Obama backs away from McCain's debate challenge

Zurc: So this leaves ABC / CBS / NBC / and the almighty CNN and NY Times as what.... Oh, pushing hard left. The press is what it is.

McCain has no comment on the Edwards issue. At least as of the last press conference he was in, he said no comment. So, Obama will play it safe. Good strategy, as there would have to be a lot of writers on the teleprompter for Obama to survive.

Addiu

This has nothing to do with Obama or the debates. If McCain wants to make Edwards, Edwards' affair and Edwards' sick wife an issue for debate, that's fine. Considering his own affairs and his first badly injured wife, I think that would be unwise of him, but that's up to McCain.

This news about Edwards is unfortunate. But he screwed up.

I see nowhere that this story has anything to do with Obama. Okay, he may have been up for consideretion for VP, but just because he was being considered doesn't have any bearing on Obama. But I'm waiting to hear all the sinless make wonderful remarks and trying to nail Obama and Edwards to the same cross.

I'm waiting for the first debate between Obama and McCain. It'll happen after the conventions I'd imagine. < :-)

Since Democrat John Edwards just admitted to constantly lyin' to Zurchromium's all-everywhere all-powerful "all right wing press" about havin' a girlfriend while his wife has incurable cancer, Obama may not want to have to answer any questions on why considerin' Edwards as one of his strong VP choices was such a brilliant consideration.

Since Edwards admits to his zipper problems yet continues to deny paternity of the child his girlfriend produced, McCain may ask Obama if he's the real father or did he just like to watch.

I'd love to see a debate, but I can understand why Obama ain't up to it.

USAR

ZURC: I believe you are really too entrenched in your position that its not worth it for me and you to even waste our time discussing it.

It is wise for all to take a Socratic look at how all news and commentary is delivered. In fact, it is the responsibility of the receiver to understand their own bias and not let it get in the way of fully evaluating what is being said and probably more important lately, what is not being reported.

uh huh and the vast majority of the main stream media contribute and vote Democrat. it would behoove you zurc if you for once made an effort to break free from your own biases and formulated your opinions based on fact.

The US media is mostly far right in its political stance. Look at the WSJ for example, the number one paper. The editorials there are worse than the tripe you find posted above.

There is a vast rightwing media network out there, lead by the Washington Times, Fox news and the druggie Limbaugh on the radio. The liberal press is a neocons wish fullfillment not based in reality, like their belief in WMD in Iraq and that the invasion there was not about oil. Yeah, right.

So for Obama it's politics as usualy then.

Taka313; The Center for Media And Public Affairs is obviously part of the liberal conspiracy.

Obviously making up their facts, to convince people, what they say is true.

Obama will back away from McCains challenge and go unchallenged by the liberal media, unbelievble.

Once again, if you need to find a neo-con, start with finding reality. Once you've done that, head to the furthest spot from there, and you'll find yourself some neo-cons.

The whole "media is in love with Obama" thing has already been debunked.

This is from a story in the LA Times about a study done at George Mason U.

The Center for Media and Public Affairs at George Mason University, where researchers have tracked network news content for two decades, found that ABC, NBC and CBS were tougher on Obama than on Republican John McCain during the first six weeks of the general-election campaign.

You read it right: tougher on the Democrat.

During the evening news, the majority of statements from reporters and anchors on all three networks are neutral, the center found. And when network news people ventured opinions in recent weeks, 28% of the statements were positive for Obama and 72% negative.

Network reporting also tilted against McCain, but far less dramatically, with 43% of the statements positive and 57% negative, according to the Washington-based media center."

How do you guys go through life being so wrong, so often? It staggers the mind.

Taka

undecidedbout08,

My bad. You were being humorous. I don't think that the centrum of anti-Semitism in America is on "the Left" (assuming we can find something called "the Left"). I think that to the extent that anti-Israel sentiment exists in America you will find its center on what you seem to be calling "the Left". But I'm reasonably sure that anti-Semitic feelings find their locus where they always have.

I'm not sure what this has to do with the article except in so far as it affects the vice-presidential debate mentioned. I think that, depending on who the Republicans put up (and incidentally, they would do well to ask Lieberman), Lieberman's background and experience would tend to make him the better debater. But his selection by the Democrats would seem to me to compound the rolling of the dice on minority candidates.

If I had to predict, I would predict Evan Bayh in an attempt to win the "red states" in the center of the country. I'm not sure what kind of debater Bayh would be. His daddy was famous for the mixed metaphor: "they buttered their bread, now they'll have to lie in it". I'm afraid that after this campaign we will have to wash off all sorts of things that have been slathered on the bread we lie in.

I agree with Sarge. Even with most of he media fawning over him, he is too scared to debate with McCain.

If he is such a good candidiate what has he to worry about?

"The fact is, the McCain camp did intend on stacking the audience for the fox townhall meetings"

Heck, Obama's got practically the entire U.S. media stacked in his favor...

Choosing Lieberman only compounds the minority issues he already has to deal with

Know what you mean, bro. Democrats and 'liberals' were pretty nasty to Lieberman during the whole Ned Lamont thing. Yes, the centrum of anti-Semitism in America is now firmly on the Left but I reckon they're desperate here.Camp Obama should think about going with Lieberman.

Obama is reluctant to take chances

Translation: I cannot afford to let more people find out what an moron I am without a prepared script from my 300 advisers and a teleprompter.

RR

undecidedbout08,

I think he'd do better with choosing Chuck Hagel. Choosing Lieberman only compounds the minority issues he already has to deal with although Lieberman might do better in a debate than the likely Republican choices.

There's not much to debate. Senator Obama is pro-2nd Amendment, he has continually approved financing for the liberation of Iraq, he has completely flip flopped on offshore drilling, and he crumpled on FISA like a rag doll. His only hope is to pick Lieberman for his V-p.

Superlib, My question to you is, do you think it's an argument or a fact? We have posters here, that when presented fact, simply choose to ignore reality because it doesn't quite fit in between their little blinders.

The fact is, the McCain camp did, intend on stacking the audience for the fox townhall meetings.

I can concede that this may not be the reason Sen. Obama said no to them. But, to totally ignore that it happened is, well...unbalanced.

Taka

SezWho: What about the Obama campaign's contention that the McCain campaign rejected the proposal of two town hall meetings?

I didn't see that. Thanks.

"Obama is going to turn the old guy into a doormat"

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

sailwind, good post. I wish the debates could be as civil and honest as what you have posted against mine.

Your comments:

The man is the very embodiment of a person who had all the cards stacked agaisn't him growing up but darn only in America could he be where he is at today.

Is very on point. If Obama would try to bring that up, not just in racial terms but as opposed to McCain having a father in the house (his father rose up to be PACOM, top military offical in the Pacific during the Vietnam War)I am sure that he would not only win the minority vote but the "working class white" vote as well seeing how he is really not that far from them.

I agree with your comments on his not trying to show too much of himself as more of a centrist than he is. But I think that he has more leftist views than he shows, and that if he is in a debate situation, these views will come out more and upset some of the old Hillary base and push the election to McCain.

Well, another promise of obama's bites the dust.

Sen. "anytime, anywhere" obama has a lot of experience in breaking promises to the voting public. Heh, must more of that "Change" (NAFTA, death penalty, ban on handguns, off shore oil drilling, etc.) he's always talking about.

RR

SuperLib,

What about the Obama campaign's contention that the McCain campaign rejected the proposal of two town hall meetings?

Sailwind: My view is Obama is a centrist.

He is. I've been saying that all along. Obama is more on the right than most people think and McCain is more on the left than most people think. But the radicals shriek the loudest so if one looks at their words only then you'd think Obama is far left and McCain is far right.

Obama should agree to more debates. I think he would do well. I think McCain would also do well. What's the point of predicting who would wipe the floor with whom? Just have more debates and we can make our own decision as to which candidate did better.

Taka, you're "stack the crowd" argument isn't good enough. So far Obama hasn't agreed to any debates besides the original 3. He could easily propose his own format, but he doesn't. You can prove anything you want about McCain's proposals but without a counterproposal from Obama I think your argument hits a ceiling. Obama is not only declining to debate with McCain's format, he's declining all debates except for the 3.

Again, I think both candidates would do well and I think it would be good for the US to see them standing side by side to really see where each man stands on each issue for a comparison. As I said before there are too many radicals trying to paint the portrait of the other guy and I think they're mostly incorrect descriptions.

DS - " Working spontaneously, he founders."

I think you had better watch the thread posted by Sailwind above.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHHFCxObhxk

And Sarge, in any debate, your man McCain will have more than enough trouble just remembering what his position was on tax cuts, oil drilling, abortion, et el just last week.....Obama is going to turn the old guy into a door mat.

Sailwind, GREAT post - best of the week by a long shot.

Congratulations.

"Obama will wipe the floor in debates with McCain"

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

It's funny to read all the twists and turns by Obama's minions here. The bottom line is that he doesn't feel it is important to take his message directly to the American voters more than three times. Or, he doesn't feel confident in his ability to get it across.

The whole "McCain will stack the audience" argument is hilarious. Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that it is true. So what? A debater of Obama's supposed skills should have no trouble dealing with such a trivial issue. In any case, Obama's handlers dont seem to think it is an issue worth mentioning. So, it obviously doesnt matter much.

IMHO, Obama is vastly overrated as a speaker. Working from a script, he can be compelling. Working spontaneously, he founders.

Lets not go down the missing WMD blind alley again. The fact is that Obama will wipe the floor in debates with McCain. My only concern is that people will feel sorry for McCain after he gets thrashed. Kerry did the same to the miked up bush, even when he was miked. Again McCain is not as stupid as bush, only a son of a President can be elected President and be that stupid, but McCain cant keep his basic facts correct any longer. He is just too old and cranky. And bordering on senile it seems.

Anyone who thinks otherwise is just plain lost in a haze of Rovian propaganda. Which the wingers I guess are nearly 100% of the time anyway. They think Iraq is heaven now for example.

Nice post Alphaape,

Have to respectfully disagree with you though on a lot of this. My 2 yen is more along the lines that he has sorta become trapped by his own success. He was able to beat Hillary, thank goodness he did by the way, by being able to appeal more to the more far left supporters then Hillary could. He owes them much as George Bush owed the far Christian right in 2000 and 2004 in his campaigns. He's now stuck in a delicate balancing act because he has to appeal to the average blue collar white working class vote that are suspect of him and don't really support a far left nanny state type of Government. The working class doesn't really want to foot the bill for more big government they just want the government we have now to do what they have to do which is live within its own means and budget. The more he exposes himself as a true centrist the more danger that he will lose support in his activist base and that could mean disaster come November. 10 town halls would reveal that he isn't what the activist base though he was, it would reveal that he and McCain and darn near in agreement on their positions with the exception of Iraq. They are pretty much lock step on Afghanistan now as it is. If ten town halls show that their positions are pretty much identical then the danger to Obama is the youth and inexperience factor vs the Old experienced Washington hand who can work with democrats to pass legislation as McCain has done so often in the past and is in my opinion his strongest point besides his personal story as a POW as why he should be worthy of a vote for the top gig. Obama's personal story is also in my opinion his strongest point as to whether we can put our trust into him to lead the nation. The man is the very embodiment of a person who had all the cards stacked agaisn't him growing up but darn only in America could he be where he is at today. I'll qualify that a bit only in the America of today through the work and suffering of dedicated people who had to wait patiently all these years to have a real and true voice at the table could Obama be where he is. I try to never forget that myself when I look at both candidates, because no matter how this election turns out America is going to be forever changed from this day forward as far as views about minorities in our country, that is a good thing, a very good thing in my opinion. My view is Obama is a centrist. I was curious if the criticism from the far right on this board had any real substance to back the claim that he can't debate or would fall all over himself in a town hall format. Did the old you tube search and watched his debates with Alan Keyes his Republican opponent for Senate in 2004. He does well unscripted and this was prior to any thought of a Presidential run. So I discounted that idea. Did the you tube search for him in a town hall setting.

And just watch.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHHFCxObhxk

I could have swore after viewing it that I was hearing a Moderate Republican or just right of center independent. This is the Obama I've been waiting to hear from not the 'Change' fluff to keep the activist side of his party happy. I really believe he's playing it safe here becuase this is exactly the type of questions he'd field in a real town hall debate and the activist base sure isn't going to be happy to see that he's more mainstream and not what they thought when they voted for him in the primaries, just ask Jessie Jackson as to his opinion of Obama now.

Myself if the link is the real Obama, than I have to really consider my vote again as of now I'm with McCain as flawed as he is, but if this the real Obama and not the 'change' fluff we'll he is back in play as far as convincing me why I take a chance on him should give him the top job instead of McCain. The Veep's they choose also are going to have a lot of bearing on who I vote for finally also (note to Obama, you pick Hillary and forget it).

Thanks long post wanted to put my opinion on all of this up this point.

Someone had posted earlier about why the Dems put Obama up against McCain. Here's my 2cents worth.

If Hillary would have won the Dem. nomination, she would have lost if either McCain or Romney would have won. The resson, since 1988-2008, there has been a Bush or Clinton in the White House. Amercians get kind of spooky with a continuation of family dominance in politics, so they thought that if McCain won the Republican nomination, then he would surely be a one term president because of his age. So she would have had a clear shot at the White House in 2012. Notice, Jeb Bush didn't run this time, he is waiting in the wings for 2012 himself I would guess.

By the liberal wing of the Dem. party putting up Obama, they know that he would look good, and be a draw, but in the end, they along with the rest of America would not vote for him. If a Black man like Colin Powell were to declare himself as a Democrat, then he would be a sure win for the White House. But in this case, Obama is "just enough" to make it look like they are really doing something, when they know he would not really have a chance to make it. Bill Richardson would have been a better shot at the White House than Obama.

If McCain wins, then the 2012 election will start on Jan 20, 2009 with Hilary firing the first shot. She will say things of the nature that she could have stopped McCain after we see the results of where Obama lost (and Hillary probably won those states in the primaries).

So, it is in the Dem. interest to try to keep Obama in a positive spin at least for now. He does have a few points ahead of McCain, but they are aware that McCain could pull ahead of him in the polls. I think Obama's candidacy was a fluke, in terms of just a place holder to keep Hillary out of the White House until 2012 to break up the Bush-Clinton name from the presidency, but that they did not expect him to be so popular, that now they are trying to make it so that he seems legitimate. How do they do that? Keep him out of hard question venues and try to control the flow of his media presentation. Thus you will only see him at scripted events and not on any "town hall" type events where he will actually have to speak on policy issues.

"McCain would wipe the floor with this guy anyday"

That's why Obama doesn't want to debate him, not because of one poster's belief that McCain was planning to "stack the audience."

Obamah is a great talker but he's not skilled in debating. He'll either come out with, "we are Isreal" or "this isn't about race," and usual "we are one!" But no substance into what he's really getting at.

The more I saw this guy talk, the more I realise this guy is too much of an apologetic and answers every questions the media hits him with them instead of taking care of real business. He's more into, "covering any news about anti-semtic' than about america. McCain would wipe the floor with this guy anyday and I am not even a follow of McCain.

undecidebout08,

How are you doing? Let's look at your leading assertion, that Obama has the most liberal voting record in the Senate.

Obviously, that's always going to be a judgment call. However, voteview.com shows Obama tied with Biden for 10th place, the more liberal ones being Feingold, Dodd, Sanders, Whitehouse, Kennedy, Boxer, Harkin, Brown and Reed. McCain, incidentally, would be in 8th place on the conservative side, behind Demint, Coburn, Inhofe, Kyl, Ensign, Burr and Allard.

Your point that McCain's MLK Day political history has nothing to do with this article is a point well-taken. However, one of the themes of this article, it seems to me, is consistency of behavior. Obama seemed to welcome confrontation now he seems to shy away from it. (Key words there: seemed and seems.) So, I can see how MLK can slide in under consistency. But I don't see how liberalism or conservatism fits.

As far as the questions you indicate that you think Obama is afraid of, I think he is not. I don't think he is authorized to release the law firm's client list and I'm sure that in a debate he would welcome any questions about his birth, education or health. McCain is too smart to go there. At least I thought he was until he started calling Obama "the One", accused him of "playing the race card", casts him in Biblical proportions and now accuses him of failing to give the American people a chance to understand him.

Taka

I guess you missed the part where Sen. McCain planned on stacking the audience with supporters.

Show me where Obama or his advisors state that the reason he will not participate in the debates is because of some unfair advantage for McCain. Because unless you can, the above article clearly states:

Obama’s reversal on town hall debates is part of a play-it-safe strategy he has adopted since claiming the nomination and grabbing a lead in national polls

blah blah blah...since Guyana right before they broke out the Kool-Aid = stacking the audience.

I double-dog dare you to prove that McCain's team didn't want to stack the townhall debates.

I can show proof he did, and I did so. Do you have anything to offer other than hyperbole and unoriginal insults (not that I'm above insulting others, but at least my material is somewhat original)?

Taka

Obama is reluctant to take chances ... now that Obama is the front-runner

Heh, obama needs to protect his one point lead, according to Friday's Gallup Poll. A 9-point drop since returning from his europeon ego trip, btw.

RR

Romeo - "obama not being able to speak before his followers who generate the sort of wild-eyed loyalty that hasn't been seen since Guyana.."

Ironically, your old guy McCain just doesn't inspire anyone much apart from his Mum.

Sad, that.

Also sad is the fact you can't seem to break away from supporting the same old failures bred by the Bush Administration, the same ones that Sen. McCain in his dying wish seems to want to carry on.

GOP Lemming Day rumbles ever closer.

I've got my shades, sun chair and tequila all ready to go for when I sit and watch the Republicans implode in November.

Think I'll actually need nuke blast glare glasses :-)

obama not being able to speak before his followers who generate the sort of wild-eyed loyalty that hasn't been seen since Guyana right before they broke out the Kool-Aid = stacking the audience.

Classic

RR

Romeo - "on democrat Lemming Day."

ha ha ha!

So out of touch.

The GOP is already saying the November 2009 elections are going to be even worse for the party than the 'disastrous' November 2006 elections.

Obama is right on when he says, "We face serious issues in this election and have real differences," he said. "I'm not going to assault Sen. McCain's character, I'm not going to compare him to pop stars. I will, however, compare our two visions for our economic future."

because mccain planned on stacking the audience with supporters.

If McCain is so good at townhall style debates, why did his campaign find it necessary to stack the audience in his favor?

Taka

If Obama is such a great debater, why doesn't he accept McCain's challenge? Heh.

If there is no panic in the McCain camp, why did Sen. McCain's camp plan on stacking the audience with supporters?

Reality and ramen, destined never to meet.

Taka

It's very entertaining watching the liberals here road rage about how obama is doing the right thing by reneging on his "anytime, anywhere" debate promise to Mr. McCain. You can sense their panic in their posts.

But no problem. barack obama has absolutely nothing going for him besides that he's half-black and does a great job of reading the speeches his handlers have prepared for him.

However, don't expect "typical white folk" blue collar voters who "clings to their guns and their Bibles" to be rushing to the ballot box to vote for obama on democrat Lemming Day.

RR

"When they do debate Obama will wipe the floor with McCain"

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha! Thanks for the knee slapper, zurc!

undecidedbout08

He's Pro-gun, supports the death penalty, funds the war, greenlights FISA, and most recently Obama wants to drill.

Plus he's against campaign finance reform, pro NAFTA, pro nuclear energy, supports reducing corporate taxes, supports restricting late-term abortions, supports Jerusalem under Israeli rule, and will not meet with the leaders of state sponsors of terror without preconditions. Usually it takes one years to make the switch from being liberal to conservative. He's done it in a couple months. :-D

Romeo - "obama is a master at the art of nuance; talking a lot, but saying very little."

What's new - that description could be wrapped around pretty much every experienced politician out there.

Heh, the GOP moves one step closer to the cliff. :-)

obama is a master at the art of nuance; talking a lot, but saying very little. He is also is a master at emphasizing themes and hiding his stances -- that is until it's time to alter them or 'nuance" them. Heh, That must be the "Change" obama is talking about all the time.

RR

HARUKI ONI: You must have me confused with someone else. I only post a few times a month so it shouldn't be too difficult for you to go back over my previous posts in an attempt to provide support for your accusations.

Accusing me of being a HIllary supporter is a joke. I find nothing admirable about anything the Democrats do and end up voting for Republicans most of the time to keep those despicable money grubbing thieves from turning the United States into a nanny state.

It looks like I will have to do the same again this year.

Helter - "This empty suit of a candidate has successfully duped a lot people with style and image, so he's declined to debate the issues as this could only hurt and expose him."

Comments like that can only be described as coming from a Republican who at least as an inkling of the firestorm that will hit the GOP in only a few months.

helter, I guess you missed the part where Sen. McCain planned on stacking the audience with supporters.

Taka

Even if McCain pulls a Bush and has a brick taped to his back so he can repeat what is broadcast to him by his flunkies.

I really like that one. Especially when it comes from the same people who insist Bush hoodwinked Congress, the UN, our allies and the American public.

What is Sen. Obama afraid of?

The only thing that explains his reluctance is all the flip flops he has made these last two months. It's not McCain that Obama fears, it's all the 'liberal' saps who supported him,donated buckets o cash, and have watched with horror as their hero veered right these last couple of months. He's Pro-gun, supports the death penalty, funds the war, greenlights FISA, and most recently Obama wants to drill.

What's there to debate?

The libs are posting these long paragraphs conjuring up excuses for Obama when the situation can be summarized in a sentence: This empty suit of a candidate has successfully duped a lot people with style and image, so he's declined to debate the issues as this could only hurt and expose him.

The fact is that Obama is doing McCain a favor. When they do debate Obama will wipe the floor with McCain. Even if McCain pulls a Bush and has a brick taped to his back so he can repeat what is broadcast to him by his flunkies.

McCain is not stupid like Bush but he cant speak well at all. He always looks like he needs a nap. Obama on the other hand is eloquent and brilliant when he speaks. After all he is the "One" as McCain admits now.

Really, I'm still waiting for the Republicans to wheel out their serious candidate.

Wait! Now I see their strategy - it's the Arizona senator's mum!

LOL!!!

Check /www.care2.com/news/member/434996229/834010

(the REAL Republican candidate for President is on the right).

Thinking Obama would be stupid enough to fall into this trap is just another reason why people need to be questioning the mental capacities of Sen. McCain.

Not surprising. Personally, I can do without two hours of Hussein Obama's umms. Without a teleprompter, Obama is a sitting duck. And there is no way he wants the media to pick up on his little fault this early in the game.

Obama backs away from McCain's debate challenge

He's weak. He's a coward. He tries to get silenced those who best him in debate...

VOR: you're a Libertarian now? I could swear I saw you claiming to be a Hillary supporter on another forum talking about how bad Obama was.

And a Ron Paul supporter on yet another forum saying how you supported Obama.

And... Well, it's like you are the most flexible of supporters, so long as you are never involved in honest criticism of McCain. Odd, that.

decided, Yeah, that would be disastrous for Sen. Obama. Especially in front of an audience of hand-picked McCain supporters.

Taka

P.S. You know about asking questions of me. There are rules. But just this once, I'll indulge you. Not nearly good enough.

Gyudon - "The problem is that Obama can't put together coherent sentences whithout a teleprompter in front of him."

LOL! You obviously haven't actually seen him speak.

A sensible move by Obama to play it safe.

McCain wants to draw him in to the old guy's favorite debate environment - there is no reason why Obama should take the bait.

Of course it is far better strategy for Obama to take part in the 3 previously scheduled debates and watch McCain flounder and turn multiple shades of red as he tries to explain his numerous u-turns, about-faces and ties to lobbiests.

Such as his support for making Martin Luther King's birthday a fed. holiday.

Where in this article is there any mention of MLK? I can't seem to find it...

But the little game you and the poster betzee like to play looks like fun---

Maybe Barack Hussein Obama, most liberal voting record in the Senate, doesn't want to debate because he is afraid Sen McCain will ask why his staff won't release his birth certificate, his university records, his full medical report or even the client list of the law firm where he worked part time.

How am I doing?

Another reason Sen. Obama probably turned down Sen. McCain is because of Sen. McCain's penchant for not telling the truth. Such as his support for making Martin Luther King's birthday a fed. holiday. He told a group in Florida that he supported the legislation. The truth, is that he voted against creating the holiday, he voted for rescinding the holiday and supported the Arizona governor's attempt to rescind the holiday.

How is Sen. Obama supposed to debate about the economy and Sen. McCain's lack of understanding when Sen. McCain will simply say what is expedient at that moment?

Such as:

– “The issue of economics is not something I’ve understood as well as I should,” McCain said. “I’ve got Greenspan’s book.” [December 2007]

– Seeking to explain his shift on economic issues, McCain claimed: “I didn’t pay nearly the attention to those issues in the past. I was probably a ’supply-sider’ based on the fact that I really didn’t jump into the issue.” [January 2000]

– Carly Fiorina, a top McCain adviser, acknowledged that McCain has said he knows little about the economy, noting that “he did say it one time, no question, maybe twice.” [6/10/08]

And when called out about his lack of knowledge on the economy?

Q: You have admitted that you’re not exactly an expert when it comes to the economy and many have said –

McCAIN: I have not. I have not. Actually, I have not. I said that I am stronger on national security issues because of all the time I spent in the military. I’m very strong on the economy. I understand it. I have a lot more experience than my opponent.

warrantless-wiretapping; habeus corpus; waterboarding; closing Gitmo; the Law of the Sea convention; long term military presence in Iraq; troop pull-out timelines; educational benefits for the troops; privatization of social security; abortion rights; cigarette taxes; gay marriage; ethonol use; tax cuts for the wealthy; estate tax; coastal drilling for oil; the DREAM Act; capping emissions pollution; Roe v. Wade; lobbying reform (to the point of now opposing his own legislation);

ALL of those things are issues in which Sen. McCain has changed his position. So, how is Sen. Obama supposed to pin him down on an issue when he has no compunction about changing his beliefs mid-stream?

Taka

Heh, "anytime, anywhere" got thrown under the obama bus.

RR

Neither Obama or McCain should be in position to become the next President.

There is no evidence of past performance from Obama to lead and if you look at McCain closely, neither does he.

Obama is hiding who he really is and McCain has no clue what he represents.

Anyone who thinks either of the candidates is the answer is fooling themselves.

The media fails to live up to its responsibilities so we have two unqualified candidates from both dominant political parties trying to lie, cheat and steal their way into the oval office.

America needs a strict constitutionalists for president to right the ship of American democracy and put both political parties on notice that they serve the American people and not the other way around.

"Perhaps Obama turned McCain down because McCain was planning to stack the audience in his favor"

Heh, except that Obama's campaign doesn't claim that.

VOR: "Sarge, good question. You'll have to ask a Non-Hillary Democrat that one."

A 'non-Hillary' Democrat would technically be anyone who is NOT Hillary... otherwise, a 'brilliant' comment! hahahaha....

It is a shame Obama doesn't want to debate McCain until the usual forum, as it may well hurt his ratings a bit, but I can't really blame him; first and foremost McCain will probably pack the audience with his own people, and given McCain's late 'positive' campaign (or what he promised would be but seems to have let senility allow him to forget), no doubt it would be all about how Obama is 'the One' and nothing at all about what McCain would do to better the country.

Bottom line, McCain is an infant in terms of maturity, and his SEGrin in front of cameras after his childish ads, which even his fellow Republicans are distancing themselves from, proves it. I can just imagine what he would be like in 'foreign policy' meetings and/or meetings with other governments:

China: You are being incredibly arrogant in your approach, Mr. McCain! McCain: I know you are but what am I? China: Stop being immature! McCain: I know you are but what am I? I know you are but what am I? I know you are but what am I-- China: Mr. McCain! I don't think -- McCain: (putting fingers in ears and closing eyes tight, turning his entire face into a mass of wrinkles and waddles) I know you are but what am I? I KNOW YOU ARE BUT WHAT AM I?!

“We understand it might be beneath a worldwide celebrity of Barack Obama’s magnitude to appear at town hall meetings alongside John McCain and directly answer questions from the American people, but we hope he’ll reconsider,” spokesman Brian Rogers said.”

I'm old. I remember when it was the left that had maturity issues.

Sarge, good question. You'll have to ask a Non-Hillary Democrat that one.

As an independent with libertarian leanings, I think the far left fringe of the Democratic party found a far left candidate that they thought they could hoodwink the American public into thinking was a moderate.

With the help of the mainstream media, they may be able to play it off but that's only possible if the media keeps renigging on their journalistic responsibilities and the DNC keeps Obama behind a teleprompter.

ouch

“We understand it might be beneath a worldwide celebrity of Barack Obama’s magnitude to appear at town hall meetings alongside John McCain and directly answer questions from the American people, but we hope he’ll reconsider,” spokesman Brian Rogers said.

Perhaps Obama turned McCain down because McCain planned on stacking the audience in his favor.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/12/mccain-stacks-fox-news-to_n_106881.html

But Mr. "straight-shooter" didn't really feel the need to bring that part up when he was criticizing Sen. Obama.

Remember that "stay clean" campaign pledge from Sen. McCain? Yeah...apparently, neither does he.

Taka

"he is woefully unqualified to be president"

Then why are the Democrats going to nominate him?

Obama is playing it smart. He knows he is woefully unqualified to be president and it serves to his disadvantage to make any move that exposes him to the American public without protective cover from the adoring media.

The problem is that Obama can't put together coherent sentences whithout a teleprompter in front of him.

I guess Senator Obama has succumbed to his party's own brand of the politics of fear...

Seems like a mistake, given that his lead is down to 1% or so in the recent poles. Not that that really means anything.

Only 90 days to go,to know next president.

Go Obama,Go.

Go,Mccain,Go.