http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/241067-dems-said-to-be-planning-six-debatesMay 05, 2015, 12:08 pm
Dems planning six presidential debates
By David McCabe
Democrats running for president will participate in six primary debates organized by the Democratic National Committee (DNC), party leaders announced Tuesday.
“We’ve always believed that we would have a competitive primary process, and that debates would be an important part of that process,” said DNC Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.) in a statement.
“Our debate schedule will not only give Democratic voters multiple opportunities to size up the candidates for the nomination side-by-side, but will give all Americans a chance to see a unified Democratic vision of economic opportunity and progress – no matter whom our nominee may be.”
Four of the debates will take place in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada — all states with early nominating contests. The sites for the other two debates have not yet been decided.
Clinton indicated on Twitter that she would participate in the debates.
Hillary Clinton
✔
@HillaryClinton
While GOP debates the same failed policies, Democrats will debate how to help families get ahead. Looking forward to a real conversation. –H
11:18 AM - 5 May 2015
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May 05, 2015, 12:08 pm
Dems planning six presidential debates
By David McCabe
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Getty Images
Democrats running for president will participate in six primary debates organized by the Democratic National Committee (DNC), party leaders announced Tuesday.
“We’ve always believed that we would have a competitive primary process, and that debates would be an important part of that process,” said DNC Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.) in a statement.
“Our debate schedule will not only give Democratic voters multiple opportunities to size up the candidates for the nomination side-by-side, but will give all Americans a chance to see a unified Democratic vision of economic opportunity and progress – no matter whom our nominee may be.”
Four of the debates will take place in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada — all states with early nominating contests. The sites for the other two debates have not yet been decided.
Clinton indicated on Twitter that she would participate in the debates.
Democrats who participate in debates not sanctioned by the DNC will reportedly not be allowed to participate in later DNC events.
The events will bring former Secretary of State and frontrunner Hillary Clinton face-to-face with the small field of candidates expected to challenge her. For now, the only other declared candidate in the race is Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), but former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley is considering a White House bid.
Former Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R.I.) and former Sen. Jim Webb (Va.) have also said they are considering running against Clinton.
National parties have to balance the benefits of debates with the possibility that encounters during the televised events could bruise their eventual nominee.
Republicans, who have a much wider field of possible candidates, will have at least nine debates.
