GIVE US MORE DEBATES

Hartford Courant

Editorial

August 12, 2008

So far, Sen. Barack Obama's performance in debates with Sen. John McCain has been a gross disappointment. Largely because there haven't been any.

Back in May, an adviser to Mr. McCain's campaign invited Mr. Obama to a series of town-meeting-style appearances during the summer to debate the issues. Mr. Obama, then in a pitched battle with Sen. Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination, seemed enthusiastic. "I think that's a great idea," he said.

After clinching the nomination in June, however, the Democrats' presumptive presidential nominee has neglected to take Mr. McCain up on his invitation.

Early this month, Mr. Obama appeared to show his hand: In a letter to the Commission on Presidential Debates, his campaign committed to the standard three-debate format with Mr. McCain this fall. A spokeswoman for Mr. Obama's campaign declined to shut the door on more debates, but his advisers admit that, with Mr. Obama emerging as the front-runner, he's reluctant to give his opponent more of a nationwide forum.

Mr. Obama's vault to prominence on the national stage has been remarkable. His intellect and eloquence combined with his repeated portrayals of himself last spring as a candidate of change generated considerable excitement.

Lately, however, his commitment to reform has started to look a little thin. Last month, Mr. Obama, who has proved to be a prodigious fundraiser, went back on a promise to accept public financing for his general election campaign.

We urge Mr. Obama to engage Mr. McCain in more debates. Sure, there's a political risk. But when candidates for nationwide office engage in robust debate, Americans are the winners.