<p>It seems McCain has invited Obama to join him in for 10 “joint” forums througout the summer, using town-hall type settings to discuss the issues "without the empty sound-bites and media filtered exchanges (his words, not mine). McCain even invited him to travel **together<a href=“a%20la%20the%20planned%20Kennedy%20/%20Goldwater%20planned%20campaign%20trips”>/B</a>.</p>
<p>I find this a smart move on McCain’s art for two reasons. 1) He knows he will do much better in a town-hall style debate setting versus prepared statements. Obama is light-years ahead of McCain in ability to present prepared speeches and /or use the teleprompter without “looking” like he is using one. 2) It calls out Obama’s campaign to put its money where its mouth is. Obama also knows a town-hall setting is to McCin’s advantage, but for him to turn down McCain’s call for a friendlier and more upbeat style of campaign would smack of hypocrisy, especially for a man whose campaign slogans center around a break for theold-school style of politics.</p>
<p>Don’t think this is going to happen (Obama is too smart for this, and already turned down Hillary for the same thing), but it would have been nice to see (versus the mud-throwing and sound bite generating machine that has become the standard of American politics).</p>
<p>I have to give the first round to McCain on this one. But it should be an interesting title fight.</p>
<p>Concur with you yellowdog. But in the start of a whole new campaign (McCain vs. Obama), it removes Obama’s biggest claim right off the bat (wanting to change the way politics is run in this country), and adds to McCain’s image as someone willing to reach “across the aisle”. </p>
<p>Smart move on his part, but not likely to happen. My point is that it is a shame that it won’t. Would have been refreshing to see.</p>
<p>I liked the Compassion forum format. It allowed the candidates (Obama and Clinton) to speak in more than 90 second soundbites and the questions that were posed (by religious leaders from various faiths) were substantive, not the gotcha variety. I would not mind having a series of such debates on different issues. But let’s wait after the conventions.</p>
<p>If I remember correctly, there was a range of religious leaders: Catholic, Jewish,
Baptist, Methodist, etc…
I’d expect Wright might be countered by either Hagee or Parsley? But they’d be asking questions, not the ones answering them.
I liked the format. I would not want all forums to be on religion!</p>
<p>I wouldn’t wait until after the conventions to press this if I was McCain. Why would I let Obama have the time to press his message and mold the campaign in Obama’s favor. Hillary tried this same tactic (inviting Obama to more “open” debates), but acted too late in the primary season to be effective (seen as “desperate” and 180% out form her original strategy). </p>
<p>If this is McCain playing hard-ball, I’m actually feeling a little better that maybe, just maybe, this election cycle can be a little more positve. But i know that is a fool’s hope. Oh well, let the mud-slinging commence. Barkeep, another round of disgust and offense for all my friends.</p>
<p>The American electorate is said not to focus on elections until after Labor Day. that is a big reason why the debates should be held after both conventions have taken place.</p>
<p>Nice excuse, Marite, especially when we’ve been in a primary season for the past 6 months with candidates who announced their candidacy last year. What is wrong with having the two presumptive candidates tour the country and answer questions on their policies in a friendly manner now?</p>
<p>I thought Obama was for change? Or does he only espouse it when it’s convenient?</p>
<p>Actually, bullet, I’m looking forward to some respite from the presidential campaign!</p>
<p>I also think the two candidates will be busy selecting their VEEP nominees. And it looks as if Obama has quite a lot to think about on that front.</p>
<p>Marite, I DO agree with you BTW. It is in Obama’s best interest to avoid the bait and wait on the conventions. I also would love a breather from the constant barrage of election coverage. </p>
<p>All I am saying is I thought this was a smart move by McCain’s camp; take Obama’s message of “Change” in the political process and present it first. Obama can politely refuse all he wants, but it does put a damper when he stands up in Denver and declares he is here to lead America into a day we can be proud of politics by actually working together. </p>
<p>My fear is he will do exactly what you predict above, go for the throat and run a campaign focused on “destroying” the conservatives. A little against his stage message, IMO. Both sides do have tremendous contributions they can provide to the American political process; instead we get a “winner take all” mentality, where every nuance of every issue is tallyied up on a socreboard as “one for my side”. I would rather see a candidate more concerned with “one for America’s side, which may mean I have to budge a little from my party’s platform on this one”.</p>
<p>A man can dream, but only a fool actually plans for it.</p>
<p>Bullet:
Ambinder at the Atlantic Monthly suggest that McCain blew the timing. He should have waited a bit to issue that challenge. He’s giving Obama a good pretext to say “let’s wait, I’m busy right now.”
Another timing mistake was making a speech on Obama’s big night. If you’re not a good orator, it’s best not to invite comparisons. McCain’s speech was roundly panned. Nobody, included his supporters could focus on exactly what he said; they were too busy panning the green backdrop and his delivery.</p>
<p>I know not everybody agrees with me, but I see both McCain and Obama as being bi-partisan and interested in finding solutions. I hope they don’t go for the jugular and instead give us cogent, explanations of their programs.</p>
<p>Actually, I heard Obama’s campaign has already agreed to it with some modifications - I just can’t remember what they are, other than he wants them to last longer(?).</p>
<p>I for one do have the same impression, and I actually consider we as Americans lucky to be in the position to have two fine candidates to choose from. My hope is one of these guys can begin to mend the mess we find ourselves in as to the way our government is run. My fear is people outside their “circles of trust” will pull us right back into the mud. Call me niave, but like I said, I can dream can’t I?</p>