What do you think of Obama chickening out when McCain requested a debate

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080803/ap_on_el_pr/pr...

All those who bring up the 3 commissioned debates are COMPLETELY missing the point. In spite of the spin they are DESPERATELY trying to put on the "debate" debate, it's MORE than obvious to those with a fully functioning brain that Obama is indeed terrified of taking questions that haven't been pre-screened and fielded by fawning members of the "news" media. Obama is COMPLETELY dependent on his speech writers and telepromter to clue him in. It's part of a pattern. Just think about Obama's meltdown after a few tough questions in the ABC debate. He cancelled the remaining debate with Clinton and refused to do any others. Look at his reaction when Katie Couric tried to get him to actually answer a question about the surge. And let's not forget "sweetie" gate and his arrogant dismissal of a female reporter who dared to ask him an honest to goodness question about how he would help the depressed economy of the area he was visiting. ("Sweetie" never did get an answer to that one,)

Some members of the news media have begun to voice their frustration with Obama's unwillingness to make himself available to them, to answer questions, and over his campaign's attempts to "spoonfeed" any and all information dealing with Obama's candidacy. In spite of their liberal bias, the bloom is starting to wear off the rose and some are becoming seriously ticked off.

edit: @bedfordczarina: Actually, I think you have it backwards. It is Obama who needs the extra time so he can FINALLY memorize the number of states in the union. LOL!

I think Obama didn't want to debate because McCain has the higher poll numbers now and his campaigning crew might be slightly intimidated at the moment. Most likely, McCain would probably just attack Obama and not even discuss important issues. His commercials are proof of that. At least Obama talks about some stuff in his campaign! All I've heard out of McCain is "I approve this message." and his views on offshore drilling. Obama might want to consider debating more than just 3 times, though, so people can see he has enough experience and has worked on his public speaking skills.

Who is more clueless, the person who talks about issues or the one who compares someone to Britney Spears? Even if Obama reads from a teleprompter, that doesn't mean he doesn't believe in what he's saying. Politicians lie. That includes McCain, too. This country has come to be split into Republicans and Democrats around elections. All the answers prove it...if someone supports Obama, they get 20 thumbs down (like I'll most likely get even though I don't like either candidate). If someone supports McCain, they get many thumbs up; that also shows that McCain is the more popular candidate at the moment. Many people here are going to the extremes, such as comparing Obama to terrorists. Be realistic people!! I mean, really, he isn't anything like a terrorist just because he might have some ideas and concepts you dont agree with.

That isn't the only argument Obama supporters have going for him, that America doesn't want a black guy for president. Only an ignorant person would think that. Research what you're talking about before you start saying things if you want to be taken seriously.

right this is the debate schedule: First presidential debate: Friday, September 26 college of Mississippi, Oxford, MS Vice presidential debate: Thursday, October 2 Washington college in St. Louis, MO 2nd presidential debate: Tuesday, October 7 Belmont college, Nashville, TN third presidential debate: Wednesday, October 15 Hofstra college, Hempstead, long island i'm not worried approximately Obama debating McCain in any respect. McCain supporters ought to wish that he can bear in mind the adaptation between Sunni and shia. or maybe somebody will question McCain approximately donations all from adult men named Abdullah that are funnel with the aid of a Jordianian national. The question possed by potential of Marc Ambinder final week: If there have been a team of questionable donations all with the call Abdullah that have been funneled with the aid of a guy in Jordan who's a Jordanian national who's decrease than analyze for conflict profiteering and it have been Barack Obama rather of John McCain might this be a bigger deal?

What have you come too!!!!!!!!! answer that idiot

Obama hasn't chickened out of anything... McCain's camp clearly set up those town hall meeting debates to work towards McCain advantage. A small closed off room in which he will be comfortable answering questions. I dont think i've seen him address a mass audience yet as a matter a fact. Same ole bs him reading written speeches behind a podium with no one around!!!! McCain cant hand pressure...

Bottomline no matter what you say Obama will be the next president. IF you cannot clearly see that than prepare for a major disappointment

I think he is showing weakness, and duplicity. During the primaries, the challenge was thrown out there, to either Hillary, or obama, whoever won the dem slot... obama said "great idea, anytime any where", but since he has been the presumptive dem nominee, he has backed away from the original challenge, which was to do townhall style debates, in addition to the usual 3 scheduled debates.

What I find more amazing is how his followers don't see a difference in the debates, and ignore what he had agreed to, people, it is not a lie... he agreed... and backed away. He is a typical politician.. so what is that "change" again? What is the point, his followers have become so drunk on his kpplaide, they don't even look at him in an honest light... they have erroneously elevated him to a messiah type level. Sad, truly sad.

I am an unbiased person here. I am not a supporter of either candidate at this point. I will vote come election time, but have yet to make my decision.

However, I always laugh at the extremists on both sides of these types of things. Many never get the true facts and then only make themselves sound ignorant while calling the party they are against stupid.

There is nothing wrong with Obama not wanting to engage in additional debates. If Obama had asked and McCain said no, the same people calling Obama chicken would be supporting McCain in his decision not to. Typically speaking none of them want to and the one behind is the one asking for the additional debates because they know the other will say no and then it can be spun to look bad upon themselves.

As far as one knowing more than the other, come on it depends on what it is about. There will always be things Obama is more knowledgeable about than McCain and McCain will be more knowledgeable about Obama. The bring two different generational views to the table.

How many times does a company get rid of an old CEO to bring in a new, younger CEO with fresh ideas? Everyone hates it at first, but there are times we all see wow it was a great idea. Then there are times it is not a great idea.

I personally don't want to see the bickering, naming calling, stupid commercials and such going back and forth. I don't want to see one side accusing the other of this that and the other. I want to know the nitty gritty and I don't feel like we get to see that with debates.

This is what I would love to see. A one on one session with each of them individually. I want them asked questions and I want them to answer the question asked. I don't know to know why they think their plan is better. I want to know what is their plan. I don't want them to tell me what the other wants to do, I want to hear what they are going to do. The air the person asking the question and show what the one person's answer was and the other persons answer was. I don't want them to be able to add to or change up and adjust and answer based on the audiences response to their answer or the other persons answer.

This is something that is never done by either party. It is even more difficult in debate sessions.

Come on people, lets talk about true FACTS and issues. Not your opinion on who isn't a chicken or not. We are no better than them going back and forth like 5 years olds on a play ground.

Obama and his supporters need to cut the crap.

There have been official presidential debates sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates every Presidential Election since 1960 - except for 1980 when Carter backed out.

Obama knew that there was NO way he could get out of those.

Obama had to avoid any and all other debates, town hall meetings or open forums of ANY kind at ALL costs because he CAN'T do them.

He is TERRIBLE at this because he does NOT know the material.

Why don't Obama's supporters realize that Obama is READING his speeches.

Someone else writes them for him and he reads them from the teleprompter.

In small venues, he gives well-practiced stump speeches.

The SAME stump speeches that he gives over and over and over again.

He doesn't take questions!!!!

When McCain went to the NAACP, he answered questions from the audience - not a friendly audience either - for more than a half hour.

Obama didn't take a single question at the NAACP.

Or the Urban League. Or anywhere else.

Obama NEVER takes questions.

Why?

Because he can't afford to screw up and they know that he will.

McCain will take questions - even from Obama supporters.

McCain answers questions - even from Obama supporters.

McCain is an honest man who communicates with the American people.

Obama HIDES because he has something to hide.

What?

His lack of knowledge and experience.

Probably he preferred a bigger audience and have more time to prepare as against the impromtu questions directly from town hall attendees? Obama's advisers knew that their ward might flip-flap again?

Obama has the predilection to deliver rhetorics that he and his mentor(s) think people and history will remember him just like Martin Luther Kings' or JFK's in Berlin. Unfortunately his battlecry CHANGE made him a copycat of politicians in a Third World country who would mouth the very word that almost always ended to nothing or short of expectation once elected.

Obama's rhetorics outshines McCain's but not necessarily in substance. It is one of his (Obama) weapons that won for him many supporters compared to his aging but still spright rival (McCain).

I just hope the two would debate on more relevant and comprehensive issue with impromptu questions from different sectors attending the debate.

.

from besides, his advisers think that it is more needed by McCain.

Obama definitely chickened out. Softball questions from the adoring lib media, he can deal with. Kool-aid soaked squealing Bot teens, he can deal with. Mano a mano with John McCain?? No can do. As for the three "debates" that the Bots are talking about - that's BS. The so-called "debates" are simply Obama-loving lib media types asking each candidate questions. Obama can only deal with people who worship him - but he wilts like lettuce in the sun in front of a real opponent. And what would you expect from someone who wants to "talk" to the iranians and avoided military service??

P.S.: To the turkey who said that Obama was on the Harvard Law Review shows he's smart is a real howler - half the members of the law review are chosen via "affirmative action" - he got there by having black skin - same way he got everything else, INCLUDING the lib media worship.

What are you talking about. Obama can go head to head with McCain at any given time any where and he will put McCain on the spot. The only thing McCain has going for him( and that's not that much) is the fact that he fell out of an airplane or whatever he did. Well guess what, he is one of many, and he certainly won't be the last alleged war hero.

The only reason this country does not like the idea of Obama being president is because it tampers with the American ideology of the black male..and you can fill in the adjectives from there. And have you ever really heard McCain speak on anything aside from saying, "I'm John McCain and I approve this message"?