What's going on at the Associated Press?
First, it publishes an article about how the McCain campaign feels the New York Times editors are like a blogger "sitting at home in his mother's basement and ranting into the ether between games of Dungeons & Dragons."
Then, a few hours later, it publishes a piece about presumptive Democrat presidential nominee Barack Obama being afraid to debate McCain in a town hall format.
Honestly, with fair and balanced coverage like this from America's leading wire service, who needs Fox News? (emphasis added throughout, photo courtesy Weekly Standard):
Democratic candidate Barack Obama on Saturday backed away from rival John McCain's challenge for a series of joint appearances, agreeing only to the standard three debates in the fall.
In May, when a McCain adviser proposed a series of pre-convention appearances at town hall meetings, Obama said, "I think that's a great idea." In summer stumping on the campaign trail, McCain has often noted that Obama had not followed through and joined him in any events.
Obama's reversal on town hall debates is part of a play-it-safe strategy he's adopted since claiming the nomination and grabbing a lead in national polls. Advisers to the Illinois senator, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss strategy, say Obama is reluctant to take chances or give McCain a high-profile stage now that Obama's the front-runner.
For those unfamiliar with campaign lingo, this is code for "chicken"...buck buck buck BAAWK!
McCain and Company fired back:
"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.
For a little background:
A day after Obama clinched the Democratic nomination in early June, McCain challenged Obama to a series of 10 town hall meetings. The candidates' campaigns began negotiations, telling reporters that they agreed in spirit to joint appearances.
When the idea first came up from the McCain campaign that May, Obama was still battling Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination. Obama said then: "Obviously, we would have to think through the logistics on that, but ... if I have the opportunity to debate substantive issues before the voters with John McCain, that's something that I am going to welcome."
Unfortunately, the Obamessiah now says:
"Buck buck buck BARAAWK!"
Hehehehehe.
—Noel Sheppard is the Associate Editor of NewsBusters.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Noel
August 2, 2008 - 23:57 ET by shawn228I would not say he is scared to debate McCain. I remember John Kerry wanted to debate Bush in town hall style meetings as well.
Bush only gave 3 debates to Kerry, I would not say he was afraid.
Real life video games are cool
shawn
August 3, 2008 - 00:24 ET by Noel Sheppardshawn,
Do you think Bush was a good debater? Why do you think he wanted as few debates as possible? Think he might have been afraid? I do, and have no problem admitting it.
Obama's a chicken. Period. Because he's a nothing that hasn't accomplished anything in his political career, and would be DEMOLISHED in town hall settings where he can't just respond with scripted answers. You get this man off script, and he sounds like an idiot. Care to refute that?
BTW: Hear about that fire in Danville today? Right down the road from me. Scary! ns
I do!
August 3, 2008 - 00:32 ET by general companyDo you think Bush was a good debater?
He was better then Kerry,and Gore. After that it dont matter much now does it?
Obama is supposed to be the intilectual one,,or am I wrong?
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
GC
August 3, 2008 - 01:23 ET by Noel SheppardGC,
At the risk of being attacked by my fellow NBers, I don't think Bush was a better debater than Gore or Kerry. I just think they were both unlikeable, and that's why he won those debates. He won on style points, but I think both had better grasps of the subject matter.
What's interesting this time is that Obama might actually be able to beat McCain on style, but will get his butt kicked on command of the subject matter. Yet, he's still chicken. Makes you wonder. ns
Noel,, I don't think Bush was
August 3, 2008 - 01:57 ET by bigpapaarticulate by any means...
I always cringed when he had to debate.. much like the nobama handlers are going to do..
However,, I think Barry is worse than Bush because it's obvious he's not honest... unlike Bush..
I think the fact that Barry is always lying will kick his half white a$$ in the end... I hope.
NOBAMA 08 !!!
bigpapa
August 3, 2008 - 02:20 ET by MrShy"I think the fact that Barry is always lying will kick his half white a$$ in the end..."
How racist of you, calling O-Force One "half white" !!!
/sarc
:)
* * * SOCKS THE CAT '08 * * *
For REAL Change
No way Noel, Bush was
August 3, 2008 - 02:37 ET by general companyNo way Noel, Bush was honest.
Remember W and Kerry's first debate? The press said Kerry won in a land slide, but Bush started claming in the polls. Bush is better then you think. He has given some pretty inspiring talks I think.
BYW B Guy and JL Hooker are where I am coming from
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
obama's debating skills
August 3, 2008 - 02:25 ET by MrShyI think Obama will be the master-debater.
By that, I mean, he'll attempt to jerk us all around, but it won't be enough for the charismatic empty-suit and he'll lose come November.
Okay, that was bad, I admit.
* * * SOCKS THE CAT '08 * * *
For REAL Change
The issue
August 3, 2008 - 07:57 ET by docbis that neither wants to play the others game....McCain needs the draw of large crowds but Obama knows that the little meetings are McCains stock and trade. If I were Obama, with the race tight, I would want to max my time with what I do best.
A true' debate' is not possible with the media controlling them...
The prep time for debates is killer on the trail.
Noel
August 3, 2008 - 01:11 ET by shawn228The reason why I don't think Barry is afraid is because he already went one one one with Hillary Clinton. I don't know if McCain can throw anything at it worse that Hillary.
Also no, I did not hear about the fire. California is a fire zone this year. I'm glad you and the Danville residence are okay :-)
Real life video games are cool
shawn
August 3, 2008 - 01:32 ET by Noel Sheppardshawn,
Hillary isn't a good debater. Hillary isn't a good anything. I doubt she was a good attorney. And, she's tremendously unlikeable, which makes it doubly impossible for her to win a debate. That Obama did well against her was as predictable as my soon to be 15-year-old daughter running circles around eight-year-olds on the soccer field.
When Obama gets into the ring with McCain, he will be going after someone with a REAL command of history and the facts, and will be easily shown to possess neither. This is why he's scared, as well as why his handlers want as few debates as possible.
Think back to 1992. Clinton wanted as many debates against George H.W. Bush as he could get because he felt he could beat 41. Obama had a hard time against Bill's wife, and she's a chump. That's why he's chicken! ns
This is why Obama backs down..
August 3, 2008 - 04:06 ET by Amanda JusticeFor any of you who wonder why Obama won't accept these Townhall invites, this is why. Off-the-cuff he is a uh, uh, uh, ah, um, ah, um... DUNCE!
Don't forget
August 3, 2008 - 08:13 ET by ReaverDon't forget that in his last debate he got a couple tough questions from Georgie and Charlie and he stumbled badly. Then whined about it for days. I think he's gunshy. He bungled his last debate and doesn't want to do it again. Expect any debate he participates in with McCain to be highly structured.
What's this crap about
August 3, 2008 - 08:31 ET by motherbeltWhat's this crap about (paraphrasing) you guys were all there when I said that (about not looking like the other presidents) and none of you thought I was making a racial remark???????
How the H does he know what they thought? More likely they recognized
it, but chose to not mention it until forced to by McCain!
And whoever said this guy was either articulate or eloquent???????
Speaking of stumbling, don't forget this answer about the cost of health care!
i can't belive what i just
August 3, 2008 - 10:54 ET by red_dragon311i can't belive what i just saw in you link......and this idiot is leading, what does that say anout the people who back him.
guys we are in a lose lose situation
If McCain wins we will all be called racist
If Barack H-word Obama wins we will be a nation of morons
A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have.
-Gerald Ford
I won't say Barry is stupid
August 3, 2008 - 00:03 ET by bigpapaI mean he did make it through law school Oh crap,, that's a contradiction.. sorry. They don't want the POS to debate, there isn't a script... It will be sad for Barry when he does it and his handlers know it..
NOBAMA 08 !!!
just a thought about "Barry"
August 3, 2008 - 05:53 ET by xyzzypoofs(sorry bigpapa, no disrespect to you - I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning) --I have noticed a trend where bloggers are calling Obama "Barry". Gee that sounds like a nice normal American name. If everyone keeps that up, the dems will probably use it on the bumper stickers once they get a vp pick. I'm worried that undecideds will feel a whole lot better about voting for someone called "Barry" than "Barack Hussein Obama"
I disagree. I think it's
August 3, 2008 - 06:23 ET by motherbeltI disagree. I think it's being used more by his opponents.
Obama did go by Barry in his younger days, before he decided to emphasize his ethnicity. I think his opponents use it because they think it makes him sound less serious.
[understatement alert!!] I don't like the guy but I will admit that Barack sounds more imposing.
Obama's theme song
You've GOTTA love it!
August 3, 2008 - 00:09 ET by Scout Finch"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"
Me thinks the McCain campaign may have struck upon a winning technique--kill'em with humor and sarcasm.
McCain camp come backs
August 3, 2008 - 03:20 ET by timrfrench61Yep. Obama keeps grasping for the moral high ground (that doesn't exist) and the McCain camp continues to land these quick gut shots for which Obama's people don't seem to have a come back.
The Media keeps crying that it's not a fight... but it is.
I have yet to see how Obama can win unless his voters are seeing something that I don't.
The Dems are crafty
August 3, 2008 - 03:51 ET by Cool ArrowThey're setting up a 2000 election all over again.
This time it will look like a lot of cheating because of the Bradley effect.
What the Dems want is violence in the streets (IMHO).
Read over te lst few lines of Ludicris' song and wonder aloud why those implications weren't the big headline.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE
Woo Hoo, NS
August 3, 2008 - 00:19 ET by BlondeOnce again you come up with the graphic of the week.
SWEET!
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
This is McCain he is afaid
August 3, 2008 - 00:27 ET by general companyThis is McCain he is afaid of, just imagine how he would shake if it were W, Reagan, Rudy, or Mitt. Geez?
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
gc
August 3, 2008 - 00:36 ET by BlondeAny of those three would eat him for lunch.
McCain will eat him for breakfast, though, particularly in a Town Hall format.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
Hope so
August 3, 2008 - 01:00 ET by general companyMcCain will eat him for breakfast, though
I hope so, I have this nightmere where he refuses to point out any of Obama's nonesense.
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Face the facts:
August 3, 2008 - 00:37 ET by ScrapironHussein O would lose a debate, that required general knowledge/and no script, with a 4th grade student who rides the short bus. He's not really a coward, he just knows he would make a fool of himself with America watching. Michelle must help the children with their homework, no way Barackie boy is smart enough.
Old, Retired and glad of it.
Hillary Spite
August 3, 2008 - 00:43 ET by entI think the occasional burst of objectivity from the AP may be explained by residual bitterness towards Obama over Hillary not getting the nomination. Half of the liberals who populate the AP wanted Hillary and they're no doubt still miffed.
Methinks the media (other
August 3, 2008 - 00:57 ET by Captain RepusMethinks the media (other than MSDNC and their subsidiary NBC) is beginning to realize they have caught a falling star and are slowly, but deliberately, trying to figure out a way to unhook from this meteoroid before impact.
I think the media is beginning to see a copy of a script from a movie I remember from a few years back in which a character, I believe a Senator, played by Robert Redford, who was a total empty-suit and was groomed and handled into the Presidency, only to say after he was elected, "What do we do now?"
In particular, with today's threats to our security, the possibility of economic meltdown and possible climate disaster pending, the MSM is realizing that they will be fully responsible if they get Obammy into office and everything falls apart (as I will guarantee you it will under his policies and total absence of experience and judgement).
As for MSDNC (and NBC), they are now on an inescapable death spiral with their puppy, and will never recover whether Obammy is elected or not. Their management and staff have allowed their hate and ideology to trap the network(s) into disaster.
Captain
August 3, 2008 - 01:04 ET by Noel SheppardCaptain,
The film is called "The Candidate," and your analogy is VERY STRONG. However, there's one thing you missed: part of the media's discouragement is that they helped create this monster. This might also explain their present hostility.
As I wrote about weeks ago when David Broder and Mark Shields were expressing their disappointment with Obama, I think they felt he really was the Messiah, and that's why they wrote and spoke so glowingly about him. (Messiah not being a religious reference, but, instead, the politician they've all been waiting for to change Washington.) When they found out that not only wasn't he anything special, but instead was really a vacuous dullard without an original thought in his skull, they responded like jilted lovers.
In effect, to get back their own lost self-esteem for being duped by this dope, press members need to expose his short-comings so as to earn back what they feel they've lost by showing so much respect for someone so undeserving. Make sense? ns
Makes perfect sense. If
August 3, 2008 - 01:16 ET by Captain RepusMakes perfect sense. If Obammy's polling continues its death spiral we just might see the true power of the media if they are able to derail his nomination. Along with the residual power of the Clintons, I believe the media can actually pull this off during the next few weeks.
When all is said and done, this whole thing is gonna make a heck of a movie script.
a vacuous dullard without
August 3, 2008 - 06:32 ET by motherbelta vacuous dullard without an original thought in his skull -NS
Good description, Noel!
What a coincidence! I just finished reading George Will at Townhall....and he skewered Obama in the way that only he can do. He commented that:
Even an eloquent politician can become, as Benjamin Disraeli described William Gladstone, "a sophistical rhetorician inebriated with the exuberance of his own verbosity."
Is George Will great, or what!
Thanks for the picture
August 3, 2008 - 00:50 ET by cocodrieIt was certain that Barack Hussein would crawfish out of any meaningful debate. He would rather have us listen to the profane, monotonous lyrics screamed at us by someone too stupid to buy the correct size pants.
I can see why Obama would be
August 3, 2008 - 00:53 ET by marvlI can see why Obama would be deathly afraid to attend townhall style debates. Just think, an audience member might ask him about specifics on inflating his car's tires. Or how many states there are in the United States. Or what U.S. state shares a border with Alaska.
I think Barry-O will trounce McCain in a debate.
August 3, 2008 - 01:18 ET by R D HelmI closely watched McCain stumble and fumble his way through the "debates" with his rivals during the primaries. I was not impressed.
To put it bluntly, McCain "won" the nomination for reasons other than his debating skills. And he most certainly did not win it on his qualifications.
What is worse, aside from their differences on the GWOT, which appear to be fewer as each day passes, I see little, if any real difference, between them.
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
I agree. McCain was
August 3, 2008 - 01:34 ET by Captain RepusI agree. McCain was horrible in the GOP debates.
Regardless of what he was questioned, his answer was "I was a foot soldier in the Reagan Revolution", followed up by a moronic grin.
Fortunately, by election day I believe voters with an IQ anywhere above plant life will realize what a national disaster Obammy would be and will reluctantly pull the lever for McCain. Unfortunately, we will be stuck with 4 years of policies more in line with the democrats than republicans, but at least we will avoid becomming a socialist state. After 4 years of McCain the republican party will come to their senses and nominate a candidate who can win on his merit instead of the lesser of two evils.
CR, McCain, if elected, will complete the destruction...
August 3, 2008 - 01:53 ET by R D Helm...of the conservative movement that was started in earnest by Bush 41 and enthusiastically continued by Bush 43.
Bush's signing of this latest "housing bill," which is going to take money away from me, by force, and give it to people who were too stupid to read the fine print on their mortgage contracts, was the proverbial last straw for me
George W. Bush is a socialist. Period.McCain is even futher to the left than he is.
As such, I will be voting for Bob Barr in November.
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
I fear you may be right,
August 3, 2008 - 05:43 ET by motherbeltI fear you may be right, RD. However we have the possibility that McCain would not be looking for a second term, which would provide an opportunity for someone more conservative.
BTW, did you see the PowerLine article suggesting John Kasich for VP?
I hadn't thought of him, for the reasons they state, but it's in interesting possibility.
Obama's theme song
mb, Kasich would make an excellent choice for VP.
August 3, 2008 - 20:59 ET by R D HelmMy only reservation is that would it connect him forever to McCain.
LOL-That would be a lot like Mondale's connection to Jihad Jimmy.
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
Why is it I think the first 10 minutes of a McCain/Obama debate
August 3, 2008 - 01:50 ET by R D Helm...will be Sen. McCain bending over backwards to praise Barry-O?
The truth is insensitive. - Neal Boortz
"Obviously, we would have
August 3, 2008 - 05:44 ET by motherbelt"Obviously, we would have to think through the logistics on that, but ... if I have the opportunity to debate substantive issues before the voters with John McCain, that's something that I am going to welcome." -Obama
Stay tuned for Obama's upcoming clarification.....uh....rewording....er...recalibration.
Obama's theme song
Obama will avoid debating
August 3, 2008 - 07:58 ET by SickofLibsObama will avoid debating McCain at all costs, and anyone who has spent more than two minutes listening to him speak 'off the cuff' knows exactly why.
Forget about a command of facts - he struggles to string five words together. It's simply painful to listen to.
Harvard Law Review, my ass. That must have been one bad year over there if this dolt was the cream of the crop.
2 things.
August 3, 2008 - 08:21 ET by sarcasmoFirst, IMO you're underestimating Obama. That's as dangerous for Republicans as underestimating Reagan or Helms was for Democrats. Barak Obama managed to get conservative law students to support him, and these were very smart Hahvahd conservatives. I found Obama's Conlaw tests interesting, in the usual lefty way, but he's not a dummy, he just disagrees with us. This townhall debate avoidance is standard campaign strategy 101: "When you're ahead in the odds/polls, avoid any debates."
Secondly on that subject, and I can't resist saying this, "now you know how Libertarians (who rightfully own a few chickensuits, themselves) feel when it comes to debates." Indeed, you're doing better -- at least you get a few, whether or not it's the format you think will showcase McCain best.
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.
I disagree Sarc
August 3, 2008 - 09:04 ET by pbthinkerI disagree with Obama avoiding debates because he's ahead in the polls. There will come a time when, if the polls don't put him above 50%, he'll realize he hasn't closed the deal and he'll be begging McCain for debates.
I don't believe Obama is an empty suit but I do believe he doesn't really grasp the issues as well as he would if he had more experience. That sarcastic (you must have appreciated it) remark he made about inflating tires and getting a tune-up, was rapidly replaced with one that said he would consider drilling as part of a comprehensive energy plan, blah, blah, blah. That little bit of inexperience can get him into serious trouble in a townhall style debate.
I'm sure Obama would love 3 YouTube debates that would be all fluff and, if CNN controls them, not damaging to the campaign. I hope McCain is smart enough to avoid that trap. If the debates will only be 3, I would insist that FoxNews run at least one of them, that way Obama will have to answer some tough questions.
Democrats: Stuck on Stupid since 2000.
Heh. It's interesting
August 3, 2008 - 09:13 ET by sarcasmoWhat you see as inexperience I see as a perfectly executed political flip-flop which is likely to cost Obama nothing in the long run unless Bush surprises me, grows a pair this afternoon, and calls Congress back to force an emergency vote on the issue. Even though Michelle Malkin's also behind it, I doubt this will happen.
And I don't think we're disagreeing on debates -- they have 3 coming anyway. Avoiding any more debates any sooner while he's considered ahead is just basic election strategy for Obama (much like both sides avoiding any discussion of letting any third party candidate into any of those 3 they'll have).
JMR
The tax & spend drug war looks racist in the real world.