Clinton Letter Requests Debate A Week With Obama

Clinton campaign manager Pattie Doyle has released a copy of a letter sent to Obama's campaign, seeking a debate a week through the rest of the primary season. Read it below:

David Plouff
Campaign Manager
Obama for President
Chicago, IL

Dear David:

Congratulations again on your victories Tuesday night. As Senator Obama declared, it was a great evening for Democrats.

One of the things I've always appreciated about the Democratic Party is its willingness to engage the toughest issues facing our country, even if we don't always agree on how best to solve them.

After seven years of a Bush administration that has left the economy struggling and our health care system in crisis, Americans are certainly facing their fair share of challenges and deserve to hear how the candidates for the nomination will address them.

As such, I was disappointed to see that Senator Obama rejected the idea of having more debates given the fact that he and Senators Clinton have had only a single one-on-one debate. I think we can do better and so does Hillary.

Senator Clinton believes voters should have more than one opportunity to see the candidates discuss the issues and has accepted five debates between now and March 4th from CNN, MSNBC, WJLA, ABC and Fox News.

Story continues below

advertisement

To that end, we hope Senator Obama will join Senator Clinton for a debate a week beginning this weekend. I'm sure we can find a suitable place to meet on the campaign trail. There's too much at stake and the issues facing the country are too grave to deny voters the opportunity to see the candidates up close.

As Senator Obama has said, "In an era when Americans are rightfully skeptical about the quality of our politics, let us set an example [they] can be proud of and give them the kind of campaign they deserve." We couldn't agree more.

Best wishes,

Patti Solis Doyle
Campaign Manager
Hillary Clinton for President

+++

Obama responds -- he's not interested:

Mr. Obama said most of that fighting would be done on the ground in the next voting states, not in debates. When asked whether he would accept the invitation from Mrs. Clinton to attend four more debates in the coming weeks, he laughed.

"I don't think anybody is clamoring for more debates," he said. "We've had 18 debates so far. I think we've had 10 more than we've had in the last Democratic contest."

He said he would agree to at least one debate, but noted, "It's very important for me to spend time with voters."

Comments

[mrJJ]

LOL Billary 08 supporter Carville..­.leading the cheerleaders on we want a debate.... we want a debate...T­alking point.. must stick to message... we want a debate. OK debate this

Obama has debated Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton 18 times during this campaign -- including four times in the last month.
you already have 2 more scheduled that will make a total of 20 debates. No more free tv time air time... buy your ads or rent the hallmark network again for more time.

[sarainitaly]

ok, and how much air time did Clinton and Obama actually get, out of all those debates? They were averaging 10 minutes per each, except for the last couple of debates. Not a lot of air time mr.

I would rather the candidates use free airtime, then waste MORE dollars on their campaigns.

[Ides]

Actually, Hillary and Barack got the most debate time out of ANY of the candidates in every single debate.

[unionave]

You have hit a home run . Short of funds she needs some free air time .

[mamamay]

Why does Carville want a debate?Carville likes arguement. There is a difference. Debate this.
Hillary needs to go back to being senator. She is in a checkmate position. She needs to know that in Checkmate, there's no time for debating. It's move on time, if you can. You can't tell a flying missile to boomerang. Grow up. Hillary wins primaries by crying. Obama wins by trying. He can, you can, we can, Yes we can. Stand up for Obama before you fall for anything, such as her whining for time and money and more chances. WE nee change for resolving the Past that we can propel into the future. Vote Obama. A wise Move in 08
s

[lexicoscott]

i would like more 1-on-1 debates. We have had only 1 and air time for both would be great. If he can inspire and unite in front of millions, why would he not? Why would he not want to contrast himself against her Iraq vote? Why would he not want free air time, to more people then on the ground? Why would he not want this? Why would he not want the chance to showcase his energizing charismatic speeches and policies? Why would he think that talking to 3000-5000 people offer more then speaking to 30 million? Why would he not want to show how Hillary is a shrill and not worthy of our vote? Why would he think this is a bad thing? Just wondering.­.

[mrJJ]

Sounds like begging for free media time is the talking points for the Billary campaign. Get those TV and Radio ads running or get out there and get your voters to support you with funds. Your suppose to take care of your people. Oh wait I forgot The Clinton Dynasty pays its bills legal defense funding...

[sarainitaly]

cuz he's *skeered*?

hehe

[IkeChicago]

I thought the one that is scared is the one who cries when he/she looses. Stupid comment.

[KPinSEA]

Because he has the money to get his face on tv at a time when Hillary is running out of it ... she didn't ask for this out of any reason except tactical necessity ... HER tactical necessity.

Why would we want a chief executive that automatically agrees to play by the other person's rules when he or she is in an advantageous position? That sounds like the kind of genius tactician we've had 7 years too much of already, thanks.

[mrJJ]

A Clinton Campaign has either a voter or a supporter (donator of funds)

A Obama Campaign is all in one voter/supp­orter.... motivation counts...

Ok Billary 08 is low on cash during a primary because her supporters are maxxed out. What will her voters do in the general election against a confirmed Clinton hating Republican party? The Republicans are putting $250 million aside for an 08 onslaught. The Obama supporters will with no doubt pony up the funds to fight the good fight for Obama. If this mess goes to the convention and Billary gets nominated by the superdeleg­ates... so long dems.. Obama can plead to fall in line behind the party... but most of us are not party members.

snip

But Perry only gave about $9 million to such groups that year. Freedom's Watch, with its close White House connections and network of Bob Perrys, is a whole new breed.

The group aims to raise and spend approximately $250 million for the 2008 cycle, a vast amount of money they apparently plan to use not only on the presidential election, but to greater effect in numerous House and Senate races throughout the country, where six figures can go a long way.

To review the White House connections: the group is headed by Bradley Blakeman, a former Bush White House official, Mel Sembler, a millionaire former Bush admbassador to Italy, and Ari Fleischer, who serves as the group's spokesman. Much of its support so far has come from Sembler and casino magnate and billionaire Sheldon Adelson, the sixth richest person in the world.

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/005103.php

[friscosf]

Hillary is running out of MONEY
She just wants to get her mug on TV FOR FREE

Why should Obama let her ?
He has the money advantage

NO DEBATES, NO WAY !

If you want to get on TV, get Norman Hsu to contribute more money to you

[Bobleblah1]

As I stated earlier
It makes no sense for Obama to do a series of debates against clinton. First of all the debates will be boring, secondly both candidates have web sites that make clear their positions. Thirdly it would just be giving Clinton free air time, which she obviously can not afford to keep buying.
Why give the person who you are running against free air time?
Barack must stay in the trenches, stay talking to the people and making himself seen and heard by them.
I am not going to tell Obama's campaign how to buy ads, but i hope they are making serious buys in Texas and Ohio.
Its funny, I never thought that I would actually want to support a democrat again after Pelosi and the congress betrayed us in every way. Then came Barack.

[transendentilist]

Excuses excuses, excuses. Time to put up or shut up.

[KPinSEA]

You hardly need an excuse to decline the opportunity to just do whatever your opponent suggests ... maybe it's just a bad idea for your strategy and only a good one for hers.

I would sort of like a chief executive who can rationally evaluate choices like this .... I certainly don't want one who would be bullied into a choice by a small faction crying 'coward coward do what we wannnnnnnt'.

[sarainitaly]

I don't think they are boring, or useless.

[incontempt]

I like the idea.. lets call it interview for america...­Top job 1 time aweek until everyone votes. Imagine the advertisers buying time

[friscosf]

Hillary is BROKE
She just wants FREE TV TIME
No thanks

If she wants to get her mug on TV...
LET HER PAY FOR IT

If she can't manage her campaign finances..­.
How can she manage America's finances ?

NO DEBATE, NO WAY

[tt88]

It shows the degree of true audacity Obama has.

[mrJJ]

Sorry Billary 08; no more free media; especially since you cant control your own primary budget and are running low on funds...Ob­ama has debated Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton 18 times during this campaign -- including four times in the last month.

Reserving a seat on the Fox noise network. New home of Karl Rove! Have you no shame? How low do you want to go?

[sarainitaly]

Obama is on FOX all the time, doing interviews, so don't accuse Hillary of anything.

And quit with the Billary. It is so retarded.

And in those 18 debates, how much airtime did we really get of them? Like an hour and a half? Wow, that sure is a LOT of time to debate for the president of the US.

[mrJJ]

Whats wrong with Billary? If she wins the primary & wins the general; we will have a Co-Presidency of Bill & Hillary same as the present Bubble Boy Bush & Darth Chenney Presidency. Nothing like living in the past...

[Siren]

Debates for Hillary free air time for Hillary, airtime she doesn't have to pay for. Obama doesn't need the freebies.
She owes her Senate campaign 10 million from last fall. She took more out of her own pocket despite that this violates the spirit of campaign finance reform even in Bill Clinton's own words(Ben Smith has the quote at politico.com).

[KPinSEA]

Everybody is in favor of campaign reform "right after this election if I get elected."

Kind of like they're in favor of term limits until they're elected.

[Noelle]

There is no reason to have anymore debates between these two candidates if they will be run by any of the networks or cable news channels. Network and Cable News hosts are paid by corporations that don't want tough questions asked.

If there are more debates bring in new hosts. Bring in foreign media, bloggers or the voters to ask the questions. Want a REAL DEBATE, let Dennis Kucinich ask the questions, let Amy Goodman ask the questions. American media is a joke and a complete waste of time.

[sarainitaly]

I would love to ask the questions!

[sarainitaly]

I have a theory. It just dawned on me why there might be this deep division between Clinton and Obama supporters. First, take aside the Hillary haters, and extremists.

But, if you look at both candidates, there is not a whole lot that is differnt about them, wrt the issues. However, there is a big difference between the two on style and delivery, and what they say.

Is it possible that the division is not caused so much by what they stand for, but how we absorb them?

There are two kinds of thinkers - Critical and Creative, or as Jung says, direct and indirect.

Hillary comes across as a critical thinker, and I think I am as well. Obama, to me, projects an image that I think appeals to creative thinking.

I am much more analytical, and can understand how she sees both sides of issues, and discusses both. Some people think she is talking out both sides of her mouth, to me, it is analytical, and objective. When I hear Obama speak, it all comes across as fluff, and dreamy, fancy talk, with no substance. But, he appeals to many many people with his way of communicating. Those might be creative thinkers.

I don't know, it is a theory, but I think it makes sense.

(and yes, I know some of you hate her because she is a neo-con, or bush lite, or a killer, or a whore monger or shillary, or wears ugly pants suits, or her voice bugs you, but for the rest of you, does it make sense?)

[Kansas Evans]

It makes sense, and I hope we'll use the realization to come to an understanding.

First, I gotta say I'm tired of debates! I've watched just about every one, and except for South Carolina, I knew what everyone was going to say before they said it. "Hope." "Day one." "Mill worker." "Day one." "Mill worker." "Hope" "Day one." . . . But that's just me.

Here's the understanding I hope we come to - except for the war and foreign policy, the two candidates agree on pretty much everything else. So, when you look for substance from Barack, those who agree with sarainitaly should remember this - Barack is pushing the same policy proposals as Hillary. He just wants to get as many everyday people behind the idea as possible. The Republicans can stop Hillary or Barack, but they can't stop the American people. Barack is trying to empower the American people against the corporations - what John Edwards was trying to do. But Barack portrays people as miracles waiting to happen as opposed to Edwards' portraying people as victims of the system, nobody likes to think of themselves as the oppressed working-poor, no matter how accurate the description is.

And I don't hate Hillary. I'll support her over McCain. I'm just tired of their style of politics.

[friscosf]

Obama needs to start talking about POCKET BOOK ISSUES !

That's how he'll appeal to women
That's how he'll appeal to Latinos
That's how he'll appeal to blue collar workers

He has a great plan for Social Security
(raising the $97K limit)
Talk about it
Talk about health insurance
Talk about education
Talk about middle class tax cuts

Hillary's commericals do
That's what Obama's commercials should do

[carolinwoodstock]

More than 18 debates? What is the point? To hear how Hillary just doesn't have enough time to do all the good work she want to do (in response to "what is your worst fault?) Or, "Sure, I can control my husband." Let's see, should we start with Monica or Gennifer?

I would have lost respect for Obama if he had said yes. He agreed to do 18 and he did them. His strength is in voter contact and this is where he would like to take his campaign. His response validates my assessment of his wisdom.

[lexicoscott]

so far CNN keeps reporting Hillary got the most delegates from Tuesday. Anyone have any solid idea of what the outcome is at this point? Oh yeah, debate? Please, debates aren't part of the election process. That's so 90's.

[NCYvonne]

Obama will give Hillary as many debates as she gave Tassini, her primary opponent, for the Senate race--ZERO!

[lexicoscott]

NCYvonne, well that would not be very big of him. That seems spiteful..­. that's not his campaign message is it? Isn't he bigger then that? Bigger then us all?

[Scout111]

You know what? This is sickening. All of you ought to be ashamed. We are ON THE SAME SIDE you numbskulls! Shut UP! Save it for Grandpa McCain. Honestly, this is just assinine beyond words.

[sarainitaly]

Grandpa Mccain. ahaha

You are right, though.

[Kansas Evans]

I hope you don't mind if I engage you, but this is exactly what I fear will result from the debates. It seems like continuing national debates, as opposed to local town hall question and answer session, will only lead to a fracture within the party. These debates will be hosted by the same networks with the same hosts and the same questions. I just don't think we'll learn anything new, and the party will fracture such that there won't be the necessary groundswell of support to defeat the Republican machine.

[sarainitaly]

I disagree. I came away from the Hollywood debate more inspired then before, and very much liking Obama.

We need more debates to get to know them deeper, and need to have different questions, more depth.

[transendentilist]

Nice try there, kansas. This is still the primaries, and Clinton and Obama are rivals applying for the same job. They have had only one face to face debate. Americans want to know more about Obama. Time for obama to walk the walk. He's just been doing the talk the talk part.

[friscosf]

Sorry
Clinton is just trying to get FREE TV TIME
She mismanaged her finances
Now, Obama has a financial edge over her

Tough luck, Billary
You're NOT THE DECIDER

NO DEBATES, NO WAY
If she wants her mug on TV
PAY FOR IT

[LarBear]

Please spread the word... WAKE UP VOTERS!
Why does our President need to be Likeable? Preecher Huckleberry is a likeable guy who wants to Christianize the Constituti­on... Some People still Like Bush, or McCain, who intends to continue the Invasion/ Occupation and knows very little about the Economy...
NBC, MSNBC, Huff Post and much of the rest of Corporate MSM are clearly supporting "Obama"...­. On MSNBC this morning, I heard at least a half dozen times a vote for Hillary is a vote for McCain...
The Corporate MSM brought us 8 years of Bush... Went along with Trillions of debt... Went along with spying on us... Brought us the Invasion/ Occupation of Iraq... Suddenly, they want to support a newbie Black President??? Oh REALLY??? Couldn't be the MSM thinks Hillary might beat McCain??? MSNBC has become an Obama supporter.­..
In My Humble Opinion (observation) the Corporate MSM tries to distract us with the pretense that we actually have an Election going on... When Obama does everything right, and Hillary gets bashed for doing everything, wrong and badly, according to the Corporate MSM, I know we are being scammed again... Corporate MSM has already decided who we want for President.­... My best guess however, is McCain...
The Corporate Military Industrial Complex (Collective) including the Medical/ Pharmaceutical Industry (Collective) all buy lots of Advertisin­g... Corporate Industry/ Banking, etc, has expanded way beyond the USA...
I understand young people thinking a Candidate such as Obama will bring the "change" he speaks of... That is the Hope Card, played in every Campaign..­. Hope, as though the embedded powers are going to be magically changed... That the Two Political Parties who Control the Country are going to change and give up control... I've already read comments of People who will vote for McCain, if their Candidate does not get Nominated.­..
WAKE UP American Voters... We're being scammed again....
DANGER! DANGER! Will Robinson..­.

[Kim445588]

Debates are what Clinton needs because she is the master of spin. What the hell else is there to discuss in a debate.

Obama needs to continue his grass roots efforts, hold rallies and town hall meetings so that voters get to see him and ask questions. The movement is growing more everyday, and another boring kiss-kiss "I agree with what he said" debate is just a diversion from it. Bottom line, policies are about the same, but one candidate has character and honor, one does not.

[kcal2000]

In the age of the internet, there's no need for several debates to find out how one stands on the issues.

1) Both candidates have websites giving details on their positions.

2) People can view streaming videos of past debates.

Clinton wants more debates because she is perceived as a better debater. (Sometimes when debating Obama pauses, or says "umm".) Plus more debates would give her free air time & take Obama away from his ground work.

It seems to me like Clinton is getting a little nervous.

By the way, in the last debate Clinton was asked if she could "control" her husband, and there was no repudiation of the question by her, nor public outrage over the question.

If a male correspondant asked a male candidate if he could "control" his wife, and he didn't repudiate the question, his campaign would have dissolved like a snowball in hell. The public, and especially various women's organizations would have been in a major uproar.

[Kansas Evans]

Reverse-sexism?

While we agree on the debate issue, I'll try to clarify the whole "control" his wife thing.

1 - There is not history of women "controlling" their men, and doing so with societal approval. The "rule of thumb" applies to what men could use to punish their wives, not what wives could use to punish their husbands. Or in return for their "punishment" for that matter.

2 - The question had nothing to do with Bill's gender, but his mouth and the fact that it seems it, his mouth, cost her some votes.

3 - Have you seem the Republican candidates and THEIR wives? No one needs to ask. The answer's yes. Even Huckabee's wife is always walking behind him. And she looks like she could body slam him if she wanted!

4 - And if you'll remember. Hints of John Edwards needing to control Elizabeth seemed to be at least implied by some early on in the campain.

Hope that helps. "Yes, I do!"

[transendentilist]

I think it is obama who's getting a little nervous. Debates are important because they reveal more than just what the records state.
I haven't seen so many excuses for not debating since the last election.
What's obama hiding?? Why do you want to get behind a candidate that's afraid to go one on one with Hillary???

[sarainitaly]

I think we will get a woman in the white house, no matter who wins.

(ok, I just called him a whoosie girl, which is probably insulting to women, but I was trying to be funny. haha)

[friscosf]

No
Hillary ran out of campaign funds
She can't buy as many TV ads as Obama

She wants FREE TV TIME

No thanks
Obama has the money edge
Why give it away ?

If Hillary wants her mug on TV PAY FOR IT

[mrJJ]

Sounds like Billary 08 is clamoring for more free press from the MSM. Obama has debated Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton 18 times during this campaign -- including four times in the last month.

How low can you go by reserving a seat at the fox noise network; new home of Karl Rove. How low can ya go?

[sarainitaly]

well, obama must like it there on Fox because he appears on there quite often.

all the airtime Clinton and Obama got in all those debates amounts to about 1 1/2 hours each. They were averaging, in the beginning under 10 minutes per canidate. I don't think that is a lot of time.

[Ides]

Actually, inaccurate. Obama and Clinton got far more face time than the other candidates.

[nihilon x]

What this reminds of of is how in elementary school, when certain kids were losing, they would start demanding "do-overs" to try to change the game.

I seem to recall a lot of Clinton supporters calling Obama a "whiner" in the past -- so why is it now okay for the Clinton campaign to "whine" about Obama not accepting more debates, when they had already agreed that they had done enough?

Hypocrisy does nothing for the Clinton cause -- and the fact that Hillary is requesting these debates only a day after disclosing her financial shortfall (i.e. free air-time) is ridiculous at best.

Instead of challenging Obama, maybe you should be challenging Hillary to learn to keep her finances straight before running for the highest political office in the nation.

[sarainitaly]

I think denying the entire country a chance to see these two debate in depth on other issues, aside from their stump speeches is not whining. And I think that we have a right to hear them.

I do not think the Clinton camp is *whining* that he is not participating.

[nihilon x]

And I didn't think pointing out Hillary and Bill's distortions of Obama's record was "whining" either, so go figure.