Sen. Hillary Clinton was the only major presidential candidate to accept invitation . Sen. Barack Obama told organizers he needed to focus on his campaign . The Democratic National Committee has said it will hold a debate in New York City next month and that its first two debates are scheduled for Sept. 26 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. CNN's John King, : It 's a missed opportunity on Obama 's part . ` Smiley tells Washington Post he 's gotten angry e-mails , threats for criticizing Obama .
Sen. Hillary Clinton was the only major presidential candidate to accept invitation . Sen. Barack Obama told organizers he needed to focus on his campaign . The Democratic National Committee has said it will hold a debate in New York City next month and that its first two debates are scheduled for Sept. 26 at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. CNN's John King, : It 's a missed opportunity on Obama 's part . Smiley tells Washington Post he 's gotten angry e-mails , threats for criticizing Obama .