by Jill Zuckman
Sen. John McCain was the first to suggest that he and Sen. Barack Obama hold joint town hall meetings, but nothing seemed to come of it.
Now comes former First Lady Nancy Reagan and the daughters of former President Lyndon Johnson, Lynda Johnson Robb and Luci Baines Johnson, to renew the invitation.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, Calif., and the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library in College Station, Texas, have invited McCain and Obama to participatein town hall meetings at their libraries in July, before the party conventions are held.
"The Reagan Library is honored to participate in this historic bipartisan dialogue," said Nancy Reagan, who hosted two Republican primary debates in California this year. "Ronnie always believed in the importance of face-to-face discussion on key issues that affect the American people."
The forums would be open to all media outlets, according to a joint statement from both libraries. An independent polling organization would ensure that voters invited to attend represent a diversity of views, and the candidates are given an equal shot at addressing key issues.
"My father wanted the LBJ Library & Museum to always be a place where leaders of the day would come and deliberate the great issues of our time in order that we might better serve future generations," said Luci Baines Johnson.
Lynda Johnson Robb said, "In the bipartisan spirit of the presidential library system, my father would be proud of this opportunity for Americans to embrace a Scripture verse he quoted often, 'Come, now, let us reason together.'"
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Comments
Why can't we have a debate between Michelle Obama and Cindy McCain. Such a debate would be historic and much more exciting than one between their husbands. After all, both women could potentially be presidential candidates in the future.
Posted by: GW | June 13, 2008 7:09 AM
The Johnson Library is located in Austin. George H.W. Bush's library is in College Station.
Posted by: DJ | June 13, 2008 7:49 AM
I doubt Obama will do many of these type of debates. This is not his area of strength.
Posted by: MinisterR | June 13, 2008 9:43 AM
the LBJ library is not in College Station. It is in Austin Texas on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin
Posted by: sarah | June 13, 2008 10:06 AM
Obama can only speak to crowds of 10,0000 or more that way he does not have to answer any specific questions.
Posted by: jp,michigan | June 13, 2008 11:24 AM
I agree with MinisterR that Obama will not do these events. He has shown that he cannot operate without a teleprompter, carefully scripted and reviewed speeches, catchphrases, halls packed with people who oooh and aah like he's a god, and applause breaks. He cannot answer planted questions off the cuff. Obama needs that controlled environment. And he really, really needs that teleprompter. Watch next time, he always does the same thing - look at teleprompter, look left, look right, back to teleprompter, look left, look right. Any time he is without that, or asked an actual question, you have a ton of umms, uhhs, what i was umm and so forths. McCain would destroy him in a town hall. Plus he would actually have to answer real questions, not the softballs the main stream media lobs him in debates. McCain would get those too, as he should, and I think it provides a better forum for the American people to get to know the candidates.
Posted by: Mike | June 13, 2008 11:30 AM
Tell me , what does McCain have to debate with Obama about. All he wants to do his showcase his military experience and things that will get him to the White House. What part does he not understand, Obama is more intelligent, more wise and more electable than he ever will be. And age has nothing to do with it, its just the sign of the times, time for change!!!
Posted by: valjean | June 13, 2008 11:33 AM
Nothing came of it because Obama called McCain's bluff.
Posted by: Janstress | June 13, 2008 12:27 PM
McCain will push for these town hall meetings for two reasons, and Obama has no real basis for refusing to participate. First, McCain needs to get Obama off his lofty platitudes and into discussing detail. Second, McCain trails Obama in campagin cash, and this would be free exposure.
Posted by: Herbie H. | June 13, 2008 2:24 PM
That would be an oxymoron, The George W. Bush Library, wouldn't it ?!! Now, if it was a library for comic books and Mad magazines, I could see that, but a real library!! That is a real stretch, bordering on the hilarious !!
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, BRING THEM HOME, ALIVE AND WHOLE. NOW.
Posted by: Don Fitzgerald, Chicago | June 13, 2008 2:42 PM