Why waste the candidate time or the publics time with another debate. We are not learning anything new. The hatchet job that ABC's George Stephanopolous and Charles Gibson did with the debate the moderated in PA will probably make people not want to see another debate for a very long time. I don't blame either of the candidates if they didn't want to hold another debate.

Is this what is called democracy? Obama and the party do not want Hillary to win.

DNC party is going to split in Fall.

If Hillary wasn't so afraid of the original NC scheduled debate, this would have never happened.

Why did Hillary back out of the original one?

That is right - No sense anymore

Hillary rejected the original NC debate. The one that organizers had planned for months, but Hillary refused.

Now, she cries as she has done for months.

Poor Hillary, everyone is against her.

We need a leader, not a crybaby.

It's more and more clear that, some people who are less capable than Hillary want to control Hillary, or block her road.

Time constraints? If those feel time constraint, that means, they are capable in their position.

We need to elect a smart president this time, which is Hillary!

Sorry, typo:

Time constraints? If those feel time constraint, that means, they are NOT capable in their position.

Well Hillary should just buy air time to replay the best parts of the last debate.

Theoriginal one was two days after the last one, April 18th and was possibly the dumbest time anyone could possibly think of for that NC debate.

Yeah I think Hillary supporters want todo a better job of weeding out yuor co-horts... to read the posting from today...(and I'm just talking about today) about half of the postings (i.e. Nicholas and the like) aren't doing the Clinton campaign any favors.

They reinforce part of the Clinton image that is out of touch with every day Americans who don't "hate" like these guys.

If you are filled with anger and violence in your words...then you really aren't someone anyone is listening to.

LOLOLOLOLOL.

Can there be any doubt anymore how RIGGED this whole thing is? Once Obama looked horrible in a debate, they now CANCEL all the debates???

LOLLOL0LOLOL.

Regardless of whether they think they have a legitimate point, it looks TOTALLY RIGGED.

"We've now had 21," Obama said. "I could deliver Senator Clinton’s lines. I'm sure she could deliver mine." Sen. Obama.

I doubt that Sen. Clinton would cling to a statement about people clinging to guns and religion our of frustration only.

I doubt that Sen. Clinton would cling to the Rev. Wright's "Goddamn America" Sunday teachings.

T doubt that Sen. Clinton would give distintion to a Professor who had previously bombed government buildings.

I am sure that Sen. Clinton has other things she would say than you Sen. Obama. Please, stop acting like a teen ager with your gesturers in your rallies. You demean the dignity of a gentlemen which you should be bearing.

BO is afraid of debates, when real questions are asked toward him. Now that he could not simply say "me too" or "I agree", he started saying no more debates. BO never agreed on a debate that he was trailing in the polls.

Such a hypocrisy is just like his attitude towards counting votes in Florida and Michigan.

It is regretable that NBC may be paying the price for ABC's unbalanced debate performance.
What is even more distrubing was the Stephanopoulos Sunday show where he clearly demonstrated his relapse into political apparatchik rather than journalist.
George's gathering of his ABC colleagues all trumpting the same party line was reminiscent of his ferocious defenses of the President back in the Monica days.
There was no attempt at objectivity. No inkling of a divergent viewpoint. On this particular issue we might as well have been watching Putin television in Russia; there was no room for criticism.
Stephanoupolos even edited Obama video
for the sole purpose of buttressing his defense versus informing the public.
Not one guests accurately responded to Obama's criticism. Which simply was the debate lack "balance" between the personal and policy issues. Not that he shouldn't be asked any hot button questions.
And many media and journalism professionals agree with him. Let's hope if ABC ever has the opportunity to host a debate again that its sense of balance in regard to the kind of questions it selects will be more balanced.
And lastly it would also be an improvement if the ABC moderators would be at least as diverse as the candidates they are hosting. That in and of itself will go a long way toward improving the situation.

If Obama would have hit her hard on that last debate you Hillary people would have said he was not going by his "change" policy and would have been upset about it. The man cannot win with you guys. Clinton has done more crying then any politician I have every seen in my lifetime.

Anyone ever notice how Obama tries to brush off anything that doesnt go his way with DISTAIN.

Anyone challenging his character. Anyone who makes him look bad. Its not that he defends himself or stands up to it.

He consistently tries to BLOW IT OFF as the person questioning him is BENEATH HIM and he is above reproach.

Just like Obama doesnt seem to have any use for debates anymore , so that should be the end of it.

The great Obama has spoken.

Congratulations on your excellent primary debate. I am a retired professor of communications and consider Gibson and Stephanopolous the best questioners so far in this primary contest. For a change, the debate was interesting and dealt with subjects this Ph.D. voter wanted covered, The criticisms are coming from leftist partisans who are not happy that the debate elicited important information and attitudes from Clinton and Obama.

Serious viewers are grateful for an informative evening.

McHenry - Man, you are obviously ashamed of your BO's performance. I do not blame you! But, ff he was the kind of material, material to be a president, he should stand up and defend himself. It does not need cry babies like he himself and you to complain and whin. Do we need a whinning president? If BO could not defend or even explain his big problems, you expect him to defend the country???

Talking about objectivity, we did not hear you complaining about MSNBC's bunch who are tingling down their legs when they hear Obama talking.

A 22nd debate sounds like a great chance for the good people of NC to hear directly from the candidates; especially when you're running a campaign that is practically broke... Shame on you Senator Clinton for trying to drum up more freebie's!

We don't need any other debate. We have gotten enough of all these so called divisive debates and I don't think it's helping the party.

Furthermore, the author of this article, refused to mention that Obama accepted an earlier debate for the 19th of April, which HRC refused after a month and then proposed another one for the 27th. So she has refused one before as well and no one cried foul - Enough of all these gutter politics... Lets campaign and stop using debates for publicity.

After cozying-up w/ the right, to get them to go after Obama, she forgot, they will come after her as well -

Callie, SB

Good points.
Thanks

Well, I guess he can only do debate on the ad which is about attacking Hillary or do the debate on his darling networks either CNN or MSNBC.

Honestly... read the response from the clinton camp. These guys are making a mockery of our democracy. Will they ever tell the truth. What about the fact that they did not respond to an earlier debate for a month and ended up, setting a new date? Did the Obama camp. release any memo to that effect?

I think Dean should show some leadership and bring this whole thing to an end.

After the ABC debate, it would not be in Obama's best interests to give Clinton that much more free air time to see how low can we go.

Kanobi11: April 19th was the first night of Passover - we know Obama doesn't care about Jewish voters watching, but Hillary does. Out of respect for her Jewish constituents, Hillary asked to move the date of the debate to another evening. Seems reasonable to most people. Would you have them schedule a debate say on Christmas? Hillary will debate 50 times if that's what it takes to show the American people that she will fight for them, stand up for them and she won't whine and cry "this is too hard", "we've had enough debates" because Hillary believes that Americans have a right to hear from their leaders, unlike Obama who holds us in contempt.

He has got to be able to debate. McCain won't let him off the hook on that one.
He has got to be able to answer tough questions, whether they be big or small, tough or easy, when they effect his credibility as a President.
This is not how any great leader leads. NOT ONE.

If he can't take questions from a media that is so in the tank for him and a jab from a fellow Democrat, GOOD LUCK winning in November when the media climbs out of its Trojan Horse and the Republican machine starts to bring up every unsavory item that the Clinton campaign hasn't wanted to touch. Only $100,000 of the Rezko money was every donated to charity ... what happened to the rest of it?

I guess the Democrats really don't like having a president in the Oval office!

What's this? Obama is afraid to debate? Where is this guy's backbone? Afraid of an ol lady, please..

21 debates and Hillary had a rough time in all of them, but she keeps going.

1 debate and Obama got shaken up a little, and that's it no more debates they are a waste of time and he's tired lol

What a strong man for President lol

I think 21 debates is more than enough. What issues are left to talk about.

These debates won't accomplish anything. The people of North Carolina are just as tired of the bickering as everyone else. These statements from the Clinton campaign reek of BS.

IF that is the case and he becomes the nominee then be better not debate McCain, because we had months of hearing him, over and over so what else can he say then.

There is nothing special about Obama. He has memorized lines to the issues, same ole, same ole. Obama is getting old, fast. His image that he created for himself is like an role in a movie film. He cant answer tough questions, just repeat the same memorized lines with pauses in between. umm, anddd, sooo, ect. Watch him enough and you see there is nothing new that comes out of his mind about anything. He is no leader, has no solutions to problems, just speaches. My first que to this was questions about his Rev Wright. He told reporters he was giving a speach tomorrow. I dont want to hear a speach, I want answers to questions. This seems to be a down fall of his. Makes you think what real knowledge he has in his mind. His well crafted image is old news now. He has only had the advantage in the fact that many people didnt know anything about him. Now they are begining to learn, and they dont like him.

OK America, here is another red flag from OBAMA. NO to another debate. He can't handle the tough questions of ABC, how can he handle the WHITE HOUSE? We must have accountablity for America!

I am sick of the debates between Hillary and Obama. I am hoping to see an Obama and McCain debate. I wonder if McCain would be able to hold his temper

And Obama wants to be president but can not do another debate? When things get difficult in the White House will he have other plans too? And some people want him to be the next president. Be careful what you wish for!!!!

It is clear to me that Obama and the DNC are afraid that more debates will further erode his aura. Hillary has been bashed and trashed in most of the debates and was asked some very stupid questions. Do you all remember the diamonds or pearls? How about the UFO question to Dennis Kucinich. All the present Obama supporters said nothing when it benefitted Obama but now that their chosen one performed horribly, it's time to attack the moderators. They are hypocrites, phonies and frauds just like their chosen one.

Why debate when you can spend some more vacation time in the Virgin Islands? Campaigning is just too tough for cry baby obambi!!!

It's just another "why cant I just eat my waffle?" moment from Obama, the media will no longer be able to ask him the heavy stuff. lol

Obama just has to many waffles in those debates and needs to take a time out lol lol

time constraints, my ###. obama got his clock cleaned in pennsylvania so he chickens out.

sort of like his "can't i just eat my waffle" answer when a reported today asked him a question about hamas.

chicken, chicken, chicken.

his chickens will come home to roost.

rs, he took his family there for his kids spring break. What's wrong with spending time with your young children. Find something else to complain about

If I remember correctly, it was Senator Obama who first proposed an NC debate, but Hill ignored it and delayed things and then did't like his date. Had she agreed to the debate earlier, there might have been less logistical problems.

Hillary is scared to speak to people of NC FACED TO FACE DIRECTLY in the campaing trail..... so she preferes debate to hide behind the television while lying and making hypocritical statements, and avoid the wrath of publiic response to those.

Good! if americans don't know who they support after 15 months of campaigning and 21 debates they deserve to vote. The pundits and media will keep us informed on the dirt,trust me! Hillary is getting enough free media attention anyways!

Obama 08!

Obama has more superdelegates to back up him in this state so they're afraid he might make a mistake in this debate. Therefore, they can cancel the debate. I think we should more debates about economy, iraq war and health care so the voters of NC and Indiana can make up their mind.

Attention America- We at the Oabma Camp realize that our candidate cannot perform well in a debate, so we will cancel all future debates to protect Sen. Obama from revealing his true self, which is a novice politician with no impromptu speaking skills. Thank You for your attention to this matter.

Brack Obama hates the rust belt becuase he wouldn't survive in it;
when he needs a new alternator, he doesn't figure out how to replace it, he just has the old alternator cancel the problem. It's bad for his unity.

This looks terrible for Senator Obama...run Barack run.............

I guess he got out of the kitchen!!!!

Ed....chill.....Senator Obama never answered whether he would accept. With the date closing in, the democratic party had to cancel without Senator Obama verifing he would show up. Sylvi's right....it got too hot in the kitchen!!

It does look bad for him, its paints a picture of him being weak and unable to handle a hard line of questioning.

We all heard his mess up the question on the capital gains tax increase, so he want to avoid question on the economy, I really don't know how he is going to get around that one if he has to face McCain.

As a matter of fact how is he going to answer anything if that happens, if he think that line of questioning was harsh he has not seen anything yet. lol

well sylvia...if my memory serves me correct...which it does this time...it was Hillary who about a month and a half ago would not commit to NC.....oh I forgot..women have a right to change their mind....

out of respect for Passover? Are you serious? When has Hillary shown respect for anything in this campaign?

He is afraid, because he does not know enough to stand on his own two feet and think. His forte is spinning words and soundbites or delivering a scripted speech. Does Deval Patrick's speech ring a bell? There is no way that he has enough knowledge and experience on the issues to debate anyone. Hillary is the one who has the knowledge, experience, and toughness to find the solutions and fix the problems. That is so evident to so many Americans. His rhetoric about change and hope and unity and changing the ways of Washington are just soundbites and "clanging symbols". We are fools to believe he is who he says he is, rather than the person whose spiritual mentor of 20 years is Rev. Wright, and the person who has been continually close to Rezko for 17 years. Debates reveal his lack of knowledge and experience. Perhaps, he is right--we have seen enough.

knowledge and experience? for what? knowing how to lie and deceive?

I was a strong Clinton supporter...even through Lewinsky....he did a lot of good for the country.

this campaign, however has shown them both to be who they really are. people with such bruised egos that they will do anything(including destroying the chances of the party in November) to try and re-affirm how good they are. Their campaign has been despicable. As a life long democrat I would stay home before voting for another Clinton....

Fortunately, that won't be necessary.

Well we all know where you stand Oldspice. And anybody how still wears "Oldspice" must have been married to a Coal Miners daughter. So what your saying you don't like anybody who drinks Kool-Aid. Most of my family is from Scranton and Carbondale and work in the coal mines friend and when they came how from the mines they were as black as any black person, but I didn't love them any less. Its over buddy you just have to live with a man who drinks Kool-Aide while sitting behind the Oval Desk.

It might have been canceled because Couric is going to be canned. CBS could not promote a debate with Couric as moderator if CBS has already told Couric her days were numbered. She would be a loose cannon. Besides I see her as lazy and prone to propaganda and listless question lines like those emtpy suits, Gibson and Stephanopuos.

No matter how much debate has been held. It is always the last one that counts most.

OBAMA is skittish.

Hillary has been grilled by the media for months and never quit. Now OBAMA once showed his flip side in a debate and He quits.

There are many more questions that need to ask about him; not the routine flashy questions but questions that people want to know.

Who are you? OBAMA. A forever loser if he runs from debates. There is no place for politicians like him. He finishes as a loser................

SORRY TO MISSPELLED TWO WORDS NEEDED TO PUT WHO AND HOME BUT HEY WE ALL CAN'T BE AS HONEST AS HILLARY CAN WE.

I bet you that this guy is running away for vacation again because he can't stomach for a hard working election.

He just wants a dream house, a dream election and a dream presidency at the cost of people.

This dreams is changing to nightmare for his supporters.

There are many more questions that American wants to know about him personally before electing him into WHITE HOUSE, to be a global disaster.

Well John Lai its all over for you guys so why don't you look at what is left for Hillery and McCain nothing buddy. We've had the Clinton's and the Bush's in the White House for 20 years do you really think we need another Clinton in there for another 8 years get real pal get on the OBAMA wagon. MCain is just another extension of Bush.

This is a totally unbelievable election season.I say we just anointed Obama king and get on with life. After all that's what we did in 2000 and 2004. Obama and his supporters make me puke!!

Ed, the chance for the Party in November is nil, if Obama is the nominee. Looking at the three candidates, we need someone with experience and knowledge. I am afraid that O comes in at the bottom. Like me, take another look at McCain, or Nader, or a write-in? I,too, supported the Clintons, and found them to be very capable and intelligent. Experience does really count with me. If we really are going to get "change", the only way to really get it is to elect the members of Congress who share your values. We need enough majority votes to overide vetos. Leadership does count, but we do not need another President who does not know enough about history, foreign relationships, or knowledge of the issues. We do not need the weaknesses like those evident in the current President.

Obama is afraid! what a chicken candidate.

He's definitely not ready.

Clinton is more pathetic and desperate than anyone imagined. Keep it up Clinton and Obama won't even have to work at beating you. The party will get behind him and then you can once again cry. Blah, Blah, Blah,
Bye Hillary.

I guess he can not serve his food that he cooked in the kitchen because it got burned.

Girls win. I love it! His handlers should be afraid to let him show up for a debate. The last one was the worst to date for Obama. Stutter, stumble, fall. Stutter, stumble, fall. Squint, squirm, stutter, stumble and fall. Over and over and over. It had to be soooo bad for the male cast of characters that press his case despite his ineptness. And all the whining. Gee, grow up, male press and Obama.
It’s great to leave it like that. That image is a great way to end the Obama run. Maybe now after he fails to close PA, IN and NC he will stop dividing the dems and drop out. No big wins in the need to close states. Sad day for the Dems if the boys give it to him.

First, he agreed to take public finance and then after he found out he can raise lots of money, he refuses it.
Are you own this election?

I want you to promise though,
when he loses, please do NOT send him back to Illinois!

Thank you.

Obama can't afford to loose a debate in north Carolina and he knows it. SHAME ON YOU OBAMA

Good Lord, give it up Hillary Clinton. With Democrats like you - and your ABC enablers, who needs Republicans? HRC may like trash television and faux news but most Americans don't, despite what those corporates tell you.

Are you Clinton supporters for real or are you from another planet???

Wake up, people! Hillary is a liar and a fraud! Hello??? If Sen. Obama dares to dignify that woman with another debate he'd lose my respect. Hillary's agenda is clear--

A) Destroy the Democratic Party
B) Support John McBush in his run for office
C) Run for President in 2012 since McBush is too old to serve more than one term

Anyone who supports that woman has no interest in saving the Democratic Party.

Obama 2008!!!!

@calli,

I understand your point about the Jewish passover, and I deeply respect and observe the passover myself, but why was the fact that she has cancelled a previous debate not mentioned in the article above.

Btw: If HRC respects the Jewish passover as you claim, why was she campaigning on that day. She had a fund-raiser that same day and Chelsea was out campaigning w/ Ed Rendell at Gay bar circuits in PA.

So she will not debate on that day because it's a Jewish passwover, but she will campaign and even allow chelsea to campaign w/ Ed Rendell at the gar bar circuits in PA. I think Americans are too enlightened for this nonsense. Dean should show some leadership, and bring this whole circus to an end.

It's never been a
debate. What I've seen
is a press conference
run by spokes models
for ABC et al. No great
loss.

"A planned April 27 Democratic debate in North Carolina has been canceled by its sponsors, taking pressure off Sen. Barack Obama to commit to another forum with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton."

Right. It would have nothing to do with the fact that NC Dems are afraid of another ABC debacle.

Why did you wait 63 minutes to ask what you yourselves called the most important question on the voters' minds, and the closest thing to policy?

I don't care about Bosnia. I don't care about Rev. Wright. I care that gas is at $4.

Is isn't enough you spend so much of your daily political coverage on "gotchas" against all three candidates, rather than actually compare their plans? Once you actually get them face to face, we have to sit through all of it again?

Sure, it's not sexy, but it's a hell of a lot more important than "How close was Hillary to sniper fire?" "Why don't you wear a flag pin?" If their plans are so similar, then isn't pointing out where they differ even *more* important?

And it sounds like that the retired professor who commented above needs to go back to journalism school. Maybe he and George S. can form a study group.

Broadcast and cable news is getting downright silly, and is most responsible for the pandering crap that we call a political process.

November can't come fast enough, even if the person I support isn't elected, at least I won't have to sit through this anymore.

Why debate. The hatched men from ABC. Hillary's old friends for years are not
playing an honest deal.
How about putting Hillary under the bus ??? She gives small excerps of things Obama said , not the whole story, she lies and lies and lies and so does Bill. Some things never change. They lied 10 years ago and he still lie. Obama is a Breath of Fresh Air something Washington sorely needs . Otherwise we will have the same old same old same old. And nothing will ever change.Senator Barrack Obama is the chance of a lifetime. Don't blow it.

I'm so tired of Hillary's whining and complaining...First, she cried on TV and got out the studpid women who fell for her "victimization" in New Hampshire, then she played the gender card, "Why I'm always asked the first question."; and after deciding NOT to debate in NC months ago when she didn't think she needed the state, now she's demanding a debate after 21 previous debates. If Hillary is so smart why can't she add up the numbers and get out of the race?! She just needs to leave and take Bill with her..His legacy has been blown over his ambition to get back in the White House..

Clinton is right. The problem with previous debates is that the media pundits who run them ask all the wrong questions most of the time. Voters deserve to hear the candidates debate issues that matter to them - not all the scuttlebutt. Obama is being a chicken because after all this time he still cannot debate effectively. I ignore all the stupid questions and listen for the real ones. We need a ood national debate about each of the items proposed by each candidate and how they intend to fund each one. That would be a subtantive debate that would benefit the country.

Oh and by the way, Clinton won PA, double digits, overtook Obama in the popular vote, and cut into demographics previously considered Obama strongholds. Examine the exit polls and see for yourself just how significant this win is in terms of electability!

Obama is a coward and can not deal with real questions
he would make a lousy president and I will never vote for him

When the first debate ended I hoped that they would get better but that didn't happen and worst of all so many were thrown at us that I'm afraid that the Media overdid it and the results is that the debates will never be the same again.
We don't need them, heck we have many ways of keeping abreast of our candidates. Besides who wants or needs some well dressed Media Type influencing our votes.

Maybe people are beginning to get a little nervous about sending a candidate to the WH based on such a thin resume and little experience. Another debate, where he doe not fare as well as the policy wonk, may just succeed in the superdelegates placing their support in Hillary. This is a man running away from the spotlight.