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At Home in Midwest, Obama Explains Why He Refused Debate Challenge

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April 27, 2008 2:24 PM

ABC News' Sunlen Miller reports: Sen. Barack Obama spent his Sunday attending St. Luke's United Methodist Church and afterwards dropping by a local restaurant called the "Country Kitchen" for wings and corn bread in Indianapolis, Ind.

The presidential hopeful answered a few questions before entering the predominately African American eatery -- and explained why he won't agree to rival Sen. Hillary Clinton's weekend challenge for a one-on-one, Lincoln-Douglas-style debate without a moderator.

"We've got nine days to try to campaign and meet as many voters as possible," he said. "So rather than being in a studio, I want to make sure that we're reaching out to folks where they live, answering their questions and having as many interactions as possible."

Obama said he would be more than happy to consider additional debates after Indiana and North Carolina’s May 6 primaries.

Obama said winning Indiana is simply achieving 50 percent of the vote plus one percent more.

"There’s no doubt that Indiana is a state where it's close," he said. "It’s tied statistically in the polls."

The Illinois Democrat tried to show he's connected to voters in Hoosier state, saying that the people of Indiana have Midwestern values like citizens of Illinois do.

Obama would not answer questions on how damaging it would be if he loses Indiana, or -- on a day when his comments aired on what he heard the Rev. Jeremiah Wright say in sermons -- whether Wright's recent media appearance has been damaging.

On both questions, he told reporters, "I’ll let you guys prognosticate."

April 27, 2008 in Kucinich, Dennis | Permalink | User Comments (351)

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Hillary Clinton cannot be trusted.

Hillary Clinton is desperate and shrill.

Barack Obama is a UNITER, INCLUSIVE, INSPIRING, PROGRESSIVE, NON-PARTISAN AND THE ONLY CHOICE FOR PRESIDENT.

YES WE CAN!


Barack Obama for President!

Posted by: michelle | Apr 27, 2008 3:45:32 PM

I for one see no sense in another debate. HRC is pulling at whatever is out there to try and pull a rabbit win out of the hat. One more debate will NOT change that. America knows where they stand on their issues. It has been debated. At this point, it is about who wants whom to win. Bottom line. I am not necessarily a fan of anyone at this point; I just don't see that any more debates will open up anything ...but a can of worms.

Posted by: JD | Apr 27, 2008 3:51:45 PM

Dave:

You forget that Obama voted 'present' more times in the Illinois state senate than did any other senator in the state's history. Surely he can't be all bad???

Posted by: Aston | Apr 27, 2008 3:52:22 PM

Why are we even talking about Clinton?
She was gone way back on super Tuesday.
I think the press just want to sell
newspapers fooling everybody into thinking
that she still has a chance. Listen you
Hillary supporters, She's GONE with the
wind. Accept it. She's not tenacious like
the press paints her, She's stubborn and
egotistical, and delusional.

Posted by: Frank | Apr 27, 2008 3:52:31 PM

To KCNY: The DNC rules, applied to only stripping MI and FL of pledged delegates. The "rules" do not apply to the popular vote - which still counts according to the "rules". If the DNC were to follow the "rules" then Iowa, NH and SC should be stripped of their pledged delegates as well, since they moved up their primaries in violation of the "rules" and did not receive proper DNC authorization to move their dates ahead. (I predict lawyers are racking up some major fees with this one.) If you count the popular vote for all the states, Hillary is ahead. Obama should be a man and allow a revote in both states, otherwise, get ready for a really big "rules" fight, because it seems like one is coming.

SAY NO TO THE DNC CORONATION OF OBAMA!
TELL THE DNC TO ALLOW ALL 50 STATES VOTES TO COUNT!

Posted by: calli | Apr 27, 2008 3:54:16 PM

Obama is ducking another debate because he can't measure up to Hillary Clinton. Indiana voters, please vote as your neighbors Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and New Jersey did. Let's show the Super Delegates that we the people want Hillary Clinton as our next President. The tide is turning!!!

Posted by: Keith | Apr 27, 2008 3:54:43 PM

For all the democrats who have enjoyed "railing" on the republicans....welcome to your own world. We will be your own party's undoing at this rate. I suggest waking up and smelling the writing on the wall..and get it together.

Posted by: TTLS | Apr 27, 2008 3:55:16 PM

Senator Obama has told too many lies? Just what has he lied about? Nothing, nada. Now let's take Hillary, Bosnia, sniper fire, I helped negotiate the Northern Ireland Peace Accord, I did the CHIP program, I did the Family Leave Act. CHIP program - Orren Hatch & Ted Kennedy, Family Leave Act - Joe Biden, Ireland Peace Accord - George Mitchell, Bosnia & snipers - lied. All lies. If Bosnia was so dangerous, why did you take your only child there and march her off of the plane with you? Why?

Posted by: Carolyn Grace | Apr 27, 2008 4:02:22 PM

Obama steal the nomination? LOL!! He is ahead in popular vote,states won, and superdelagates. I think you need to go back to school and learn adding and subtracting again.

Posted by: ron | Apr 27, 2008 4:02:39 PM

Another tought for those complaining about another debate. Don't watch! But there are thousands and thousands who have not kept up on the campaign from day to day and need answers and information to make a choice. These undecideds are hoping to get the right stuff so they can make their choice one week from Tuesday.

Obama says he'd like to meet people on the campaign trail rather than debate. Come now - a televised discussion will reach hundreds of thousands not just a few hundred at a breakfast diner.

Posted by: Dave | Apr 27, 2008 4:05:28 PM

Sorry ron

More jobs have been created under Bush than in the administration of any other president. Most are good jobs in small and medium sized companies. You can look it up.

Posted by: Aston | Apr 27, 2008 4:10:19 PM

Aston: The jobs that have been created under the Bush administration are part-time fast food jobs.

Posted by: ron | Apr 27, 2008 4:11:59 PM

Michelle, Hillary Clinton has gone across the ile many more times than Barack Obama. If anyone is dividing this party, it's Obama, he came from no where and thinks he can run this country...what a joke!

Hillary '08 and '12

Posted by: Jonath | Apr 27, 2008 4:13:04 PM

Foolswho do not like Hillary Clinton for her personality voted blindlessly for the unknown guy. You may not like Hillary, but a lot of us respect her toughness which is presidential. Obama is a weak scared man. He turned to drugs to avoid facing pressure and now he is hiding in his half-eaten waffle. We cannot have a gutless wimp like Dukaksis on the ballot in November.

Posted by: geevill | Apr 27, 2008 4:13:56 PM

ron

No, the Bush jobs are NOT fast food jobs. Where exactly, did you get such an absurd notion. Listening to spin-merchants?

Posted by: Aston | Apr 27, 2008 4:18:00 PM

Candidates who want to be president should never be AFRAID to debate any body any time any place.

Posted by: politicsIsdirty | Apr 27, 2008 4:25:38 PM

Mark -- Aren't you over-generalizing just a bit?

Posted by: Aston | Apr 27, 2008 4:28:53 PM

Howard Roark

It appears that the only way you can say something good about your candidate is to say something bad about his opponent. Why would anybody buy that?

Posted by: Aston | Apr 27, 2008 4:31:01 PM

If u put Rev.Wrights words in his intreview in proper perspective wasnt he a bit upset about Obamas suggen loss of loyalty ???when the story of the REV
first came to light Mr. Obama stressed his love and allegience to the pastor saying he is my spiritual advisor and my familys .He is my mentor my friend my uncle I could NEVER DISOWN HIM ...PEOPLE MUST UNDERSTAND BLACK CHURCH CAN BE DIFFERENT. NOW A SHORT FEW MONTHS LATTER MR. OBAMA DOES INDEED DISOWN .HIM. DO U THINK THE REV WAS TELLING US SOMETHING ???? HOW LONG BEFORE HE DISOWNS YOU . HE IS POLITICS AS USUAL WORDS NOTHING BEHIND THEM NO LOYALTY . 20 YEARS OF TRUST REV DISOWENED FOR OBAMAS PERSONEL AGENDAS I WOULD BE UPSET TOO

Posted by: AMERICAN | Apr 27, 2008 4:31:56 PM

I think Obama's refusal to debate, without moderators, shows very clearly that he is unfit for the job of President. You can't duck anytime you feel inadequate to the issues when you're in the White House. Obama knows when next to HRC he's outclassed. He's got no courage of his own.

Posted by: Wendy4Decency | Apr 27, 2008 4:32:05 PM

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