Obama comments on the Debate Issue with Clinton and Edwards

OELWEIN --- At a campaign stop in Oelwein Saturday morning, presidential hopeful Barack Obama said the number of candidates in presidential debates should not be pared down.

The Illinois senator's comments come two days after Democratic rivals John Edwards and Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., were overhead discussing the possibility of limiting the number of participants in presidential forums.

"My attitude is the more the merrier," Obama said in an interview. "I don't know how you'd draw the line to say some can participate and some can't, particularly when you know historically, for example, Bill Clinton was at 2 percent in the polls in some of these early contests.

In an exchange captured on camera and open microphone by broadcasters after an NAACP forum in Detroit, Edwards approached Clinton onstage and whispered in her ear. "We should try to have a more serious and a smaller group," he said.
http://www.wcfcourier.com/articles/2007/07/14/news/breaking_news/doc46991b5e40958823823904.txt

are as serious as the IRS going after middle income citizens.

And this does not require less people on the stage, just real questions and an ability to ask questions to the candidates and for reporters to ask real questions.

There were more democratic candidates in 04 and some of the debates (not all of them) were substantial. Those who were substantial were those where the candidates were challenged on real issues.

:loveya:

He is intelligent ~ something that is absolutely missing in the last two terms of the Resident.

entitled. After Bushco, sense of entitlement is one of the ugliest traits I need in a candidate.

Obama certainly has a way of saying things that make him very endearing, and this is one of those times in which he came out looking a lot better than the Queen and her Jester.

Of course Obama wants more debaters and less time to speak.He makes fabulous speeches and isn't a great debater.If he has less time he has fewer opportunities to make a mistake!
All the pols want what is best for themselves.There is really no difference between anything any of them say about these debates all are self serving and frankly, that is to be expected.They wouldn't be good candidates if it were otherwise. Obama knows he showcases best with a prepared speech.That is why he had "notes at the podium.Big whoop to all these statements from all sides.This is a non story and statement of the obvious!

Sure, it's obvious to us. And it's obvious to Obama. But it's obviously not obvious to Edwards.

It's not Obama's fault Edwards didn't realize that we shouldn't be excluding lower tiered candidates.

Don't blame Obama. It's a shame he has to be questioned about this nonsense. Shame on Edwards.

I don't really care either. I posted a reply just to be pesky due to your snarky Obama comment. I can't imagine any loyal Edwards supporters jumping to the Kucinich camp over it. And Clinton supporters jumping over this? Fat chance.

However, Edwards may have lost Kucinich's support when he (Kucinich) drops out of the race. That might hurt a little unless Edwards does damage control. But I don't care one way or the other about that either. Edwards is my least favorite candidate, but not because of his opinion of the debating format or because he hurt Kucinich's ego. Those are the least of my worries about Edwards. Literally.