Posted by
Sean on Friday, June 27, 2008 8:08:34 AM
The reason Barack Obama chickened out on the 10 joint Town Halls proposed by McCain could be that Obama -- candidate of change that he is -- would prove unable to hold any given position long enough to last the entire challenge.
Let's imagine how it might have gone anyway.
At the 1st Town Hall meeting, Obama would be against NAFTA --- but for it come the 2nd meeting.
The 3rd Town Hall would reveal an Obama against FISA --- but supporting it by the 4th event.
During the 5th Town Hall, Obama would pledge to use public campaign financing --- only to abandon this pledge come Town Hall # 6.
Town Hall # 7 might present an Obama ridiculing the idea of the “tiny country” Iran posing a serious threat --- then calling it a “grave threat” at Town Hall # 8.
At Town Hall # 9, he would voice support for an “undivided Jerusalem”, but then --- even before the next Town Hall could take place --- say something else as soon as he leaves the building.
Finally, at Town Hall # 10, Obama would support the Supreme Court ruling saying DC’s handgun ban is unconstitutional. Challenged by an audience member, Obama then blows off his previous and contradictory statements as “inartful”.
The idea behind John McCain’s Joint Town Halls was to offer a historic opportunity to get to know the candidates without having to rely on “the empty sound bites and media-filtered exchanges that dominate our elections.”
McCain’s proposal could have offered a chance to see the real Obama, but judging from recent inconsistencies, maybe it really doesn't matter. If Obama were to act at the Town Halls the way he does in his normal campaign, voters would still remain completely confused.