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McCain first invited Obama to duel it out in Town Halls back in early June, so to say there isn't enough time is a cop out. What's he afraid of? Unscripted questions from real people instead of soft balls from idolizing MSM moderators maybe? Would he rather talk to a teleprompter that doesn't talk back?

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Andy
Cynical Optimist

I'm really dissapointed that Obama didn't accept John McCain's offer. And I honestly also don't know why he refuses, for McCain is no match for Obama.

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Im Grabe schlummert ein neues Morgenrot.

lets recall in obamas own words that, he once said that townhalls were his thing, he had like 35 of them when running in elections past....and his anytime anywhere sounds kind of hollow now....

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"The captain has turned off the `No Dubbing' sign. You are free to speak any language you choose."

In the south we say "if you're scared, say you're scared".

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Want government run healthcare? Join the military.

As he stated, why should he give McCain the limelight he would get by having townhall debates, when he is ahead in the polls. He already agreed to 3 debates following the conventions. He is out to win the election, not to give his opponent any breaks. Would John McCain give him a break, if the tables were turned? Hell, no.

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Conservatives' Bane

when someone is ahead in the polls they are scared to do these things cause it will hurt them

obama knows on the stage he will looke less presedential than mccain so he doenst want them plus these things matter very little except for those that were on the debate team in Highshool..........look how well Kerry did at drubbing bush prior to the 04 election....... those debates helped him alot didnt they

Interesting observation, and one I agree with. So the big thing, for Obama, is winning the election, not a straight up discussion of the issues. But it begs the question: where is the change we can believe in?

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Andy
Cynical Optimist

and that has what to do with his earlier commentary as to is relsiehing these meetings? and he aint so far ahead, in fact if we use the goober gallup poll, its a tie.....

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"The captain has turned off the `No Dubbing' sign. You are free to speak any language you choose."

In a studied, scripted, antiseptic setting maybe.

Clearly though he (Obama) doesn't want to be put in a position where he'd be required to think on his feet or address questions and/or issues that Team Obama hasn't already brainstormed and spun into a focus-group-approved policy position sound bite.

Well, according to the discussion at the roundtable, on This Week with George Stephanopolous, it was determined that the almighty turnout will determine if the race is close or not. If young voters, who don't normally turn out, "do", the race will be decidedly, "not close", I'm almost sure, to your chagrin.

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Conservatives' Bane

Winning the election has been "the big thing", in fact the only thing, for aspiring presidents since Washinton stepped down.

I would hazard to guess that when Obama is elected you're going to see plenty of change. Not all good and not all bad, but plenty of change nevertheless.

Discussion of the issues? Seems Obama is the only one giving details about what he'd do, and what needs to be done...instead of the spin and innuendo doled out by McCain.
The 3 debates following the conventions, will place the proverbial nail in someone's coffin. It was mentioned that Reagan didn't seal the deal until his final debate, 7 days before the election in '80.
Don't worry, the issues will be discussed, at least by one camp.
As to change you can believe in....some will never convert, even though the writing is on the wall. You know.....altered states.

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Conservatives' Bane

Obama's a pussy.

If he's elected, he will, almost single-handedly, destroy this country.

Those who support him will be complicit, and will be held to account for their extraordinary idiocy...

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For those who have fought to defend it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know...



If it wasn't for double standards, liberals would have no standards at all...

Obama cannot control a town hall debate. Of course he is going to chicken out. Its what cowards do. Talk big but no backbone.

My question is about the aspirational "change" in American politics which he purports to be, not changes in particular laws or policies.

His refusal to actually engage in a public forum, about the issues, with his opponent and without the benefit of Orwellian control is troubling.

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Andy
Cynical Optimist