On Obama's choice to skip the Nevada Presidential Forum - - - wise or not?

[RiverStone]

At first glance, I'm disappointed that Barack Obama will not be attending a Presidential Forum in Carson City NV on 2/21/07. Below find link to this story, then analysis as to why his decision to skip this first forum (or debate) might be a good thing. I'm not so sure. It is so early in the process, yet getting out of the starting blocks with momentum seems important given such a large pool of candidates. One caveat to that, I think Al Gore could jump in (pleeeeeeeeze!) as late as next September and still win the race.

Back to Obama, I question if his decision to skip the Nevada Forum is a good one. :shrug:

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Obama to skip Nevada presidential forum
By KATHLEEN HENNESSEY
2/8/07

(AP)LAS VEGAS - Sen. Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) is skipping a forum for Democratic presidential candidates in Nevada this month — his first opportunity to share a platform with his rivals for the 2008 nomination.

Seven other announced or expected Democratic candidates, including front-runner Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, have told organizers they will participate in the Feb. 21 forum in Carson City, Nev. It's the first such candidates forum of the 2008 presidential campaign.

Obama, who is scheduled to be in southern Nevada the same week, couldn't work the Nevada forum into his itinerary, campaign spokesman Dan Pfeiffer said.

"It was a difficult decision. He very much wants to spend time getting to know the people of Nevada, talking about how we move the country forward, but there are only so many days in the calendar," Pfeiffer said. "He has a vigorous Senate schedule, it makes it very difficult to do all things he wants to do."

http://fe33.news.sp1.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070208/ap_on_el_pr/on_the2008_trail

Obama and the first debate
Political Insider
2/8/07

The Obama campaign's decision to skip the first Presidential debate will undoubtedly add fuel to the argument that the first-term Illinois Senator is not ready for prime time. However, given the importance of putting up a big first quarter fundraising number, it's probably a smart move on the campaign's part.

Imagine if Obama had a sub-par performance in the first debate. That would be all the Clinton campaign would need to deflate Obama expectations among major funders and push them towards giving to them (and only them.)

By staying away, Obama preserves some mystique and delays his first test ... perhaps until the first quarter is complete. By then, he'll have time for lots of mock debates and might even have a chance to lower expectations. After all, someone this allergic to debating can't be all that good at it, can he?

http://politicalinsider.com/2007/02/obama_and_the_first_debate.html

[Radical Activist]

1. Every candidate will miss a forum or big event at some point.

Its really not a big deal. There will be others.

[benny05]

3. I disagree

This is the first big one. Others, like Edwards, rearranged his schedules to be there. Obama is not ready. He should wait to announce then and continue to watch others in order to stay cautious if he's not ready for the race.

[Radical Activist]

4. spin, spin, spin.

He's not ready to give a speech? We already know he's good at that.
This isn't a debate with other candidates. They appear one at a time. So what is it exactly does this show he isn't ready for? Obviously, you support another candidate but that doesn't mean you have to make flimsy arguments against others.

[benny05]

5. He Needs To Run with the Big Dogs

Is all I'm saying, and he is missing some opportunities otherwise.

[benny05]

2. Senate/Congress is in recess that week

Does that mean Dodd, Clinton, and Kucinich schedules are less hectic than his?

Obama is not ready for this campaign.

[Solo_in_MD]

6. The vote is so far away, I dont think any debates should be held yet

voter/viewer fatigue will set in soon enough as it is