Letter from the Obama Campaign on Presidential Debates

August 2, 2008

Mr. Frank J. Fahrenkopf, Jr.

Mr. Paul G. Kirk, Jr.

Commission on Presidential Debates

1200 New Hampshire Avenue, N.W.

Suite 445

Washington, D.C. 20036

Dear Chairmen Kirk and Fahrenkopf:

I am writing on behalf of Senator Obama to accept the Commission on Presidential Debates' framework for three presidential debates and one vice presidential debate to be held in September and October. Senator Obama has designated Congressman Rahm Emanuel as our representative to meet with the Commission and the McCain campaign to review the specifics of the Commission's proposal, discuss any requested changes to that proposal, and resolve any issues left open by the Commission's framework. We will make our representative available at the earliest convenience of the Commission and the McCain campaign.

Due to the late date of the two parties' nominating conventions, and the relatively short period between the end of the conventions and the first proposed debate, it is likely that the four Commission debates will be the sole series of debates in the fall campaign. Consequently, we believe that finalizing the arrangements for these debates with promptness and certainty is in the interests of both campaigns and the American people.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

David Plouffe

Campaign Manager