Candidates decline offer of joint forum

NEW YORK, June 8 (UPI) -- Presumptive presidential nominees John McCain and Barack Obama Sunday declined an offer to participate in a 90-minute, televised town hall forum.

CNN reported that Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama say town hall forums should not be put on by a television network.

Politico reported that Bloomberg and ABC News made the offer in a letter Sunday.

"Our goal is simple: ABC News and the City of New York want to bring the widest possible audience to this historic meeting," said a joint letter to the campaigns from Bloomberg and ABC News President David Westin.

The letter suggested the network's Diane Sawyer as a moderator.

McCain has challenged Obama to a series of 12 joint town halls, which would be more casual than formal debates.