Title: Canceled: Obama backs out of North Carolina Source:
[None] URL Source:http://hotair.com/archives/2008/04/ ... -out-of-north-carolina-debate/ Published:Apr 21, 2008 Author:Canceled: Obama backs out of North Carol Post Date:2008-04-21 18:43:28 by Peppa Keywords:Obama, crybaby Views:360 Comments:35
The official explanation: “time constraints and logistical issues.” The unofficial explanation: Team Barry didn’t want to give her a reason to stay in the race if she flames out tomorrow, which makes zero sense. If Indiana and North Carolina aren’t enough to make her soldier on to May 6th, the prospect of another debate won’t either.
The real/obvious explanation: He can’t afford another beating. Your quote of the day, from the same hypocrites who knocked ABC for not giving them a chance to hear the two sound off on “substantive” issues: “No more debates!” I wonder, are the creme de la nutroots creme who signed this letter also cool with this last debate being canceled? How else are we going to reclaim the opportunity denied us by ABC to learn about their policy proposals, aside from visiting their websites or googling the transcripts of their previous 21 debates? And before you ask, yes, Katie is heartbroken.
Update: Michael Moore says he’s not so much pro-Obama as pro-Obamites. The more they whine, the more the precise opposite is true for me.
Poster Comment:
:'( Waaaaaaaaaah... Hot links at orig link... I think this need some additional confirmation.
The N.C. Democratic Party has stopped trying to organize a debate between presidential contenders Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.
In a news release Monday, the party cited "time constraints and logistical issues associated with such a large, national event."
"While there was great interest in the debate, there were also growing concerns about what another debate would do to party unity," the news release said. "Both campaigns have offered North Carolinians additional opportunities to be seen and heard across the state in the coming weeks and months."
North Carolina's primary is set for May 6.
The party and the CBS network had proposed a debate for April 27 at Raleigh's RBC Center. Clinton had agreed to the event. Obama had not. Obama had proposed a debate for April 19, but party officials ruled out that date, citing the start of Passover.
Democrats and media critics gave poor reviews to the ABC-sponsored debate Wednesday in Philadelphia, where the candidates -- particularly Obama -- faced questions about their associates and their character rather than about policy.
Some Obama supporters chanted "No more debates!" at a Raleigh event Thursday.
Thousands had already requested tickets for the proposed Raleigh debate through the Democratic Party's Web site. Democratic chairman Jerry Meek said last week that a debate could help the party raise as much as $300,000 through individual sponsorships of pre- and post-debate receptions.
The party had publicly lobbied Obama to accept the April 27 date, organizing a letter-writing campaign with Gov. Mike Easley, former Gov. Jim Hunt and state legislative leaders.
On Monday, the party did not blame Obama for causing the cancellation. The Clinton campaign did.
"It is unfortunate that Senator Obama has chosen to brush off the people of North Carolina by flatly refusing to debate," Clinton's N.C. director Ace Smith said in a statement. "But we are willing to move forward with another time and location for the debate so that he has no excuse for not participating."
Obama spokesman Dan Leistikow said N.C. voters will have "many more opportunities" to hear Obama and ask him questions over the next two weeks. He blamed the Clinton campaign for not responding sooner to its April 19 proposal.
"Their attacks indicate they are really not looking for a debate but any forum to continue their negative, throw-the-kitchen-sink campaign," he said.
Clinton and Obama are each scheduled to appear at the party's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner on Friday, May 2 in Raleigh.
The cancellation comes as a disappointment for CBS, which had offered the candidates prime air time after the newsmagazine “60 Minutes” for the debate. Katie Couric, the host of the “CBS Evening News,” would have moderated the debate.
The cancellation was due to political considerations by both candidates, according to Paul Friedman, a senior vice president at CBS News. Mr. Obama showed interest in an April 19 debate in North Carolina, which would have presented viewers with a second debate before the Pennsylvania primary. Mrs. Clinton’s campaign expressed concern that April 19 was the first day of Passover, and the organizers went back to the drawing board to propose alternative dates. Mrs. Clinton’s campaign subsequently agreed to the April 27 date, but Mr. Obama’s did not.
I remember when Obama, Clinton and Edwards refused to debate on Fox, though it was sponsored by the Black Caucus.
To me, none should turn down any occassion for airtime. When Ron Paul was denied, there was at least an effort to help him get his message out. Apparently, there is no such concern or dedication, by these two or their advisors. They LOVE to say they will be the President for ALL Americans.. but in fact, they really don't care because they don't have to.