Obama considers skipping pre-primary debate in Ohio

[papau]

Source: AP



http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080207/UPDATES01/80207001


Obama considers skipping pre-primary debate in Ohio

DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Barack Obama is considering skipping the presidential primary debate scheduled for later this month in Ohio to instead spend time talking to voters, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

The U.S. senator from Illinois faces U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York in the March 4 primaries in Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island and Vermont.

CNN announced last week that it would partner with the Democratic party in Ohio to bring a debate to the perennial battleground state on Feb. 27.<snip>

Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson said Wednesday that the Clinton campaign would seek four debates with Obama between now and March 4.
<snip>


Read more: http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080207/UPDATES01/80207001

---

First it was the AARP debate,Thursday, September 20, 2007 where Biden, Clinton, Dodd, Edwards, and Richardson showed up - BUT NO OBAMA.

Now he is afraid of the already schedule one on one with Hillary in Ohio.

And this wimp named Obama wants to be commander in Chief?

(Mods - this is posted in late breaking news because it is late breaking news - and although about the primary I note other items "primary related" that are news - such as the Mich/FL delegate situation- is posted in LBN)

[ccpup]

1. yes, I'm sure the voters in the next Primary States

will be very impressed by a man who's afraid to debate the issues. Probably much easier for him to flash his smile, shake a hand, make the same ol' stump speech he's been making for months and Hope for Change.

[Lucinda]

6. Guess he's hoping this will be less damaging than risking a debate

We shall see....

[ccpup]

73. I don't think it' ll be less damaging.

He'll open himself up to looking cowardly and afraid of her (a girl) which could put doubts in the minds of fence-sitters who wonder how he'll handle the pressure of the Big Chair after he's charmed his way into the Oval Office with nothing but a thin resume, stirring rhetoric and a broad smile.

If he continues to resist debating her -- or taking part in town hall-type meetings -- the above could very well happen and he'll find himself defending his unwillingness to not take unscripted questions from everyday Americans.

[DJ13]

2. He should skip it

Depending on the format, the debates only help Hillary.

Let her twist in the wind.

[EnviroBat]

4. Plus, why should he help her with free advertising.

Let her pay for her air time.

[Lucinda]

8. You mean instead of the free advertising shes getting now about his not debating?

[anamandujano]

14. Case closed! Thank you!

.

[Apollo11]

60. "the debates only help Hillary" Why? Because she is smarter?

Because she can talk without pausing and going "uuuuhhh" the whole time?

Obama is some amazing candidate if he is afraid to debate his opponent.

I wonder how well that will work against John McCain in the fall???? :eyes:

[ursi]

3. Hillary spin working overtime!

http://laughingsquid.com/barack-obama-has-a-posse/

[bigworld]

5. well if he had already agreed to it, he'd best go.

[Imalittleteapot]

7. The "wimp" knows

where the votes come from and it's not from debates. I don't personally know anyone who watches debates other than myself and the people on this board. Obama is not a wimp. He's smart.

[papau]

12. Seen any photo's of Obama with a crowd of old folks - nope - they might hit him w/ their canes

[Imalittleteapot]

16. I'm an "old folk". And yes I have seen

older people in his crowds.

[murbley40]

28. I'm an "old folk" and yes I would like to hit him with my cane,

if I had one. I think he distorts as much as he accuses Hillary of doing.

[AZ Criminal JD]

44. Apparently you don't know too many people

There were 8.3 million people watching the last Clinton-Obama debate. That's not the Super Bowl but a good audience especially for a cable channel. I run into people all the time who have been watching the debates. I understand why Obama doesn't want to do it, though. He doesn't do well in any of the debate forms.

[LiberalFighter]

74. And I bet the reason why so many watched the debate was because they lived in those states

having the primaries or caucuses. Not everyone have the time or get the opportunity to attend an Obama or Clinton event.

I watched that debate because it involved so many states.

[stillcool]

9. Who would have thunk it?

Aug 18, 2007

Obama to turn down additional fall debates
By: Mike Allen
11:50 AM EST
Updated: August 19, 2007 08:34 AM EST
Aug 18, 2007
Obama will honor his commitment to eight more debates (five sanctioned by the Democratic National Committee, one by the Spanish-language broadcaster Univision and two in Iowa), but he does not plan to accept many invitations for forums, where the candidates appear sequentially.
-----------

"So far, Barack has attended seven Democratic debates and nineteen candidate forums. There are five remaining sanctioned DNC debates, which we are committed to attend and two Iowa debates normally held in January, which are being held in December, which we are also committed to attend. We will also be attending the Univision debate in Florida on September 9. This means that by the end of this year, Obama will have participated in a total of 15 Democratic debates.

"The debates have been important moments for our campaign, demonstrating clearly that Barack Obama is the candidate who will bring about the greatest change to our broken politics. Looking at the first sanctioned DNC debate in South Carolina, Obama was scored the clear winner by undecided voters in South Carolina and New Hampshire.

"Unfortunately, we simply cannot run the kind of campaign we want and need to, engaging with voters in the early states and February 5 states, if our schedule is dictated by dozens of forums and debates. Ultimately, the one group left out of the current schedule is the voters and they are the ones who ask the toughest questions and most deserve to have those questions answered face to face.

"Therefore, after this week, we will only be attending the five DNC debates through the sanctioning period of December 10, Univision, and the two Iowa debates previously mentioned. Candidate forums - where candidates appear sequentially will be considered, but we are unlikely to accept many of these. Instead, Barack will spend his time answering questions directly from voters in places like Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Nevada, and elsewhere. We simply cannot continue to hopscotch from forum to forum and run a campaign true to the bottom up movement for change that propelled Barack into this race.
--------------------------------------------------------------

"Many friends and terrific organizations are sponsoring or planning to sponsor debates and forums. So this is not an easy decision for us to execute. But it simply won't work to navigate this one by one. We felt we needed to make our approach clear and consistent.

"I think this approach will be better for the voters and the campaign."

[ramapo]

10. He should go

Skipping debates is bad form

[anamandujano]

11. That's one less PRESENT for Obama, one more SERMON for his flock.

.

[Avalux]

13. I'd rather he spend time on the ground than another debate rehashing the same stuff.

Why would he fear debating Hillary? He certainly has proven he can hold his own. The debate is a waste of time, IMHO.

[anamandujano]

15. He loses too much weight sweating.

.

[Imalittleteapot]

17. I totally agree.

I wish he'd come to my city.

[Avalux]

21. I'm hoping he comes to San Antonio.

With our majority Hispanic population, it would do him good to come here and reach out to them.

[Name removed]

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[9119495]

27. Plus, often times when he actually meets a voter, he gets their support

plus, the debates are free access to the public for the cash-strapped Clinton campaign.

[blayne]

29. Hillary is much smoother at the debates.

He fumbles around and isn't as good without the teleprompter. He is smart to skip as many as he can.

[Avalux]

32. Completely untrue. n/t

[JTFrog]

18. She's is broke and desperate. Obama hardly has anything to fear from someone begging for free

advertising.

Is there any late breaking news about this woman actually keeping one of her pledges? Fuck Fox News. Fuck Rupert Murdoch.

[EnviroBat]

31. Case Closed! Thank You!

You made my point. But my subject header is more directed at the smarmy smartass toward the top of this thread.

[MethuenProgressive]

19. He's finally figured out "Fired Up!?" and "Hope I'll Change!" aren't really good debate answers.

[midnight]

20. Well ,he better get some experience debating people he doesn't

want to debate. He needs the experience, if he wins the democratic primary, to debates against the Republican winner.

[JTFrog]

22. He's had 10 more times to experience debates than candidates in 2004. Thanks for your

concern. I know he'll do just fine against any rethuglican.

[godfather08]

23. Hillary's getting desperate

Hillary knows that the momentum is with Obama, so she is desperately trying to challenge him in every debate. She should be careful of what she wishes for. Obama has typically gained with each public appearance he makes, while Hillary, in comparison, just seems more unlikeable.

[bluestateguy]

24. Swell, just what we need, a debate over debates

Hillary is a good debater, but I don't see where she is any better than Obama at it such that many more debates would give her an advantage. I think she just wanted to propose an unreasonable number of debates so that Obama would refuse and then she would have an "issue" to use against him.

[The Croquist]

25. How many times have they debated already?

These two probably feel like the football star who is asked the same question a dozen times, by a dozen different reporters, right after the big game while he's trying to take a dump and get in the shower.
I'm a little surprised he's skipping it but it might be as simple as him not expecting to be competitive in Ohio. The most recent poll I can find, Columbus Dispatch 01/23 - 01/31 showed him down by 23%. Neither can be everywhere all at once.

[Botany]

26. Why should he?

He is winning so why should he help her out? If the situation
was reversed and Hillary had the cash, momentum, and was
on a roll of victories would she change what she is doing to
help out Obama?

BTW We have had 22,893 debates already.

[Zodiak]

41. YOU ARE WRONG!!!!!!

My wife says there has only been 7,312 Democratic primary debates this season.

You are clearly exaggerating.

:hi:

[Name removed]

61. Deleted message

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[FVZA_Colonel]

30. While a potential mistake, I'm not certain if yet another debate is necessary.

And it does not mean he will not attend one in the future.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

33. is he afraid to now debate policy differences...now that the honeymoon is over.?

[DiamondJay]

34. its cuz he's afraid of the issues

and just wants to bask in the media glow. OReilly even said it last night: "the medias behind obama"

[jedgarbauer]

58. "The Media Is behind Obama"

BWAAAAAAAAA!!! Sounds like the old right wing conspiracy nuts born of FAUX News.

GO BARACK GO!

GO BARACK GO!

GO BARACK GO!

Signed,

Original Reagan Voter
First Time Democratic Voter 2008
X BARACK OBAMA!!!!!

SCREW THE ESTABLISHMENT MEDIA, THE CLINTONS AND BUSH!!!!!

[Iceburg]

35. This doesn't look good /nt

[f the letter]

36. Man that is irritating

Especially when people's most legitimate concern about Obama is his lack of clarity on issues.. man go out and debate, what are you thinking?

Although the debates are horseshit too, in fairness. i can't believe what passes for debate today

[jedgarbauer]

55. 30 Minute Debate - China Or IRAQ

"i can't believe what passes for debate today"

EXACTLY.

Everything is 10 second sound-bites.

Hillary went from "cant get out of Iraq until 2013" when Russert pressed her to "get out within 60 days of being President" . . . and that's not questioned by the media????

OBama has been against the war all the long and yet you would think Hillary was in the same camp - she has voted to fund the damned war at least 3 times and Barack has voted to defund the war everytime it has come up.

The debate panel asks 30 different subject matter questions in a 1.5 hour debate. Let's have a 1.5 hour debate on one frickin issue so the politicians are not allowed to evade the questions!!!!

[Apollo11]

63. Hillary has a plan to end the war and bring the troops home.

She will start bringing troops home within 60 days of the inauguration.

But she has admitted it will take a while. Maybe 12 to 18 months.

Both candidates know that some American soldiers may have to remain in Iraq.

At a minimum - they will be needed to protect the US Embassy in Bagdad.

What you said about Obama's position is totally wrong and everyone knows it.

You wrote: "Barack has voted to defund the war everytime it has come up"

Uh - Say What!? :eyes:

[Name removed]

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[indimuse]

37. I think Hillary should just show up! Say answer the questions posed..

and there will be NO_Bama as usual! In fact I hope this does happen...then he will FINALLY be exposed as the Wimp he really is. Yeah..talk to our eneimes on day one...LIAR can't (WON'T)debate WHY he is better suited to run our country...great opportunity one on one to make your case!

[CANDO]

38. Campaign Mathematics 101

He is the rising challenger. She is the supposed front runner, yet she is the one seeking to debate??? This actually tells me Barack Obama is the real front runner and Hillary Clinton is getting desperate.

[Name removed]

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[avrdream]

39. Coward.

Can't even debate a GIRL!

[FunkyLeprechaun]

45. So Are you negating all the debates he's had with her

In the past?

Hmm?

[mzmolly]

40. He may have to debate McCain at some point, I hope he'll take time to brush up when he can?

:shrug:

[boricua79]

42. I'm sorry, but there's been ENOUGH debates

I've never seen so much political debates in my entire life, and it's only the primary season.

The only reason Hillary wants debates is to get free airtime. It's a desperate move.

Obama needs to focus on the bread and butter of reaching the voters, not grandstanding behind a podium.

I think people know where they stand. No more debates needed.

[FunkyLeprechaun]

46. I agree with you

I don't know why the Hillary supporters cannot see it. They seem to want to hold onto that imaginary front-runner status she has. Sure she's got "more delegates" but the upcoming primary season favours Obama greatly so I'm looking forward to it! :-)

[EFerrari]

53. No kidding. They're not even debates any more but

re-iterations. Enough already.

[JKaiser]

43. Obama reminds me of the way George Bush limited the debates with John Kerry...

Obama grows more and more arrogant everyday.

[FunkyLeprechaun]

47. Um no...

We've seen SO many debates. Why do you want MORE? I've seen the same questions rehashed over and over again. The primary season is about meeting with people.

And besides George Bush was already the Republican's nominee, as for the Democrats, John Kerry. It's comparing apples and oranges.

[JKaiser]

50. We have only seem them once together one-on-one debating.. What's Obama scared of

not apples an oranges.. He still has a lot of explaining to do! HE wants to do attack and run with ads.. Very Bushlike. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2004167029_apondeadlinesupertuesday06.html

[FunkyLeprechaun]

52. Do you seriously want Hillary to debate Obama?

She could use the time to meet up with people instead and talk to them, be personable.

Oh wait... she sends her daughter or Bill to speak for her...

[Name removed]

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[raebrek]

70. You know what might be interesting....at least to me?

I think it would be interesting to see a monthly debate with the same candidates and the exact same questions for say a 6 month period. I would be interested to see how their responses to the questions changed over time in that type of format. Oh yes, it would probably be boooriiiiiing but I have to wonder what the results would be.

Raebrek!!!

[ohio2007]

48. hillary needs to debate to get back into the race

Obama is driving miss daisy into the sunset

/sarc

[krabigirl]

49. I can't believe people agree with this move.

[stahbrett]

72. People like Hillary Clinton, who refused even one debate in her primary election in 2006?

It's funny how Hillary wanted to spend more time talking to voters and zero time debating her Democratic opponent before the primary election. :)

In the general election, she agreed to a whopping two elections against her Republican opponent - one on a Friday night, and one on a Sunday morning.

[psychopomp]

51. I like this move

It is a matter of campaigning to win at this point and that means getting out on the stump, pressing the flesh and addressing the voters' concerns at the local level. Sen. Clinton's campaign is trying to force Sen. Obama to help her get airtime when she is strapped for cash.

[Name removed]

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[Algorem]

56. Clinton, Obama to face off in Cleveland debate Feb. 26

http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2008/02/clinton_obama_to_face_off_in_c.html

Posted by Sabrina Eaton and Mark Naymik February 07, 2008 21:39PM


Ohio voters could get their only look at Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama together at a debate Feb. 26 at Cleveland State University.

Obama's campaign Thursday night announced that he had accepted an invitation from NBC News to the debate, to be moderated by Brian Williams and Tim Russert. His campaign also said he will participate in a debate in Texas, which shares Ohio's March 4 primary date.

Clinton's campaign Thursday night confirmed her participation in the Cleveland debate.

"We're glad Sen. Obama has decided to come around and join us in a debate," Clinton spokesman Isaac Baker said...

[Apollo11]

66. Good call by Barack! (if he has agreed to 2 more debates before March 4th)

I am glad Obama is not listening to his so-called supporters here on DU, many of whom are saying that they would be happy to see no more debates.

I think there should be 2 more televised debates between now and March 4th.

If there is one in Ohio and one in Texas - it seems OK to me.

Why should Ohio get 2 televised debates?

[SoCalDem]

62. Most media outlets already laid it all out.. It would save her money and waste his time

I can see why he chose to not "play that game".. Debates take time to prepare, and the upcoming caucuses & primaries favor him., so why waste time he could use better.. Traveling takes time, and there's a lot of open space between Washington State, Nebraska, Louisiana & the Potomac.

Her team already knows she's not favored in those states, so naturally,it would be to her advantage to bait him into debating (they are not really debates anyway)..

Perhaps she would be willing to debate just before the primaries where she's favored..Texas & Pennsylvania:)

[Apollo11]

67. You think the debates are a "waste of time"?

Refusing to debate with Hillary would be disrespecting undecided voters, in my opinion.

But it looks like Obama is ignoring your advice and will do 2 more debates before March 4th.

[SoCalDem]

68. Those were already in the works, I think..

Apparently some undecideds are still undecided as they enter the polling places, so perhaps the debates already done, were not that helpful :hi:

[raebrek]

71. I think that Senator Clinton is hoping that the coverage of

her repeatedly asking for debates with Senator Obama will be the coverage she needs. If he says no she plays it as "He is afraid to debate me". If he says yes she gets more free air time. Win win for Hillary.

Raebrek!!!

[SoCalDem]

75. I don;t see it as a win-win.. Every time anyone on the media

mentions it, they also allude to the "she loaned her campaign $5mil..she's running out of money..she's trying to trick Obama into more debates".. That cannot be seen as a win :(

[bklyncowgirl]

69. Not a good idea. He'll be painted as a wimp.

The only reason to avoid debates is if you are so far ahead it wouldn't make a difference anyway and you pretty much suck at debating. In Obama's case, neither of these reasons apply.

He should debate--besides--it's good advertisement for the Democratic party.

[Brrrp]

76. There have been 18 debates. It's good to give it a rest for a while.

[LiberalHeart]

77. What a nice slap in the face for Ohio.

Of course, it's not an important state when it comes to elections. Except for that last one where it was the state that determined the winner. And, well, every other election. This is an incredibly stupid move on Obama's part. If he's the candidate, you can be sure he'll be here. A lot. But he can't bother with us for the primary? Total BS.