Obama Will Make Debate A Townhall If McCain Doesn't Show

Updated 9/26:

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Barack Obama is committed to hosting a public, televised event Friday night in Mississippi even if John McCain does not show up, an official close to the Obama campaign tells the Huffington Post.

In McCain's absence, the Senator is willing to make the scheduled debate a townhall meeting, a one-on-one interview with NewsHour's Jim Lehrer, or the combination of the two, the official said.

Such a course of action could make life incredibly difficult for McCain, who has called for the suspension of the debate in light of the current economic crisis. Should he stay in Washington D.C. -- if a bailout is not completed by then -- and let Obama alone reach tens of millions of television viewers?

A lot, of course, depends upon what the debate commission decides to do. At this point in time, there is no indication that they are going to postpone the affair, as the McCain campaign has asked.

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Separately, on Thursday, Obama himself said he was intending to go to Oxford, Miss for the scheduled debate and called on McCain to be there with him.

"The American people deserve to hear directly from myself and Sen. McCain about how we intend to lead our country," Obama said. "The times are too serious to put our campaign on hold, or to ignore the full range of issues that the next president will face."

Meanwhile, Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour said on Thursday that he expected the debate to go forward as planned.

UPDATE: An adviser Barack Obama says he expects John McCain to attend:

"I actually think he's going to come to the debate," the adviser, Robert Gibbs, told reporters in Washington on Thursday.

And echoing a talking point that Senator Obama used in his press conference on Thursday, Mr. Gibbs added: "I think he will decide that a president is capable of doing more than one thing at a time."

UPDATE II:: More from the AP:

John McCain's campaign expressed cautious optimism Thursday as congressional Republicans and Democrats agreed in principle on a $700 billion bailout of the financial industry hours before the two presidential candidates were to meet with President Bush on the crisis.

Even so, the action didn't appear to be strong enough to convince McCain to attend Friday's scheduled presidential debate. His campaign has said he wouldn't participate unless there was consensus between Congress and the administration, and a spokesman said the afternoon developments had not changed his plans.

UPDATE III: McCain aide Tucker Bounds tells MSNBC, "we're going into the debates."

Comments

[thruthbtold]

i think actions speak louder than words
ladies and gentemen
it is said that senetor John Mccain does not need to be in Washington D.C to discuss the bailout the reasons for this is as follows
1- he has not taken out 15 minutes of his quote on quote "busy scedule" to read the two and a half page agreement for the bailout. ( common it really isnt that hard my ten year old sister coud read that in like 5 minutes)
2- he hasnt put any input on what should be done and why.
and last but not least
3- he already said 16 times that the fundamentlas of this economy is strong so why should you be there
this is a classic case of the bush play book we need someone that is gonna care about the poeple someone that has goals fo this great country of ours we dont need more of the same we need change and that is why we need him to be in the debates so him and borrack obama can prove to all of us that they have what it takes to become president

[ilovenettles]

If you need a break from the stress and "doom & gloom"
see the SARAH PALIN BARBIE DOLL.
Just issued!

http://www.vaboomerviosks.com/caribou-barbie.htm

[gumbykevbo]

If McCain isn't coming they need to invite Bob Barr. That will get McCain there, but of course, we can't exactly UN-invite Bobby from the party, now, can we Johnny? Giving air time to the Libritarian candidate will be nails in McCains coffin, which is why he would never agree to a debate that includes Barr, but once McCain breaks his end of th bargain by saying he won't show, all bets are off.

[BAMNO]

If Mcain is so bad, and the Great Barack Obama is going to deliver us then explain to me why the polls are so tight? According to this arena this race is over. How come Ohio, Florida, PA, VA, are not helping Obama wrap this up?

[Agnim]

BAMNO

We see that you too are enslaved to the PROPAGANDA polls and the bull of so-called pundits? lol

Do you know that the wild bush won by just ONE VOTE in the 2000 election?
And he's been governing (ruining) the country with 90% McCaint support for 8 horrifying years.

The Supreme Court in 2000 was 5-4 to give bush the opportunity to destroy the country.

So Obama does not need a huge margin.
Matter of fact, a narrow margin now IS INCENTIVE for Americans to get up off their back sides and go save the nation by campaigning strongly for a President Obama.

[rasil]

Because the polls distort stupid. Guess you are another lost soul that believes MSM.

[BigBendMan]

One word DESPARATION!!!! McCain knows that this is his LAST shot at becoming president and somehow redeem himself for his choices in life. He knows that he has no comprehension of what the average American is going through (since most of us don't have 12 houses and are kept by an heiress). How does someone who cannot send an email operate in today's technology society expect to govern a technology society?

Notes for McCain from those who have served before him -----

"We Americans have no commission from God to police the world." - Benjamin Harrison

"A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties." - Harry Truman

"A reactionary is a somnambulist walking backwards." - FDR

"Here is my principle: Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle." - FDR

"It is an unfortunate human failing that a full pocketbook often groans more loudly than an empty stomach." - FDR

"Prosperous farmers mean more employment, more prosperity for the workers and the business men of every industrial area in the whole country." - FDR

"We continue to recognize the greater ability of some to earn more than others. But we do assert that the ambition of the individual to obtain for him a proper security is an ambition to be preferred to the appetite for great wealth and great power." - FDR

[tmckly]

1. Occidental College records -- Not released
2. Columbia College records -- Not released
3. Columbia Thesis paper -- 'not available'
4. Harvard College records -- Not released
5. Selective Service Registration -- Not released
6. Medical records -- Not released
7. Illinois State Senate schedule -- 'not available'
8. Law practice client list -- Not released
9. Certified Copy of original Birth certificate -- Not released
10. Embossed, signed paper Certification of Live Birth -- Not released
11. Harvard Law Review articles published -- None
12. University of Chicago scholarly articles -- None
13. Your Record of baptism-- Not released or 'not available'
14. Your Illinois State Senate records--'not available'

Who wants to know these things?

: THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

[oldcitizen]

"If "The American People" actually want to know all of these things about Obama, then they also want to know the same kind of information about the other three candidates. Are such records readily available for McCain and Palin and if so where can "The American People" easily find them? Assuming that you have already carefully researched such records for McCain/Palin, then perhaps you can satisfy my individual curiosity. Do the academic records of McCain and Palin clearly indicate or at least strongly imply that one or both of them were as ignorant during their college years as they are currently demonstrating during this campaign?

[toppergem]

In answer to your question, yes they were both ignorant during their college years. To graduate fifth from the BOTTOM of your class...says he was in his dorm room sleeping for four years. And she changed schools more than four or five times before she finally decided to finish her degree, not the brightest folks in the world it seems.

[isom74]

If McCoward fails to show up for the debate, he might as well concede the election to Obama.

[theaudacity]

Obama was the coward who refused more debates/ townhalls with McCain. You shouldn't hold your breath waiting for McCain's concession speech....... Better idea, start holding it now.

[monoxboogie]

I find it funny that over 90 per cent of the people negative on Obama have their profiles created in Sept. That's it. Less than a month. Obama didn't agree to 10 town hall meetings in the towns of McCain's choosing because, surprise surprise, Macky boy would have had a carefully screened audience there. Like all his other meetings. Except the one in MI. You know, where the Obama supporters quietly listened until the senator was finished. Then Chanted Obama 08. Hmm. Smart move on Mr. Obama's side. What has McCain done? picked a maroon of a VP, suspended (but not really) his campaign, torpedoed the attempt at the financial bailout bill, confused Sunni and Shiite, confused border's with Iraq and Pakistan, confused National Guard with the Army, Confused.... dang it he's just confused

[toppergem]

Obama is no coward. He wasn't the one running from a debate. Talk to your boy, John.

[BAMNO]

Economic Crisis......Barack Obama "if you need me call" .....Thats what the country needs...There is no teleprompter tonight.....

[toppergem]

He didn't need one. He whipped McCain's butt just fine without one!

[Kyuzo]

Rest assured, McCain will be there tonight. And he will be acting as though Obama, the media and the people watching at home are wasting his precious time.

It's a really stupid strategy. It's a Hail Mary all right, only thrown to the wrong end zone.

[jimmyjones22]

more like an on-side punt.

[LisaM1112]

To "MindyisHot"...He sure is!! and smart as hell to boot!
I half hope McCain doesn't show, because it would give Sen. Obama a chance to actually speak to the American people about what his plans are instead of having to explain the "lie of the day" that McCain's campaign has thought up. They are good plans and worthy of our attention, but the plan of the McCain troup is to distract the American public as often as possible to ensure we never really get to hear them. What a foolish,selfish old man to try to put his old fashioned, out dated (personal?)agenda before the needs our country.
Ther other half hopes he does show up because McCain is LONG OVERDUE for a good old fashioned whooping and Barack walks proud and carries a big stIck!!!
OBAMA '08 - CHANGE WE FEEL COMING!

[keepacoolhead]

McCain's bluff to ditch the debate got called. No, honey, you can't stay home on Friday and not do the test. If you do you're an idiot. What are people supposed to think, you can't do 2 things at once, and what was it you did in Washington the last few days? Pathetic.

[piper1233]

I believe McCain purposely threw a monkey wrench into the works yesterday in order to be seen as a hero in a deal reached today. The only problem is now he has given the House GOP encourangement to revolt and he has no power to put them back in line. The press has been a big part of the problem, they have not called Out the McCain Campaign on what is a clear attempt to put McCains interest above the Country. His Behavior cannot be connected to anything but self interest. What concerns me the most is his wry smile which indicates that he is enjoying his time in the spotlight, and the Countrys well being is a distant second.

[Obama Biden]

NOW I get it!!!!! McCain WANTS them to go to Plan B, which is change it to a Town Hall format, then he will swoop in at the last second and join Sen. Obama onstage to take questions. What is his obsession with town halls? The next "debate" is a town hall.

[theaudacity]

He knows Obama is an empty suit. Take away the teleprompter an Obama can't speak. McCain will wipe the floor with him. To quote Will Ferrell " That's how you debate."

Barry " That's above my paygrade" Obama

Barry "can't I just finish my waffle" Obama

Barry "all 57 states" Obama

Barry "my muslim faith" Obama

[ADP4]

Wow, all the conservatives talk about is teleprompters. Snore.

Barack "Constitutional Law scholar" Obama

Barack "Harvard Law Review editor" Obama

Barack "diplomacy" Obama

I'm ready for a president who actually understands the document on which this country is based. Someone who actually TAUGHT it. Someone who especially understands the Bill of Rights.

I very much look forward to a debate between Obama and McCain, and (if Republicans allow her) between Biden and Palin. (Biden has also taught the Constitution.)

The Constitution articulates my American values. As a true values voter, I will be voting Obama/Biden.

[pmarie]

Excluse me s$$$t-stain (to quote Sarah Silverman), McCain can barely hobble across the floor (let alone wipe it), hear or understand half the questions he also can't answer articulately (on any topic EXCEPT world war) & apparently can't look a man straight in the eye. He is, however, very comfortable laughing & snickering throughout a serious debate during an equally serious economic crisis. AND yes, there are actually liberal Christians who are so humbled that they don't profess to speak for or judge anyone in the name of God or behave as if they ARE God much less claim moral superiority over other citizens in a free democratic society on serious personal topics of religion & conscience.

As opposed to the reversal & complete turn-about by John McCain who quite suddenly embraced the evangelicals (at least their $$ & their votes) & abruptly chose a VP candidate who openly supports the 3rd Wave movement. Palin openly supports that movement & the many billionaire mega-churches who also believe in demons & spiritual warfare to be fought by "trained" young soldiers in "Joel's Army" who will help certain "believing" Christians selected & anointed by God & then bestowed with supernatural powers who will take over the world & the church while Alaska serves as a refuge for remaining "believers." A church so radical even the Assembly of God threw them out in late 1940.

All likely above McCain or Palin's pay grades let alone an acceptable role as a politician in a

[kiran888]

Can someone please tell me what campaign suspension means! I am a PA resident and I am seeing McCain's campaign ads every 30min, how is this a suspension of the campaign. Why aren't the news agency being truthful to the american people about this, CNN should be saying that McCain did not suspend his campaign.

McCain is such a tricky person, he really is Bush.

[margardner]

That's our next POTUS! Able to make sound, effective, credible decisions while under pressure.
That's Obama!

On the other hand, McCain. Lost, confused, making political maneuvered decisions that are ego driven and self serving. Due to his consistent lies and poor judgment, the polls are showing McCain losing credibility with the American public.
We need a President who TRULY cares about Americans** and our middle class issues.

[boing007]

If McCain does go, he's a two faced liar (2+ / 0-)

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who pulled a political stunt which risked the health of the American economy. He's screwed either way.