I like a good debate as much as the next person. Look up some of those old debates between William F. Buckley Jr. and Noam Chomsky when you can.... amazing stuff.
Of course John McCain is no Bill Buckley. Still, it would be a disservice to the American people (in the event that Sen. McCain does not attend tonight's debate), if Barack Obama just held a nationally televised press conference, without an opposing candidate providing counter-arguments and livening up the discussion.
As of this hour, John McCain seems unwilling to attend this first debate; Barack Obama is planning on having a town-hall meeting if the Senator from Arizona doesn't show up. I suggest we make this event fair, balanced, and interesting. A debate involves a presentation of opposing views, and ideologies discussed in front of the American people. Without John McCain at Ole Miss, this will be a very one sided affair. So how about we contact the Commission on Presidential Debates at (202)-872-1020 and ask if they can invite Rep. Bob Barr to replace Sen. McCain?
Let's contact the Bob Barr campaign either online, at (800)-BOB-BARR or (678) 324-3240 (for those of you with unlimited daytime minutes), and get their take on this suggestion. Sure we don't agree on many things with them, but this is a win-win scenario.
Why not give the nominee of the Libertarian Party a high-profile forum to present the views of the conservative movement; unfiltered and with no spin. Maybe he can educate the American people about Milton Friedman and the philosophy behind unfettered/unregulated free-markets that has dominated U.S. economic policy for so many years. I'm willing to listen! Maybe conservatism and libertarianism can truly save America. Let's have Rep. Barr make his case!
Since John McCain has his hands full with "being a leader during these tough economic times", maybe a movement conservative with nothing to lose and everything to gain can fill the void, and have a meaningful debate with Barack Obama on the issues.