Hillary Clinton wants to debate Barack Obama one on one without a moderator. No media questions. If you’re Barack Obama, would you do it? Get my take below but first read more about Clinton’s offer:
Democrat Hillary Rodham Clinton is challenging rival Barack Obama to face off with her in a 90-minute, open-style debate that would have no moderator.
While campaigning in South Bend, Clinton proposed that she and Obama take part in a debate in which they would ask each other questions and also set the rules for the debate.
Her campaign made the offer formal with a letter to the Obama campaign. Obama aides say they are studying the letter.
Clinton has been putting increasing pressure on Obama to debate her again before the Indiana and North Carolina primaries in nine days.
Clinton suggested that the open debate be a Lincoln-Douglas style event. That name comes from the famed debates that took place during the 1858 U.S. Senate race in Illinois between Republican Abraham Lincoln and Democrat Stephen Douglas.
I say why not? It’s not like Barack Obama is the “secure” frontrunner. Yes he is out in front of her but he’s not been able to close the deal. This would be an opportunity for him to do just that.
I know, I know. There are potential pitfalls ahead if he does this. Clinton will no doubt look for ways to put him on the defensive and draw him into uncomfortable moments. There’s way more upside for her in this but if you’re the Obama campaign, do you really want to give her a week of “he won’t debate me” material “leading up to May 6th? The last time I checked she’s vulnerable too and he can exploit some of those weaknesses.
Sometimes campaigns get caught up so much in the politics of the moment rather than just doing the right thing. This debate would make sense. Sure there have been more than 20 but that doesn’t mean Americans were paying attention to all of them. And in such a crucial state like Indiana, it may be the perfect setting for a Lincoln-Douglas style debate. Watch more about those 1800 debates here.