Vote New York

September 11, 2008 John McCain, and Barack Obama will be appearing in New York City, not to campaign, but to participate in a civic forum answering questions submitted by internet users and the audience. Like the most recent forum the candidates will be appearing separately. Additionally family members of 9/11 victims will be in the audience. The event will be hosted by a coalition of groups called “ServiceNation”, the topic of the forum will be on Community Service focusing on “the role of citizenship and service in post-9/11 America”.

Each of the candidates have pledged to stop running negatives campaign ads on 9/11 after the website MyGoodDeed.org asked them to impose a moratorium to mark the day. A NYC location for the event has yet to be determined. This will be their first joint appearance after the conventions.

John McCain spoke at a town hall meeting in NYC Thursday in what was supposed to be a town hall featuring both Jonh McCain, and Barack Obama.  McCain invited Obama to a series of 10 Town Halls between now and the November election.  The proposal was rejected by the Obama campaign saying 10 was just too many to fit into his schedule.  They did have their own offer of 5 joint appearances, only one of which would be a town hall.  It would also have 3 debates, and 1 in depth debate on foreign policy.  No agreement has been reached.  The town hall proposed by the Obama campaign would take place on Independence day.  Arguably a town hall on a holiday would get less attention, while people are celebrating.

McCain’s solo appearance at the town hall is not without criticism.  The audience was supposed to be people chosen at random.  Since Obama rejected the proposal, McCain stocked the audience with people more sympathetic to his views.  Fox News aired the town hall, which without Obama’s participation made it more like a McCain infomercial.