More Close Encounters for the Campaign

He is wise to sidestep those debates actually. O'ahh' ma doesn't do well in impromptu sitiuations. Too many "ums" and "uhhhhhs" can kill a campaign.

Meanwhile, another strategy to assist the flawed campaign might be instead of fronting with Obama about dissecting the issues GOP is guilty of malpractice on.(since looming-Obama-scandals make that impossible), instead those democrats dedicated to winning this Fall (as opposed to those "dems" who are dedicated to see a loss), might consider instead, turning out TV commercials featuring leading scientists presenting hard evidence as to why McLame's policy-proposals will harm our country.

If Obama stands for what the experts are saying, then the message "experts support Obama" will be implied. Also, it would augment the very good idea Obama's camp has had recenly of painting out McLame as a know-nothing outdated archaic dinosaur-logic (take your pick..lol..) fossil. It will more importantly make it "the science doesn't agree with McCain". That might be a boost.

Just a reminder. Time is running out....

“Why doesn’t Obama take McCain up on the offer he repeated last night for face-to-face town hall encounters?”

He probably will. After checking the state-by-state polls, it’s clear he has to do something drastic. It appears he is heading for a Dukakis style loss.

He lacks the raw material to "do something drastic". He is hamstrung in more ways than one.

I think having scientists and experts back up his radically differing platform might be the only last-ditch attempt that could salvage him. A return to the message of "real change" with a new twist: experts backing him on how it can really come about.

The GOP would be helpless under those conditions...

He needs to be careful to court people with recognized expertise in their fields...willing to speak out objectively about why McCain will make us suffer, or conversely, why Obama will make us prosper.

I think Obama should do a couple of the townhall meetings. It would interesting.

At the same time, McCain claim that Obama is forcing him to negative because he won't do the townhall meetings is absurd. McCain's honor and integrity seem to be tied to his popularity and nothing more.

Of course you think he should, even spite of the fact that it would be ultimately damaging to the democratic bid.

It's a riddle: solve

You think it would be a disaster because he says "uh" when he speaks?

It would be a disaster because he has nothing when it comes to substance and it shows disasterously when he tries to debate specifics...which of course would be the case in those close and comfy meetings...

You know that...*rolls eyes*

I'm beginning to think his name should be legally changed to "Uh...ahh..ma.."

I don't agree that it would be a nosedive... that's all.

Bullocks. You know damn well it would be. You're far too shrewd to convince me of your "innocence" as to what would happen for Obama. It would be a strategic bloodbath.

Nice try though...lol..

Silhouette, on this topic I think you're just plain wrong. Anyone who saw Obama in the primary debates knows that he is more than capable of presenting his ideas and explaining his policies. So what if he says "um" while he's collecting his thoughts? Better to think before speaking than parrot empty talking points or just blurt out the first thing you think of. Besides, McCain is far worse at public speaking, scripted or unscripted.

Anyway, I agree with Robert that it would be good for the Obama campaign and good for the voters to see more townhall debates. Assuming, of course, that the debates aren't as hamstrung with preconditions as the Bush-Kerry debates were.

FYI, Omaba did not reject the idea of Town Hall meetings, he didn't want to do ten of them. Obama suggested 5 debates total with one as a town hall meeting. You might say the much smaller number is a cop out, but you can't say he said no entirely.

Why does Obama avoid townhall debates?

2 words

No teleprompter

He put to rest the notion he would debate McCain "anytime, anywhere: a long time ago when he refused to do townhall debates and face questions from ordinary folks.

Leo, the teleprompter thing is a great meme, but Obama's done tons of debates, one-on-one interviews in both news and entertainment media, a gajillion press conferences where he was questioned.... The idea that he only speaks with a teleprompter is just made up, though it surely sounds great.