The Democratic field is narrower with Clinton holding a strong lead in polling and fundraising over five other announced candidates: Sanders, former U.S. Sen.
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“We are thrilled to announce the schedule and locations for our Democratic primary debates”, DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said. However, his assertion that the DNC is “not in charge” of organizing the Democratic debate schedule is probably open to question. Oeth said Iowans know they play an important role in selecting the presidential candidate and decide who will be the strongest candidate for the Democratic Party. Thus, Univision will likely host its first traditional debate that isn’t targeted squarely at Hispanic voters.
CNN reports that candidates are complaining that there aren’t enough debates planned. “I look forward to working with the DNC to see if we can significantly expand the proposed debate schedule”, Sanders said in a statement.
“Not only in our six sanctioned debates, but through the various forums sponsored by many different groups”, she said. “The DNC has no place determining how many times voters in early states can hear from presidential candidates, and what’s ironic is that their schedule has made this process much LESS democratic”.
The announcement also adds to the trio of Republican debates CNN is hosting, the first of which is September 16 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California.
Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley is similarly looking for more traction in the fight for the Democratic nomination.
The debates, Wasserman Schultz stated, will “give caucusgoers and first voters ample alternative to listen to from our candidates about their imaginative and prescient for our nation’s future”.
“These are the issues about which we need to have not just one debate, not just two, but many debates”. By contrast, with 17 major GOP contenders, tonight’s debate in Cleveland will feature only the top 10 contenders in the five most recent polls, with an undercard debate expected to generate far less attention. Jim Webb and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee-who have comparatively smaller budgets, the chance to share a primetime debate stage with Clinton is a key part of raising their name identification.
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O’Malley’s chief strategist Bill Hyers was out quickly with a statement criticizing the schedule, calling it “one of the slimiest that I have ever seen” and accusing the Democratic Party of making the debate process “LESS democratic”. The first four debates focus on the four traditional early states: Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada.
