Debate

Chicago, IL -- August 21, 2008 -- The Barack Obama and John McCain campaigns released the following statement on the Presidential Debates:

The Barack Obama and John McCain campaigns have agreed to hold three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate in September and October sponsored by the Commission on Presidential Debates.

Barack Obama and John McCain: Photos by Wigwam Jones (McCain CC) and Peter Howe (Obama CC)

The campaigns have come to the earliest agreement on presidential debates reached in any general election in recent history.    » read more »

June 13, 2008 -- Chicago, IL -- "Barack Obama offered to meet John McCain at five joint appearances between now and Election Day—the three traditional debates plus a joint town hall on the economy in July and an in-depth debate on foreign policy in August.

John McCain: Photo by Kenneth Lu (CC)

That package of five engagements would have been the most of any Presidential campaign in the modern era—offering a broad range of formats—and representing a historic commitment to openness and transparency.    » read more »

April 26, 2008 -- Chicago, IL - Obama campaign Communications Director Robert Gibbs released the following statement on Presidential debates.

"We have participated in 21 nationally televised debates, the most in primary history, including four exclusively with Senator Clinton. Senator Clinton refused an earlier invitation that had been accepted to debate in North Carolina.

Over the next 10 days, we believe it's important to talk directly to the voters of Indiana and North Carolina about fixing our economy, cutting the cost of health care and ending a war in Iraq that never should have been authorized in the first place," Obama campaign spokesperson Robert Gibbs said.

Source: Barack Obama campaign

January 25, 2008 -- BOCA RATON, FLORIDA – In tonight’s debate, Ron Paul showed once again why he is the only real Republican running for president.

Speaking of his fellow candidates, Congressman Paul said, “my biggest concern is that they won’t stick to the party principles that Republicans stood for for so long.”    » read more »

Jan 21, 2008:

Ambinder: "Bet Edwards will win the focus groups again… he is dominating the debate." "8:35 pm | He is dominating the debate so far...extremely well informed on the subjects he's being asked, and he seems to be relishing his role as the third wheel...because the two fighting children are forced to listen to him. Again, on points, he seems to win these debates."

[http://marcambinder.theatlantic.com/archives/2008/01/bet_edwards_will_win_the_focus.php]    » read more »

Washington, D.C. and Columbia, S.C.; January 10, 2008 - NPR and South Carolina ETV Radio have cancelled their national Republican presidential debate, scheduled for Wednesday, January 16 in Columbia, S.C.

The audio-only debate, to be broadcast on NPR Member stations nationally and webcast, was set to air live from 2:00-4:00PM (ET).

"Ultimately, not enough candidates were willing to participate," said Andi Sporkin, Vice President for Communications, NPR. "We look forward to working with them through other NPR News programming over the coming months and during the general election."    » read more »

Dec 12, 2007 -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina – One day after the release of a new CNN poll showing Edwards is the only Democrat to beat all four leading Republican candidates in head-to-head match ups, John Edwards for president communications director Chris Kofinis released the following statement:    » read more »