Clinton and Obama to debate hours after stress levels decrease

CBS should truly be ashamed of themselves. I just saw this from the New York Times:

When two more Democratic debates were announced this month, both Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama quickly accepted the invitation to meet in Pennsylvania on April 16.

But Mrs. Clinton, unlike Mr. Obama, has not yet agreed to participate in a North Carolina debate on April 19.

That debate, sponsored by CBS News, would be the first opportunity for Katie Couric to perform hosting duties. And if it happens, it will highlight the importance of North Carolina, whose primary will be held May 6. Mr. Obama is favored to win there.

Phil Singer, a spokesman for Mrs. Clinton, hedged when asked about the debate in a conference call with reporters Friday, blaming a “scheduling conflict” and promising an answer in “a couple of weeks.”

Hmm. I need to check a calendar real quick. (Goes to look up calendar...) No, that date's not good. It's the first night of Pesach (that's Passover to all you Gentiles out there).

Media Bistro:

TVNewser is hearing one of the reasons Sen. Hillary Clinton may not accept CBS's invitation to the North Carolina debate is because it's planned for April 19, the first night of Passover. Political insiders tell us it could also be tactical: that agreeing to a North Carolina debate would de-emphasize the importance of Pennsylvania, just three days before PA voters go to the polls. Which is exactly why Sen. Obama did agree to it, figures the insider.

There is an ABC debate on April 16, moderated by Charlie Gibson, in Philadelphia.