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I had been thinking for awhile and now I am reading some others are
suggesting the same thing - that Obama should offer to debate the GOP before
the mid-terms (either McConnell or Boehner). Obviously high-risk, low
reward, but there could be some advantages to trying to get the GOP to
engage and explain what they'd do if elected. That said, Obama shouldn't do
it. Elevates them just too much. But what about a JRB vs. Boehner or JRB
vs. McConnell debate on Larry King/MTP or something ala Gore/Perot. It'd
be great. I know no one would ever really consider it and it would never
happen, but fun to think about. JRB would be so much better than BO at this
I think. Also, shows the Administration is different and thinking outside
the box and wanting to be transparent about its record and plans.

What About National Midterm
Debates?<http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/09/11/what_about_national_midterm_debates.html>EJ
Dionne<http://voices.washingtonpost.com/postpartisan/2010/09/obama_should_debate_boehner_an.html>:
"An election is about choices. But especially in midterm voting, which
involves state-by-state and district-by-district contests, the differences
are not always joined cleanly. So let's give the country a chance to
understand what's at stake this year. Between now and November, President
Obama should debate both John Boehner, the House Republican leader, and
Mitch McConnell, the GOP leader in the Senate. Their confrontations,
televised and during prime time, would certainly get the attention of voters
and make clear what the stakes in the election are."

Jonathan Alter<http://www.newsweek.com/2010/09/05/wanted-obama-boehner-midterm-debates.html>:
"Beyond the TV networks, the big winners of midterm debates would be voters,
who would learn some facts about what has actually been proposed and enacted
to go along with all the usual opinions they hear. As we learned in 2008,
debates are more substantive than the normal cable chatter. Just as
quadrennial presidential debates are a plus (except that there are too many
during the primaries), midterm debates would send an important signal about
the importance of Congress in American politics. They might even improve
turnout a bit. If nothing else, these fresh contests would add a little zip
to October."

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Eric D. Schwerin
Rosemont Seneca Partners
(202) 333-1880
eschwerin@rosemontseneca.co