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I must say that when I first heard this I was in awe of Senator Clinton. I don’t agree with either candidate on almost all the issues but to challenge one to a Lincoln-Douglass style debate takes a lot of nerve. For those who don’t know what a Lincoln-Douglass debate is exactly let me tell you briefly. In the 19th century debates were much different than they are today. Typically these debates lasted for hours, not the one to two hours they last today but three to five hours. Debaters would take the stage and give a speech lasting about an hour or two followed by their opponent giving an equally long speech. After the second speech the first debater would take the stand again thus ending the debate.

What Senator Clinton has challenged Senator Obama to isn’t necessarily a Lincoln-Douglass debate because Clinton wants a chance for the two Senators to ask each other questions without a moderator. Clinton has to have a lot of guts to do this because such a debate could come to bite her in the rear. What is more, such a debate could end up hurting the Democratic party in the long run. Typical debates done today are safe, they offer the candidates a chance to offer sound bytes for the media to play over and over again. This style debate would not offer such a chance because either candidate could ask the other whatever they wish with little or no preparation in advance. With Indiana and North Carolina holding their primaries in just nine days such a debate could turn the tables against Obama or Clinton based on what the other asks.

However, this might not actually be a true challenge but rather an attempt by Senator Clinton to win support knowing that Obama will not accept the challenge. Obama would be stupid to accept the challenge, but at the same time he has threated his chances to win support by backing out. This is a terrific power play by Senator Clinton because she knows that either move that Obama makes could destroy his presidential hopes. Clinton, a seasoned politician in comparison to Obama knows how to call another’s bluff. At the same time both Senators are trained lawyers and know how to win a case easily and this is exactly the type of move one should expect from either candidate. The debate would be epic if Senator Obama decided to accept the challenge.

Senator Clinton is desperate to end Senator Obama’s chance at the White House, with her victory in Pennsylvania just a few days ago she is still alive. The longer the nomination process goes until the Democratic Convention the worse off the party could be come November. Senator Clinton is well aware of this and knows she has to present a winning blow against Obama. As the month of May approaches quickly the title of presumptive Nominee is all the more important for both Senators so that they can focus on their efforts of winning the White House. History has shown that a Lincoln-Douglass debate would help force the issue to the forefront. But this also presents a chance for Senator Clinton to place Obama between a rock and a hard place. In order to win the Democrat nominee title Clinton knows that she must force Obama to make a mistake.

The Lincoln-Douglass debates are the most epic debates in American history and to challenge another to such a debate in this day in age is a masterful move. Neither candidate is prepared for such a debate as they are use to the sound byte debate. One must wonder whether Clinton is just bluffing, expecting Obama to back down and appear cowardly or if she truly wants to enter an epic debate where there is no moderator and all questions are game.