Change, or More of the Same?

Obama says he's the change candidate. He says he's tired of politics as usual. So why has his campaign rejected McCain's offer for 10 town hall style, unmoderated debates? I have always found the heavily scripted debates in the presidential campaign to be insufferable (why can't the candidates ask each other questions?). But McCain's proposal would allow the voters to really engage the candidates and also allow the candidates to spar with each other. Unfortunately, Obama's campaign, although initially enthusiastic about the prospect, has responded with a counter offer consisting of a paltry two debates. Obama appears to be the frontrunner and his campaign fears that putting McCain next to him on stage in a format that McCain is comfortable with can only help the senator from Arizona. So Obama, instead of giving the voters something new and different and in their best interests, is looking out for his interests. And that is not change, that is politics as usual.