“Debate-about-Debates” – Media Cycles and Local News - Clinton wins Round 1
The mediated “debate-about-debates” launched by Hillary’s invitation to four debates on Super Tuesday (see “Empty Chair”) was fairly short lived, in one sense.
Before the dust had even settled from the Tuesday's voting the Obama campaign accepted two debates (By early Thursday) (Houston Chronicle ). This is one way, too often overlooked, to stem debate challenges from becoming the story itself; just accept a reasonable number and move on. The interpretive frame regarding who is “hiding from the people” has not exactly stopped, however. Even as it appeared that Obama’s swift move might truncate the story, the spin continues.
When Obama accepted two debates, the Clinton camp responded in a manner aimed at keeping alive pressure on Obama to accept even more. "We are glad he finally accepted a debate with us, and we look forward to many more debates with him in the future," Adrienne Elrod, a spokeswoman for the Clinton campaign, said in a statement.”
Localized Spin
In addition to the national spotlight the “debate-about-debates” has a local angle that is alive and well, playing out in state media outlets, serving as a Clinton skirmish advantage. The campaign used non-acceptance for venues other than Ohio and Texas to get local headlines critical of Obama.
Read more below on the Maine, Ohio, and Chesapeake narratives.
