Have the republicans run ads claiming Obama was a muslim, yes.
ads saying he was unpatriotic, yes.
ads saying he has militant friends, yes.
ads saying his wife was un-american, yes.
ads alluding to his being, black, yes.

I think they're trying to scare people, don't you? Obama was correct in his statement.

Dan, a coffee can full of change is ALL you'll have after a McCain term.

To those wondering what happened to the civilized campaign McCain promised to run, here's what's up: 3 weeks ago, McCain promoted Rick Davis, a longtime friend and protege of Karl Rove, to run his campaign. In 2004, Davis authored an article for the Boston Globe (available online still 3/21/04 is the date) entitled "Anatomy of a Smear Campaign," in which he said, among other things: "The reason the blackest of the dark arts is likely to continue is simple: it works," and further, "It's not necessary for a smear to be true to be effective." John McCain has sold his soul. Period. The Straight-Talk is no more.

Obama can't risk looking like the inexperienced fool that he is AGAIN in debates. People are getting sick of his crap. So sick, in fact, that a lot of lifelong dems are having to vote another party. And don't give me that garbage "sounds republican" because it's the truth. Obama and the DNC have turned off millions of REAL democrats.

I'd rather have a humble leader, not a grandiose celebrity.

Did McCain ever offer an explanation why he refused a town hall meeting with Obama on July 4? I thought McCain wanted to see what it is like to talk to a large crowd - but he refused Obama's offer for a joint town hall meeting.

What was McCain's excuse?

McCain was one of the Keating 5, who helped to deregulate the Savings and loans and cost the American in the billions of dollars. We cannot have another BUSH in office especially one that has so much history of corruption. VOTE OBAMA

JA:

You've got it wrong. Obama wants debates McCain wants no debates.

I think they should debate as much as they can before the election to see who can really take the heat. McCain should be very happy that Obama wants to debate in this way we can all see their true colors and I don't mean the color of their skin either that is an automatic unless you are blind and can't see. I just need to see how their nerves are under the gun.
To tell the truth I don't trust either one with my life but we are stuck with them so we have to make a choice and that is a fact.
MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF US NOW AND FOREVER AS I AM SURE HE WILL!!!

why is Mr. Magoo married to the town hall format?

shouldn't the candidates participate in a series of in-depth debates moderated by experienced journalists?

what's the fascination with softballs lobbed by supporters?

The counteroffer by Obama's campaign was to do a town hall meeting on the 4th of July, which is completely insulting to the American people. Do they think we're really that stupid? They made that counteroffer, because THEY KNEW that very few people would watch a "town hall" on the 4th of July, on a FRIDAY, I might add. No wonder McCain's camp didn't respond!

As far as the time being short between now and November, what does that have to do with anything? Seeing the two candidates together would help citizens make up their minds quicker, don't ya think? This is more of the blame game, politics as usual, continuation and perpetuation of the same blah, blah, blah...

The "town-hall" negotiation is all just jockeying for tactical advantage. the McCain campaign thinks that town-hall meetings so they think it will be advantageous for him to have lots of them. The Obama campaign will therefore obviously NOT do it. Duh.

They will have their debates. No one is "afraid." Both are intelligent and knowledgable men. I just hope the debate formats will give them an opportunity to display that. This should not be about trying to make theother guy look bad. It should be about the future of our country.

yeah. Hillary got a lot of mileage on this issue as well. Also this doesn't sound like a proposal from a McCain. Proposals are made in a more respectable manner and made in private. This was broadcast to the nation on McCain's terms.

I would accept either.

I am sure McCain knew he wouldn't accept either. Now he can bellyache all summer long into the fall about obama didn't want to meet him face to face. the commissioned debates are enough for me.

Town hall settings are more McCain's speed.

The key to winning anything is to try and thwart the strengths of the opponent. McCain is doing this quite well by trying to diminish the popularity of Obama (Paris and Britney) and trying to diminish his inspired message (Moses) parting the red sea.

Its all politcs. Get a grip people

OBAMA 08

It sounds like Obama is being forced into these debates. What is he afraid of? His campaign is right on the mark. What a waste of time and money, becuase they are going to lose anyway.
Just say No to O!

It's all politics. Get a grip people

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Thanks for the brilliant insight. I thought it was something else.

It is the Bush-McCain campaign that is playing it the way Bush did. Lies, negativity, avoiding the real issues, all from the Rove playbook.

Dan Rains-

Ageism is just as bad as racism and sexism. Thanks for showing your ignorance.

Okay,this should shut up all the people complaining that Obama wont debate.

I hear that the McCain campaign had a ad at the ready to use against Obama if he WOULD have visited the troops at Landstul GE.

Below road politics in action

young_voter

The problem is that Obama actually does THINK on his feet. Most politicians would just start talking and keep talking becuase they think it is more important to look confident than to actually say something intelligent. Or they just move something they have prepared whether it has anything to do with the question or not.

Obama makes the mistake of actually trying to answer the question, and figuring out the best way to answer while he is talking, even if he has to stop and start over. I assume he will learn not to do that, because Americans do not want to see anyone thinking. It makes them suspicious.

Wow, Obama agreed with the same format that all the other elections have used...see, he DOES want to debate.

It seems fairly clear that Obama does not want to perform in an unscripted setting. McCain is obviously going to agree to do the standard debates, but also wants Obama to participate where McCain is a better performer. The fact that Obama refused to seriously entertain the idea shows weakness.

I mean, I think there is an online petition out there to encourage Obama to refuse to go to a town hall meeting? Does that not sound kind of wimpy and ridiculous?