Bloomberg, ABC News Offer To Host Presidential Campaign Townhall

NEW YORK — Mayor Michael Bloomberg and ABC News made a formal offer to host the first proposed presidential town hall meeting between John McCain and Barack Obama, according to a letter being sent to both candidates Sunday.

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

Bloomberg, the billionaire mayor who toyed with mounting his own independent presidential run this year, and ABC News President David Westin formally proposed in a letter to both candidates that the first meeting take place at Federal Hall in Manhattan.

McCain had suggested that the first town hall be held Thursday at Federal Hall.

Bloomberg and ABC envision a 90-minute, prime-time broadcast but said the date and other details, such as how much interaction the candidates would have with voters or a moderator, should be worked out by the campaigns.

"We look forward to beginning a conversation on how best to create an event that will honor our nation's founding spirit and respect the voters' desire to engage in a thoughtful discussion of the critical issues facing America and the world," Bloomberg and Westin wrote.

Bloomberg decided earlier in the year against mounting a third-party bid for the White House, but he vowed to stay engaged in the process and hinted that he might put his wealth and support behind a candidate.

The Democrat-turned-Republican-turned-independent has said he is not necessarily most likely to back the candidate who matches his policy positions, but the one who demonstrates the most genuine bipartisan credentials.

Bloomberg supporters also have pushed the idea that he could be a running mate for either McCain or Obama.

Aides to Bloomberg told The Associated Press he might like to have a role in the town hall, such as shaping questions or speaking with the candidates, but that those details would have to be worked out with the campaigns.

Bloomberg, for his part, always expressed disdain about the televised debates held during the primary season, claiming he never watched them because they didn't delve into important issues and gave candidates only short intervals to answer questions.

Bloomberg spokesman Jim Anderson said the mayor is making the offer because he is "excited about a campaign where voters interact directly with the candidates in a town hall format, and thinks New York City is the ideal setting for a first meeting."

ABC hosted several debates during the primary season, three in prime time. "Good Morning America" host Diane Sawyer would likely be the moderator for this town hall, an ABC News spokesman said.

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.