http://www.thenation.com/blogs/campa...up_with_mccain

That's why we need Town Hall Meetings which Obama won't agree to, after he said he would. We can't get any unbiased open dialog between the two contestants. Let's face it, the McCain campaign came out swinging after the press maliciously went after Sarah Palin with all sorts of innuendo. The press does not like to have it's hands slapped and I knew we would see the repercussions. By the way, wasn't Chris Matthews relieved of his duties in one situation because of his bias?

People, we need the candidates talking one on one without a heavily moderated forum so we can see the candidates as they are. Much ado was given regarding the preparation of Sarah Palin, I think the Democratic Party has had much, much time to school and train Obama. NONE of us know the candidates now, only their inner circles know. Joe Biden, take your hand out of the back of Obama's shirt and stop treating him like you're the man behind the puppet. Let Obama talk openly and start the town hall meetings! Presidential candidate against presidential candidate.

Wouldn't Town Halls be wonderful !!! Imagine the two candidates standing side by side taking questions from real people and gauging their responses. I look forward to the debates but it will be so structured and can only hope those asking the questions are there to allow the candidates to speak on issues and not simply to make news !

Originally Posted by Bucco

Wouldn't Town Halls be wonderful !!! Imagine the two candidates standing side by side taking questions from real people and gauging their responses. I look forward to the debates but it will be so structured and can only hope those asking the questions are there to allow the candidates to speak on issues and not simply to make news !

Town hall formats make for no hiding places. For the person willing to stick his/her neck out (as a true decision-maker should), there is no fear in this. For the person who is simply a talking-head for others, it's disastrous.

The Republicans will only appear in front of or answer questions from staged audiences.

James Dale Guckert (born 1957) a conservative columnist who worked under the pseudonym Jeff Gannon as a White House reporter between 2003 and 2005 , representing the virtual organization Talon News. Gannon first gained national attention during a presidential press conference on January 26, 2005, when he asked United States President George W. Bush a question that some in the press corps considered "so friendly it might have been planted." Gannon routinely obtained daily passes to White House briefings, attending four Bush press conferences and appearing regularly at White House press briefings. Although he did not qualify for a Congressional press pass, Gannon was given daily passes to White House press briefings "after supplying his real name, date of birth and Social Security number." Gannon came under public scrutiny for his lack of a journalistic background prior to his work with Talon and his involvement with various homosexual escort service websites using the professional name "Bulldog".

The Republicans no longer have any principles. They are a disgrace to this great nation.

Originally Posted by junglejim

The Republicans

>>> stuff deleted because it has no value <<<

this great nation.

Two questions: 1. As you seem extremely well-versed in his actions, did Guckert/Gannon's involvement with various homosexual escort services have a connection with the homosexual escort service being run out of Barney Franks' house? and 1b. What the hell does his homosexual activity have to do with anything? and 1c. If he were a democrat, would he be gay rather than homosexual?

And question 2. What the hell does any of this have to do with McCain?

Originally Posted by SteveZ

Town hall formats make for no hiding places. For the person willing to stick his/her neck out (as a true decision-maker should), there is no fear in this. For the person who is simply a talking-head for others, it's disastrous.

When McCain started asking for these town hall meetings, it was when Obama was drawing crowds of thousands, while McCain could barely get 10 people together at a sausage house! I don't blame Senator Obama for declining. Why should McCain ride in on his coattails? And now, the debates are coming and the election is way too close, time wise. Either way, the town hall meetings did not make strategic sense.

I know we are all agreeing on one thing. We can't wait for the debates!

Originally Posted by chelsea24

When McCain started asking for these town hall meetings, it was when Obama was drawing crowds of thousands, while McCain could barely get 10 people together at a sausage house! I don't blame Senator Obama for declining. Why should McCain ride in on his coattails? And now, the debates are coming and the election is way too close, time wise. Either way, the town hall meetings did not make strategic sense.

I know we are all agreeing on one thing. We can't wait for the debates!

I can't wait. The teleprompter operators will have to move as fast as NASCAR pit crews!