NPR: Obama Says OK to Debate in Austin, Texas

Obama Says OK to Debate in Austin, Texas

Democrats can count on at least two more primary debates in the next few weeks. Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton had already agreed to a debate in Cleveland, Ohio in February 26. Now Obama has also accepted an invitation for a forum sponsored by CNN, Univision, and the Texas Democratic Party on Feb. 21 in Austin.

"We are pleased that Sen. Obama will have the opportunity to debate in Texas, and that it will air on Univision, ensuring a wide and diverse audience," Adrian Saenz, the Obama camp's Texas state director, said in a statement.

But by agreeing to the debate in Austin, it leaves the status of another debate in Houston in question. Clinton had said she would participate in a debate being organized by the Greater Houston Partnership and MSNBC on Feb. 28 at the George R. Brown Convention Center. Obama had not agreed to participate in that event.

7:42 PM ET | 02-11-2008 | permalink

Comments

NPR is currently running 3 stories that make Obama look good.

The media bias in favor of Obama is repulsive.

Sent by filirli | 8:16 PM ET | 02-11-2008

This is fantastic! I wish there were more debates and that they were more available to those without cable.

The media frenzy and prognosticating is disturbingly reminiscent of "Lord of the Flies".

Sent by Vivian LeMonte | 1:22 AM ET | 02-12-2008

throughout the media, the negative bias for clinton and the positive bias for obama is staggering. The 24hr cable media is stirring up news to fill up time with the pundits, prognosticators. Neutrality is fleeting in today's media

Sent by SK | 10:48 AM ET | 02-12-2008

Reply to Vivian LeMonte:
You can watch some debates online.

Sent by Shawn Green | 11:23 AM ET | 02-12-2008

People that say the media is baised for Obama need to consider that pro-Clinton stories where just as popular when she was the precieved as the front-runner. In fact if one where to go back and take an imparital poll I would bet you that the precieved front runner (the person who just won in primaries) always garners the most media attention. The media is biased but towards the precieved front runner rather than any one person. This is of course normal, and can be seen in various other areas such as sports or popular electronics (Wii, youtube, facebook) you name it.

Sent by Amit | 11:41 AM ET | 02-12-2008

I'm 65 years old - I've voted for many years and throughout my life I've watched the state of our world, our country and politics in general - not one candidate has ever given me the hope I have in Obama as the leader of our country.

Our country has done many good things, but also many things that would make your head spin. The fact that we might elect Obama as President, and the chance of having this young black man to lead our country is very exciting.

deemurphy

Sent by deemurphy | 12:02 PM ET | 02-12-2008

Pro Obama bias.
Are you serious? As long as Hilary was the front runner she could do no wrong. Now that tides may be changing it is pro Obama bias this is superficial tripe. Next lets claim that anyone for Obama is sexist. Then Obama supporters can claim that anyone for Hilary are racist. AND THE REPUBLICANS WIN. So what do you want?

Sent by mhint | 12:30 PM ET | 02-12-2008

Several times NPR has been guilty of referring to Hillary Clinton as Mrs. Clinton. But, no one calls Barack Mr. Obama. Odd, really odd...

Sent by Debbie Black | 12:36 PM ET | 02-12-2008

Senator Obama definetely has potential, however, I feel he needs to be more seasoned. In one of his debates he states he will be right from day one, only to admit in closing statements that he will inevitably make mistakes! I look forward to voting for him in 2012. Right now, we
need someone who's been in the fire a long time and has come out cured.

Sent by Gigi Bechara | 12:55 PM ET | 02-12-2008

I agree with Amit. NPR used to be cool, now their coverage is about on par with most major media companies. Wake up.

Considering that there are only two candidates on the democratic side (Alas poor Kucinich) and three on the republican side (yes Ron Paul is still running, as hard and as willfully as the media chooses to ignore him) I think it would be more interesting, and in fact, more beneficial to the voting public to see a debate between all five of the two party candidates. Let's get some real problems resolved huh? Hell throw in some third party and independent candidates.

Sent by Jody Sol | 1:18 PM ET | 02-12-2008

I could not disagree with Brazile more...she needs to read up on why we (democrats) have Superdelegates in the first place. Her saying they need to vote the same as the popular vote without regard to other issue makes super delegtes meaningless.

Sent by Syl | 2:10 PM ET | 02-12-2008

An election in 2012? Oh my, you are so naive.

Sent by Jody Sol | 2:13 PM ET | 02-12-2008

I would really like to see Obama pinned on issues and make him answer more specifics than the vague inspirational answers that he gives. I would love to hear him talk more on foreign policy. I would like to hear his answer to the recent statment about how pakistan would consider it an invasion if the US bombed any suspected taliban forces, binladen forces as obama stated that he would. the press has not been asking and insisting on specific answers. when an african immigrant asked obama about africa recently, he stated that there should be rule of law in africa in addition to some other general vague responses. the media needs to me tougher on him for his own good and for the good of the country and the world.

Sent by SK | 3:13 PM ET | 02-12-2008

Correction! Media is not biased these days. Media is simply paid handsomely for their reporting!!.

Sent by anser azim | 3:15 PM ET | 02-12-2008

who ever thought that clinton had favorable press initially is not accurate. It is true that she got press and a lot of it by the so called pundits. However the tone and the type of discussion was mostly about how much money she raised, how polarizing she is, how she would stir up the republican base, how she would not be electable, how she is polarizing etc. There are few reports about her will power, her determination, her foucs, her stamina, her ability to deal with crisis in her life, how she persevered, what good she has done for New York as a senator etc. I did not see and hear much of that. I don't understand why there is such intense feelings about her. I also worry when there is so much hype about any one individual. It is what seems to be happening with the obama campaign. All i am saying is that the media should be neutral and give obama a good shake.

Sent by sk | 3:18 PM ET | 02-12-2008

Ah, the media. Continually a scapegoat symbolizing one who supports their opponent. Let us try not to read too much into all this media, 'kay? :D

Sent by Jim L. | 6:10 PM ET | 02-12-2008

This bias is so pathetic, it is sickening. When Clinton was ahead it was a dead heat. Now that he's slightly ahead, he is the front runner. This is to all Hillary supporters: Stop watching CNN, Fox, and all the biased media private and public and consider this next time you contribute.

Sent by Jaque Nemo | 9:50 AM ET | 02-13-2008

Now what did I just say? Ah well, tis the way of things . . .

Sent by Jim L. | 5:51 PM ET | 02-16-2008

the media, oh the media. God help us all.

Sent by karl | 2:04 PM ET | 02-20-2008

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