John McCain is challenging Barack Obama to join him in 10 town hall meetings with voters between now and the Democratic National Convention in August.

McCain, the Republican nominee-in-waiting, sent his Democratic rival a letter Wednesday outlining the offer. He suggested the first town hall be held June 12 in New York.

He said President Kennedy had made such an agreement with former Senator Barry Goldwater for the 1964 election before Kennedy’s assassination.

“I don’t think we need any big media-run production, no process question from reporters, no spin rooms,” McCain said. “Just two Americans running for office in the greatest nation on earth, responding to the questions of the people whose trust we must earn.”