Bloomberg, ABC News Offer To Host Presidential Campaign Townhall

NEW YORK — John McCain and Barack Obama rejected an offer Sunday from Mayor Michael Bloomberg and ABC News to host the first proposed presidential town hall because they do not want it limited to one television network.

McCain, the likely Republican nominee, last week asked his Democratic counterpart to join him for 10 meetings in the coming months, and campaign managers for both sides said they had agreed in spirit to schedule some type of joint appearances.

But the campaigns rejected a formal offer outlined in a letter from Bloomberg and ABC News on Sunday that envisioned kicking off the town hall series with a 90-minute, prime-time broadcast from New York. The campaigns said the candidates want the meetings open for broadcast on all television networks or on the Internet, rather than be sponsored by a single network or news organization.

Bloomberg, the billionaire mayor who toyed with running for president as an independent, has sought to hold onto the spotlight that began to fade after he ultimately decided against a White House run.

A spokesman indicated Bloomberg would not give up on trying to influence the town hall meeting process.

"We're committed to finding a similar format that works for a joint town hall meeting between the two candidates in the nation's largest city," Stu Loeser said.

ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider said the network is open to discussing a wider distribution for the town hall.

"We think the important thing is bringing the candidates together," he said.

Bloomberg and ABC News President David Westin had proposed that the first meeting take place at Federal Hall in Manhattan. McCain already had suggested the venue, and wanted the first meeting to take place on Thursday.

In their letter to the candidates Sunday, Bloomberg and Westin said the date and other details _ like how much interaction the candidates would have with voters or a moderator _ would be worked out between the two campaigns.

Comments

[MyNameIsJames]

I don't believe that any media organization should be allowed to co-host these town meetings. All media outlets of course would cover them. I think that non-media members should organize the events and ask the questions - like a citizens panel. Some town- hall meetings should be open-ended and others should focus on particular subjects like war the economy, and health-care etc.

[ratcityreprobate]

Contrary to what you may think Mr. Bloomberg, you are not the second coming of the Redeemer.

[olivia]

ABC needs to be taken to the woodshed over the last debate. A boycott by the candidates is perfect.

[barackobama4prez]

I don't like ABC after that last debate, but Diane Sawyer is cut from a different cloth. I enjoy watching her interviews.

[Nonamnesiac]

They should work out the arrangements and start these town hall meetings after the Democratic Convention and keep them going up until the Republcan Convention. Given the intensity of the Democratic campaign, Barack needs time to mend his base. But after the Democratic Convention he'll have the time to conduct the debates. As McCain has been the presumptive nominee since February, he doesn't need the kind of time Barack does to prepare for the Republican Convention. McCain proposed they start now and end just prior to the Democratic Convention.

[gjoh]

Absolutely not!

ABC and for that matter all MSM have already proven that they cannot be trusted to hold such events since their priority now is not the public good but furthering a particular partisan agenda and making a profit for their shareholders.

Today's MSM is not what the founding fathers had in mind when they wrote the 1st Amendment protection into the Bill of Rights.

[KarenKaren]

No to ABC. Yes to CSPAN.

[GiannaX]

Ahhhh, NO!

[hira]

ABC should not host any Presidential election.

[IslandGyal]

I am sorry, but reading the comments of the Hillary supporters who are going to vote for McCain nonsense is just getting old. OK, you are going to vote for McCain, so, you have decided, and I am frankly fed-up of hearing about so, so do it and shut the f*ck up already!!!!!!!!!!

[rolitt]

Just say no to ABC, uglh!

[ohnoyoudidnot!]

After the hatchet-job that ABC did on the last primary debate between Obama and what's-her-name, I wouldn't trust them to get anything right.

[ChiGuy]

ABC should never be allowed to host a debate again.
Bring back the days of the League of Women Voters and PBS teaming together.

[Chickiej1]

Amen!

[truthinreporting]

ABC - never.

[truthinreporting]

I don't know anything about Bloomberg, but anything about ABC having a part in this election is a no-go for me. Their performance in the so-called debate was horrendous.
The most horrible demonstration that I could ever imagine. Their performance was the nail in the coffin for me. It solidified my knowledge that we, the United States of America, can NOT trust our press. I am angry that Charles Gibson and George Stephanopolous are still eployed. I'll never forget.