Obama camp responds to McCain idea

Posted: Wednesday, June 04, 2008 12:59 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
In a statement, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said that Team Obama would be open to McCain's idea of town halls across the country -- but would prefer a format resembling "the historic debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas."

“As Barack Obama has said before, the idea of joint town halls is appealing and one that would allow a great conversation to take place about the need to change the direction of this country," Plouffe said. "We would recommend a format that is less structured and lengthier than the McCain campaign suggests, one that more closely resembles the historic debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas. But, having just secured our party’s nomination, this is one of the many items we will be addressing in the coming days and look forward to discussing it with the McCain campaign."

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Comments

Please see my comment regarding McCain's proposal. I called it! :)

Brian, Clinton, Iowa (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:05 PM)

Obama will wipe the floor wih McCain.

Ellisa, Nashville (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:05 PM)

Obama will make McCain look so bad that it is not even funny. Just compare the two speeches last night for a preview of what would happen in joint townhall meetings.

McCain would never stand a chance.

http://www.politivine.com

Politivine (SC) (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:05 PM)

Hey...

Though it probably won't be posted for another three hours if ever, I suggested the same response in an earlier post.

Even a blind squirrel finds an acorn every once in a while.

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:07 PM)

Wow, an actual response from a presidential campaign. We really have turned the page. I bet the McCain campaign wasn't expecting a response so quickly. And good for Obama for offering to raise the bar.

Will, Raleigh, NC (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:08 PM)

Obamabots, a townhall meeting is not the same as a speech. Obama will just stammer like he does in debates. McCain is weak giving a speech but he'll clean Obama's clock in a town hall.

Face the Facts (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:10 PM)

Why does Obama only want debates? Everyone knows he is better at debating the McCain. Why is Obama afraid to have town hall meetings, and answer questions from non-media people? Could it be he can not do as good without media soft balls? Televised town hall meetings are the best format. If Obama is so great, accept McCains offer.

Robert, Sacramento, CA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:11 PM)

Good for Obama- keep the options open.

Interesting last night watching those three speeches in a row. I must say I was struck with just how phoney John McCain came across- he doesn't sound remotely genuine at all. The forced smiles the body language- all of it. Even that little high pitched voice of his - did he always speak that way or is he trying to sound gentler or something? I remember being mildly impressed with this guy in 2000 - what the heck happened? Ok he's comparitively old, but talk about a shell of your former self. Seriously did that speech empassion anyone?

Condidering the tone and unrest in the country right now and comparing either BO or HC directly to McCain- I think either would wipe the floor with him when given a chance, in the GE. I guarantee you after the first debate- you are going to hear a ton of comparisons with JFK and Nixon ala 1960. Meaning (For those too young), that McCain will look and sound like the tired same old - same old (which of course is accurate).

The GOP best get that mighty smear campaign going into overdrive, but even that old 'Fear and most Liberal ever labels' will simply not sell as it used to as this information age generally has people much better informed and frankly Obama is simply too organized and smart for McCain to scare enough people to the Gop side. This has the making of a blood bath!

K Riley, Sarasota Florida (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:11 PM)

I propose that the first town hall meeting be held at Mount Rushmore. What more fitting place to converse about democracy? Scenery isn't bad, either.

And why wait for the convention? For heaven's sake, let's get after it.

Amy Andersen, Eden Prairie, MN (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:12 PM)

Of course they want a "less structured, lengthier" style debate. That way Obama can give mini speeches rather than answer direct questions. He does not like to answer questions without his teleprompter.

chris, warwick, ri (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:14 PM)

Nice reply!!!!!! Not on McCain's terms!!

TLA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:15 PM)

Imagine it. The cluless, angry, soldier/statesman, against the calm, young, and handsome, thoughtful, Dr./Professor of Consitutional Law/statesman.

Sounds like a winner for the dems to me.

donna (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:15 PM)

Barack will make McCain look like Abe Simpson. I can't wait for Obama to be able to call McCain out on his many flip flops and inaccuracies.

Linda. Boston, MA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:15 PM)

I would love to see that, Obama wiping the floor with McCain that is.

Seriously (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:15 PM)

If McOld agrees to this, it's Game, Set, Match for Obama! Could the Rethugs be that stupid?

Ol'Lefty, Westminster, Md (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:17 PM)

First you have the hillys trying to dictate the V.P.pick(like we don;t belive it wasn't set up and done out of spite knowing that she had lost and trying to steal the spot light.Now her goooooood friend Mcbomber wants to take a shot at controling things,beware of what you ask for cuz sometimes you get it,and I don't think the bomber is really serious,Anyone that saw his speech last night saw how nervous he was and could see that talking in public scares Bomber.Do some area events,just the site of 32.000 Obama fans would be enough to fill up those depends.

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:17 PM)

McCain wouldn't stand a chance in a free-form debate setting. I think Obama would come across as smooth and McCain would be "Grumpy Old Men III: Revenge of the Shia".

Midwest Mom, Illiana (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:17 PM)

McCain had the letter "hand delivered by a middle aged man" -- Obama's aid looked somewhat confused by the messenger and said "you could have just e-mailed this." lol

Generation gap! (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:18 PM)

Just so we all get this straight....OBAMA WON THE POPULAR VOTE by the most reasonable standards.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/democratic_vote_count.html

He wins by 61,700 votes if you include Michigan and give him "uncommitted". . I think any reasonable person would agree that you either don't count a state in which wasn't supposed to count and one of the candidates wasn't on the ballot OR you give that candidate that wasn't on the ballot a representative portion of the votes represented by "uncommitted".

Jeff, Portlans, OR (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:21 PM)

I love this idea. A real opportunity to let people ask questions without the silly moderators directing the conversations.

I can feel the real issues being discussed already...

This is a terrific election, hopefully one that will alter forever the way campaigns are run, one where the American People are involved.

Mighty Blogger, Seattle, Wash (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:22 PM)

LOl! Much lenghtier? Dang, you wanna expose a 72 years old man? He can't handle 6 mins talkless of 4 hrs! Less structured? Wow! Obama camp has done it again..flipped the table on McSame. The GOP better be ready!

Mike,houston (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:23 PM)

It's interesting that the Media has not yet learned that Sen. Obama and his team are "THE BEST POLITICAL TEAM IN POLITICS.'

gg, fl (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:23 PM)

Another non-answer/non-position by Barack Obama. What can you expect, he needs to ask permission first? The moonbats (lefty bloggers) own him -- unlike McCain who didn't sell his soul to the wingnuts (talk radio).

Eric, Denver, CO (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:23 PM)

Not sure if the two campaigns will agree to the mutually agreeable terms any time soon. I think DNC has to resolve the Hilary issue first. It looks like she is using her supporters as ‘bargaining chips’. So, who knows what she’ll do, in spite of Andrea Mitchell’s optimistic predictions.

Puffin (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:25 PM)

Mccain needs to do something about that old pasty faced look he has...may I suggest botox like his wife uses...

Rick, NC (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:25 PM)

McCain desperately needs free media and needs to create more gaffe possibilities for Obama (why Clinton kept begging for more debates at the end).

Obama could use the visuals of standing right next to McCain week after week, as many "low-info" voters might be swayed by looks and youth alone.

If he's smart, McCain is going to stop this ranting right-wing old man stuff from last night and play very, very nice and dignified and run right up close to Obama on a lot of issues and then pick a woman VP if Obama doesn't.

The only way McCain can win is if he's seen as the safer choice for "change". I would cut out his attacks on Obama altogether, as they aren't doing him any good, because he knows zip about the economy and Iraq is a losing issue for him.

In fact, if/when Obama attacks, McCain should point out how unseemly it is and "typical of a politician" and that he's disappointed that his Town Hall partner is acting in such a fashion.

McCain has to stop with the anger and the sarcastic grinning, too.

Stan Shmenge (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:27 PM)

Townhall formats are so phony - plants will be asking questions even dumber than ABC's debate. There should be no questions from the audience, and only back and forth comments between the candidates.

These can be great, but only if they are on a high plane, not devolving into Phil Donohue-Jerry Springer disgusting drivel.

40 years in the DemNPL (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:28 PM)

McNasty obviously personally dislikes Obama so much. I think it would make this type of debate, or a town-hall thing, very interesting. Obama gets under his skin just by being so very very good. I can see it now, McNasty loses it and lunges for Obama and deputy dog Loserman would have to hold him back. Game Over.

Kate in Atlanta (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:28 PM)

I seriously think the McCain campaign thought Obama would turn it down...

Obama called his bluff.... paper, rock, scissors.

ya know (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:28 PM)

As much as I would love to see Barack engage in this townhall arrangement, I think it should be once he has pivoted off of clinton at least a month. He shouldn't engage with McCain in this format until we get clinton out of our system..But I am sure the well organized Obama campaign already knows this fact.

McCain; these are not the same days of when you were Obama's age.. times and technology has changed. He has the ability to reach a larger volume of people. The reason.. he ACTIVATES the AMERICAN people to be involved in their government in an effort to ensure that the government is OF THE PEOPLE.. I read that one of your supporters thinks that Obama represents socialism.. I beg to differ.. I think this is just like most REPUBLICANS.. they don't want the playing field to be level.. they want to be rich and keep getting richer.. they don't want anyone to be their equal.. they like to be superior to everyone..as opposed to being EQUAL in some respects..

Todd, NC (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:29 PM)

yeah Obama will discuss it with the McCain campaign...not submitting it to the press like McCain did.
Obama knows exactly what he is doing!

McCain better consult ROVIE again...this tactic didn't work!

CARL ROVE does NOT equal CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE... Mr. McSHAME!

coninPA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:30 PM)

Oh my god...that would be amazing.

If this happens MSNBC HAS TO cover them!

Jay, Indiana (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:30 PM)

It's a good think McSame has that great Senatorial Health Insurance because he is going to be eviscerated! Let the bloodbath begin!

Kerry, Toledo, OH (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:30 PM)

Time to turn the page on the politics of the past.

Be sure to give Clinton honest feedback.

http://midwestmoms.blogspot.com

Midwest Mom, Illiana (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:31 PM)

Absolutely, the comparision will be so obvious,I am surprised that McSame's handlers and ventriloquists allowed the idea to be put forth.

JeanWNY (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:33 PM)

I love our unothrodox Obama, but some times I wish he would just ignore the peanut gallery's noise. Especially when it's clear, McCain is desperately trying to resurrect Hillary's annoying tactics.

Some times it's better to ignore the clamor and set your own pace.

Linda Montgomery Al (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:34 PM)

BAWHAHAHAHAHA!!!!! For those of you who don't know anything about Abraham Lincoln vs. Stephen Douglas:

Each debate had this format: one candidate spoke for an hour, then the other candidate spoke for an hour and a half, and then the first candidate was allowed a half hour "rejoinder." The candidates alternated speaking first. As the incumbent, Douglas spoke first in four of the debates. - wiki

Can you imagine listening to McCain for an hour and a half straight? lol. I don't think he could even make it thru a 3 hour format.

Matt, Las Vegas, NV (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:36 PM)

Just want to say something (although off message on this post subject)

To people who question Sen Obama speaking before AIPAC - it's called campaigning. The General Election campaign has begun - and the last I knew the Jewish people of this country vote too. Just as he may well speak before various unions, and the NAACP, and other special interest groups, etc. - I don't get the problem.

Sen Obama is off to an impressive start - he has shown he is not going to let anyone set his agenda for campaigning (or anything else) - but there should also be discussion when viable ideas come up. He will do great - Sen McCain will have his hands full and more.

Obama '08

Obama Supporter from NY (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:37 PM)

Absolutely, the comparision will be so obvious,I am surprised that McSame's handlers and ventriloquists allowed the idea to be put forth.

JeanWNY (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:37 PM)

Look, I like Obama but the idea that he's the automatic winner in a debate is false. His debate performances were not always that great and while I agree about McCain's speech, he's actually pretty good on the stump in the town hall format. As for McCain's speech, I think it's pretty fun to watch McCain who was the one Republican that alot of Democrats liked now having those same Democrats make comments like "I liked him in 2000 but he's changed so much." Wrong. You've changed because you've found a candidate in Obama that you really like. McCain is the same guy he was back then. And if, by some longshot, he ends up President, I don't think we'll see a continuation of Bush policies. All that said, Obama's great advantage is that the country is ready for a change and I don't think the Reps will be able to paint him as anything else than the poster child for change.

Holli, Oklahoma City, OK (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:47 PM)

Obama is a fraud. He stands there saying what he will talk about, and what he won't talk about. Here's some news for the pious Obama. YOU do not get to choose what people want to talk about. If people think you're some kind of left wing radical attached to a separatist church, then that is what we will talk about. If your wife takes a swipe at this country as she is prone to do, then we can talk about. See Barack, you're not a god, a king, a prophet, or anything else for that matter. You're a one term senator with a far left wing agenda that hasn't done a real thing in the real world ever in your life. That is not the kind of change this country is looking for, an it also not the kind of hope this country is looking for. So even though you want everyone to play nicey-nice with you, we the people are going to ask you questions that make you uncomfortable, questions that you don't have answers for, and questions that expose you for what you are - a far left wing loon.

We The People (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:50 PM)

Lincoln-Douglas debates! And guess who is Lincoln!!

Gail, TN (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:53 PM)

I've seen Obama's town halls, they are pretty good and where some of his toughest points against McCain have occurred. Underestimate Obama at your own peril...

CJ (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:53 PM)

I think people should not be so overconfident about Obama "winning" a debate with McCain. Reagan was very poor in the debates. He was confused, did not understand the questions, answered in cliches and false anecdotes and showed no nuance or depth of understanding of the issues. Saturday Night Live even made fun of the debates with the Dukakis actor saying he couldn't believe he was losing to the guy. Yet, yet, he "won" the debates because people pictured him as their favorite doddering grandfather whom they remembered had bounced them on his knee. If McCain bounces any kids on his knees the election is over. Yes, people are that stupid.

nuanced (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:59 PM)

Obama is the nominee. He leads in popular vote, pledged delegates, superdelegates (still counting), states won, most money raised and he is not in debt. After all that....Clinton still does not concede and 2 hours after the media declared he had the delegates needed to win the nomination, Terry McAuliff still introduced Clinton as the 'next president'. How arrogant! What is wrong with the leaders of the party?? Someone has to tell this woman (and I use this word lightly) to stop.
IN NO WAY should she get the VP slot. Obama does not need her and all her baggage. He will win the white house without her help. He does not need KY & WV to win and he will win PA, CA, NJ, NY, and OH all on his own as well as some of the so-called red states. This Nov. will be a landslide victory for him.

KathyfromPA, Carlisle, PA (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 1:59 PM)

Ahhh..McCain whistling his s's like Herbert from the family guy and his crotchety old voice..Obama's clear and articulate speech. This will be great!!

kim w, virginia beach, va (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 2:00 PM)

The Lincoln/Douglas comparison is spot on. Obama, the tall, wise dignified gentleman from Illinois vs. McCain, the scowling, angry little man.

When these two are seen together, Obama is going to be the one who's "Presidential". It'll be Kennedy/Nixon all over again.

Craig C San Francisco (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 2:03 PM)

For all you McManiacs out there, format is insignificant. The only way Obama loses (maybe) is if McCain's allowed to sit on Lie-berman's lap and have the string in the back of his neck pulled!

Charlie McCarthy (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 2:05 PM)

"40 yrs. in demNPL" made an accurate point; saying that the "town hall" would be stacked w/plants and be a phony as the pseudo-debates, etc of recent yrs. Or, like Bush...have all his answeres piped in to his earpiece. Perhaps, they could just inplant cyborg components into McBush, flip a switch and watch him go!

amused independent spectator (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 2:08 PM)

yeah i have watched both of them during town hall meetings and i think obama is better then mccain so i dont know why mccain would want to propose this against obama. But i think mccain is better then obama at debates and actually i think i will be better then obama at debates

Celebrate
BREAKING NEWS
Why Clinton Why
Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting
McCains New Problem
Electoral Maps for the general election

http://sensico.wordpress.com/

tood (Sent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 2:21 PM)

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