Well, not that that is in any way a surprise. He wants to retreat in Iraq, pre-retreat from conflict with Iran (or, is that proactively surrender?), retreated from public campaign finance, retreated from his position on off-shore drilling, and retreats from so many of the people who support him (that whole ObamaBus issue)
Democratic candidate Barack Obama on Saturday backed away from rival John McCain’s challenge for a series of joint appearances, agreeing only to the standard three debates in the fall.
In May, when a McCain adviser proposed a series of pre-convention appearances at town hall meetings, Obama said, “I think that’s a great idea.” In summer stumping on the campaign trail, McCain has often noted that Obama had not followed through and joined him in any events.
Is anyone else seriously getting the feeling that the Credentialed Media is losing its love affair with Barry? Can you imagine a story like this, say, just 4 months ago that is written in that tone?
Obama’s reversal on town hall debates is part of a play-it-safe strategy he’s adopted since claiming the nomination and grabbing a lead in national polls. Advisers to the Illinois senator, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss strategy, say Obama is reluctant to take chances or give McCain a high-profile stage now that Obama’s the front-runner.
The way this story is written reminds me more of the way a member of the Reagan Revolution would write about something they were not happy with Reagan about. Soft-peddling it, but, the upset is there. Or, the way the NY Times writes about the progress in Iraq: they really do not want to admit it, but, they have to, damnitall! Now let me get a martini. Or 5.
Anyhow, it is no wonder Obama doesn’t want the extra debates: he bumbles and stumbles and makes no sense without his prepared speeches. Bush may bumble and stumble, but, he at least gets his point across.
Image via Jim at bRight & Early
