by John McCormick, updated
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Sen. Barack Obama will be spending more time in Florida next week, as he sets up his debate camp in a battleground state to prepare for Friday's first presidential debate with Sen. John McCain.
Campaign aides are offering few details, but did confirm Obama will be in the Tampa area as he works to get ready for what is viewed as a critical moment in the fall campaign.
As first reported by the New York Times today, Greg Craig, an Obama adviser and foreign policy specialist, will play the role of Sen. John McCain in mock practice sessions.
Presidential candidates typically set up camp for several days before a debate so that they can practice their lines and participate in mock sessions with advisers.
Former Vice President Al Gore also set up his debate campaign in Floirda, twice, during the 2000 presidential election campaign. Gore was making a claim to the Sunshine State's electoral votes -- which he lost by a mere 537 popular votes in a disputed election that took 36 days and the U.S. Supreme Court to settle.
Gore camped at a Longboat Key beach and golf club at the base of the Gulf-shore island off of Sarasota, and practiced debating in the theater of the Mote Marine Lab nearby.
He also returned to the same resort to practice for the second round of debates. While there, he and his advisers watched a videotape of a scathing Saturday Night Live spoof of his first debate with then Texas Gov. George W. Bush. Gore used different tactics during his second debate, leading some to question which debater was the real Gore.
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Comments
Wonder hiow many times he wil perform FLIPY FLOPY
Posted by: LOAM | September 20, 2008 11:37 AM
It is time for the undecided to decide. Debates are what a lot of them look to for the tipping-point. Government regulation is often that tipping-point. The lack of which was ushered in by McCain's Commerce Committee. In other words he didn't give us the Blackberry he gave us the worse financial crisis since the Great Depression. If Sen. Obama can get that point across it is game over. Retiree's in Florida saw their nest eggs take a big hit. I don't think we have seen the end of down days for Wall Street
Posted by: Barry C aka Casey | September 21, 2008 9:33 AM
Obama, Do us a favor. Stay in Illinois and take care of your unfinished "Change" business there. You did nothing there except mingle with a convicted felon, a domestic terrorist, a racist preacher, and pass a few bills for special interests.
Posted by: LwB | September 21, 2008 7:23 PM
Greg Craig,
You might consider having Barack use, a now famous line, after a particularly scurrilous attack line by McCain, during the debate:
"Senator" (wait for him to look at Barack) "Senator McCain" (still waiting for him to LOOK at Barack), "HAVE--YOU--NO--- SHAME?"With older voters tthis line should resonate very strongly.
Rationale: McCain seemed to have trouble making eye contact with Barack during Debate#1. Getting him or trying to to get him to engage visually will score heavily.Whether he does or not, a measured delivery of the l;ine should score!
Posted by: Richard Etlinger | October 6, 2008 12:18 PM
Addendum to my "...Shame post.
Source: Joseph Welch, counsel, Army-McCarthy hearings 1950's
Posted by: Richard Etlinger | October 6, 2008 1:06 PM