Low Level Sparring on NC Primary Debate
The New York Times political blog, The Caucus, Sunday morning nudged the topic of an Obama/Clinton North Carolina Debate .
Previously the Obama campaign accepted an invitation for a CBS debate in NC with the Clinton campaign remaining silent. Spokespersons for the campaigns commented on the potential debate but did not advance the topic.
In Friday conference calls Phil Singer, according the NYT, blamed "scheduling conflict" and promising an answer in "a couple of weeks." Obama spokesperson Bill Burton
. . . declined to speculate on why Mrs. Clinton had not agreed to the North Carolina debate, saying only, "Maybe she likes the Jersey Shore more than the Outer Banks."
Singer's comment sounds like a dodge, and Burton's partisan speculation despite his statement to contrary. The campaigns seem occupied with larger issues than nailing down another debate.
Who can predict which campaign will want another debate in early May. If either campaign decides they need a debate, likely the other will be forced to join in. Obama is already on record and Clinton can be reminded of her political advertising in Wisconsin.
