McCain Town Hall Format Disappears

The first incident that led to this was the angry man who told John McCain to hit Barack Obama “where it hurts." Then came the woman who called the Democratic nominee “an Arab.” And don’t forget the man who stood up before a packed crowd and said he was “scared” of an Obama presidency — nevermind the racially tinged cat calls and rounds of boos from McCain’s other gymnasium crowds.

Town Hall formats was supposed be the Republican nominee’s, John McCain's, favorite campaign forum, highlighting his shoot-from-the-hip style, his broad knowledge on a slew of issues and his irreverent wit. He loved it so much that he challenged Obama to a string of town hall debates. Of course now -- it has become a liability. He has not taken any questions from any of the audiences he has spoken in front of since October 10th, when he faced a belligerent crowd in Lakeville, Minnesota, that at times turned against him. The disappearance of the town hall format from McCain’s campaign is striking, political observers say, offering a vivid example of how a signature strength became a potential liability and was abandoned.

It is startling. Without using his signature strengths, McCain continues to slip slowly downward in the national polls (which at the time of posting is 50% Obama, 44.2% McCain; as reported on pollster.com). Even as he continues to campaign in these last few critical days, I believe this is just another piece of evidence to show that whoever is the next 'symbol' of the Republican Party, they will either scrap the Town Hall Meeting style all together or perhaps reorganize it.

“We want to fight, and I will fight,” McCain told supporters earlier this month in Minnesota. “But I will be respectful. I admire Sen. Obama and his accomplishments. I don’t mean to reduce your ferocity. ... I just mean to say, you have to be respectful.” The crowds ignored his plea.