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.

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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

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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

[wm1066]

Roger ailes will use anything Obama says and edit it to make him look like a fool.
Fox is behind Hillary and they will do anything to get her on the ticket.

[transendentilist]

Then why do they keep saying she can't win??? I know why, because the GOP would much rather face a rookie, than a battle hardened veteran like Hillary. The GOP has always been afraid of the Clintons.

[itsnotmyfault]

I am supporting Hillary, however I must say, from a tactical standpoint Obama would be a fool to agree to debates. My opinion is that the debate format has been used more effectively by Hillary. She is more convincing because she has such a depth of information at her fingertips.

But more so, on the current political landscape, Obama has got the cash. He doesn't need debates to get free publicity while Hillary does. Obama can just throw money at the problem and dial up the internet and get even more money.

On the other hand, for the sake of forwarding the best that democracy has to offer, he should agree to debates and wear a flag pin and cover his heart with his hand at the singing of the star spangled banner, and whatever. But, even I do not believe that.

[AdLib]

I appreciate your post and respect your support of Hillary.

I support Obama but it's a relief to read a post from an authentic Hillary supporter who is thoughtful about what's going on instead of the paid trolls that think they're helping Hillary by posting slime, lies and insults here.

May the best candidate win!

[MrBritesnide]

You don't sound like an Obama supporter...you sonnd like a RepubliKLAN.

[BikerJim]

Thanks you for an insightful post....

[gomonkeygo]

Obama is doing the right, smart thing. The people on the ground, not the mediaspinners on the air, have to decide this campaign. We need to see him and Hillary both out there meeting real people face to face.

And, personally, in a far-less high-minded opinion, I'm absolutely sick of do-nothing debates. I think Mrs. Clinton only really hopes that constant FREE media exposure will boost her bankroll. It's a dirty, nasty, underhanded stab at the belly of American democracy. Typical Clinton politics. Now she can try to shame Obama. But shame on her, shame on her campaign.

[itsnotmyfault]

Hey, monkeyboy...."It's a dirty, nasty, underhanded stab at the belly of American democracy. Typical Clinton politics." What a crazy little lash out of meaningless hyperbole. It is a smart move on her side. It is smart for Obama not to participate.
In fact, it is the debate format that actually gives one the best insight on the candidates, because it presents them unscripted. And the little nuances of behavior, that one picks up is sometimes actually revealing.
I suggest you look into anger management, or have a beer or something, before you hurt yourself.

[KaAp]

How many more debates must we endure with Clinton's pat lines and lies and her inability to really answer a question (dodging them like bullets) ... I think the issue is her campaign is broke and hopefully will be even broker soon and she cannot compete with Obama for cash ... what would doing a debate on fox of all networks do? Nothing at all ... She can call for it till she is blue in the face ... but a democrat on fox? Laughable ...
The fact that her campaign released the letter to the press at about the same time it was sent to Obama indicates she is doing this as a substitute for cash ... who knows what kind of deal she may have made with new friend Murdoch ...
I know maybe we can get her a part on a soap opera so she can cry a couple of times weekly or a religious channel where she can find her voice again the possibilities are endless ...
One more debate if that ought to suffice ... I am not even sure if I want one more ... I want Obama to finally place a final nail into the coffin of the clintons political ambitions

[estreya]

I have to agree. I'm really suspicious about this call for debates, which she clearly sees as her strength. Could it be she just wants to keep him off the campaign trail (her weakness)?

[transendentilist]

Her weakness? Think again. She's doing pretty damned good, but if all you read is huffpo, you wouldn't know that.

[AnninCA]

I agree that there were too many debates, but we have had only 1 with just the 2 of them.

That gave each candidate time to expand on thoughts.

I don't believe he'll risk it. He can't expand much. He never comes out looking as solid as she does.

[transendentilist]

"How many more debates must we endure with Clinton's pat lines and lies and her inability to really answer a question (dodging them like bullets) ..."

I guess you haven't been paying attention. Hillary always gives very detailed answers that don't evade the subject, spin it, or lie about it. If Hillary is all lies, what is obama afraid of???

[NowNZen]

Makes me sad. Patti's working for free. Hillary is propping up a dying campaign. This is all about maximizing exposure at minimum cost to Hillary.

[KSH]

So true. Very desperate attempt to get free air time. Put Bill back on the trail; I am sure he has some very good things to say about the campaign...lol Maybe he could enlighten us on other state that Jesse Jackson won after South Carolina.

[transendentilist]

Yeah right. Why all the excuses?? If obama is the miracle worker he says he is, he shouldn't have to worry about debating Hillary.
Hillary is not going broke.

[jkbowman]

Ask Hillary if she'd be interested in a televised presentation of each candidate speaking before an auditorium of undecided voters for 20 minutes.

[transendentilist]

Speaking what? Empty platitudes and gross abstractions??
There is a reason Obama is afraid to debate Hillary. She knows the issues much better.

[LAcarlito]

There have been 15+ debates.

Billary had a strategy of winning by Super Tuesday and is out of cash. Tough luck. Deal with it.

[AgathaX]

Hillary's idea of a debate is dog & pony show for soundbites, gimmicks and obfuscation. So what important questions have not been asked in the 18 dog & pony shows thus far? And why haven't they been asked?

The way to get debates is not to send open letters. That is political point scoring--the very thing many of us want to leave behind.

Let's have one more dog and pony show. Try to make it more meaningful than the previous 18. I recommend a loud buzzer that sounds whenever a non-answer or obfuscation is detected. I volunteer to operate the buzzer.

[BikerJim]

We can save all of us some time.
Moderator: Hillary why did you vote for the war in Iraq?

Hillary: I didn't mean to, I was fooled again by George Bush....

[marinade]

Maybe Clinton is looking for another opportunity to find her voice and to cry on national tv.

http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/recips.asp?Ind=E01&cycle=2008

I'd like to see a debate where she would explain why she takes as much money from Big Oil as Republicans do.

[thegreatgiginthesky]

What more is there to debate? We have all heard at lengths what bother their positions on the issues are.

[JenKinFL]

Agreed... amen... everything else that sounds remotely close to either of those words...

We already know what issues they are similar on, we already know what issues they are divided on...

I have heard from Clinton supporters that they do not know where Obama stands... Then you have not been paying attention.

Enough with the debates... it's overkill at this point.

[transendentilist]

Why are all you obama fans peddling a mile a minute to make excuses????

[MyThought]

What are you afraid of Obama? You might have to put your views and policies to test instead of getting away with pretty speeches?

Makes you look "weak" - and that is not leadership.

[caywen]

Um, yeah... There's been 18 debates so far, and Obama has done decently to excellently in all of them. His and HRC's positions have been discussed ad nauseum. Obama is anything but afraid to debate with HRC, but to him it's a waste of time. Obama is wise to stay his course, and I want a president who does wise things. Not a president who tries to dictate people's schedules for their own personal benefit.

[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..

[AdLib]

You left out, "Fraidy Cat" and "Nya-nya-nya-nya-nya."

You Hillary fanatics don't have a clue how desperate you make yourselves and her look.

[KPinSEA]

No ... caving to an opponent's demands to do everything on their terms and playing to their strengths ..... that's weakness.

When Ahmadinejad tells the next President "I demand you have a conference with me every week now that it looks like I'm facing sanctions," you want him (or her) to say "Gee I guess I'd better so I don't look weak" ...?

No.

[transendentilist]

He's afraid to actually have to talk about the issues. All his answer swerve away from solutions and fall mindlessly into promises of unity and hope and change. All hat, no cattle.

[JohnFromCensornati]

They haven't had ANY debates.
Politicians in America simply do not do that.
We don't need any more "debates".
Just say no to FOX, Barack.

[caywen]

Hear hear. This is just HRC's attempt to unload her "talking points" on otherwise deaf ears. She knows Obama has way more money (donated by real people) and will drown her in the media, so now she wants a debate a week.

[transendentilist]

We do need need more debates. Hillary and Obama have only debated each other once. I want to hear how obama plans to work all these miracles he claims he will. I think he's afraid to debate the issues.
As president, he can't run away from the issues like he's been doing ever since he entered the race.

[BikerJim]

Check out his web site. It has position papers, that layout solutions in GREAT detail. Stop being so desperate. Your candiate is losing and they are trying to stop the bleeding.

[Tankan]

Hillary needs weekly debates to try prove Abe Lincoln wrong!

Abe has more wisdom and experience than Hillary and Bill combined!

Enough debates, we know exactly where the candidates stand!

[transendentilist]

Yeah, keep making excuses. What's he got to hide?? If he gets the nomination, he won't be able to dodge the important questions.

[EspressoAtNoon]

Hillary is OUT OF MONEY! That's what this is all about. Debates are free national press that she now can barely afford, so she wants Obama to help her get more free press - one before each primary contest.

I'd give her one and I'd make it during a week when there's only like one state up and Obama has the lead.

Don't do these lying, distorting, dishonest spin meisters ANY FAVORS.

If this were John Edwards requesting debates from Obama I'd grant him as many as he wanted. But seeing as how Hillary and Bill have lied and distorted your record and injected sexism and race into this election - I'd reject her desperate pleas.

[rmetz74]

Yep, it's all about the money. She's just trying to get free tv time. Obama is absolutely right to refuse.

[OtayPanky]

Obama's right.

Eighteen debates are PLENTY.

A bunch more debates are just an invitation for both of them to engage in GOTCHA politics - where both of them as politicians would look for a punchline and a headline, rather than having a sober discussion of the very small differences between them.

[transendentilist]

Obama and Hillary have had only one debate where it was one on one. The other debates are very limiting in the time a candidate gets to give their views.

I think obama is just trying to weasel out of talking about the issues.

[BikerJim]

then go an replay a tape of the past debates. They all say the same thing.

Hillary: I didn't mean to vote for war. I really didn't I was confused and fooled by Bush. He told me that he won't I believed him. I'm sorry (opps she never did say that part).