Calling for "Once a week debates" is only done by those who know they are losing the election

[Joe the Revelator]

Look through the history of campaigns. The person in the driver's seat never calls for, and never accepts "once a week" debates. It's something that a dying campaign does as a last ditch effort. I never thought that I would see it from Hillary in a primary.

[rodeodance]

1. She does GREAT in debates--ha ha. Live with it

[Joe the Revelator]

2. Do you think before you post? It doesn't matter how good she does in debates

If she thinks that she needs to do once a week debates, it means her campaign is dying.

[rodeodance]

15. And your post is ILLogical (If is NOT then)--get it.

If she thinks that she needs to do once a week debates, it means her campaign is dying.

[JackORoses]

31. She does horrible in real life, as will be in evidence today

Of course she wants to return to the Debates.
She is running out of money.
She will not be able to advertise competitively in the coming states.
She wants the free press that comes with a debate.

She is in trouble.
Live with it.

[LoverOfLiberty]

3. Can't you wait

just a few more hours before posting something that very well may make you look like a reactionary?

[Joe the Revelator]

8. Has she or has she not called for once a week debates?

That is what I am reacting to, the results of tonight withstanding.

The fact is, she could win the majority of states tonight, and Obama is still in a great postion (provided he keeps the delegate count under 200) because now he gets TIME to slowly pick off the rest of the primaries. Hillary knows that when he goes into a state, her numbers start to fall drastically.

[Mags]

4. Refusing to debate usually means

one is hiding and afraid they will fail.

[RoadRage]

5. For a guy who is supposedly "refusing to debate" I sure have seen him in a lot of debates lately.

[scheming daemons]

11. Please provide a link where Obama has refused the offer...

....didn't think so.

[Mags]

14. Didn't say he was.

[Occam Bandage]

17. ...that the candidate is so far ahead that they have nothing to gain from it. Obama hasn't refused.

[damntexdem]

6. I dislike Hillary and want her to lose. But what about the issue of weekly debates?

Would it be a good idea in general? Would it better inform the electorate? Or would it burn voters out?

Let's discuss this apart from who's pushing the idea. The issue is not what politician it would be good or bad for -- it's whether it would be good or bad for voters.

[goldcanyonaz]

7. Obama needs the practice if he is the nominee. His debating skills leave much to be desired.

[William769]

9. So does his speaking skills.

[goldcanyonaz]

12. Yep, um, uh, umm

[rodeodance]

20. he talks like that cause he has to think of which political correct phase to use next.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

43. I agree. Obama will need the practice for his general debates.

I appreciate Sen. Clinton being willing to help him prepare. :)

[Sulawesi]

10. I want this to be true, but am really trying to keep expectations low...will ya? jeez!

[Joe the Revelator]

13. Like i said, it has NOTHING to do with tonight, and EVERYTHING to do with the next set of primaries.

Obama has time, which is Hillary's biggest weakness.

[rodeodance]

19. Great tactic by the Clinton camp--they know her Strong points--that is debates-

[Joe the Revelator]

27. Its the same tactic used by hundreds of other cash strapped, losing candidiates

throughout the history of televised politics. Its free air time, and gives the challenger a chance to play "gotcha!" with the frontrunner. Obama will do what hundreds of leading candidates have done before, and say that his time is best spent out among the people. He;d be a fool to accept.

[rodeodance]

39. So?--what is your point?-Big deal. obama can do the same-but he FOLLOWS the leader Clinton.

[Joe the Revelator]

45. You're talking out your ass more so then normal

[rodeodance]

46. I do my best for you:-)

[scheming daemons]

28. Why not wait until tomorrow? The timing of this means they want ...

...to steer the narrative tonight. Their internals are showing bad news.

If they wait until tomorrow to "call for more debates", it looks more desperate.


By doing it now, they can say, "This has nothing to do with Tuesday's results. We asked for this before those results."


Mark Penn got some very bad news from his internals today, and his financial people are also telling him that the money is running dry. He needs 90 minutes of free advertising per week to make up for his cash shortfall, and to also try to get the new front-runner to "stumble".


It's a smart move by Penn, yes.... but it is also the move of a campaign that has fallen behind.

[rodeodance]

38. campaigns mave moves to advance a winner. nothing wrong with that but you seem

to want it to be something negative and sinister. too bad. it is what it is.

[TheDonkey]

16. She's got no money. Lobbyist have given all they could to her... so sad

[cd3dem]

26. maybe she should tap the republicans like Obama

[Tom Rinaldo]

18. No, in this case it could mean the results are not expected to be conclusive tonight

It is no secret that Obama is having an easier time than Clinton raising money now, though they both are raking it in. If tonight is inconclusive - not a big win for either of them, then there are some serious expenses coming down the pike for both campaigns. As it stands that could be an advantage for Obama.

Debates are free and equal media coverage. But the thing is, they are also good for the voters.

[jlake]

21. um uh um uh uh uh I think hiding from debates means on is afraid of FAILING

[scheming daemons]

32. A) He hasn't refused the offer and B) only campaigns that are behind ask for MORE debates...

...read up on your political history.


Mark Penn admitted to the world today that things are going badly for his candidate when he asked for weekly debates.


They're cash-strapped and desperate. If I was running their campaign I'd do the exact same thing.... but make no mistake about what this means.


Today is going badly for them... that's the only explanation for this happening before tomorrow.

[jlake]

33. I didn't say Obama had refused - just his "advisers" on DU - and it doesn't matter

who is asking for the debates or why --- having more debates is positive for the entire electorate.

[scheming daemons]

35. It most certainly DOES matter.... it shows the panic in the Hillary campaign....

...

She didn't call for more debates when she was ahead in the polls.

That speaks volumes.

[jlake]

36. Meh. Not too worried about it.

[adabfree]

22. It's very simple! The Hillster is DESPERATE!!!

[rodeodance]

40. just another Obamacrybaby yelling Desperate--they are like flees today--all over this board.

[cd3dem]

23. debates and answering questions at town hall meetings... is Obama afraid of educated electorate?

[jlake]

25. Yes.

[cd3dem]

29. Can Hillary win with an educated electorate? "YES SHE CAN!"

[rodeodance]

41. ~~YES SHE CAN~ YES SHE CAN~ YES WE CAN, YES WE CAN~

[Thrill]

24. This is the typical loser line. "Lets debate once a week"

[leftynyc]

47. When Kerry suggested it in '04

were you also calling it desperate?

[Maven]

30. Go get a happy meal.

[nonconformist]

34. Or those that know the issues inside and out and can debate them well.

And when they know that their competition cannot.

Why are you afraid for your candidate to discuss the issues?

[TexasObserver]

37. You're right

it's always been that way

get in trouble, demand debates.

[rodeodance]

44. and she does great at debates--its a win win for her

[jesus_of_suburbia]

42. I'm a Clinton supporter, but I think you are correct.

She must be losing to call for a debate every week.


For what it's worth, I will have no problem supporting Obama (even though I think he
panders to the Southern Baptist African Americans). (I'm gay)