I read with great interest the earlier post regarding the invitation letter sent from John McCain to Barack Obama to agree upon a series of weekly debates that will run from next week up to a week before the National Democratic Convention. The popular speculation seems to center on McCain's desire to lure Obama into a venue where McCain (a lackluster public speaker} can perform in a high profile series of events on a more level playing field given his limited campaign skills. The lofty talk of a national political discussion creating an atmosphere of high civility makes for a good soundbite to gain media and public support for the events. I cannot help but to think there is a more important hidden agenda behind this seemingly noble gesture. Please excuse me if I am suspicious of the true motives of a person who can publicly call his spouse the "C" word and then make a case for greater civility in a campaign.
The motive may well be driven by McCain's campaign need to nullify Obama's current financial advantage that coincidentally coincides with the time frame between now and the parties national conventions. The conventions as well as the fall campaigns to follow will receive public funding. Between now and then the campaigns must rely on their fundraising and Obama has a powerful COH advantage.
With the prospect of Obama using his current advantage to favorably re-introduce himself to the nations voters while also enlightening the public on the real John McCain and McCain not in a strong position to respond, what better way to level the playing field than a series of highly promoted weekly town hall events? The media soundbites as well as direct audience viewings will certainly serve to reduce the impact of Obama paid media while enabling McCain a cost free response to the media blitz between now and the conventions. The main short-term need for the McCain campaign is to survive with minimal damage the weeks between now and the convention. With their fundraising abilities nearly as lackluster as their candidate himself this weekly offer of civility may well be their best hale Mary pass effort, provided team Obama chooses to take the bait!
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