Source: Obama will turn the debate into a town hall if McCain doesn’t show
posted at 2:05 pm on September 25, 2008 by Allahpundit
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.
Is McCain prepared to hand The One a 90-minute campaign commercial in front of a national audience? I’m guessing no, in which case expect him to decide tomorrow morning that the bailout’s close enough to being done to qualify as “done,” whereupon he’ll declare victory and hop a plane for Ole Miss. The second poll on his decision to postpone the debate is just out from Marist, incidentally, and while the numbers aren’t as dramatic as yesterday’s Survey USA data, he’s still on the wrong side. 53 percent want the show to go on, including 53 percent of independents.
Exit question via Bill Clinton: How come Obama’s suddenly gung ho for a town hall in McCain’s absence after he declined Maverick’s offer for a series of them earlier this year?
Update: Skipping the debate could be especially dicey with independents, among whom McCain’s surging right now. See the new numbers from Franklin & Marshall noting that Obama’s seven-point lead among indies in June is now a six-point lead for Maverick. That jibes with the NBC and LAT polls yesterday showing a huge swing. But for how long? Pew offers this:
Follow the link and eyeball the first graph for the overall trend. He’s playing with fire if he doesn’t show.
Blowback
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I bet you came in on the open registration from about 1-2 months ago, right? It’s just a matter of time before you pull the blog commenter’s Biden type gaffe-fest and get banned. I’m counting the days…. hopefully sooner rather than later.
Sultry Beauty on September 25, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Tag screwup.
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 2:37 PM
This presupposes that Obama is gonna leave before a bill is passed, doesn’t it?
Obama would be stupid to leave Washington prior to passage – or least nearing it.
lorien1973 on September 25, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Perfect- Obama will set up the townhall he refused to do.
Then McCain swoops in last minute in a jetpack to Scorpions “Rock You Like a Hurricane”.
Chuck Schick on September 25, 2008 at 2:37 PM
Perhaps Obama should debate himself: Flip vs. Flop
Or maybe he and Biden could argue about their own opposing views on clean coal, the war, etc.
Brat on September 25, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Obama is soooooo brave.
mrsmwp on September 25, 2008 at 2:39 PM
My understanding is that McCain said he would suspend his campaign until a deal was reached that could pass both houses. He wanted to postpone the debate to work on that. If however, a deal is reached..I am assuming he would be there. I would say it is contingent on that.
BTW, the only way Obama will do a townhall is if he can pack the audience and pick the people to talk to. The man is a sissy.
Terrye on September 25, 2008 at 2:40 PM
I think you need some lipstick. I have Alaskan Sunset, Moose Blood Red and North Slope Fireweed. What would you like since your pasty ass is about to get on my nerves and I haven’t killed anything with lipstick yet.
upinak on September 25, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Bringing this back, gotta love (/sarc) end of page….
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Dave will show his racist side eventually.
upinak on September 25, 2008 at 2:44 PM
McCain will put off his decision until the 11th hour.
He will show, increasing the viewership and the drama.
mylegsareswollen on September 25, 2008 at 2:44 PM
The Dem’s have crap running out of their mouths.
They’re even towing the HUGE FALLACY that NObama was THE ONLY ONE who advised long ago about the Fannie/Freddie debacle.
LIARS!
Domino on September 25, 2008 at 2:45 PM
I could be wrong, but drywall might be an old poster from Captain’s Quarters.
Count to 10 on September 25, 2008 at 2:45 PM
Obama is bluffing.
There is NO WAY Obama wants a true ‘town hall’ – he might have to answer questions about Ayers and Wright and the Surge.
McCain should either call his bluff (‘go ahead, have the town meeting without me) or, as others have said, use Obama’s words against him and volunteer to change the debate to an open town hall.
Religious_Zealot on September 25, 2008 at 2:45 PM
BTW, the only way Obama will do a townhall is if he can pack the audience and pick the people to talk to. The man is a sissy.
Terrye on September 25, 2008
But the whole sissy-in-the-white-house thing worked out just fine in the 70′s, didn’t it?
SKYFOX on September 25, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Hahaha! Just heard Limbaugh play about 10 clips from the MSM all calling McCain’s proposal to delay the debate as a “Hail Mary Pass.” So, who really writes the news that the talking heads read?
Blake on September 25, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Is it too much to hope for that its too late to change it back from the town hall set up when he gets there?
Count to 10 on September 25, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Sadly no, Dave has been here longer than that. I registered in that opening, and lurked for several months beforehand, and Dave was around even then.
The registration before that, maybe.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 2:48 PM
God I love this guy.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Once again, the Democrats take the American people to be complete idiots, insinuating that this debate will somehow open up peoples’ eyes to where the candidates stand on the issues. I think that pretty much everyone by now knows where the candidates stand, now the important thing is how those words are translated into actions. One wants to go back to work for the people in a time of crisis, the other one wants to stay in the spotlight and away from Washington. There can be no more contrast between these two individuals than there is right now, IMHO.
Chuckie on September 25, 2008 at 2:51 PM
Fear not, Cto10. In the two weeks following October 3 you will not hear from Rywall because he promised to banish himself for that period of time if Obama is not ahead by 10 points or more in the Rasmussen national poll.
ManlyRash on September 25, 2008 at 2:52 PM
Like Biden should have done, can we get that in writing, Rash?
HornetSting on September 25, 2008 at 2:53 PM
CNN is saying Congress has a bailout plan that everybody agrees on.
MCCAIN needs to take credit for bringing the R’s to the table, then show up for the debate and say: “That’s how it’s done, boy.”
If the dems decide to sit on this now until after the debate. Johnny Mac may be in sheepdip.
cntrlfrk on September 25, 2008 at 2:53 PM
Sure:
ManlyRash on September 25, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Yeah, but I’m sure there’s an all-new Troll-a-licious Rywall v2.0 account just waiting in the wings… morons just can’t keep their ignorant opinions to themselves, and trolls like him don’t have enough of a sense of honor to keep their word.
hindmost on September 25, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Can you do a town hall style event with teleprompters?
4shoes on September 25, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Very nice, Rash. You are the man!
HornetSting on September 25, 2008 at 3:01 PM
I would love it if Palin unexpectedly walked out on stage and announced that she’d be pinch hitting for Senator McCain, and ask pointedly if Senator Obama would have a problem with that. If he objects and walks out, hey, she can hold a Town Hall and maybe squeeze in some time with Jim Lehrer…
dufflepud on September 25, 2008 at 3:01 PM
Obama might want to rethink that. There just might be someone in the audience that will ask him why he is not in Washington. Of course, I am sure the Obama Campaign and the MSM pre selected the audience to make sure it was full of Obamaniacs. After all, that is what all good little totalitarian demagogues do.
Nahanni on September 25, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Sultry Beauty-
I can also say Dave has been here from the start…I registered in that opening also.
~B (Old Polypundit lurker )
Brian on September 25, 2008 at 3:02 PM
McCain should threaten to send Bubba or Lieberman in his place just to mess with The One.
Terrie on September 25, 2008 at 3:03 PM
Bow chika wow wow.
lorien1973 on September 25, 2008 at 3:03 PM
It would be GAME OVER for Obama!
HornetSting on September 25, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Racist.
The Monster on September 25, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Yes we
cancan’t!geckomon on September 25, 2008 at 3:06 PM
\
Now there’s a thought.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 3:06 PM
I think the McCain camp should follow Letterman’s advice and send Sarah Palin to debate Obama.
DWSC on September 25, 2008 at 3:07 PM
GAME OVER MAN, GAME OVER!!!
(Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Oops – Dufflepud already thought of my idea.
DWSC on September 25, 2008 at 3:07 PM
Domino on September 25, 2008 at 3:09 PM
GAME OVER MAN, GAME OVER!!!
(Sorry, couldn’t resist.)
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 3:07 PM
—————————————————
My thoughts exactly….troll mating call.
HornetSting on September 25, 2008 at 3:09 PM
I suppose a video-conferencing setup is out of the question, with Senator McCain in DC and Senator Obama in Mississippi.
News2Use on September 25, 2008 at 3:13 PM
The media has to give equal air time.
Chakra Hammer on September 25, 2008 at 3:14 PM
Don’t forget the cerebral retort “Next!”
geckomon on September 25, 2008 at 3:14 PM
I’ve always been tempted to respond to that, “What’s the rush? Don’t want to stick around one topic too long?”
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 3:16 PM
Maverick should show at the last minute and let the town hall begin.
Hening on September 25, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Rywall, Bayam, Monkei, Alphie and a couple whose names escape me are all trolls from the old CQ site, who have decided to carry on the proud tradition of having their heads handed back on a regular basis.
Brought to you by a long-time lurker and occasional poster on BOTH sites.
irongrampa on September 25, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Let Palin stand-in for McCain.
lionheart on September 25, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Can Obambi bring his teleprompter?
How much you wanna bet he already has all the questions?
drjohn on September 25, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Maybe he can do a 90 minute soliloquy on how fasting the last three weeks has affected his brain…
KZnextzone on September 25, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Obama is using Fannie Mae’s former chief lobbyist to prep for the debate.
Story
Tom Donilon is another ultimate Washington insider. And he presided over Fannie’s lobbying and legal shops at the time they were doing their worst. After OFHEOs report was released they tried to get the director of OFHEO investigated and then fired.
Donilon is also a key architect of the DNC rules that Obama played so well to steal the nomination from Hillary Clinton.
rockmom on September 25, 2008 at 3:21 PM
Of course he already has all the questions! Obama can’t tell you what day of the week it is without checking with Axelrod, and then writing the answer on his hand.
anniekc on September 25, 2008 at 3:23 PM
Well, hell, might as well make Obama feel at home. Invite Daley, Bill Ayers, Rev Wright and all of Obama’s friends.
marklmail on September 25, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Thankee sai.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 3:24 PM
Obama should invite some third party candidates to share his stage.
Maybe just the right wingers, like Baldwin and maybe Barr.
That would make McCain scurry to that stage.
angelat0763 on September 25, 2008 at 3:26 PM
My guess, FWIW, is that McCain will show up. Osama Obama will have a hissy fit, yank out the earpiece through which he gets debate help from his 300 advisers, and mumble angrily about McCain’s “racism.”
MrScribbler on September 25, 2008 at 3:28 PM
To the contrary, it would just make the event appear like a venue for losers to vent their spleen- sorta like the Ron Paul events in St. Paul during the GOP convention.
highhopes on September 25, 2008 at 3:29 PM
Coulter debate Obama. Blood bath.
marklmail on September 25, 2008 at 3:29 PM
My guess is that whether or not McCain shows up will depend on what happens between now and the last possible minute for the go/no go decision tomorrow.
McCain won’t show without some sort of progress (at a minimum) though I suspect the Democrats won’t agree to anything much but general principle so McCain isn’t able to show up in Oxford the hero of the hour.
highhopes on September 25, 2008 at 3:33 PM
Obama in a town hall? GET ME A TICKET!
Me:
“Senator Obama, in light of the research done by Stanley Kurtz on the Annenberg Challenge and you smoking Bill Ayers’ pole for five years, why did you lie to the American people multiple times about your relationship with this anti-American, commie, terrorist piece of sh*te?”
ex-Democrat on September 25, 2008 at 3:34 PM
Takes a lot of stones for a guy to say that who hasn’t done even one thing period, let alone one thing at a time, let alone more than one thing at a time.
I agree with the above poster that says McCain should show up at the last minute. Maybe that way the format of the debate will be fluid, and McCain will really have a shot at exposing the empty suit that is Obama.
smellthecoffee on September 25, 2008 at 3:36 PM
Exit answer: It’s all about MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
locomotivebreath1901 on September 25, 2008 at 3:39 PM
MCCain SEND SARAHCUDA!
The press is fond of making her out to be an imbusile
McCain SEND SARAHCUDA to trounce the lightweight!
dhunter on September 25, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Grue In The Attic on September 25 2008 at 3:24PM
“thankee sai”? King fan?
irongrampa on September 25, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Wolves of the Calla?
RushBaby on September 25, 2008 at 3:47 PM
Yeah :) For some reason felt like dropping that in there.
Pops up in the whole series actually, although I admit Wolves was one of my favorite of the seven :)
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 3:49 PM
McCain has to go all in on skipping the debate at this point. He has to hope Obama looks like a fool by showing up at the debate. Otherwise he will look weak.
Then, next week he should challenge Obama to a serious of town hall debates to make up for the missed debate. He can say, “I am not scared to debate, in fact, now that we have passed this legislation, lets debate all week long, town hall style.”
poljunkie on September 25, 2008 at 3:50 PM
How about during the debate, after McCain jets to Ole Miss, Newt calls him on his cellphone and he whips it out and interrupts the debate with some real bailout work live, and then pockets the phone and says to the moderator: “Just multi-tasking.”
Priceless.
Sapwolf on September 25, 2008 at 3:52 PM
SEND PALIN
Stay strong Johnny Mac.
Obama turned down numerous opportunities to debate McCain. His loss. Since Obama has been running against our VP for months, let him debate her while the boss is in DC actually running the government.
Obama wants a dog and pony show. Give him one. He has no idea what to do against Palin, cowers at the sound of her name and his only real response so far was to let the DNC trample her with sexist and racial slurs while he claims to be in charge.
Go ahead, duchebag- shows us that “executive experience” against our Governor.
SEND PALIN!
.SEND PALIN!
SEND PALIN!
Damiano on September 25, 2008 at 3:56 PM
If there is any doubt about that bailout plan not being nailed for Monday markets opening, McCain stays there and keeps working through the weekend and puts Country First. The election be damned. Stick to leadership and principles.
If Obama then hangs at Ole Miss, he will look SO BAD, while McCain is trying to save the economy.
Sapwolf on September 25, 2008 at 3:56 PM
Is it just me or is this turning into some sort of election season game show/reality series?
thevastlane on September 25, 2008 at 4:03 PM
Umm… But the networks probably won’t show it.
Illinidiva on September 25, 2008 at 4:10 PM
I think it would be a mistake for McCain to miss the debate completely no matter how much he is needed in DC. He needs to find some way to make it work, by doing the debate via video or by sending in Palin. I’d really like to see him do something unexpected and stay on the offensive.
As it stands now, if the media picks up a “McCain retreated to Washington” meme, it will not help. Is there any question that the Dems in DC would be willing to stall for as long as they need to so that Obama can have a 90 minute infomercial? I don’t think McCain’s chances of getting something hammered out before he needs to leave for the debate are very good, so I can only hope that the campaign is not putting eggs in that basket and is proactively planning another way to represent the ticket at the scheduled debate.
kgs_mvs on September 25, 2008 at 4:25 PM
He definitely should do a town hall style meeting.
Proposed first question:
“Ask you have asked for, and the voters of Illinois have given you the power as one of one hundred Senators, why, Senator Obama are you here in Mississippi instead of doing your job in Washington? Don’t you think you should be doing something in the midst of this crisis to help the American people, rather than during your first term in national office ask us to give you yet a different job?”
rbj on September 25, 2008 at 4:28 PM
The easiest way to cause Obama headaches at the debate is to ask him for specifics. He’s so accustomed to speaking in generalities (e.g., “…caused by Bush’s failed policies…”) and never being called on it by the media (i.e., “What specific policies do you mean and how did they cause the problem?”) that I think he would have serious difficulties pointing to a specific policy and how, specifically, that policy caused the problem. It would be interesting to see if he could provide examples and correctly explain the causal relationships.
Wouldn’t it be a hoot to hear Palin school Obama with a “correlation is not causation” line. And, if she’s been doing any reading about the current financial crisis, she would be able to explain why simply b/c the current crisis happened while Bush is still in office is not reason enough to lay all the blame on Bush policies.
kgs_mvs on September 25, 2008 at 4:38 PM
Well he might as well. The place is all set up and paid for and everything.
SoulGlo on September 25, 2008 at 4:39 PM
Nicely done.
*eats*
Grue in the Attic on September 25, 2008 at 4:40 PM
Did McCain say he was canceling his participation in the Friday nite debate? I thought he asked Obama to consider rescheduling it in order to deal with this crisis. Obama said no it should go on. Did McCain then say go ahead without him?
I thought I heard McCain say a 48 hour suspension of his campaign activities. That would end about noon on Friday, yes?
Texas Gal on September 25, 2008 at 4:45 PM
Drywall sounds very much like ‘Kent Allard’–and they are never on the same thread although both on this blog at the same times. Dave has his own computer in Mom’s basement, and then there’s the one upstairs……..
One of them let it be know that he’s Canadian, but doesn’t seem to know anything about Canada or seem interested in the Great White North
once you start playing Make-Believe on the internet, everything is possible
Janos Hunyadi on September 25, 2008 at 5:07 PM
Precious. How about they turn it into a townhall if McCain does show…
Anyway, envision McCain, having saved the day with House Republicans, triumphantly riding into Oxford, MS on his valiant steed just in time for the debate.
Time to replace the face in Allah’s “Comes a Man” Photoshop image…?
CliffHanger on September 25, 2008 at 5:11 PM
“Comes a New Man…”
CliffHanger on September 25, 2008 at 5:13 PM
Ubama can handle a debate all by himself just fine.
He holds both positions one every issue anyway.
Let him debate himself.
Not only is he clean and articulate, he is a master debater.
SaintOlaf on September 25, 2008 at 5:49 PM
Uh, huh. Like 53% of Americans, of any political persuasion, were really, really, really looking foward to watching a debate on Friday night?
Nichevo on September 25, 2008 at 5:49 PM
Let him ride in on a moose, borrowed from Sarah.
Steve Z on September 25, 2008 at 5:51 PM
I think Sarah Palin should take his place – and make the point that the Republican nominee for President is busy working.
seketabi on September 25, 2008 at 5:51 PM
Again, I said it yesterday, and I’ll say it again. Obama wanted the Foreign policy debate first and on a Friday night. He wanted to get his weak area out of the way with fewest number of people watching. Well guess what? Obama’s not gonna get his wish; whatever happens, plenty of people will be watching. Maybe, the old sea dog knew the deal was about to get done, and he goaded Obama into puffing out his chest about being scared. Obama said let’s debate, so I’m thinking McCain will show up and a huge, bigger than Obama hoped for audience will show up, to see The One get his clock cleaned.
sophiesmom on September 25, 2008 at 6:16 PM
I’ve had a little daydream about his. McCain stays back tending to business, The Messiah starts in on a solo town meeting and El Rushbo himself stands up in the audience and says, “I’m your Huckleberry”
(umm, if anyone is scratching their head, go to youtube and search for Tombstone)
Rayhummel on September 25, 2008 at 6:28 PM
Damn, I’m watching Fox Special Report and all of a sudden Brit says they have an unexpected guest…Obama. He’s blathering on about the negotiations and now he’s talking about not injecting presidential politics into it and how we should have a debate. He finally shut up. Now that really makes me angry. He used his time to further his campaign.
Deanna on September 25, 2008 at 6:41 PM
Obama has been proclaining the-worst-economy-since-the-Depression for weeks, & he gets a chance to show leadership in fixing it, but says, “Uh, call me, uhhh, if you, um, need me.”
jgapinoy on September 25, 2008 at 8:43 PM
McCain should tell America that the media will use the hour and a half to finally vet Obama after two years of a free ride.
ex-Democrat on September 25, 2008 at 8:54 PM
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