Obama to Debate Ahmadinejad on TV?

[happy_liberal]

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said Monday he's ready to meet "face-to-face" with President Obama in a televised debate over their countries' disputes.

The Iranian leader said he plans to visit New York for the next U.N. General assembly in September, as he has several times since coming to power in 2005.

During the trip, "we are ready to sit with his excellency Obama, face to face, free and before media, to put the world's issues on the table to find out whose solution is better,"

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/02/ahmadinejad-challenges-ob_0_n_667068.html

(presidential debates)

In 1982, Anwar Sadat traveled to Israel, a trip that resulted in a peace agreement that has lasted ever since.

In the spirit of that type of bold leadership, would you be willing to meet separately, without precondition, during the first year of your administration, in Washington or anywhere else, with the leaders of Iran, Syria, Venezuela, Cuba and North Korea, in order to bridge the gap that divides our countries?


Senator Obama?

OBAMA: I would. And the reason is this, that the notion that somehow not talking to countries is punishment to them -- which has been the guiding diplomatic principle of this administration -- is ridiculous.

[stray cat]

1. why would Obama?

[happy_liberal]

8. As a Nobel Peace Prize winner, I would hope to promote peace!

Why wouldn't he?

[dipsydoodle]

10. Might create the impression

he deserved that award.

[happy_liberal]

12. and wouldn't that be wonderful!

n/t

[Xenotime]

14. My thoughts exactly.

[eleny]

2. Debating and talking are two different things

[no limit]

6. +1

[happy_liberal]

15. are they talking?

n/t

[Fearless]

3. Why not.

I like when the fundies' heads explode.

[Angry Dragon]

4. I would like to see it

[ericinne]

5. I love it

I really hope this happens. More OPEN dialog is what this world needs. It's the back door deal making and hush hush conversations that are allegedly private in the interest of national security of whichever country, that make the REAL differences between each other's cultures.

[dipsydoodle]

7. Obama , as expected , has apparently , already declined

the kind offer.

The White House has rebuffed Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's offer of a public "face-to-face" policy debate with US President Barack Obama.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-10839986

[spanone]

9. i doubt very much they will debate on teevee.

the iranian leader can want to all he wants

[happy_liberal]

13. What exactly does Obama have to lose?

What is he afraid of?

[wtmusic]

11. Debate? How about best out of ten free throws from the line, you little weasel. nt

[happy_liberal]

16. Isn't there some way to hold politicians accountable to their promises?

Our political system is absurd. Why do we accept this bullshit dog and pony show?

[happy_liberal]

17. 1 hour ago...

Debate Iran? No, but talks are possible
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/08/04/obama.ahmadinejad/

The White House dismissed Ahmadinejad's offer as a theatrics, saying Iran isn't serious about discussing its nuclear ambitions. But senior administration officials say there are serious discussions taking place between the European Union foreign affairs chief, Catherine Ashton, and Iranian nuclear negotiators about resuming talks.