Substance and gravity.

Two candidates, and no network moderators.

Barack Obama’s campaign is considering a suggestion from John McCain’s campaign for the two presidential hopefuls to participate in joint town meetings and debates around the country starting this summer, Obama’s chief strategist said Sunday…

Asked about the suggestion and how seriously it was being considered, David Axelrod, Obama’s chief campaign strategist said: “Very seriously.”

“We believe that is the most significant election we’ve faced in a long time,” he said on “Fox News Sunday.”

“We’re at war. Our economy is in turmoil. And we’ve got so many challenges that the people of this country deserve a serious discourse, and it shouldn’t be limited necessarily to three kind of very regimented debates in the fall,” he added, referring to those sanctioned by a presidential commission.

Let the people ask the questions they’re most concerned about. Many haven’t been asked yet by big media. There’s been little to no follow through, and little accountability by candidates who dodge issues. This is a great idea. The people deserve a serious discourse. Keep it civil, open and honest. We’ll learn what we need to know about two competing worldviews on the issues that most challenge our nation.