Well, if I may say so, Hillary Clinton has at long last issued an interesting challenge to Barack Obama. No, it is not another bowling competition, but instead a comprehensive Lincoln-Douglas debate.
The term Lincoln-Douglas debate is derived from the 1858 Illinois senatorial race between Stephen A. Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. The debate is unique insofar that it is not regulated by a moderator.
It would be more interesting, however, to discern a winner. Although Obama stated that, "he would rather be on the ground talking to voters," such a debate may produce advantageous results.
During the actual Lincoln-Douglas debate, Senator Douglas issued what was known as the Freeport Doctrine. Although Douglas subsequently won the senatorial election, his advocation of the Doctrine, which reaffirmed sovereignty as the necessary tool for differentiating between slave and free states, led to his ultimate defeat during the presidential election that followed.
Of course, I am not attempting to draw parallels between Abraham Lincoln and the current candidates, for the former is incomparable and moderate, but such debates would likely generate controversial ruminations or elocutions. Perhaps Obama will accept Clinton's challenge? Keep an eye out, posterity will soon reveal whether or not it will prove feasible.
-JCarmel
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