Mitch Perry
The last time the Democratic Party had a contested race for president eight year ago, Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards and others had already debated five times by the first week in August. They ultimately would engage in a total of 27 debates throughout spirited campaign.
So you can understand why some Democratic presidential hopefuls are royally unhappy about the Democratic National Committee’s announcement Thursday morning that the party will have only six — count ’em — six presidential debates between now and next spring.
“I am disappointed, but not surprised, by the debate schedule announced by the Democratic National Committee,” Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders said in a prepared statement. “At a time when many Americans are demoralized about politics and have given up on the political process, I think it’s imperative that we have as many debates as possible — certainly more than six. I look forward to working with the DNC to see if we can significantly expand the proposed debate schedule.”
Sanders statement echoes the comments made by Martin O’Malley‘s campaign.
“The DNC has no place determining how many times voters in early states can hear from presidential candidates,” said Bill Hyers, O’Malley’s campaign manager. “What’s ironic is that their schedule has made this process much less democratic. They’ve tried this before and failed — but this year, they’re threatening to ban candidates who participate in ‘unsanctioned’ debates from participating in any other debates.”
Time.com is reporting that O’Malley’s campaign plans to organize debates outside the six-debate framework announced by the DNC.
“I want to say right off the bat here, that to those in Washington who think they can limit the number of debates that we’re going to have before the Iowa caucuses, can circle the wagons and close off debates,” O’Malley told a group of supporters in Iowa on Wednesday. “I think they’re gonna have another thing coming when they talk to the people of Iowa. Because these are the issues about which we need to have not just one debate, not just two, but many debates. Because those debates will shape the future of the country we give our kids. Don’t you agree?”
Both candidates obviously think the situation is set up to benefit front-runner Clinton.
“We are thrilled to announce the schedule and locations for our Democratic primary debates,” DNC Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said. “These six debates will not only give caucusgoers and primary voters ample opportunity to hear from our candidates about their vision for our country’s future, they will highlight the clear contrast between the values of the Democratic Party which is focused on strengthening the middle class versus Republicans who want to pursue out-of-touch and out-of-date policies.”
