The Clinton people are now proposing an unmoderated Lincoln-Douglas style debate in advance of the May 6 primaries in North Carolina and Indiana. Senator Clinton lobbied for the debate herself at a speech in South Bend today, the AP reported:
Just the two of us, going for 90 minutes, asking and answering questions, we'll set whatever rules seem fair
From first glance, this seems like an excellent opportunity to advance the level of political discourse in the nomination campaign, but a careful analysis of the proposal leads me to believe that it's a diabolical and insidious trap, a "win-win" for Senator Clinton and a potential minefield for Senator Obama.
This is an offer he can AND SHOULD refuse!
I will offer four reasons for why I think Obama should refuse:
1. He has an insurmountable lead in pledged delegates and is, therefore, the presumptive nominee of the party. There is really nothing to be gained by engaging Clinton in a 22nd debate. The voters will learn nothing substantive about policy, and it will afford Clinton a 90-minute opportunity to grill Obama as if he defending himself before a grand jury pondering his indictment.
2. As he is currently the nominee presumptive of the party, he will elevate Clinton's status from also-ran to peer by engaging her in a debate. He should now be preparing to debate McCain, not rehashing old ground with the candidate he defeated.
3. The absence of a moderator assumes that both parties can be trusted to follow the rules of engagement which they negotiate before the debate. The Clinton campaign has proved time and again that its interpretation of the rules is very plastic and contingent upon the demands of the moment (as is witnessed by the current dispute regarding the Florida and Michigan primaries). Therefore, the Clinton campaign cannot be trusted. An unmoderated debate with an untrustworthy opponent is a prescription for disaster.
4. The bottom line is HE DOESN'T NEED TO!. Cui Bono?
So, please don't do it, Barack. I am begging you on my knees...