The Debate Commission will allow a Town Hall for Obama if McLame is a no show

[Ichingcarpenter]

Just announced on CNN.

[Triana]

1. COOL. Brilliant Idea Obama had. So take THAT McLame! n/t

[WA98296]

2. GREAT!

[deadparrot]

3. But will they broadcast it? nt

[Ichingcarpenter]

8. I think they would but maybe not the full time allotment

It would be a huge news event no matter how you look at it.
They would be crazy not to cover at least part of it.

[deadparrot]

22. You'd think...

a major party candidate not showing up to the debate? Kind of a big deal. And now that McCain's gone and drawn all sorts of attention to it, he's only guaranteeing a bigger audience. I don't see how the ratings-hungry networks could turn that down, at least completely. What else are they gonna show on a Friday night that'll attract a bigger crowd?

[seabeyond]

26. i think media will absolutely broadcast. they are pissed at mccain. they have it scheduled already

media is being fucked along with mississippi, along with the american people

[regnaD kciN]

30. I'm not sure they CAN...

I believe that, according to equal time rules, if they televise a 90-minute Obama town hall, they have to offer McCain the same thing.

[Princess Turandot]

34. The equal time rules don't apply to debates..

since the early '80's, they are considered news events, which are exempt from the rule.

[seabeyond]

35. hmmmph. i never saw that in the 2004 election. that is bullshit. and i thought equal time rule

was ruled out anyway.

why can they have four repugs on a talk show and no dems

or four repugs and 1 dem

i dont know that you are correct, but not what i see on the news

besides, mccain has the access to equal time, he is chosing NOT to take advantage of it after already agreeing to it

what you say doesnt jive

[NRaleighLiberal]

4. Just get some carboard McCain/Palin cutouts for all debates -

they are running their campaign as if they don't really exist, anyway. Would be much less annoying to listen to as well!

[book_worm]

10. the cutouts would probably be more effective than the real articles anyway.

[Viking12]

14. You beat me to it!

I was gonna say that :P

[mcg]

38. A cutout would be more exciting than McCain. nt

[MadrasT]

5. WOOT for the Debate Commission!

:bounce: I can't WAIT to see Barack tonight. :applause: GOBAMA!

[Schulzz]

6. Ahahahaha...

As much as I would like to see Obama kicking McCain's ass, he will probably gain more when McCain doesn't show. McCain will look bad and Obama will get free airtime with a huge audience.

[Zenlitened]

7. Sweet.

[tekisui]

9. Then mcPOW will certainly be there.

Failure in person is better than failure out of being scared to debate.

[kenny blankenship]

11. McNoshow

McForfeits

[1corona4u]

12. Good.

[NYC Liberal]

13. AWESOME!!!!!

If McCain does not show up, it will be absolutely devastating.

Plus the networks will cover it because it's become a big thing now....thanks to McCain!

[Barack_America]

15. Seriously? nt

[still_one]

16. Good /nt

[Essene]

17. That's just silly... if the media wont cover it.

[1corona4u]

24. Some will still cover it....remember they have people already down there

and they too have spent money on this thing....

[bunnies]

18. Somebody better broadcast it either way.

No reason Obama should be punished for McAsshole not showing up. Give him his time! :grr:

[NYC Liberal]

23. I think they will

The MSM loves this sort of thing. McCain has turned it into a big show and the media will LOVE the storyline. Gives them something new to talk about. A Presidential candidate not showing up for a debate.

[bunnies]

31. And I hope the leave the empty chair.

Either way McCain has screwed himself. Polls show the vast majority want to see the debate, but if theres no deal yet, McCain will have to go back on his "promise" in order to go. Its a lose-lose for McCain. What a total idiot.

It better be on tv. Dammit.

[liberal N proud]

19. Hope the networks cover it

[flpoljunkie]

20. 'Just say no' to the 'Drama Queen!'

[Jennicut]

21. I hope McLoser does not show up. I don't need to see his wrinkly face spouting lies tonight.

I hope the idiot does not show up, I hope the bailout fails, and I hope Obama is covered giving a town hall meeting about our problems.

[mcg]

44. The word "maverick", when applied to McCain, is just a euphemism for crazy. nt

[Lugnut]

25. That's good news.

Regardless of the outcome John McCain shot himself in the foot. Way to play it Gramps.

[Schulzz]

27. I think it would be covered...

The media would not like losing their debate audience because of McCain.

[scheming daemons]

28. The networks all have their top people there... and nothing else will be happening at 9pm

CNN, MSNBC, PBS, and CSPAN will cover it.

Fox... maybe not.


The big 3 networks...maybe not.

[TexasObserver]

29. That's brilliant.

[bdamomma]

32. they said the word "town hall"

does that mean McCain will be there, or will the commission say if he comes it will be a debate again.

[Ichingcarpenter]

36. I don't know anymore than that.. I expect if McCain showed then Debate

otherwise they said they would allow a town hall type meeting where
Obama took questions from the audience. The reporter said she
had talked to officials.....

So let's see how this plays out.

[NYC_SKP]

33. MSNBC will cover it, so far they are still promoting it. It will be televised.

Even with only Obama, there's no way they are thinking that "Lock Up" or "Catch a Predator" reruns would draw higher ratings.

The show must go on...

[bunnies]

37. Chuck Todd this AM said they wont.

cover it, that is. :mad:

[Egnever]

39. Win Win For Obama!

if mcsame doesn't show Obama gets a free 90 minutes. If He does show Obama gets 90 minutes to make mcsame look foolish.

Of course if mcsame doesn't show he looks foolish as well so i am hoping for him not to show so we get the best of both worlds.

[Shine]

40. It's not lookin' too good for McGramps these days.

either way, he's in a box:

If he shows up to debate before a deal is made, he's going back on his word.

If he doesn't show up, he pisses a LOT of people off.

:toast:

[demokatgurrl]

41. I LOVE THAT

because I heard McSame say today that he had wanted "10 town halls but Obama didn't accept any".

[Ichingcarpenter]

42. CNN just said the DEBATE is ON!

Good!

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

43. Free air time if McCain doesn't show?!

That's Game. Set. and Match.

[renie408]

45. Which would be why McCain is hurrying to Ole Miss even as we speak. n/t

[Psst_Im_Not_Here]

46. The man is brilliant

pure and simple political genius.

[FatDave]

47. And what did all McCains antics achieve?

They've all but guaranteed tonight's debate will be less about foreign policy and more about the economy. For all the damage he took doing it, all he got was the focus of the debate switched from his strength to his weakness.