clipped from: blogs.abcnews.com   
The McCain campaign is eager to engage in a series of unconventional joint forums with Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., as soon as June if Obama emerges as the Democratic presidential nominee.

Charles Black, an advisor to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., suggested a number of town hall-style debates with the candidates sharing the stage and fielding questions from voters in the audience. The events would not necessarily involve a moderator or taking questions from reporters as has usually been the format for the dozens of Democratic and Republican debates over the last year.

The New York Times reported Sunday that the idea was "floated" by the McCain campaign. Black said he was not sure how it came up or who brought it but. Obama said Saturday it was a "great idea."

if I have the opportunity to debate substantive issues before the voters with John McCain, that’s something I’m going to welcome."