I'd like to see Obama agree to McCain's townhall/joint appearance proposal

[cali]

in some form, and I'd like to see it happen relatively soon. I think the contrast between the two will be enormously beneficial to Obama. I'm not just talking about the contrast in age and vitality, but more important distinctions; the contrast in intelligence, thoughtfullness and ability to connect with people, will be readily apparent.

I can't see any downside to Obama agreeing to hold joint townhalls with McCain. Am I missing something?

[Bluebear]

1. McCain would benefit, shuffling around, his awkwardness camoflauged.

Screw McCain. Obama will have him for lunch in standard, moderated debates.

[vi5]

2. I also think if it's less moderated....

..which town halls tend to be less so than traditional media driven debates, that we'd stand more of a chance of actual questions getting asked.

Of course as we saw with the hand picked "viewer" questions from the debates, maybe not so much.

I just honestly don't see how McCain could benefit, either by contrast or the fact that he's just not that good thinking on his feet.

[jpertello]

3. OBAMA WILL WIPE THE FLOOR WITH MCLAME

McCain can entertain us all with his old guy gaffes. He can stand up there in his baseball cap and jacket and say "Well, gee, I'm just an old guy. You don't really expect me to remember facts and detailed information on our government's foreign policy, do you? Have you noticed how white my skin is? Isn't that enough?"
And we'll all chuckle politely when he stops making sense and drools off into some psychotic vision for America.


Hey Everyone! Hop aboard the straight jacket express! It's a scary ride!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_p3I-w7Coo

[hellbound-liberal]

4. LOL! Straight jacket express!, Thanks for that jpertello. Welcome to DU!

[jpertello]

6. thanks for the welcome!

And I wish I thought up "straight jacket express", but I got it from the video I posted. :)

[Sherman A1]

5. I have mixed thoughts on this

I think the idea is good in theory (and think this is far better than the 30 second attack ad), but Obama brings so much more to the event than does McCain.

McCain needs to use Obama's ability to draw a crowd to get some air time and notice by the voters?

Look at his fundraising numbers now compared to Obama's. Look at the speeches Tuesday night.. Obama fills a stadium and McCain fills a ballroom.

Look at voter turnout across the primaries....

I just don't know if this is a good idea or not.

[Bennyboy]

8. The more people that come out....

the more people that get to see McCain exposed.

Two of these and it is over.....

[AlinPA]

10. I totally agree with your second point. That is why McCain wants the joint meetings.

[Bennyboy]

7. If I was Obama I would be "Tonight, be there"

Every night, every day, what town you gonna be in, see you at five" About two of those and it would be all over.

What is hilarious, is that McCain's peeps think that this is his best venue. But every time he has screwed up it has been in this format.

Bring it on, can they start this tommorow?

[AlinPA]

9. Yes, but-McCain will benefit just by being on the stage with Obama. McCain wants to be

part of the excitement around Obama helping to create an impression that he is "in it". As far as "gotchas" go , McCain can use them in Obama's presence and be effective at it. It is not Obama's style to do that. If the questions and discussions were on policy, Obama would wipe the floor with McCain.

[Fleshdancer]

11. I'm still shocked that McBush suggested it

I can't see any downside either. My guess is that McBush assumes he'll be able to paint Obama as some unexperienced kid, but the moment Obama opens his mouth, that picture disappears pretty quickly.

The contrast in age, vitality and intelligence will be all over YouTube and cable news. The moment McBush unleashes his famous anger, it will be all over YouTube and cable news. His awkward smiles and weird statements like hot water for dehydrated babies (wtf?) will be all over YouTube and cable news. Could he really be this stupid? Even Bush wasn't this stupid while campaigning.