Obama declines another debate
It looks like Katie Couric is being shut out on the presidential debate front.
Sen.
Hillary Rodham Clinton had accepted an offer from CBS to debate Sen.
Barack Obama in North Carolina on Sunday after "60 Minutes," but he has
turned down the offer and the session was officially called off Monday.
Obama
had little incentive for another face-off. He is comfortably ahead in
the state and, after drawing most of the tough questions in last week's
ABC debate in Pennsylvania, undoubtedly wasn't looking forward to a
sequel.
Ace Smith, director of Clinton's campaign in North
Carolina, said in a statement that "we are willing to move forward with
another time and location for the debate so that (Obama) has no excuse
for not participating."
Obama spokesman Dan Leistikow replied:
"It's unfortunate that the Clinton campaign decided to play politics
with this. ... Their attacks indicate they are really not looking for a
debate, but any forum to continue their negative,
throw-the-kitchen-sink campaign."
