Candidates Spar Over Debate Schedule

Camp Obama and Camp McCain are jousting over debates, with both candidates, New York Times blogger Michael Falcone jokes, appearing to feel “a little rejected.” Obama has suggested five forums: three traditional debates and two town halls, one on the economy and another on foreign policy. A rep said he was “disappointed” that McCain hasn’t agreed and would rather “contrive a political issue.”

McCain continues to press his opponent on holding weekly appearances together, saying an event last night—the first he’d invited Obama to attend—“would have been a little more interesting” if Obama had shown. A McCain aide said Obama had turned the scheduling into “a debate about process,” exactly what McCain had sought to avoid. (More John McCain stories.)