Joint Town Hall Meetings in Jeopardy
It appears the much-discussed joint town hall meetings featuring Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama may not be happening after all, or at most there may be just one or two joint appearances, in addition to the three scheduled debates. Yesterday, Nancy Reagan and Lyndon Johnson's children offered to host one debate each at the presidential libraries of Ronald Reagan and Johnson. This morning, the McCain camp accepted the offer with the following statement:
"We are proud to accept the invitation ... As Luci Baines Johnson said in her invitation, these meetings offer an opportunity to 'deliberate the great issues of our time.' The American people deserve a great debate about the future of our country, and we hope that Barack Obama will join us for these important events at these historic venues."
The McCain campaign also sent another letter to the Obama camp reiterating it's proposal of 10 joint town hall meetings -- one per week until the Democratic National Convention in August. The Obama campaign countered with a proposal to meet fewer times and in a variety of formats. The Hotline reports:
"What we've said is we are happy to do more than the three typical presidential debates in the fall," Obama said. "If I'm not mistaken we've gone back with a counter-proposal to them and are in communication with them right now and our hope is is that we will have those negotiations completed soon," he said.
Ten meetings, however, seems unlikely, Obama said, "given all the campaigning that has, that I have to do since we just finished our primary election."
The senator guessed the two candidates would meet less than 10 times but more than three and would probably do so in a "mix of formats."
According to the Politico, Obama campaign manager David Plouffe gave this reply:
“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. "
McCain has been eager to meet Obama in the town hall format, which plays to the Arizona senator's strengths by allowing him to interact directly with people. While Obama is considered a gifted orator, McCain is not viewed as a strong speech maker, as evidenced by his recent performance in New Orleans. Clearly, Obama would like to mix up the formats in a way that highlights his strengths as well.
Obama missed what was to be the first joint town hall meeting in New York City last night, which was broadcast exclusively on Fox News. The event drew fire from Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean for "misrepresenting the makeup of the audience." The event, unlike most of McCain's town hall meetings, was closed to the public. Fox's Shephard Smith revealed afterward that tickets had been distributed to McCain supporters, not to Republicans, Democrats and Independents as the McCain campaign had originally reported. Obviously, this sort of chicanery probably doesn't help McCain's case for holding future joint meetings.
Comments:
Posted 06/15/2008 05:16pm with
McCain’s economic plan rocks. Obama’s does not exist.
Progressive Candidate John McCain comes through for America with his 3R economic plan. In the aura of Theodore Roosevelt, McCain’s plan just makes sense.
1. RETHINK: America must rethink the global views on what America is capable of in our current state of technology, engineering and the demands that face the world.
“RETHINK” in terms of re-action means to set forth this plan.
Most Americans know where the USA falls short in the ways of manufacturing and valuable jobs.
It’s time to meet the change of global demands with Made in USA quality and a new American workforce. Oddly enough, the framework is ready and waiting for this plan and active participation. The Progressive attitude of John McCain to get things done will resurrect America.
2. REFORM: America must rise to these demands and compete aggressively in a global economy. We must demand higher quality products and less restricted trade routes for Made in USA components.
“RE-FORM” is simple to comprehend as through John McCain’s Progressive attitudes, the USA will reform our manufacturing and hit it full steam ahead!
Made in USA has always meant highest quality products at moderate prices. The difference today is, we save loose change with Imported Chinese junk products, but few high paying jobs exist to do anything except buy the cheaper foreign-made products.
3. REINVENT: America and Americans must reinvent themselves to reach and maintain these standards and by sheer American ingenuity, control the world’s marketplace in the competitive manner, as we have always been proud to rule. Can you hear Theodore Roosevelt shouting this?
“RE-INVENT” is the exciting part of McCain’s 3R plan.
Americans in need of a future and without the desire, funding or free time to spend 2 to 8 years in college can go back to a re-invented manufacturing education. McCain’s formula allows these new students, young and old, to be paid a moderate paycheck while learning their new skills and leadership roles in hands on classrooms! Without costing taxpayers or the US government additional funds, we can literally change the face of America and the world.
Learning the skills required in order to become the American driving force behind new USA manufacturing boom, many Americans will also gain the skills to become the CEOs and leaders of their own USA Mfg arenas. Leading a group of people who love their new lifestyle is not difficult and Americans have been proving American ingenuity and leadership since Theodore Roosevelt’s Progressive Republican era.
Initial estimates of 1 in 5 students will go on to begin his or her own company and drive even more Americans into a viable lifestyle with real jobs, real benefits and a retirement to look forward to. Many students will combine forces and create successful joint ventures.
America has the means to follow through with John McCain’s 3R plan, ready and in place across the USA. The buildings we need sit vacant for the most part. America has millions of people screaming for new and improved jobs.
Senator McCain has provided the new guard for Social Security, the promise of retirement and the dreams that can be realized by Americans who would otherwise be lost or at the mercy of a dying workforce. This is the new workforce for American’s future.
By assuming leases on abandoned stores and factories across America with MC-3R schools and mini-manufacturing training centers, the USA made products can be sold and support the stores. Building owners write off the loss in taxes over a few years!
Although the thousands of new businesses manufacturing USA Made products is exciting enough, the real excitement comes from the massive amount of additional jobs that will be created to provide the new housing, new buildings, new parks, shopping, grocery stores, schools, government outlets and so much more.
The Key PROBLEM with the housing slump and the huge crude oil buy-out is not from greedy developers or greedy oil companies, but from the desire to locate and invest in the era’s best investments. Housing was #1 until the investment funds were pulled and crude oil took its place as a commodity. McCain will get us out of the mess that threatens the world’s economy.
These three R’s will be accomplished by the McCain express and through wealthy American entrepreneurs who were once able to invest in America’s manufacturing capabilities but have since fallen into investments that have caused catastrophic world economy failure.
McCain’s Progressive nature embodies Theodore Roosevelt more than any other US presidential candidate in history since.
We need John McCain to lead our nation.