Sanders has also come out against the low number of Democratic debates. Only four debates will take place before the Iowa caucuses in February, and that is extremely disappointing to many.
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Bernie Sanders expressed his displeasure with the Democratic Get together’s schedule of 2016 presidential main debates in a current interview with CBS Information’ “Face the Nation”, a part of which aired Sunday.
“I feel we’re hurting ourselves if we attempt to circle the wagons and restrict debate“, former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley informed CNN on Thursday.
Under the DNC’s rules, candidates who participate in debates outside of these half dozen will be barred from this “official” debate series.
“Although the DNC announced a schedule of sanctioned debates both in 2004 and 2008, it has never before attempted to require debate sponsors to exclude any recognized candidate as punishment for participating in non-sanctioned debates”, he wrote. “Rather than giving the appearance of rigging the process and cutting off debate, the DNC should take themselves out of the process”, stated Hyers.
In response, the Democratic National Committee says it did not set the rules of inclusion on its own, but rather worked in tandem with debate sponsors to set a unified standard.
Joe Sandler, a former DNC general counsel whose services have been retained by O’Malley’s campaign, argues in the memo that such a requirement is unprecedented and that the DNC has no legal authority to enforce it. The memo was first reported by MSNBC.
“We laid out in that policy the path to saving and redeeming more lives”, he said.
A spokesperson for the DNC said the six debates “will give plenty of opportunity for the candidates to be seen side-by-side”.
“What’s more important to me is I think in this country today, we need serious debate about serious issues”, he added.
While campaigning in New Hampshire Monday, Clinton was asked if she would prefer more debates.
“There’s an effort by a few insiders to try to limit the number of debates that we have and I’ve shared with the chair-Debbie Wasserman Schultz-that I think that’s a grave mistake and I think it’s undemocratic”, O’Malley said.
Traditionally in politics, candidates who are trailing tend to be far more interested in debating that those leading in the polls.
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He has even used his opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to muscle Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton out of union support. “I’m sure there will be lots of other forums for the candidates to make their case to voters, and that they will make the most out of every opportunity”, said DNC National Press Secretary Holly Shulman.
