We'll see...at least now we can get to the good part.

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"All the problems we face in the United States today can be traced to an unenlightened immigration policy on the part of the American Indian."

Pat Paulsen for President

Earth to Commish ... pwned.

Can you see what I'm saying regarding the differences in format that each campaign is suggesting? Obviously Obama's strength is the uninterrupted ramble (and McCain's weakness), and if you've watched Obama during the debates he's presented a completely different picture. One can argue that he got clobbered during those debates but recovered by getting back to the scripted message on the campaign trail.

If McCain's advisors have any sense at all they need to keep Obama off balance, get him in situations where he isn't comfortable and don't let him fall back to the memorized rhetoric. If not, Obama wins this thing in a rout.

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Has there ever been a presidential nominee with a wider gap between his estimation of himself and the sum total of his lifetime achievements?
Charles Krauthammer

History Lesson: Obama's Iraq Documentary

I have seen McCain do well with a town hall setting, better than how Josh Beckett pitched tonight.

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USA OLYMPIC WORLD CHAMPIONS

Yeah, but Josh got the win. How did the 'stros do?

Yes, it will be interesting to see what they come up with.

I thought Obama was pretty pathetic early on but got better as time went on and held his own in the one on one...there was that one debate where they hit him with some bullshit but overall...he seemed to do ok.

No way are we going to see a full on Lincoln/Douglas style debate imo...our tv world wouldn't facilitate such but we might see kind of an extended style townhall.

I think Obama has been "clobbered" with enough talking points that he will be prepared to make a showing no matter what they try and throw at him...on the other hand, no doubt he will be slinging some shit back...stock up on the popcorn...

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"All the problems we face in the United States today can be traced to an unenlightened immigration policy on the part of the American Indian."

Pat Paulsen for President

Earth to Commish ... pwned.

I have not seen McCain in a townstyle meeting, but I attended a rally for Obama at an open forum townhall style meeeting. You are underestimating him to assume Obama is only better at what you refer to as "canned" speeches. He was exceptional on the townhall venue I attended and maybe even more so then his recent historic speeches. He challenges all of us not to think about politics as we are used to, but a new kind of politics, a politics that allows us to forget about dividing ourselves by party affiliation, and focus more about the common goals we all want to strive for as a nation.

He is solid on his postions, can take questions and articulate his position precisely with ad lib questions, and he demonstrates leadership and compassion. He inspires the next generation to work for America. I am not knocking McCain, but I seriously doubt he could put a chink in Obama's armor. I do not think Obama is wearing a superficial coat of armor that leaves him vulnerable to "chinking".

It's no coincidence that Obama is dodging the town hall format in favor of giving a stump speech and calling it a debate. He and his campaign both know that Q&A would favor McCain, and he doesn't want to deviate from saying the same thing over and over without rebuttal.

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Has there ever been a presidential nominee with a wider gap between his estimation of himself and the sum total of his lifetime achievements?
Charles Krauthammer

History Lesson: Obama's Iraq Documentary

I've been thinking a bit more on this and have heard some more...I think you are misreading this issue a bit...I think when they say more like a Lincoln/Douglas format...basically they are saying more of a free for all/no moderators...I could be wrong...it will be fun to watch this unfold...I wouldn't be too quick to write either of them off yet.

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"All the problems we face in the United States today can be traced to an unenlightened immigration policy on the part of the American Indian."

Pat Paulsen for President

Earth to Commish ... pwned.