Obama won't commit to N.C. debate

Barack Obama declined to commit Friday to participating in a debate in North Carolina.

In a telephone interview with The Charlotte Observer to discuss his economic plan, Obama doubted whether a proposed April 27 debate at Raleigh's RBC Center would fit with his schedule

Hillary Clinton, his rival for the nomination, has agreed to the debate, and the N.C. Democratic Party has begun taking requests for tickets.

The two candidates have appeared together in 20 debates. A 21st is scheduled for April 16 in Pennsylvania.

"I am always open to debates," Obama said Friday, "but I think that obviously we've got to structure our campaign so that we're reaching as many voters as possible, and it's not clear that the April 27 debate will work for our schedule."

Asked whether he would commit to debating in North Carolina, Obama replied, "I think that we will examine what the schedule looks like.

"I will tell you, after the 21st debate — all of which have been nationally televised, and so North Carolinians have had ample opportunity to watch these debates — I don't know that they are ending up being more informative than the kinds of town hall meetings that we've scheduled.

"So that's something that we're going to have to take a look at."

Obama had previously agreed to an April 19 debate in North Carolina. Clinton did not agree. The Pennsylvania primary is three days later, April 22.