Obama to turn down additional fall debates

[brooklynite]

Source: Politico.com

Obama to turn down additional fall debates
By: Mike Allen
Aug 18, 2007 11:50 AM EST

Inundated by dozens of invitations, Sen. Barack Obama will turn down requests to join future debates and forums this fall, his Democratic presidential campaign announced Saturday.

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.

The announcement could affect such key Democratic constituencies as the Congressional Black Caucus, Iowa AARP and League of Conservation Voters, campaign sources confirmed.

“Unfortunately, we simply cannot run the kind of campaign we want and need to, engaging with voters in the early states and February 5, if our schedule is dictated by dozens of forums and debates,” campaign manager David Plouffe said in a statement.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0807/5440.html

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Personally, I don't have a major problem with this; i think the forums, sponsored by specific interest or advocacy groups, tend to produce expected applause lines rather than in-depth discussion of the relevant issues. That being said, this will probably be interpreted as "Obama campaign thinks he doesn't do as well in these events as he does on the stump or in smaller groups."

[Zenlitened]

1. It would be nice if the groups that already have "dibs" on Obama's time...

... would invite some of the other groups to be partners in the debates -- setting the agenda, selecting questioners, etc.

[msongs]

2. fewer is better - they are not "debates" nt

[regnaD kciN]

5. I liked the comment in this week's New Yorker...

"The political arena is ideally a marketplace of ideas, but in our country, more often than not, its all marketplace and no ideas."

[countmyvote4real]

3. That's so Clinton of him. Quelle surprise. n/t

[regnaD kciN]

6. That's so Hillarybot of you. Quelle surprise. n/t

[countmyvote4real]

15. ? I don't support Hilary Clinton for POTUS.

I'm done with dynasties. We need real change.

I think Obama offers that, but I'm not sure that he can deliver it.

I guess not all "bots" think alike. However, our former Constitution implies that you can be whatever "bot" you want to be.

[rodeodance]

4. "run-down' candidates can't be good and that is what is happening.

[geek tragedy]

7. Good. Forums where each candidate spends 60 seconds

pandering to the interest group du jour don't shed any light on the subject.

[youngdem]

8. Good move. Every time he speaks, he goes down in the polls

Better leave it up to TV appearances and commercials, let your handlers control your message, and stop the bleeding.

He is really suffering from his inexperience.

Too bad. I sure don't want Hillary in there, and Edwards doesn't seem to have any momentum, but damn, Obama is really suffering from Foot in Mouth disease.

Perhaps Hillary will surprise me with her independent streak and rejection of the DLC, Repuke lite, Corporate friendly platform she ran on. (a man can dream, can't he?)

[pingzing58]

9. Glad to hear Univision is hosting a debate. Vive la liberte!

[Nedsdag]

10. I think it's a great idea.

Besides, he could do "well" in the debates and the pundits and the MSM would still say Hillary won the debate.

[acmavm]

11. This whole 'debate' thing was ridiculous. They held them way too early.

The time to hold the debates was late this fall when more people are taking this election, which is one year and two and a half months away, seriously.

[wisteria]

12. People need to see our candidates debate one another. It is what distinguishes them from one another

Debating is a way of engaging voters.

[tammywammy]

13. He's still doing at least 8 more debates

And is leaving it open to more. :shrug:

[flaminbats]

14. Obama has allot to learn..

but so do we all!

he screwed up by implying in one debate that he would send troops into Pakistan if Musharraf doesn't go after Al Qaida. this might be his reaction to the neocons' stupid attempts at humor..like "don't vote for Barack Osama."

Obama needs to continually push his book "the Audacity of Hope" and stick to what elected him in 2006, his message on healthcare reform and ending the war in Iraq. as Carville used to joke.."it's the economy stupid!"

now "it's the economy and universal healthcare stupid, and don't forget to end this damned war!"

staying on message will ultimately help Obama. getting distracted, like he did on Pakistan will only hurt him, regardless of how many debates or forums he participates in!