And The GMP1 Peanut Gallery Chants, "Bullllllllllshit! Bullllllllllshit! Bullllllllllshit!"

Team Obama is wimping out on the town hall debates proposed by John McCain.

Ben Smith has the details and this (lipstick on a pig) release from the Obama campaign:

“Barack Obama offered to meet John McCain at five joint appearances between now and Election Day—the three traditional debates plus a joint town hall on the economy in July and an in-depth debate on foreign policy in August. That package of five engagements would have been the most of any Presidential campaign in the modern era—offering a broad range of formats—and representing a historic commitment to openness and transparency.

“It’s disappointing that Senator McCain and his campaign decided to decline this proposal. Apparently they would rather contrive a political issue than foster a genuine discussion about the future of our country.

“Senator Obama believes that the American people deserve an open and accessible debate as they choose between real change and four more years of failed Bush policies, and he welcomed McCain’s invitation to offer voters ‘the rare opportunity of witnessing candidates for the highest office in the land discuss civilly and extensively the great issues at stake in the election,’” said Obama campaign manager David Plouffe.

Fair Question: Does Senator Obama have the "stones" to mix it up with real voters in a real town hall format?

Fair Answer: Unclear. But the answer does not currently look good for Obambi.

Jeez, the next thing you know the man from Illinois will be weaseling out of his pledge to take public financing for his campaign.

Oh, wait...