McCain and Palin plan joint town halls in battleground states
RENO, Nevada (CNN) - CNN has learned that John McCain and Sarah Palin plan to hold joint town hall meetings next week.
A McCain adviser says early plans are to hold the town halls in western Michigan and Wisconsin, although the exact details of where and when they will be held are still being worked out.
These events would likely mark the first time Palin takes questions from voters.
Aides say her solo campaign events planned for Nevada Saturday, Colorado Monday, and Ohio Tuesday are all scheduled as rallies where she will speak to but not interact with voters.
McCain is known for his town hall meetings, and often touts his penchant for the ask-anything approach as proof of his "straight talk."
But he hasn't held a town hall in almost a month - since August 20 in New Mexico.
And the man who promised to hold frequent press conferences in the White House hasn't held an availability with traveling reporters in exactly a month: His last press conference was August 13.
McCain aides are quite candid about the fact that they tried for months to persuade him to hold fewer press conferences in order to stay on message, and finally succeeded.
First, he stopped bringing reporters on his bus for his signature "straight talk legs."
Then he severely cut back on what had been a McCain campaign trail staple - a press conference after events with voters.
Senior advisers say they believe that has allowed them to better refine and control their message, and insist that contributed to his rise in the polls even before Palin was picked.
Instead, McCain does a slew of interviews with local reporters and anchors - not just in the states he's visiting, but also via satellite.
It’s a tried and true way for candidates to get their messages out through what campaigns consider to be less of a “filter.”
McCain aides have been getting complaints from traveling reporters about the reduced access, but it is still unclear when or if he'll hold another press conference.
–CNN's Kevin Bohn contributed to this report
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Screened town halls as the past I am sure, scripted questions and answers.
Go figure. This is suppose to be a Vice President material . For God sake when will she interact with voters. She cant campaign of her own and I sure as a heartbeat away from bieng POTUS she could not make decisions on her own
Obama/Biden UTEDOT
Anyone that votes GOP, and thinks that they are doing it for good christian values, should read what Jesus had to say about the pharisees in the Bible. What republicans really are, is a cult of Satanists! Period!!
Gov. Palin and John McCain, you are NO match of Sen. Obama and Joe Biden, I'm sorry.
Sleazy is NOT what we want in our White House!!
After G.W. Bush you'd think that voters, even Republican voters, would be tired of an elected or campaigning politician who only talks to them and not with them. But I guess there's nothing to be said for bad taste.
John McCain still won't let his "pitt bull" lose on her own eh? Wow.... that's the first time I've ever known a pitt bull trained as a Chihuahua! LOL....
John McCain truly DOES NOT TRUST you enough to let you lose on your own. Hummmm.... maybe he's feeling some serious REGRETS or buyer's remorse!!!
I hope McCain or should I say McSame doesn't bring his sleazy campaign to Kentucky. He and his campaign have sunk to an all time low in presidential campaigning. He is a disgusting old man and he doesn't deserve to be President of this country.
OF COURSE MCSHAME WILL CONTINUE TO CAMPAIGN WITH PAIN-IN, THIS IS THE ONLY WAY HE CAN DRAW ANY PEOPLE. HE PROVED ALREADY THAT WITHOUT HER THE CROWDS DWINDLE TO JUST A FEW. HE SAYS HE IS ABOUT "STRAIGH TALK" BUT LIES AND NEGATIVITY ARE NOT STRAIGHT TALK. OF COURSE HAVING TO CONCENTRATE ON LITTLE OR NO SUBSTANCE IS EASY ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DON'T GET IT. "FIRST DUDE" WILL BE THEIR WITH SAR-HA. WHO DOESN'T TRUST WHO? JOHNNY CAN'T BE LEFT ALONE WITHOUT CINDY AND SAR-HA CAN'T BE LEFT ALONE WITHOUT "FIRST DUDE"! YOU DON'T SEE SEN. OBAMA'S OR SEN. BIDEN'S WIFE'S TAGGING ALONG EVERY PLACE THEY GO, BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEIR SPOUSES CAN BE TRUSTED AND THEY STAY AT HOME SPENDING IMPORTANT TIME WITH THEIR CHILDREN. INTERESTING>^>^>^>^>^
Could someone please summarize the Lies this woman had told so far!!
Only in rural white America can an uneducated, unqualified, no knowledge, LYING women be considered more qualified and a better representative for the job of President than a highly educated, extremely qualified Black man!!
If Palin was an conservative Black women, she would have been kicked off the ticket by now!!!
Maybe they will try and I will say it again TRY to tell the truth...Nah...probably not especially after he just flat and out lied on The View on friday Cindy McCain and his whole relationship as they both said when they met was based on nothing more than lies. What else could they have to offer but more of the same old Bush/McCain crap
Makes sense. This is the only way he could get people to show up at his town halls. Republicans don't want him – they want Palin.
The question of WHY the want Palin, other than she "looks just like me" is beyond me. Her record shows she's not very fiscally conservative (bridge to nowhere, earmarks, pork barrel spending, etc), so I wonder why conservatives are rallying around her.
You'd think if you truly believed in the causes of conservatism, you'd vote for someone else, like Barr perhaps.
John mc same would want to keep her close to him so she won't blow it.
This way dad can handle the hard questions.
Ridiculous.
Will Sarah talk about the rape kit fiasco? Hey, CNN, why aren't you?
He has to have her with him since he can't get a crowd without her. Hilarious. She's like a freakshow at the circus.
And how many more lies will people have to listen to????
When Will Palin be let out of the sight of her baby sitters to meet and greet the reporters who are waiting to interview her? Can she speak for herself ever? The voters are not fooled in any way that she is ready to be president or vp. No way
These two will NEVER be allowed out in the public ALONE.
He can't pull in the crowds and fumbles through his canned speaches.
She can't be allowed out alone for fear of being asked REAL questions.
Like 'what is the Bush Doctrine?', or WHO DIED and made YOU president Ms. 'let's threaten Russia'?
Palin should just walk away right now with what ever dignity she have left. For such a religious person she sure lie alot. She's a lying, clueless, lying, way too extreme, lying selfish, lying, inexperienced, lying, hypocrit, lying PERSON. The White house has no room for her big head. No Way No How, No Mccain, No Palin.
Obama/Biden
unfortunately, the news media's obsession with destroying the McCain campaign, especially gov. Palins appointment. is counter productive to giving interviews. they for some reason, will allow all sorts of leeway to the Obama campaign. this does not resonate well with voters and is showing up in the polls CNN especially is regarded as pro Obama and I'm sure will lose viewers after the election
Hurricane Ike has devasted Texas. A horrible train crash in California killing many. Families destroyed. but will recover. Then we have McCain/Palin just concerned about campaigning. Priorities in order! NOT. What about the people? But then Palin/husband will be away from their children for the next 2 months. Son going to Iraq. No tears at all.
We don't need those 2 in the Whitehouse. You have to have feelings and be able to sujpport American's.
Obama/Biden
What do you mean when you say she will not interact with voters? Does that mean she will not take/answer questions? If that is the case, then I have to ask, "WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON HERE?!!!"
Oh Yes! Palin can give a STRAIGHT AND NARROW SPEECH!!! And that is all McCain wants from her!!! HE DOES NOT WANT HER WHINY WHINY ATTEMPT AT ANSWERING QUESTIONS SHIPWRECKING HIS CAMPAIGN!!!
Way to go! Take Obama down.
Clinton'12
They are so divided in their opinions on Pakistan, Drilling, The Environment, Stem Cell research ETC. McBush and Paleny should debate each other.
CNN Homepage: "Ticker: Palin plans unprecedented move"
This is the unprecedented move? Taking (likely) screened questions?