Barack Obama Playing Games with Town Hall Meetings

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill. shakes hands after speaking at the Oakleaf Village retirement community in Columbus, Ohio, Friday, June 13, 2008

Clearly, Barack Obama does not want to discuss the issues where John McCain MAY hold an advantage.

From Obama campaign manager David Plouffe in rejecting John McCain’s Town Hall Proposal:

“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. 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.

“It’s disappointing that Senator McCain and his campaign decided to decline this proposal. Apparently they would rather contrive a political issue than foster a genuine discussion about the future of our country.

“Senator Obama believes that the American people deserve an open and accessible debate as they choose between real change and four more years of failed Bush policies, and he welcomed McCain’s invitation to offer voters ‘the rare opportunity of witnessing candidates for the highest office in the land discuss civilly and extensively the great issues at stake in the election.”

The American people get stiffed again.

Barack Obama can run but he cannot hide. Team McCain WILL facilitate that.