Rich Warren

[StagLefty]

Anybody watch the CNN Rich Warren interview/questions with Obama and McCain Saturday night ? Thoughts ?

[Gman]

I wanted to, but I got busy. I was wondering how Obama would come off since this was unscripted.

[BadShot]

Obama was weak.. but that can "Change"

[Gman]

I'm going to try that at work. The answer to every question will be "We need a change, and I'm the only guy that can bring that change." I doubt they'll ask me for details as to what I mean by "change".

Seeing as I'm really hearing nothing about it in the MSM, I'm guessing it didn't go over very well for Obama.

[StagLefty]

There's a follow up tonight at 7 p.m. on Larry King with Rick Warren.I thought McCain was very decisive with his answers and the experience factor really came through for me.IMHO

[Gman]

From what I'm hearing today, Obama was evasive and flat out misleading at times. Such as; He didn't collaborate with McCain for campaign finance reform, he stabbed him in the back.

[ssf467]

This past Friday, I wrote to you regarding our attempt to be included in the Saturday event held at Saddleback Church featuring both Senators John McCain and Barack Obama.

Barack Obama received one full hour during his interview.

The same for John McCain.

The Libertarian Presidential nominee, now on the ballot in 38 states, received no time during this nationally televised event.

That is because late Friday evening, U.S. District Court Judge David Carter denied our request to be included in the event.

His reasoning? I'll let Judge Carter explain in his own words:

"Plaintiffs will lose out on a fair amount of exposure and the opportunity to express their views in a popular forum. On the other hand, halting this event would deny the other candidates the opportunity to be heard and would deprive the public of an opportunity to see the candidates and hear their views.

"Forcing Saddleback to include another candidate at the last moment could cause serious logistical problems and take away from the presentations of other candidate. This might well disrupt the planned presentation."

Judge Carter closed by saying:

Barr and Root "will have many other opportunities in the coming months to express their views and make their candidacy known."

When I first read that report, I'll admit I was a bit hot under the collar. In response to the Judge Carter's final comment, I angrily said to myself, "Name one!"

I've been through this before with the Perot campaign. In 1992, my candidate was included in all three presidential debates. In 1996, the opposite occurred.

What was the difference between the two runs?

After our success in '92, the powers that be decided that it would never happen again.

Since Ross Perot's inclusion in the debates, no third-party or independent candidate has even come close to taking a place behind the debate podium.

And for the past 16 years, the two-major parties have been on a wildly-successful streak of keeping out competition by holding the debate stage all to themselves.

Call me a bit grumpy over the matter, but I think it's time that we break that winning streak by getting Bob Barr into the national debates.

I don't think that I stand alone on this issue.

As a matter of fact, I know that I'm not alone. You agree with me and that's a good start, but a report that I read late Friday night led me to believe that we can do a bit better.

According to the polling firm, Zogby International, a MAJORITY of Americans want Bob Barr included in the national debates!

The poll showed that 55% of likely voters want Bob Barr included in the debates. Of the respondents, 69% of independents felt that Bob Barr deserves a place in the debate, while 52% of Democrats and even 50% of Republicans agreed.

You, me, and a majority of Americans want Bob Barr taking the stage next month with John McCain and Barack Obama.

You, me, and a majority of Americans . . . that's not too bad now is it?