Hillary's victory road map-slash-epiphany: a "Lincoln-Douglas style" debate without moderators.

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Clinton to Obama: Debate without moderators
Stumping in Indiana, Obama says voters want 'straight talk'



http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24327554/

MARION, Ind. - Hillary Rodham Clinton took the debate dispute to a new level Saturday, challenging her opponent Barack Obama to face off with her in a debate without a moderator, Lincoln-Douglas style.

The Democratic presidential candidate said while campaigning in South Bend, Indiana, the 90-minute debate would allow two candidates to ask each other questions.

Her campaign formally made the offer in a letter to the Obama campaign.

Clinton has been putting increasing pressure on Obama to debate her again before the Indiana and North Carolina primaries in nine days.

[Avalux]

1. No Hillary. By debating you, Obama would send a messsage you're still in the race. You're not.

:nopity:

[TwilightGardener]

9. Yep. And why give her free air time, and an opportunity to attack him? No more debates.

[Liberal Gramma]

2. Let her pay for her own airtime.

I can only imagine the sort of questions that would be asked without a moderator.

[GarbagemanLB]

3. If she is willing to pay the amount of money that it would cost for equivalent airtime, then sure.

[Bad Thoughts]

4. When she wnated to talk about issues ...

she tossed around crap, like the Ayers association. Her idea of an honest debate should be published in tabloids, not studied by historians.

[book_worm]

5. As an Obama supporter I think this actually has some merit

but both campaigns would have to pay half to televise it. I think it would be good to see Obama go head to head vs. Hillary on substative issues such as the economy and the war without those pesky moderators. Then if Hillary decides to go negative by bringing up Wright or some other non-issue she can't point to the media and say, 'Well, they asked me.'

[Avalux]

7. Nope. Obama needs to ignore her from here on out - focus on McCain.

Wasting more time in the mud with Hillary will not help him and only gives the perception she is his 'equal'; that she still has a chance of winning.

I see no merit in it.

[Window]

17. Exactly. She's a waste of time and energy.

[TwilightGardener]

10. Remember that he refused to debate in Wisconsin--and won big.

[lisa58]

6. not gonna happen

[Vinca]

8. He should ignore her - just pretend she doesn't exist.

Run the race against McCain and wait for reality to settle in at Clinton headquarters. Assuming, of course, there still is a headquarters and they haven't been evicted for nonpayment of rent.

[jaxx]

11. Hillary, you're no Abe Lincoln.

[DearAbby]

12. Desparation...

next she will offer: He can go first! :rofl:

[keep_it_real]

13. I hope not

She does not deserve the opportunity.

[Tribetime]

14. agreeing with Stephanopoulis and Gibson ended all debates

[MADem]

15. It's a GREAT idea, but he's already run away from it. Refused, declined, no, no, no!!!

He isn't too good with a set-piece of anticipated questions, too much ummmm-ing, and uhhh-ing, he'd crap a small animal if he had to do that circus act without a net.

[Window]

16. She must be out of her mind. To hell with Hillary and her bullshit.

:nuke: