Candidates Spar Over Debate Schedule

Obama wants five, McCain wants 13
By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 13, 2008 5:20 PM CDT
Candidates Spar Over Debate Schedule
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., speaks during a town hall meeting in Pemberton, N.J., Friday, June 13, 2008.    (AP Photo/LM Otero)

Camp Obama and Camp McCain are jousting over debates, with both candidates, New York Times blogger Michael Falcone jokes, appearing to feel “a little rejected.” Obama has suggested five forums: three traditional debates and two town halls, one on the economy and another on foreign policy. A rep said he was “disappointed” that McCain hasn’t agreed and would rather “contrive a political issue.”

McCain continues to press his opponent on holding weekly appearances together, saying an event last night—the first he’d invited Obama to attend—“would have been a little more interesting” if Obama had shown. A McCain aide said Obama had turned the scheduling into “a debate about process,” exactly what McCain had sought to avoid. (More John McCain stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X