Edwards and the request for debates

[mohc]

From a Edwards campaign email:

"Dear Senator Kerry:


I was pleased to learn that your campaign had agreed to debate anywhere, anytime as long as Rev. Sharpton and Congressman Kucinich are involved. I agree one hundred percent.

That is why I am proposing that we schedule four debates as soon as possible in different locations that work for all of us. During this primary, Democrats have made tremendous progress in terms of getting our message out to the American people. They want real change and they are turning to Democrats for new ideas to change our country. And we must use this time to our advantage to showcase our Democratic values to the nation.

I understand that you have accepted the invitation to the Los Angeles Times, CNN event in California. I ask that we also give people in places like New York and Ohio the chance to see where we stand on the issues. There are currently six other invitations that I am aware of and I am sure that we could all agree on three more times and places. "

<snip>

So he's not even asking that Sharpton and Kucinich not be in the debates, just that there be more.

[MuseRider]

1. This makes me very happy

and much more sure that these guys will do the right thing. I am a bit fuzzy here so if someone can answer me I would appreciate it. Did Edwards request a debate leaving out DK and Sharpton? Did Kerry always say that they needed to be included? Somehow I either missed this or it never happened.

[mohc]

5. Well

As this letter states, Edwards is addressing Kerry in his request for debates. At a stop in Atlanta, Edwards challenged Kerry to debate him there. In the letter, he also adds NY and Ohio, making a total of four including the LA Times debate already scheduled. I think most people inferred, which is reasonable, that since he did not mention DK or AS, that he wanted a one on one debate. But Edwards never said that, he is just obviously focusing on getting more debates with Kerry in them.

[Skwmom]

2. We push the outsiders out of the race

and now we want to have more debates between the Washington Insiders (I doubt if Sharpton and Kucinich will be getting much air time). In addition, I'm sure Edwards can count on the good old media moderators attacking Kerry for him.

[mr715]

3. Kerry wanted them all there

Kerry wanted the debate to include Kucinich and Sharpton. Edwards wanted the debate mano-a-mano

[MuseRider]

6. Thank you

this says a lot. That is what I wanted to know. I am surprised by Edwards but not surprised by Kerry. Thanks for pointing that out.

[Adelante]

7. Yes, I heard him say it (Edwards)

I'm glad he's changing his mind about it.

[rucky]

9. Edwards:

I was pleased to learn that your campaign had agreed to debate anywhere, anytime as long as Rev. Sharpton and Congressman Kucinich are involved. I agree one hundred percent.


Can we put this faux-controversy to bed now?

[Skwmom]

4. The new way the media is defining electability

Who would you want to see debating Bush in November (according to one of the talking heads on CNN today that is what electability really means). Forget about national security credentials - who needs them.

[Adelante]

8. national security credentials - who needs them

Only the country.