The Debate of the Free World is in Your Hands

(a guest post by Nora McAlvanah)

Hillary Clinton’s top campaign operatives today continued their efforts to line up future debates with Barack Obama, sending a letter to the Obama camp, saying: "We hope Senator Obama will join Senator Clinton for a debate a week beginning this weekend.” The Clinton camp notified the press about the letter early this morning, which they said campaign manager Patti Solis Doyle will be sending to Obama’s campaign manager David Plouffe.

For their part, the Obama camp objected to the challenge, or at least the manner in which it was posed. “Their tactic is underscored by their admission that they sent their reporters before they actually sent it to us,” said Obama spokesperson Bill Burton. “We’re going to debate but it’s not going to be dictated by the Clinton campaign. We’ll have details on our schedule, including debates, soon” (NORA McALVANAH).

Comments

Clinton was one of the ones who refused to participate in Fox-sponsored debates, along with Obama and Edwards, a few months ago.

is Fox less evil now than it was then?

Posted by rob! | February 7, 2008 11:29 AM

Obama should not debate her. They've had plenty of debates. She wants to debate to keep up that flirty/friendly thing she now does, to blur the lines, and to suggest a vote for her is a vote for both of them - that if she gets the nomination he gets the VP slot.
She seems to always need a man to get elected.

Posted by fougasseu | February 7, 2008 11:30 AM

Every American should have the opportunity to moderate at least one presidential debate.

Posted by alkali | February 7, 2008 11:33 AM

I agree with fougasseau: no more debates. looking at these candidates side by side and listening to them answer questions from journalists is not fair to Obama. He shouldn't have to lose anymore debates or answer any more questions. Even lowering himself to standing on stage next to a woman with half of all democratic voters behind her is definately a ridiculas idea: he's better than that.
The less they know about obama and the less we know about the positions he does or doesn't take the better it is, right? transparency is bad now.

Posted by Michael C. | February 7, 2008 11:53 AM

Hee hee - 'fraidycats!

Posted by Tom W. | February 7, 2008 12:06 PM

We've had 18 debates, Michael C. There's been plenty of debate time for you to make a decision. But it sounds like you already have.

Posted by Kevin | February 7, 2008 12:07 PM

She just does not stop conniving. Perhaps she cannot stop.

Posted by impressed | February 7, 2008 12:56 PM

Yeah, such "conniving"!

Imagine a POLITICAL DEBATE in a POLITICAL ELECTION? Terrible.

Horrible Clinton's continue to ATTACK POO LI'L BARACK. Challenging him to a DEBATE. What's next? Are there no depths they won't sink to.

I just wish I was close enough to give the poor set upon fellow a hug and rub his curly head.

Posted by robert ethan | February 7, 2008 1:11 PM

Top Ten Excuses Obama Will Offer To Avoid Debate -

10. I was busy talking with the President of Canada.
9. I need to chill with my celebrity friends over a few doobies and a little blow.
8. I need to do a little more work on my campaign rap album. Stevie Wonder is way out of tune.
7. I plan to visit my old friends Tony Rezko, Abdulmuhamid Chaim, and Ali Ata, at the maximum security instituition.
6. I plan to visit my cousin Raila Odinga in Kenya to give him more advice on how to deal with a disputed election result.
5. I lost a bunch of my papers and don't know what my calendar is for the next 3 months.
4. I pressed the wrong button on the elevator and ended up in the parking lot while the debate was happening on the 6th floor.
3. The invitation to debate demanded a "yes" or "no" answer, and I prefer more "nuanced" responses, so I replied PRESENT.
2. The debates are all about niggling little things like policy and concept of government. I hate that stuff. We just need to CHANGE!
1. They won't let me use a teleprompter or an earpiece, and I have a heck of a time reading Axelrod's sign language from up on stage.

Posted by robert ethan | February 7, 2008 1:30 PM

robert ethan, how are you doing? It must be pretty hard to get by without pay anymore. You can crash at my place if you want.

Posted by Zephyrus | February 7, 2008 1:32 PM

I just wish I was close enough to give the poor set upon fellow a hug and rub his curly head.

Readers: Did you know that Robert Ethan is actually only 11 inches tall? In spite of his tiny frame, he nonetheless dresses smartly, usually presenting in a trim if somewhat shiny little suit. His necktie is actually a scrap of quarter-inch ribbon. His shoes are just, well, they're just awfully cute. He sleeps on a single sofa cushion, which to him is what a California king-sized bed would be to us. He needs help getting up and off of chairs, but manages to do well in his own home business all the same, commanding a certain respect in spite of his tiny stature.

Posted by Trilby | February 7, 2008 1:34 PM

Paying a visit to Obama's African relatives in his ancestral homeland in Kenya's Rift Valley -

http://www.economist.com/world/africa/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10653938

Posted by robert ethan | February 7, 2008 1:44 PM

robert ethan, you're still here? Didn't you have a Klan rally you had to show up at?

Posted by firebrand | February 7, 2008 3:20 PM

robert ethan, you're still here? Didn't you have a Klan rally you had to show up at?

Posted by firebrand | February 7, 2008 3:54 PM