Plouffe Responds On Town Hall Meetings Proposals

Obama campaign manager David Plouffe:

“Barack Obama offered to meet John McCain at five joint appearances between now and Election Day—the three traditional debates plus a joint town hall on the economy in July and an in-depth debate on foreign policy in August. That package of five engagements would have been the most of any Presidential campaign in the modern era—offering a broad range of formats—and representing a historic commitment to openness and transparency.

“It’s disappointing that Senator McCain and his campaign decided to decline this proposal. Apparently they would rather contrive a political issue than foster a genuine discussion about the future of our country.

“Senator Obama believes that the American people deserve an open and accessible debate as they choose between real change and four more years of failed Bush policies, and he welcomed McCain’s invitation to offer voters ‘the rare opportunity of witnessing candidates for the highest office in the land discuss civilly and extensively the great issues at stake in the election."

Clearly, Obama did not want to committ to a series of pre-convention joint town halls. Too much time away from campaigning -- it's a big country and there are lots of places to go, too much prep time, too much schedule disruption. And, truth be told, McCain is better at these kinds of events than Obama is.

5 events would be, I believe, the most since 1960.

Comments

You don't let your opponent pick the terms of a fight.

Nothing wrong with Obama's proposal, and it looks like McCain's efforts to contrive a political issue have worked here.

Posted by TDE | June 13, 2008 12:36 PM

Truth be told, he didn't need to give McCain more free air time.

The CW is that McCain is better than Obama, but how many of these have you actually seen. Yourself? I've seen more than a few on television and Obama does very well. It's not at all clear to me that McCain's sarcastic style translates well over the airwaves.

Posted by evie | June 13, 2008 12:39 PM

And, truth be told, McCain is better at these kinds of events than Obama is.

Having seen them both in action, I'd dispute this. There's no doubt that McCain excels in formats where he can just say what he thinks -- certainly relative to how he does in front of a teleprompter -- but I think the format is also a place for Obama's professorial, conversational style to shine. I also think you'll be surprised at how well Obama would come off versus McCain when there at one of these events together. Obama's at his best when he's allowed to think out loud. McCain's off-the-cuff remarks often take him places he doesn't really want to go, and that's tended to be alright when he's in front of a room of McCain supporters, but if the audience were all or at least mostly independents -- as I'm sure the Obama campaign would insist that they be -- the odds of McCain making some major gaffe are, I think, higher than those of Obama doing so.

Honestly, I sort of feel like if they did a townhall together, Obama would kind of eviscerate McCain.

Posted by Daniel Munz | June 13, 2008 12:41 PM

I'm not sure either where this defacto 'better' arguemnt comes from. Obama would be better with Lincoln-Douglas, but McCain is currently doing as well with televised speeches as Nixon 1959.

Posted by James | June 13, 2008 12:44 PM

McCain does "better"? Perhaps. But the more times people see Obama and McCain together on stage, the more it will alleviate public concerns about Obama as Commander in Chief.

Posted by compare | June 13, 2008 12:50 PM

McCain does "better"? Perhaps. But the more times people see Obama and McCain together on stage, the more it will alleviate public concerns about Obama as Commander in Chief.

Posted by Robert Ethan | June 13, 2008 12:50 PM

"And, truth be told, McCain is better at these kinds of events than Obama is."

No. McCain has a comparative advantage at this events. Relative to his awful set speeches, his town halls are pretty compelling. But he does not have an absolute advantage in any sense. I agree wholeheartedly with Daniel Munz that McCain wouldn't do nearly as well in a room of independents and Iraq-skeptics.

Posted by Matt Rognlie | June 13, 2008 1:02 PM

At the end of the day: the McCain camp will either agree or simply not do any joint meetings.

I think the Obama team came up with a good promise to create a historic momment as well as create a great media enviroment to succed in as well.

(1) The number is a sane amount that ordinary voters will think: hey, that seems fine and media types will get that given the contest between them and Obama having JUST gotten the nomination he has a lot of campaigning and fence mending to do so the Obama camp won't get a lot of heat from this I think.

(2) Most people won't pay attention to McCain's calls for debates.

(3) Obama does have a bad reputation at this stuff so looking decent will go a long way for him here.

Overall: why give McCain so much free time? The Obama campaign has a plan too for their campaign and the McCain campaign seems stuck responding to THEM or engaging with THEM versus engaging with the electorate.

The lack of message is McCain's biggest problem; just as race/religion misunderstandings are Obamas.

Posted by Rhoda | June 13, 2008 1:18 PM

From start to end, this was a gimmick. If McCain wanted these town halls to happen, he would have given Obama more than a week from the end of the Democratic Primary before the first town hall. John McCain is trying to dictate the terms of this election. Sen. Obama would be wise to ignore McCain and work on voter registration, especially in states where Democrats to pick up Senate seats.

Posted by Ben | June 13, 2008 1:24 PM

If last night's audience-stacking fiasco is any indication, McCain's team doesn't think as highly of his "advantage" here as you do. They think they need a biased audience for McCain to shine.

Posted by Gwendy | June 13, 2008 1:31 PM

Despite the fact it makes no sense to just accept McCain's conditions without any negotiation, personally I think Obama should agree to meet McCain wherever whenever. The MSM forgets two things when it comes to town hall meetings. First, it was by doing a series of town halls that Obama caught fire in Iowa. He's probably better at them than formal debates. And second, McCain's perceived prowess in the format comes from the days when he could do and say anything and the media let it slide. If he's paired up against Obama, any off-the-cuff remark ("the little jerk" moment, "bomb, bomb Iran," "100 years") will immediately blow-up across the media. No liberal bloggers will have to stoke the flames of outrage, although they surely will. I'm convinced the McCain plan is a result of desperation. Why else would the established, "presidential" candidate want to share so much time with the upstart, who would immediately close any stature gap that exists?

Posted by NHCt | June 13, 2008 1:32 PM

I suppose he is better at these types of events because he stacks them with his supporters who shower him with praise, and then tries to claim that they are open to everyone.

Posted by Miki | June 13, 2008 1:46 PM

Obama can't agree. He's an idiot whenever he tries to stray from speechifying or reciting position papers written for him. He can't win debates and he can't agree to any kind of discussion of issues for that reason. For the last two weeks he's reeled around (1) foreign policy, (2) taxation and economics, and (3) why he has a notably lowlife washington insider on his VP staff. And this was not even in a live discussion/debate. His incompetence becomes obvious as soon as he steps away from the teleprompter.

I'd be shocked if McCain gets TWO debates out of Obama all year.

Posted by AsperGirl | June 13, 2008 1:52 PM

Had McCain taken legitimate questions from Actual Democrats last night on the Fox news softball special, he'd have standing on this issue. Since the audience was so stacked, Fox News had to clarify/apologize for the misrepresentation, McCain loses any and all credibility on this issue.

I'd like to add that Debates over Debates worked even worse than the Gas Tax for Hillary (see Indiana vs. Wisconsin) so McCain's camp should be careful not to look desperate.

2 events are 2 events... to balk at that and stage another made for TV luv-in on Faux news is simply not going to convince any fair minded Americans that John McCain faces tougher questions.

Posted by kubla000 | June 13, 2008 1:52 PM

mccain only does well at town halls, thats why. he is awkward in his speeches and obama does much better than him when talking to the people

OBAMA O8!!!!

Posted by crys | June 13, 2008 1:54 PM

I think that the town halls are an ambush concocted by McCain and the media. The fix is in, not matter how well Obama does in the forums, the media will declare McCain the winner so to move the votes of the low-info voters who don't watch the forums themsleves, but see the media coverage/sounbites/punditry of them.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/5/153332/3279/771/517893

Posted by RKA | June 13, 2008 2:00 PM

"5 events would be, I believe, the most since 1960."

5 events would be the most ever. Nixon and Kennedy had 4 TV debates.

Posted by eunice | June 13, 2008 2:01 PM

"5 events would be, I believe, the most since 1960."

5 events would be the most ever. Nixon and Kennedy had 4 TV debates.

Posted by eunice | June 13, 2008 2:02 PM

How can you reach more people? By doing 10 town hall meetings televised on the networks and cable, and on the internet? Or 10 rallies with 50,000 people in attendance where Obama makes a speech? The argument that this takes time away from campaigning is absurd. Obama's rallies are his equivalent to Bush's town meetings in 2004 full of hand-picked supporters and no genuine interaction with persuadable voters.

This is the same reason they avoided debates with Hillary before Wisconsin and Indiana... he doesn't do all that well in situations where he is being challenged, whether debates, critical interviews or press conferences. They want to keep him in his bubble.

Posted by Tim K | June 13, 2008 2:14 PM

My dog Bucky is "better at these events than Obama". The guy can't walk and chew gum at the same time, much less form coherent responses to spontaneous questions. Bush is a joke as far as thinking on his feet, but his worst responses generally make more sense than Obama's best.

Posted by robert ethan | June 13, 2008 2:33 PM

Listen, this isn't about how Obama would do, let's fact it, I am sure he would do quite well. He hates these things, he hates distractions or becoming vulnerable when he doesn't have to, all that money he already has to invest in other places, the pressure to do well as the front-runner. It's why Obama is an okay guy, but not stellar, nothing special. He is the most politcally cautious candidate I have seen running in a long time, and just because you Love him, doesn't mean you can't admit that this is how he approaches his candidacy. Risks aren't your skin color or middle name. A well-written speech. Risks aren't done behind closed door; they are out in the open, and suggests a nothing to lose attitude. Barack Obama has always lacked this noble quality.

Posted by Jerimiah | June 13, 2008 3:08 PM

Listen, this isn't about how Obama would do, let's fact it, I am sure he would do quite well. He hates these things, he hates distractions or becoming vulnerable when he doesn't have to, all that money he already has to invest in other places, the pressure to do well as the front-runner. It's why Obama is an okay guy, but not stellar, nothing special. He is the most politcally cautious candidate I have seen running in a long time, and just because you Love him, doesn't mean you can't admit that this is how he approaches his candidacy. Risks aren't your skin color or middle name. A well-written speech. Risks aren't done behind closed door; they are out in the open, and suggests a nothing to lose attitude. Barack Obama has always lacked this noble quality.

Posted by Jerimiah | June 13, 2008 3:09 PM

I think that the should have Townhall meetings in all 57 states plus Alaska and Hawaii, invite all dead veterans, hand out breathalyzers and dedicate them to the memory of Obambi's grandfather/uncle who helped the Red Army liberate the Polish concentration camps.

However, they should only be 30 minutes so Obambi doesn't get "Too tired".

Posted by Jake | June 13, 2008 3:20 PM

i was at the philly rally (2nd row) and was surprised that when we got there i expected to be told where to sit from lookin at other speakers background crowd during speeches.

what was i told? sit anywhere you want, same for those asking questions, just raise your hand.

was really something special, even seeing him speak/answer people who most likely aren't supporting him. the few times i've seen obama take questions from the audience he seems unable to handle anyone who asks something other than gushing over him.

Posted by dan | June 13, 2008 3:24 PM

Asper and Robert - readers of this blog aren't morons, so I'm not sure what you're trying to achieve by making these asinine statements.

Tim K - he took part in 22 debates. He done dozens of his own town halls. He's done hundreds of "critical interviews" including 3 hours of grilling over Rezko with the Sun-Times and Tribune (which ended the matter as far as they were concerned). He did the Hardball college tour. He did the CNN religion town hall. That's one hell of a big "bubble."

Posted by Seamus | June 13, 2008 3:31 PM

Jake, you really want to make this a gaffe competition? Most people think these slips are "not too important," right? They just want a candidate they can have a beer with, not one who will "veto every beer." Someone who can sit down and hammer out an agreement with Putin, the leader of Germany. Someone who doesn't look "100 years" old. Someone who can perform "a Google" and not someone who can't operate a computer. As one McCain endorser has said, "Bring 'em on."

Posted by Seamus | June 13, 2008 3:38 PM

Another falsehood Ambinder. McCain's major gaffes have come from town hall meetings. Bomb, bomb Iran, 100 years in Iraqi and not knowing the troops level in Iraqi. There are so many, and I wonder if we would see if he responds to one of his supporters like the one who called Clinton a b****.

Posted by sonya | June 13, 2008 3:43 PM

"And, truth be told, McCain is better at these kinds of events than Obama is. "

I can't tell if you are serious, or if you are playing some expectations game to make McCain look bad.

Posted by The Other Steve | June 13, 2008 4:06 PM

If you disagree with the ideas, feel free to explain why, but calling Obama an idiot or someone who can't walk & chew gum really shows your ignorance. He's generally the smartest one in the room no matter what room he's in. I don't believe anyone who says these things has actually ever listened to him speak. Even his staunchest critics, in moments of honesty, would have to agree that he is intelligent and eloquent. Bush clearly is not, his inability to say "nuclear" instead of "nukular" is ongoing evidence. Please don't compare the two in "thinking on their feet". Not even close.

But if you're sitting there saying, "What's wrong with saying nukular?" I wouldn't expect you to understand.

McCain is also clearly intelligent, but Obama's debating skills will outshine him pretty easily, IMHO.

Posted by Marlon | June 13, 2008 5:05 PM

I don't think it's so apparent that McCain is better in this format than Obama would be. McCain is better in this format than he is in speeches, but he is still likely to ramble and is prone to error. He is very ill-informed on most topics. Compared to the tall, young, elegant, intelligent Obama, he would come off poorly. To the extent that he excels in townhalls, it's because there's been no one there to challenge him and no one to compare his performance to. Also, he gets crabby when challenged. His grouchiness and contempt for Obama would not add to his appeal.

Posted by THS | June 13, 2008 5:11 PM

First Obama eliminated his political competitors in Chicago, depriving the voters the right to choose their candidate ... then, after 20 years in an anti-American racist church, he tried to force Hillary into dropping out, even though she was ahead in the popular vote ... now, he is trying to high jack the Presidency, by keeping the voters from finding out what he really knows and believes, by avoiding town hall debates with Senator McCain. LIke his supporters, whose blog postings typically consist of slurs and insults, Obama has no substance. Wake up America ... McCain for President in '08

Posted by Lee | June 14, 2008 11:11 AM

The problem with town halls is the campaigns of BOTH candidates may be tempted to influence who the audience participants are. We saw this when the McCain organizers didn't allow the woman with the "McCain = Bush" sign into a town hall meeting and when the Obama organizers had the issue with the Muslim women. There were also allegations of questions bein planted in the audience. I am anxiously awaiting the debates.

Signed,
An Independent in PA

Posted by kaysha | August 3, 2008 3:57 PM