Obama Will Make Debate A Townhall If McCain Doesn't Show, Source Says

[Triana]

Obama Will Make Debate A Townhall If McCain Doesn't Show, Source Says

Barack Obama is committed to hosting a public, televised event Friday night in Mississippi even if John McCain does not show up, a source close to the Obama campaign tells the Huffington Post.

The Senator, the source says, is willing to make the scheduled debate a townhall meeting, a one-on-one interview with NewsHour's Jim Lehrer, or the combination of the two in McCain's absence.

Such a course of action could make life incredibly difficult for McCain, who has called for the suspension of the debate in light of the current economic crisis. Should he stay in Washington D.C. -- if a bailout if not completed by then -- and let Obama alone reach tens-of-millions of television viewers?

A lot, of course, depends upon what the debate commission decides to do. At this point in time, there is no indication that they are going to postpone the affair, as the McCan campaign has asked.

LINK:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/25/obama-will-make-debate-a_n_129250.html

[babylonsister]

1. Priceless! This just gets better and better. nt

[WA98296]

2. Excellent. We'll be tuned in.

[Sunnyshine]

3. I mean like Wow! Looking ahead to leadership. Obama keeps getting better by the minute. n/t

[calmblueocean]

4. It would be insane for McPow to allow Obama all this free airtime; hence, he will show up.

I figure McCain is finally going to show up and say something about how he achieved his goals by spending Thursday with the pres.

[Triana]

5. But, he's McInsane! n/t

[Drunken Irishman]

6. Don't be surprised if the networks refuse to cover it.

[Triana]

7. Pfft. I won't. I'll be pissed, but not surprised. n/t

[DeschutesRiver]

8. My candidate is brilliant. What an opportunity he is making out of this.

He is a thinker. What a change that will be to have one in the WH.

[Triana]

9. I said this yesterday but I'll say it again: I can't WAIT till he's President. n/t

[Bryan]

10. This is exactly what he ought to be doing

He gets airtime all to himself, and he doesn't leave Ole Miss in the lurch. I would love to see them leave an empty podium onstage for the symbolic value, but Obama has more class than that.

[alsame]

11. I would love this. eom

[stillcool]

12. Looks like the debate is on..

UPDATE III: McCain aide Tucker Bounds tells MSNBC, "we're going into the debates."