The debate debate
Last night, Hillary’s new Wisconsin ad came on tv and it prompted a discussion: is Obama actually in the wrong for turning down the Marquette debate? For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, a little background. Marquette University issued an invitation to both Clinton and Obama to participate in a debate sometime before the Wisconsin primary on February 19th. Clinton accepted; after a few days, Obama declined. She’s currently running an ad here that portrays his refusal as fear of actual discussion of important issues like health care and home foreclosures.So, why did he decline? Without hearing it directly from the horse’s mouth, I can only speculate based on the comments I’ve read from his staff. There have already been eighteen Democratic debates (a number that amazes me, really; does anyone remember such a debate heavy primary season?) and there are two more on the schedule, including one two days after the Wisconsin primary. Obama’s camp claims a need to spend more time at town halls, meeting with actual voters here in Wisconsin. To be fair, that’s what he’s been doing, too. He’s had two big appearances here in the Milwaukee area this week, as well as in Madison, Racine, Osh Kosh and Green Bay (and I don’t know where else). He’s taking questions from these town hall type rallies and doing interviews with local news media. The argument, then, that he doesn’t want to discuss the issues in Wisconsin doesn’t seem particularly compelling.
Nor does it seem that Clinton is more willing to discuss these important issues. In fact, as of today, she has yet to appear personally in Wisconsin (unless maybe I missed it, which, hey, is possible). Chelsea and Bill have been here, but she’s not scheduled to appear until Saturday when she’ll speak at a function alongside Obama. Instead, she’s been spending the week campaigning heavily in Texas because it’s one of her last, big hopes. As a Wisconsin voter, her lack of appearances, combined with her negative attack ad, don’t really endear me to her. What’s her stand on the issues, I have to ask. We’re hearing from Obama directly; and sure, it’s in speeches, but we’re also hearing from him as he’s answering questions and as his campaign reaches out directly to voters. Not seeing that same effort from Clinton, her attack of his debate denial seems like a school-yard taunt, like a spoiled child stomping her feet and crying, “it’s not fair.”
Sure, I’d love to see the two debate here in Wisconsin. And sure, Obama’s refusal doesn’t exactly help his pr. But, I have to say, in his shoes, I think I might say enough is enough with twenty debates on the schedule, too. The debates, so often, are the same: the same questions with the same candidates is only going to offer so much insight into who they are and what they stand for. The only real interest in the debates of late has been whether they’ll be playing nice or dirty, and personally, I have yet to be enlightened on either of their views during any of the debates.
Who wins the debate debate will be decided in a few days, I guess, and then we’ll see how wrong Obama was in his refusal or how wrong Clinton was in restricting her Wisconsin campaigning to family speeches and attack ads. I definitely know how my vote will be cast.
Posted by mtucker on 02/15 at 01:32 PM