Bernie Sanders
In reply to the discussion: Why Bernie should be very careful about O'Malley's proposal to hold Debates himself. [View all]winter is coming
(11,785 posts)It's what's killing us, and it's indefensible. I don't think that increasing the number of debates will provide much benefit without lifting the exclusivity rule, because if the DNC is willing to cook the schedule, even going so far as to give the GOP a two-month lead on debates, they'll be cooking the format of the actual debates themselves to protect HRC as much as possible.
There's no reason--none--that can be used to justify exclusivity, and Bernie makes a good point that special interest groups should be able to sponsor debates if they so choose. If enough attention is drawn to the exclusivity clause and how DWS is tilting the playing field toward HRC, the DNC may have to yield. The MSM, which likes a good scandal, might be helpful there. The only reason the GOP isn't all over this is that the RNC has its own exclusivity clause.
I don't think O'Malley's deliberately trying to draw Bernie out of the DNC debates for nefarious purposes. O'Malley's still stuck in low single digits and if he doesn't break out of them soon, he's toast. Bernie's doing better: while he would definitely benefit from the broader exposure that a televised debate would bring, he can afford to wait until October. The trouble is, he likely won't get a meaningful debate even then.
If everyone but Hillary goes for an extramural debate, then Bernie should, too, but what we really need to be focused on is getting the DNC to defend exclusivity. BLM wants the candidates to address their issues with specific details. It's a pity they can't sponsor their own debate, for just that purpose.
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