Presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama answers questions from the audience during a town hall meeting as he campaigns at Kaukauwa High School in Kaukauna, Wisconsin June 12, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
U.S. presumptive Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and his Republican rival John McCain failed in reaching an agreement on Friday to hold ten "town hall"-style meetings where they are supposed to answer questions directly from a small audiences.
According to McCain's campaign manager Rick Davis, Obama's team only agreed to participate one town hall meeting before the Democratic national convention in late August.
The Arizona Senator suggested shortly after Obama clinched nomination last week to hold 10 joint town hall meetings with Obama at locations that both teams agree to, starting with the one in New York City on June 12.
U.S. Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain speaks during a townhall meeting in Kenner, Louisiana June 3, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
Every meeting would involve an audience of about 200 to 400 people who are selected by an independent poll body, and last around 60 to 90 minutes, according to McCain's proposal.
Obama's team said at first that they accepted the suggestion on principle, but they preferred the meeting to be shorter and informal.
The Illinois senator told reporters on Tuesday that it's not realistic for him to attend 10 town hall meetings while doing other campaign activities.
His senior strategist David Plouffe said on Friday his candidate had offered to meet McCain five times between now and the election day in November instead, including three debates, a joint town hall on economy in July and an in-depth debate on foreign policy in August, which, however, was refused by McCain's team.
"That package of five engagements would have been the most of any presidential campaign in the modern era -- offering a broad range of formats -- and representing a historic commitment to openness and transparency," Plouffe said.
"It's disappointing that Senator McCain and his campaign decided to decline this proposal. Apparently they would rather contrive a political issue than foster a genuine discussion about the future of our country," he added.
In response, McCain said during a news conference in Pemberton, New Jersey, he would leave it to American people to decide "which is the preferable proposal."
(Xinhua News Agency June 14,2008)
