with the other side.

[Ursa Majoris]

OK...now I am really getting pissed off...this is the HIGHEST OFFICE IN THE LAND, one that determines the fate of 300 million people. How the heck are these debates/meetings, etc NOT already standardized??? Why do we leave it to the two camps to decide when all they will do is play their partisan games?

Got to agree with this for the most part.

[The Wolf]

Seems to me that Obama was trying to reach a consensus....while McCain is holding tight to what he wants.....if you use this as a launching point for how they would govern.....seems Obama is true to his word and McCain is demanding full capitulation to his side or nothing. Godd for you John...you maverick you....way to work with the other side.

 

I'm not getting into their management styles, or their ability to be a statesman or what side of the aisle they sit on. This is not a rip Obama/McCain or a Democrat/Republican thread at all. This is about a game that is being played by two indivuduals who should never get the chance to play it.

 

My frustration, and my point, is centered upon how in this country, with so much at stake and the importance of this office, that the joint appearances are not already thought out, planned, and scheduled - by an impartial third party. These two are playing games, trying to exert their wills upon each other in an effort to score points with the voters as to who appears to be the stronger candidate. In reality, that should only determined when the playing field is level.

 

This should not be an opportunity to score points...that should come only when they are going mano-a-mano.

[tonorator]

typical jockeying. they will work it out in such a way that neither can say they set the terms and appear to have the upper hand.

[TheShiznit]

I'm not getting into their management styles, or their ability to be a statesman or what side of the aisle they sit on. This is not a rip Obama/McCain or a Democrat/Republican thread at all. This is about a game that is being played by two indivuduals who should never get the chance to play it.

 

My frustration, and my point, is centered upon how in this country, with so much at stake and the importance of this office, that the joint appearances are not already thought out, planned, and scheduled - by an impartial third party. These two are playing games, trying to exert their wills upon each other in an effort to score points with the voters as to who appears to be the stronger candidate. In reality, that should only determined when the playing field is level.

 

This should not be an opportunity to score points...that should come only when they are going mano-a-mano.

 

It is wolf. They have to have three debates...one formal, one sit down style, and one wildcard. That is all they have to do......This other stuff is totally up to them. What McCain wants is 10 town halls in addition to the 3 sanctioned debates. Obama offered 2 more in addition to the sanctioned debates. McCain has been campaigning for the General since April.....Obama just won his primary and is two months behind....this is rather convenient for McCain. BTW, I don't have a candidate in this fight....but I can sure see things for what they are.

[Randall]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080613/ap_on_...wn_hall_debates

 

WASHINGTON - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama on Friday rejected Republican rival John McCain's proposal for 10 joint town-hall appearances, offering instead to have just one on the July 4 holiday.

 

 

How can Yahoo report like this? They say Obama's people offered only one and then say 5 in the next paragraph.

 

I think both sides want them on all networks and have turned down requests by just one network. McCain seems to want unmoderated town halls, but they can just be mutual speeches. I would like someone asking questions and reporting facts.

 

It's only June. I would expect these after both become the nominees. We have 5 months til the election(almost). I need a break. Start it in august or september.

[Egret]

It is wolf. They have to have three debates...one formal, one sit down style, and one wildcard. That is all they have to do......This other stuff is totally up to them. What McCain wants is 10 town halls in addition to the 3 sanctioned debates. Obama offered 2 more in addition to the sanctioned debates. McCain has been campaigning for the General since April.....Obama just won his primary and is two months behind....this is rather convenient for McCain. BTW, I don't have a candidate in this fight....but I can sure see things for what they are.

Typically the person running behind in the polls wants to have more debates.

[Cyclones]

Typically the person running behind in the polls wants to have more debates.

 

Or in this case, the guy better equipped to handle the debates is asking for them.

 

John Q Public - "Mr. Obama, pleas outline your strategy for Iraq, including withdrawal timeline and plans if the situation destabilizes to the point of civil war once the troops are removed. Be specific."

 

Hussein - "Change we can believe in! Next question please."

[JoJoTheWebToedBoy]

Or in this case, the guy better equipped to handle the debates is asking for them.

 

John Q Public - "Mr. Obama, pleas outline your strategy for Iraq, including withdrawal timeline and plans if the situation destabilizes to the point of civil war once the troops are removed. Be specific."

 

Hussein - "Change we can believe in! Next question please."

 

[TheShiznit]

Or in this case, the guy who thinks he is [/color]better equipped to handle the debates is asking for them.

 

John Q Public - "Mr. Obama, pleas outline your strategy for Iraq, including withdrawal timeline and plans if the situation destabilizes to the point of civil war once the troops are removed. Be specific."

 

Hussein - "Change we can believe in! Next question please."

 

Fixed

[Randall]

Or in this case, the guy better equipped to handle the debates is asking for them.

 

John Q Public - "Mr. Obama, pleas outline your strategy for Iraq, including withdrawal timeline and plans if the situation destabilizes to the point of civil war once the troops are removed. Be specific."

 

Hussein - "Change we can believe in! Next question please."

 

 

 

Better equipped? He hasn't handled them that well so far. I have seen him make numerous gaffes on Iraq and the surge and he's only speaking by himself. The generals have corrected him several times on troop levels.

 

He thinks he has an advantage. That doesn't give him one. Time will tell.

 

I don't want any for awhile. I need a break.

[AtomicCEO]

Or in this case, the guy better equipped to handle the debates is asking for them.

 

John Q Public - "Mr. Obama, pleas outline your strategy for Iraq, including withdrawal timeline and plans if the situation destabilizes to the point of civil war once the troops are removed. Be specific."

 

Hussein - "Change we can believe in! Next question please."

 

So... umm.. McCain has three times claimed that Iran is training Al Qaeda fighters... which shows a fundamental lack of knowledge about the situation in the Middle East.

 

I think, given the opportunity to speak freely on foreign policy, McCain would explode into a cartoon of senile rambling. Unless, of course... you just want to hear foolish rhetoric designed to lead up to an invasion of Iran on totally false pretenses.

[Pope Flick]

Unless the 'standard' of 3 presidential and one VP debate is reduced, I don't see a problem. Obama would rather campaign than get into 10 town hall debates? Fine. Imagine if simply the number of debates is a problem - can you imagine neogtiatiing audience placements, etc? Whatver. This is more a publicity stunt than anything methinks.

[westvirginia]

I think it'd be entertaining. McCain would probably stumble all over himself while Obama would bring non-answering to an art form not seen since slick Willie was around.

[TheShiznit]

I think it'd be entertaining. McCain would probably stumble all over himself while Obama would bring non-answering to an art form not seen since slick Willie was around.

 

This is probably a very sage statement.

[cre8tiff]

I think it'd be entertaining. McCain would probably stumble all over himself while Obama would bring non-answering to an art form not seen since slick Willie was around.

 

I don't understand this statement. Obama has explained and detailed his ideals and plans very clearly on the web, in long, detailed interviews and released statements. I don't get where the Republicans can say he is "non-answering". I actually hope this is thier tack, as it can be so easily proven false.

[CaP'N GRuNGe]

Or in this case, the guy better equipped to handle the debates is asking for them.

 

John Q Public - "Mr. Obama, pleas outline your strategy for Iraq, including withdrawal timeline and plans if the situation destabilizes to the point of civil war once the troops are removed. Be specific."

 

Hussein - "Change we can believe in! Next question please."

 

Grampy McSame - "Thanks for the question you little jerk. We will not leave Iran until the Viet Cong led by Genghis Khan are exterminated. Now where's my pie."

Edited June 16, 2008 by CaP'N GRuNGe

[H8tank]

So... umm.. McCain has three times claimed that Iran is training Al Qaeda fighters... which shows a fundamental lack of knowledge about the situation in the Middle East.

 

So you, the huffingtonpost.com and salon.com say this... forgive me for not swallowing it.

 

Iran is seeking to take control of Osama bin Laden's al-Qa'eda terror network by encouraging it to promote officials known to be friendly to Teheran, The Daily Telegraph can reveal.

[AtomicCEO]

So you, the huffingtonpost.com and salon.com say this... forgive me for not swallowing it.

 

Iran is seeking to take control of Osama bin Laden's al-Qa'eda terror network by encouraging it to promote officials known to be friendly to Teheran, The Daily Telegraph can reveal.

 

Find another source... preferably one that isn't 2 years old and already widely panned as complete BS.

 

The veracity of Coughlin’s writing on Iran is already under investigation by the PCC following complaints about a headline article in last month’s Telegraph that claimed that Iran was “grooming Bin Laden’s successor”. The story, universally dismissed by Middle East experts, led the organisation Campaign Iran to conduct a broader analysis of the accuracy of Mr Coughlin’s stories and the journalistic methods he uses. Analysing 44 articles by Mr Coughlin on Iran, the report finds some stark patterns in terms of his journalistic technique:

 

• Sources are unnamed or untraceable, often “senior Western intelligence officials” or “senior Foreign Office officials”.

• Articles are published at sensitive and delicate times where there has been a relatively positive diplomatic moves towards Iran.

• Articles contain exclusive revelations about Iran combined with eye-catchingly controversial headlines;

• The story upon which the headline is based does not usually exceed one line or at the most one paragraph. The rest of the article focuses on other, often unrelated, information.

 

The report also reveals that Coughlin has a history of breaking politically important stories that are later shown to be inaccurate. He is the journalist who, discovered “the fact” that Saddam Hussein could launch weapons of mass destruction in 45 minutes. He was also the journalist who, in 2003, unearthed “the link” between the 9/11 hijacker, Mohammed Ata, and the Iraqi intelligence.

 

Man, do you ever suck at this.

Edited June 16, 2008 by AtomicCEO

[Ursa Majoris]

Find another source... preferably one that isn't 2 years old and already widely panned as complete BS.

 

Man, do you ever suck at this.

 

Don't you ever get tired of shooting fish in a barrel? I mean, this is almost a cruel sport now.

[cre8tiff]

 

Don't you ever get tired of shooting fish in a barrel? I mean, this is almost a cruel sport now.

 

That's OK, we grow from our mistakes.

 

 

I'm thinking H8Tank is about 10' 6" by now.

Edited June 16, 2008 by cre8tiff

[H8tank]

Find another source... preferably one that isn't 2 years old and already widely panned as complete BS.

 

Wow, you're right, who can ever hope to stand up against your sources...

 

The content of the Indymedia UK website is created through a system of open publishing: anyone can upload a written, audio and video report or a picture directly to the site through an openly accessible web interface.

 

 

Hey copy boy, ask the 9/11 panel...

 

9/11 Panel Links Al Qaeda, Iran

 

Or, lets just ask NPR...

 

One of the more unnerving findings in the Sept. 11 commission's report was evidence of a connection between Iran and al Qaeda operatives. Hear NPR's Brian Naylor, terrorism expert Jessica Stern and Iran specialist Dr. Gary Sick of Columbia University.

 

How about the far-right-wing publication, NEWSWEEK:

 

Terror Watch: More Evidence of an Iran-Al Qaeda Connection

 

But hey, your 'joe wilson' source is great too!

 

Indymedia... you lieberals say anything enough times....

[TheShiznit]

Wow, you're right, who can ever hope to stand up against your sources...

 

 

 

 

Hey copy boy, ask the 9/11 panel...

 

9/11 Panel Links Al Qaeda, Iran

 

Or, lets just ask NPR...

 

One of the more unnerving findings in the Sept. 11 commission's report was evidence of a connection between Iran and al Qaeda operatives. Hear NPR's Brian Naylor, terrorism expert Jessica Stern and Iran specialist Dr. Gary Sick of Columbia University.

 

How about the far-right-wing publication, NEWSWEEK:

 

Terror Watch: More Evidence of an Iran-Al Qaeda Connection

 

But hey, your 'joe wilson' source is great too!

 

Indymedia... you lieberals say anything enough times....

 

Al Qaeda in Iraq is not related to the Al Qaeda that attacked us. The 9/11 report is in reference to the Osama Bin Laden Al Qaeda....not Al Qaeda in Iraq....they are two distinctly different groups. Al Qaeda in Iraq are Sunni's and Iran is Athenae...along with Maliki.....is it too late for you to buy a vowel from Vanna.....cause you don't have a fricken clue.

[H8tank]

Al Qaeda in Iraq is not related to the Al Qaeda that attacked us. The 9/11 report is in reference to the Osama Bin Laden Al Qaeda....not Al Qaeda in Iraq....they are two distinctly different groups. Al Qaeda in Iraq are Sunni's and Iran is Athenae...along with Maliki.....is it too late for you to buy a vowel from Vanna.....cause you don't have a fricken clue.

 

I don'te knowe whate youe aree tryinge to saye exactlye... Iran is involved with al queda, iran is also involved with iraq. These are facts.