Obama And McCain Open To Unmoderated Debates Across Country

New York Times:

Senators John McCain and Barack Obama are already drawing up strategies for taking each other on in the general election, focusing on the same groups -- including independent voters and Latinos -- and about a dozen states where they think the contest is likely to be decided this fall, campaign aides said.

In a sign of what could be an extremely unusual fall campaign, the two sides said Saturday that they would be open to holding joint forums or unmoderated debates across the country in front of voters through the summer. Mr. Obama, campaigning in Oregon, said that the proposal, floated by Mr. McCain's advisers, was "a great idea."

Read the whole story: New York Times

Comments

[SanityNow]

McSame would be toast, one on one with Obama.
It just confirms my belief that the Repugs really don't want the Presidency.
Let the Democrats clean up their mess for the next 4 years.

McCain's nomination is payback for getting kicked to the side of the road in 2000.

[MyThought]

For me, Obama is toast. I just read where his wife is making decisions about VP - ah, I want a president who can lead - net be lead around.

He should be able to make HIS decisions. Michelle wears the pants it seems.

Na, I want someone who can make their own decisions - that's my HOPE.

[TMAN]

Could you please back that up, where did you read that?

Without fact your entire post becomes meaningless.

[drzoon]

that is the dumbest thing i have seen posted on here in a long long time. and for hufpost... that is really saying something!

please... pull your head out????

[qdog112]

Funny.

[amst]

I'd like to know where you "read" that. You really must learn to not believe everything you read/hear. I suppose you think Obama is a Muslim as well right? Oh, and I'll bet since he doesn't wear a flag pin he's unpatriotic right?

Get use to it, It WILL be President Obama. Yea!!!!!!!!

[olivia]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Most inane post of the night.

[kellygrrrl]

oh, please!
The Obamas are the envy of the world at this moment.
That sentiment is growing, and by January '09 the entire planet will be in awe!

Obama wears his pants just fine!

http://www.politopics.com/uploaded_images/ebony2-760646.jpg

[patmancando]

No wonder they are so arrogant, they have been listening to their Obamanuts and taking the praise seriously. Since you all spew such venom and hatred toward the Clintons, it just figures that you would go overboard in you praise of the Obamas! Actually I think they got that arrogance on their own. Who else would think he could run for the US Senate after two years in a state legislature, and then run for president after 1 1/2 years in the US Senate. I think he misnamed his book, The Audacity of Hope..........he should have called it "The Audacity of Ambition."

[abby4ever]

You are heading for a fall, Kelly, if you don't stop talking like Hillary once did: as if victory is inevitable. Calm down a bit.

[indieminded]

'...focusing on the same groups- including independent voters.....'

With McCain adopting the Bush III platform, all I can say to the GOP is "Good luck with that."

[kellygrrrl]

or not

I must admit, I will take great pleasure in watching the spectacle.

[kevenseven]

Clinton underestimated Obama.

Looks like:

McCain has underestimated Obama.

My president: Barack Obama!

[kellygrrrl]

OUR President
Barack Obama

The entire planet is in awe at this very moment

[obamagal]

Amen. You've got that right.

[amst]

How interesting if McCain showed his temper in a debate hu???? Obama would be cool, calm and collective, and McCain angry. All it'd take is one time I'll bet.

Truthfully, I do worry if McCain were to win, not necessarily his temperment, but the fact of all the abuse and what he went through as a POW. How can that NOT have an emotional, lifelong affect on you, both mentally & physically. How do we know he's not a ticking time bomb waiting to explode? Bomb bomb Iran???? That's not really even funny.

[kellygrrrl]

amst - if ONLY all it would take is one time

sadly, that is not the reality

McLame will get many free passes and the MSM will attempt to spin his "temper" as heroic and admirable.

Obama will run circles around this fool.

[dollars2donuts]

This is a great idea for BO to agree to these debates! Talk about thrilla in Manilla...for the whole summer--love it!! Serve this old reactionary fart, Barack, get 'im! heh

[MoeSart]

Obama better bring his teleprompter to the debates because he is a stiff without it.

He better keep his giant ego in check too.

[kellygrrrl]

He will be fine!

Let's Do This!

[Softnsweet]

MoeSart,

Obama will be fine. I am sure he will thank you for helping him.

[moguro]

MoeSart writes: "Obama better bring his teleprompter to the debates because he is a stiff without it."

Huh??? Oh, I get it, you've got the candidates mixed up. McCain is the one who reads from the teleprompter to keep himself from making those imbecile gaffes. Obama is the one who can give a speech from memory, gets the facts straight, is right on the issues, and will win the election in November.

[KBAR]

Obama is the one who can give a speech from memory, gets the facts straight, is right on the issues

Oh yea! I'll say.
Like he did in the debate before the Penn. primary.

[olivia]

Do you want a president or an entertainer?

We got better presidents before television.

[qdog112]

Woodrow Wilson, Coolidge and Cleveland - OK you win.

[lmrgreen]

Yes, we probably did. But let's not forget that the first televised debates gave us John Kennedy. Of course, that was before the corporations took over the news and turned it into the nonsensical, irritating crap it is today.

One of the basic tenets of Obama's campaign is that we, the people have power - the power to take back our government. Let's start by demanding these debates be a "MSM - free" zone!

[ejay579]

And, you know this how?

[kevenseven]

He is going to be president, get used to it.

[verlaine]

Obama will wipe the floor with McCain in debates. McCain's speaking skills are horrible. He has the worst speaking skills of any presidential candidate in modern memory.

[edva]

Does Bush still count?

[qdog112]

Don't you mean can Bush count?

[steve12]

I'm not sure. Bush 41, Bush 43, Nixon, Ford, and Carter were all pretty bad. Also, McCain has a very personable demeanor that I think will appeal to many Americans. If you've seen him on the Daly Show and similar venues, he can be pretty good.

Do not underestimate McCain or Democrats will lose in November.

[kellygrrrl]

Unmoderated Debates - cage fight!

Oh, dear! Poor McLame is going down HARD!!!!!!

[kellygrrrl]

John McCain fighting for the votes of Latinos -- this ought to send the Rushians and Lou Dobbs gang right on over the edge!!!!

[obamagal]

kelly, you have me laughing out loud... it's hysterical, just thinking about it.... I can almost feel sorry for McLame....

[atienne]

I think McCain will have to be rigged with a little receiver in his ear so someone ELSE can feed him the answers or else Obama will eat him for lunch!

If they DO rig him up, I hope it falls out so everyone can see that this man is completely and utterly incapable of running the country!

[olivia]

Won't matter. The McCain camp will deny it.

Don't forget the "badly tailored suit." This was a couple of weeks after an article appeared in The New Yorker about Bush's tailor, who had been the tailor to many presidents before him.

http://www.lessig.org/blog/archives/nasa.jpg

[amst]

I'm not quite sure how it'll work, but my assessment, from what I gather:

I definitely don't think McCain is a dumb man (unlike Bush), however, I think both Obama and Clinton could easily take him in a debate. I see McCain as using one liners referring to his POW/Military experience (i.e.) "Don't tell me about war Mr. Obama, I've been on the battlefield....." Know what I mean? The type of one-liner that gets him applause when he's in his friendly crowd. But, I think Obama is much smarter and although can't say exactly how Obama would respond, I'd be willing to bet it'd be something eloquent and firm and yet not degrading. I think either Clinton or Obama could wipe McCain up in a debate. Btw, has anyone ever seen him debate in any kind of forum?????

I think Obama was broken in very harshly by Hillary and to that end, it served him well, even if she is a bloodsucking Queen Bee

[wmbear]

QUEEN BEES DON'T SUCK BLOOD...

They stick their stingers in you and inject venom....

[amst]

Ha ha!! Yea, Queen Bee. You're point is well taken. You get my drift? Injecting venom sounds more accurate for HRC anyway.

[obamagal]

Can't you not just hear McCain responding to Obama by saying, "My friend"?..... It's going to be painful...

IMO, Barack is methodical, he collects his thoughts before speaking, but when he does.... he is as bright as a whip and his depth of knowledge is to be admired. (And then there is his integrity, almost a phenomenon, in this day and age0. Barack will NOT confuse the Sunni's and the Shia's, he will not get caught up on the economy. He is comfortable in his own skin and has no airs.

McCain? I am trying not to underestimate him (and perhaps that is a shortcoming of mine) however it appears to me that with each passing month it seems he is "losing it" more and more... In 2000 I respected him. Sadly, no more

On first blush, I think it is a very good idea to have non-moderated debates. I look forward to them.

[OrionGal]

Yes! It's time to start working on Foreign Policy !

[Actionmac]

Well this is something the mcsame people as a net benefit for them as they are losing every where they have tried the Rev. Wright Obama play including deep south. They also see polls saying the Mississippi Rev Wright Obama play is going to lose them another seat in the SOUTH. People, is their a question who is the next president?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0508/10238.html

[InfoGiant]

This is not a good idea for Obama. The McCain campaign is just looking for a way to get more than 100 people to come out and listen to Mr. Flip Flop speak. No reason to let them ride on Barack's coattails.

http://infogiant.wordpress.com/

[Actionmac]

may not be good for mcsame to have his people mingling with the thinking public, could bring more of his people into the dem corner. besides you only need mcsame to say he is going to keep the troops in Iraq until we win and dems wont hear anything else from him.

[kellygrrrl]

LOL!

[lmrgreen]

And your point is? Think about it, getting McCain in front of "more than 100 people" is a good thing! The MSM has given him a pass on so many things! Let's get him in front of millions of people and let them see him for what he is. I can't think of a better way to draw a clear difference between the two candidates. Watching Obama handle himself with someone like McCain, who can't keep Shi'a and Sunni straight, doesn't "get" economics, and wants to "ba-ba-bomb" Iran will seal the deal on this election.

Go Obama!