I would like to see Obama do a long town hall discussion format, like Hillary did.

[Bongo Prophet]

Senator Clinton is at her very best when doing question/answer sessions in a town hall style. It "humanizes" her, showing that she is in command of details and has the ability to make policy understandable to to the voters. (I don't like the implications of "humanize" but so many have a media-fed bias about this, and she does well to dismiss that once you see her in action.)

So far, Senator Obama has proven to be a great inspirational speaker, and a very informative lecturer. But I have not seen him in a casual "ask me anything" format.

His detractors dismiss the lectures, and his teaching skills, focusing on the "cultlike" rallies. This is as stupid as the "crying" thing, in my opinion, but I think there is a need to see more detailed explanations of his policies. We can't all read their sites and position papers - it has to be explained to voters in a personable and clear way.

If he wants to dissuade this notion, fairly or unfairly, of lacking substance, this town hall format could go a long way in proving how skilled he is (or not) in this format.

I suspect McCain would not do well thinking on his feet, and it could be a factor to our advantage in the general.

What do you people think?
Anyone know how to make this happen besides an email to the website? (done)
Can we get through this thread without childish attacks and one-liners from either side?

I have to go, but will check back later.

[MADem]

Not a good format for him, though.

He comes off as testy and impatient. Even at press conferences, it's obvious he'd rather be elsewhere.

He likes the "pulpit style" speaking. The "big room."

[KittyWampus]

8. Note: Edwards and Obama both won Iowa voters over by answering questions in the "small room"

Where was Hillary in Iowa?

planting questions TWICE.

[MADem]

24. Why isn't he doing it now? Why the creepy/ominous cultish rallies?

Even if he answered questions in a LARGE venue, it would be better than the Hope-Change-Transformation nonspecific mantra he's shopping now.

I'm sorry. I've tried to listen objectively. I really have.

I am just not MOVED.

He sounds like a bullshitter to me. Reagan did, too. No wonder there's an affinity!

[Bongo Prophet]

27. That is why I am looking - I have found substance in the position papers, etc

But was wondering how he would do in a different setup.
each format reveals different things, and so on - each candidate has their strengths as another poster said.
A trial lawyer, corporate lawyer and constitutional professor will all have their own style of both processing and relating data.

it's okay by me if you don't like it, I know you are coming from an honest POV, and if I remember correctly, you liked Edwards, who I also have both respect and reservations about, as I do with all of them. People said John is a bullshitter, too - the "phony" thing - but man, that could be said of any politician, salesman, and so on. We have limited choices, and have to do our due diligence, and make what we can of them.

I would certainly not look for definitive substance in these things, more of a test of connecting to people, and explaining positions. So really, just a small part of the puzzle.

Off for more of the myspace thing. Then I may hit Hillary's - and John's, if it doesn't make me too sad. He brought a lot to this thing, as poverty and class related issues are extremely central to me.

Thanks for your input, MADem. :hi:

[Bongo Prophet]

10. I have not seen him in that format, and so wouldn't know.

Has he ever done one?
It sounds like you may have seen one, and I missed it - just would like to see more than rallies. I think it is a valid thing to ask - the whole critique of him as nothing more than a speech could be mitigated by good, personable one to one exchanges.

I think Edwards would have been (would be) good at that too, because he really connects with people. I got a bit tired of "two Americas" in 04 because it barely changed over months, and a similar thing happened this round. if he had done something along those lines, he might have done better.

Oh well, never know.

[MADem]

23. Edit--answered question in wrong place!!!

They aired a press conference he did earlier this morning. He sounded like he wanted to be anywhere but there.

His answers were, in some cases, brusque.

[polichick]

1. I think they should do what comes naturally...

Different formats and styles appeal to different voters ~ that's as it should be.

[Bongo Prophet]

4. That's fair, i think he might be naturally good at it.

If he decides not to, that is fine, and his choice of course.
For most of our history we have had orators and long debates, letters and radio addresses, etc.

I just think he has a good casual style, and could show voters another aspect of that.

[polichick]

9. I think he'd be good at it too...

My guess is Obama has time and geography constraints ~ while Hillary is already known all over the world, Barack still has to cover a lot of ground for Americans to feel they know him. A town hall meeting only lets a few hundred see him close-up, while the big events touch tens of thousands.

(I must admit that I'm partial to the big wild events that inspire ~ LOVED Dean rallies!)

[ursi]

2. I didn't watch Clinton bloviating and I wouldn't watch Obama do it either

[Bongo Prophet]

5. Okay, you made me laugh. i will put you down as a no.

Or maybe a hell, no. ;)

[Straight Shooter]

3. He can't do it. He needs to get a crowd worked up to get into his element.

He feeds off his audiences. You can't do that in a small venue, you just can't. He would look weak, like the hot air gone out of his balloon. His handlers know this. That's why they stage celebrity-studded rallies whenever possible.

[ellacott]

6. He did it frequently in Iowa with no problems

He did win in Iowa.

[Bongo Prophet]

14. So you have seen him do so? You must have, since you are sure of this.

So, you're saying he is like a stadium rock star, not a folk singer. :)
i won't ask whether you'd characterize him as more Pete Townsend or Peter Frampton...

:hide:


If you can remember where you saw him (not) doing it, give me a clue - I'd appreciate it, Straight Shooter...
I'll go looking on you tube or something.

[ellacott]

19. I saw him on CSPAN

I don't have links but it's probably still on their site.

I thought he was good. I can't characterize him according to your examples because I don't put him in those categories.

[Bongo Prophet]

28. Sorry i missed that, but thanks for the tip - will look for it. Thank you!

Oh, the stadium thing was just riffing on the rrom size. Trying to keep it light, because I don't want us to flame each other, just share info and thoughts.
As a music lover, there is often discussion of how venue affects performance, and some styles work better in different venues.
Blues works best in a bar, not a stadium, as example.

(to me Townsend = master, Frampton = hype)

[Diane R]

7. Did Hillary do a real townhall meeting, or were her questions planned in advance?

[ellacott]

11. Good question n/t

[Bongo Prophet]

15. I don't know, but the questions were pretty good - MUCH better than the "pros"

Maybe she had them beforehand, etc - but I am not dealing in conjecture as to that right now.
It is always a good question, esp after Bush's earpiece BS.

if we were doing a sealed envelope, each question asked of every candidate, without them hearing each others' answers, and on and on, then maybe we could rule out shenanigans. Without that, we honestly don't know.

[Connie_Corleone]

12. He's done townhall meetings many times before.

C-Span and cable news only covers his rallies.

[Bongo Prophet]

16. Thanks Connie, I will check. If I find a link I will come back and post.

C-span shows much more than cable, but yeh, not everything.

If you have any clues, like iowa in October or whatever, it will be appreciated.

Thanks for the input - off to go looking google video and youtube, maybe current...

[Bongo Prophet]

25. Okay, I am a media pro, so it's embarrassing that I didn't just find this before the OP

Now, some of the videos listed as "town halls" were not, but I had been told that he "never did those, because he can't" a few times.... I usually follow up on my own, but have been reading and comparing, while c-span or Olbermann or whatnot was on, so I never did a deeper search in google. Just put it off. silly me. google is once again my friend. And you too, Connie :)

i don't know whether those who told me that never did that sort of thing didn't know about them, or had an agenda, or what. But there are plenty of clips to look at. i will check them out and post back some representative ones, filter out the edited rallies, etc.

Again, an important point - people tell you something about a candidate X or Y - check it out for yourself.
:blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :blush: :dunce: :dunce: :dunce: :dunce:

Mostly excerpts, probably due to upload limits (usually 10 min, on youtube and the like, longer on google video)
His detractors would probably say that is because he can't DO over 10 minutes without being wound up, or the room is too small, or the temperature was too high or low. So it goes.
So far, he doesn't seem bored or agitated. I guess that is a judgment call.

For now - the hideous "Myspace" - haven't watched this yet, may be fluff. This is a 20 part town hall style, and there are other candidates in same format, so i might have something to make comparisons... The Mtv hype is a bit much, to say the least - ain't it always, yo? But it is alive and representative to what the general election could be. It doesn't even really start until part 3, and you have to click a new part manually each time, no freakin' playlist...

Imagine McCain doing this? Well, it looks like they have him too. Those GREAT jokes of McCain's will really appeal to the youth, I'll bet.

http://www.myspace.com/election2008
I have a few tabs open with links, so i better watch some - thanks for your help, DUers!

[Shine]

13. I completely agree.

It would go a long way towards answering claims of not being "substantive" enough.

He talks a good game, but some of us want more specifics.

I voted Edwards, for the record. :D

:hi:

[ProgressIn2008]

17. I absolutely agree -- it would be the best way to shut down

people's reservations about style-over-substance. If he can talk effectively and substantively to a group of people -- the guy down the road who lost his job, the woman who is having problems with her insurance company, the single mother who can't afford gas -- he could dispel the doubts.

I'm one of those people who is pretty consumed with health insurance fears right now. Couldn't give a shit about inspiration and nice speeches. Really care about not ending up in the poor house talking care of family.

If nothing else, seeing how he handles being grilled by folks without the power of the bully pulpit, where he talks and we ooh and ahh -- that would tell me a lot. He may well excel and win me over. I'd watch him in a town hall, absolutely.

[Bongo Prophet]

26. Exactly right - I have a link that I need to watch, posted upthread...

it won't be as tough or thorough as either of us would like - just a start of my search.


your point about substance over inspiration is an important one.
Health insurance? What's that? I hear you, as a self employed pre-diabetic with zero health care, it's kind of important.
I am a single-payer advocate, but any way to get what we can, I will take.

I do recognize the ability to inspire is extremely important in leading, and especially in bypassing old vestiges of the right wing propaganda, and just getting people to feel unthreatened by changes needed going forward. Establishing trust is necessary to even get elected, and without that it is just academic and horrific.

I haven't slept since about 2 am last night, so I am burnt. But I will add more if I find more, so you might want to bookmark.
Also please add anything you see that fits the bill -I think we are both wanting the same thing.

[calmblueocean]

18. I think you are 100% right here. Absolutely.

Whether he shines as host or not, it's the best way to start getting a more issue-based message out there.

[Robbins]

20. Town Halls

These are mostly supporters asking questions they are prepared for.

[Scriptor Ignotus]

21. he does them ALL THE TIME

he had one at my company about 4 months ago but I wasn't able to get a ticket. Q&A from employees, not supporters (or not necessarily supporters I guess). We also had Hillary and Rudy come by, for the record.

I assume few of Obama's Town Halls are taped though, just in case someone asks something really crazy or Obama gives a less-than-stellar answer. I understand his campaign wants to control as much as possible, so this campaign reality doesn't really phase me too much.

I honestly don't know much about Hillary's event, but I doubt it was wide open to the public where anyone could ask anything. I understand she had a decent amount of softballs thrown at her as well.

[Bongo Prophet]

29. Yeah, there are always general "What about energy policy" questions.

And those are legitimate, of course. If I want real wonky details, I can read. But it is these very basic ones that less involved voters want to hear answers to. And that is the metric here for me:can he connect and give satisfactory summaries that people can relate to? Is it enough, but not too much, for the average voter?

It is about the viability and electability - and ways in which he could bypass the meme that he is all inspiration and no substance.
People need to both feel and think he can and will do good things for the country, and this is a small but perhaps crucial aspect of that.

Man, my grammar reall suffers when i am tired. Speeling is nxxxt!

[Scriptor Ignotus]

30. sounds reasonable to me - nt

[Icyclemort]

22. I think he would do well...

I think he would do well with such a format...

I don't think he will, though, he is still the less well known candidate. He probably doesn't have the time, he needs large rallies to get as many as people as possible to get to know him.

[debatepro]

31. "casual "ask me anything" format. "

I thought I rememver hearing on Cspan that Hillary's questions were already known in the national townhall... each townhall voted on the questions then submitted them to clinton for review.

Obama would do well in this format... but strategically... i wouldn't do it... he draws big crowds... he can change up his stump speech... or give new speechs like in NO today... about his plans for specific areas... this formula works for him... why change...