Wolfson Hopes Obama Isn't Afraid to Debate Now. Goads for Indiana Debate.

[K Gardner]

Clinton accepts Indiana debate invitation
Posted: 07:00 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Hillary Clinton accepted an invitation Friday to debate Barack Obama in Indiana ahead of the state’s May 6 primary, at an event sponsored by the Indiana Debate Commission, CNN and PBS.

As of Friday, Obama had not committed to participate in the debate.

A senior Clinton aide said the New York senator would appear at the debate on April 24, two days after the Pennsylvania primary. The commission offered April 24 as one possible date for the event, but noted in the invitations sent to Clinton and Obama that “we can work with you on the dates.”

“We are looking forward to a good debate in Indiana,” said Howard Wolfson, Clinton’s communications director. “We hope that Senator Obama’s poor performance in Philadelphia does not dissuade him from doing future debates.”

Wolfson was critiquing Obama’s performance Wednesday night when the two Democratic presidential hopefuls squared off in Philadelphia at a debate televised on ABC.

A senior Obama aide said that no decision has been made whether or not the Illinois senator will accept the Indiana invitation.

“There have been 21 Democratic debates and four one-on-one debates with Senator Clinton, all televised nationally,” said Bill Burton, Obama’s communications director. “Our focus will be on meeting with voters in Indiana and hearing directly from them. We will make a decision about debates shortly.”


<snip> http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/04/18/clinton-accepts-indiana-debate-invitation/#more-6548


I think this will be over by then. I think Clinton will lose PA and drop out, or the Supers will massively endorse Obama. Either way, he IS our nominee. He needs to JUST SAY NO. No fighting, no arguing, no excuses. Just "no, thank you, I'm busy with THE PEOPLE".

[jackson_dem]

1. If he doesn't have the balls to answer questions how can he lead the country, let alone bring change

[K Gardner]

3. You will be missed here.. not.

[jackson_dem]

19. Another Obamite threatening an Obama critic with banning

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[K Gardner]

23. That, yes.. and adding to my ignore list. Enough is enough.

[JoFerret]

72. What's with the thin-skin? Obama is doing just great

Don't be such a sore winner.

[jackson_dem]

27. Support Obama. What will you do if the Leader loses the nom or GE. Drink kool aid?

I "hope" you don't. "hope" will still live even if the Leader loses.

[qazplm]

35. why?

Why would you support someone you hold in such contempt?

[JoFerret]

69. Why? Where is Jackson-Dem going?

Are you organizing a purge?
Or is he going on vacation?

[Moochy]

10. channelling Lula May... bzzzt

balls????//// SEXIST!!!!11111

[SoCalDem]

71. Moochy.. you rascal, you

:spank::rofl:

[wileedog]

14. Because after 21 debates., now he is too chicken

Holy crap, why in the hell would he volunteer to enter the slime machine again after that last farce?

[jackson_dem]

18. It comes with the territory. If he can't handle that how can he handle the GE or being prez?

[wileedog]

32. Are there going to be 22 debates with McCain?

[jackson_dem]

36. The GE and primary are completely different things

Notice how many candidates ran for president this time? Only one whined about debates...

[wileedog]

38. I'm sorry, Hillary didn't whine about

always getting the first question and the press treatment of Obama?

And amazing that you of all people say "The GE and primary are completely different things" while you try and use primary results to prove Obama can't win the GE. Ironic, no?

And again, unlike the GE, Obama is under no obligation to enter a 22nd debate. Why? So we can get more questions about lapel pins?

The debates are done, Obama has done as many as he has needed to. He can save it for the GE. Quite frankly it would be a rookie mistake to enter that mosh pit again, there is nothing good to come out of it for him.

[jackson_dem]

40. I use GE polling to show Obama can't win

Where primary results matter is they show Obama is a very flawed candidate who benefits from the unique make up of Dem primary voters. With Ge demographics he would be down at least 15%. He doesn't magically improve among these voters in the GE when you look at where a normal Dem nominee should be with these groups.

I agree. Obama sucks at debates and if he can he should find a way to never debate again. Nothing good ever comes for him out of a debate.

[wileedog]

46. I don't agree, but even if you are right Bush sucked at debates too

And McCain is awful at them. There is no pre-requisite to be a great debater to be Pres. And either candidate is going to mop up McCain in them anyway. Just get him angry and he will be screaming and cursing at the moderators.

Obama is also clearly holding back because he knows he need Hillary supporters to come back to him for the GE. Hillary doesn't have that luxury anymore, she is scorching earth wherever she needs to.

Again, I think it is a smart political move to avoid further debates. You and yours will try and characterize it as chicken, but after 21 debates done and the majority of people thinking the last one was a sham, I don't think there will be a lot of sympathy for your argument outside of the Hillary faithful.

[jackson_dem]

49. I don't see what Obama would gain from debating McSame unless he is losing

[wileedog]

54. He'll have to debate him at least a few times.

It is expected.

Besides, even as a Hillary supporter, don't you think an Obama/McCain debate would be fun to watch?

Even if it is not Obama's strong point - and I agree it is not - the amazing contrast of a young, vibrant, hopeful candidate vs. a mumbling, "my friend" lets stay the course for 100 years old man would be Democratic Gold.

And yes, for the record I firmly believe Hillary would utterly wipe the floor with him. That would be so much fun if the moderators actually let them talk policy for a while.

[jackson_dem]

59. I agree with that

If there were a way he could get out that would be great for him but that is not possible and that is a good thing. It is a good thing that prez candidates have to debate and if they don't the public punishes them (in the general. We saw Obama was not hurt in Wisconsin for not debating).

It definitely would be fun. Luckily for O, if he is the nominee, McSame is not a good debator either. If he confuses Shias and Sunnis yet again that would be a great chance to pounce on him.

[rocktivity]

34. He's handling everything else--the popular vote, delegates, rally attendance...

How can Hillary handle the GE or being prez if ALL she can handle is debates?

:headbang:
rocknation

[Cha]

29. I like what K said in the OP...Obama

needs to tell them he's "busy with the People"..too busy for their underworld games.

[jackson_dem]

30. That didn't work for Bush. The public expects prez candidates to debate, even if they suck at them

[SOS]

76. More debates are fine

Clinton and Obama should make a list of topics such as the Iraq war, the economy, the credit crisis etc. that they will spend their time addressing for the benefit of the American voter.

They should agree that if the moderator brings up the Tuzla airport or flag pins they will both walk out.

[AllentownJake]

20. Jackson

You are on Ignore till after the nomination is decided.

[qazplm]

31. he's debated how many times

let me ask, how many debates does he have to do before he has enough "balls" for you?

Just give me a number.

[Zachstar]

63. He has answered them over and over again. Enough damn debates

[Lucky 13]

77. We've had 22 debates. What is there left to say?

Frankly, it's just a way for Hillary to get free air time because she can't afford to buy it herself.

[Gore1FL]

78. Hillary should debate Gravell

or is she afraid?

[PoliticalAmazon]

80. If Hillary can't hold her own without two moderators helping her, there should be no more debates.

[Danger Mouse]

2. Wolfson is such a sack of shit.

[burythehatchet]

6. 10 pounds o' crap in a 5 pound bag

[Tatiana]

4. ***Yawn***

We don't need anymore debates. I think we can thank ABC for that sentiment.

Their internals are showing trouble. The race in Indy is a dead heat, methinks, but it is trending Obama's way. I will be going to Indianapolis tomorrow. We can win Indiana.

YES WE CAN!

[Cha]

33. Precisely...we can thank abc for

something..they ended the farce known as "debates" for this season.

[Azathoth]

5. When Hillary loses, Wolfson will get a job as a "special contributor" at Faux News n/t

[FrenchieCat]

7. I hope that Obama does NOT debate her.

She is no longer relevant!

She's just trying to keep herself in the news, cause she's out of money!

[K Gardner]

42. Exactly, Frenchie ! Its time to turn away from a sinking ship and look FORWARD, and away.

[NanceGreggs]

65. Exactly.

Hill wouldn't be the least bit interested in another debate if she wasn't desperate for the free air-time.

[blogslut]

8. PBS?

Does that mean Bill Moyers might be a moderator? Now, that would be sweet.

EDIT ADD: From the article:

The commission is a consortium of Indiana television stations and newspapers. The debate would air live nationally on CNN and PBS and on public television stations statewide, and made available to every commercial broadcast station in Indiana.

In addition to the media organizations, the commission is comprised of citizen groups, including the League of Women Voters of Indiana and the Indiana Coalition for Open Government

This has the potential to be a fair and pertinent debate. Hmmm.

[Cha]

39. Has there been a fair & just debate

so far? It would be nice but I've never seen any corporatemedia debates that were fair to Dems.

[blogslut]

45. No

I'm just saying if this one had say, Bill Moyers as a moderator and the League of Women voters behind it, there's potential for fairness.

[Cha]

48. Yeah, Bill Moyers.. but that would be

like a miracle and pigs would be flying around the rafters.

Even that debate with Jim Lehrer as the moderator was stacked, imo.

[blogslut]

51. Yeah, I can dig it

But I can dream, can't I :)

[Cha]

56. Yes, and I'm sorry to

be so cynical. That's what we need to work towards..a free press with someone like Bil Moyers who doesn't have any hidden agendas except to heal his country.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. Reminds me of Bill Orally, always taunting people, claiming they're "afraid"

to come on his show. But it's the candidate who's losing that always wants to debate so they can get more free air time. Hillary is running out of money for advertising, so of course she wants another debate -- preferably one where the moderators get their material from Sean Hannity.

[Cha]

41. And she'll have them

throw some pointers in there from rush limpbaughs, too.

Maybe the People could throw something big for the Obama campaign the night of the debate and the people calling are more important than hilary and the m$$$fm.

[WillyT]

11. And I'm Hoping We Can Finally Drive A Stake Into...

We can end this thing this coming week.

[Cali_Democrat]

12. Why debate? So we can have useless questions on pastors, flag pins and neighbors?

no thanks

:thumbsdown:

[anonymous171]

13. Now is the time when he starts ignoring her. Should say that "it's time to move on."

[crankychatter]

25. time to MOVE ON

oh, i love it

[K Gardner]

44. OK.. now THAT is perfect, rich and ripe with irony !!! I love it !

[BeyondGeography]

15. Reminds me of the run-up to Wisconsin

where they lost by 17 points.

Keep firing away, Wolfie.

[Diane R]

16. I think Wolfson is just sick that he's working for Hillary, rather than the 'cool' & popular Obama.

[Tatiana]

26. Hey, Hillary can have him!

Team Obama seems to have the best and brightest.

[rocktivity]

17. Why days after the PA primary? the IN primary is May 6.

Is Wolfson expecting Hillary to do so badly that he'll a weapon of mass media distraction? If Obama gets to within ten points of Hillary PA, he should say no.

:think:
rocknation

[Cha]

22. Oh yeah, they'd love to have another

spewing their shit at Obama time. Fuck off, wolfson.

[crankychatter]

24. The Presumptive Nominees of Both Parties should Debate

and sooner than later

if not a formal debate... then a round table on foreign policy

or economics

[gateley]

28. I think he should do it --

although Wolfson's snark is irritating as hell. We'll see how poor Obama's performance was on Tuesday.

Obama should take advantage of all the debates w/Hillary before he meets with McCain.

[TheDoorbellRang]

37. If they put the League of Women Voters in charge, he should do it

I noticed they are on the commission. If they're in charge, it would be a real debate.

[anonymous171]

43. The horror that was the ABC debate is grounds enough to refuse a debate.

[americanstranger]

47. Sheah, hang that bait out there, Howie.

Then pray that your candidate lasts until Indiana.

After today's revelations, I'm starting to have my doubts.

- as

[zulchzulu]

50. When a candidate is begging for a debate (after 21), that means they are out of money

Hillary Clinton wants free press with another debate because she's out of money. She's broke. She's toast. She owes Penn millions of dollars.

If anything, she can debate herself. She has opposing views on so many issues that she could fill in lots of time fighting her own persona. I'd watch that.

[rocktivity]

67. Either that, or Wolfson's internal polls are suggesting that Obama could actually win PA

:think:
rocknation

[johnnydrama]

52. shorter Wolfson:

We have no money.

[K Gardner]

55. LOL !!

[Zodiak]

53. If it is the League of Women Voters

...then Obama should debate.

He can at least be assured it is not sponsored by a commission with Clintons and Bushes representing 60% of the board, conducted by a sensationalist corporate entity with a history of unfairness to Democrats, and moderated by a former employee of one of the candidate's husband.

[Tribetime]

57. Cafferty and Olbermann and it sounds good

[Stephanie]

58. How about Obama debates Wolfson?

[Stephanie]

60. May I remind Hillary that in 2006 she was not so fond of debates >

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4608309

[Stephanie]

61. Wolfson, Remember When Clinton Was Afraid to Debate Tasini?

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/21/opinion/21mon3.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Editorial
Hillary Clinton’s Low Profile
Published: August 21, 2006


With only a few weeks until New York’s Sept. 12 primary elections, many people are probably still unaware that Senator Hillary Clinton is facing a challenge for the Democratic nomination. Her opponent, Jonathan Tasini, is low on almost everything, from funds to name recognition. Mrs. Clinton has successfully ignored Mr. Tasini all summer, and now it seems clear that she has no intention of responding to his demands that she meet him in a debate.

She should change her mind. In a year when New York has very few competitive elections, voters are going to get very little chance to hear serious discussions from the candidates. Since Mr. Tasini is running an antiwar campaign, it would be very useful for New Yorkers to have a chance to hear the two Democratic candidates debate that one issue.

New York voters have been exposed to all the political drama in Connecticut over Senator Joseph Lieberman, who like Mrs. Clinton supported the invasion of Iraq. She has been far more critical of the Bush administration’s handling of the war — a point the Clinton campaign makes pains to point out. But she has not been forced to discuss in great detail exactly what she thinks should be done now that things have gone so far awry in the Middle East.

Presuming she wins the primary, Mrs. Clinton will go up against a weak Republican candidate this fall. Anything can happen in an election, but there is a very good chance she could coast all the way to November without being tested on any important issue. Right now is a good time to make sure that does not happen.

[SoFlaJet]

62. yea sure

let's have Keith Olbermann moderate

[Zachstar]

64. He needs to say no.

No more fucking debates designed to raise ad money. There have been more than enough debates and all of them are archived in various forms.

[Stephanie]

66. .

:kick:

[JoFerret]

68. Well - IS he?

.

[SoCalDem]

70. Wolfson is an asshole.. No more debates...

There is nothing to learn at this stage..If she wants airtime, she can buy it,..

[jenmito]

73. Funny-Obama didn't make a big deal when Hillary refused to debate him in NC earlier!

[jenmito]

74. Hillary was afraid to go on Hardball like either Wolfson or McCauliffe promised she would!

What was she so scared of?

[madwivoter]

75. I think we need to stop calling them "debates"

They are absolutely NOT debates. They are corporate sponsored question and answer sessions used to generate buzzwords and create their own stories.

If there are any more debates they should only be aired on PBS (or Comedy Central, you pick).

[pdxmom]

79. So why didn't Clinton accept the NC debate? N/T