APNewsBreak: DNC, TV networks discuss presidential debates

[DonViejo]

Source: Associated Press



By BILL BARROW
Today

CHICAGO (AP) — The Democratic Party has begun conversations with television networks about a series of presidential primary debates in 2019, a top party official has told The Associated Press.

The talks are “in the very early stages,” according to the official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The early start, well before the 2020 field is known, signals the importance that the Democratic National Committee chairman, Tom Perez, is placing on decisions that will be scrutinized for any signs of favoritism among potentially two dozen or more candidates.

“The DNC’s goal is to have a debate process that is transparent, fair, impartial and inclusive,” senior party adviser Mary Beth Cahill said in a statement to the AP that didn’t get into the details of the discussions with networks. Perez has tapped Cahill, who ran the 2004 campaign of Democratic nominee John Kerry, to lead debate discussions.

The party and the networks together will decide the debate schedule, locations and formats. A crucial issue is how many people will be allowed on debate stages and who will be chosen.

Read more: https://apnews.com/5068444bc8d549229b1c2b8fb079055b/APNewsBreak:-DNC,-TV-networks-discuss-presidential-debates

[NurseJackie]

1. Only Democrats, please.

[kimbutgar]

2. +1

No fake Democratic candidates.

[femmocrat]

3. It won't be long now!

[Scarsdale]

4. A new rule should be

implemented. NO free time to ANY candidate, unless the other side gets equal time. Morning Joe practically had a third seat on their set for tRump. He called in daily, and got free airtime and publicity. This HAS to be prevented.

[Sneederbunk]

5. Also no audience at debates.

[PSPS]

6. No more WWF-style production, complete will demeaning rhythm "bed."

[beachbum bob]

7. First rule is limit to actual democrats

[PatSeg]

8. And no more debates

airing when no one will be watching. The Dems let the republicans dominate the airways for months because of the limited number of debates that seemed to be scheduled at times that insured low viewership. Republican candidates were everywhere and it seemed for awhile, as if Democrats weren't even running.

Hopefully Tom Perez will do a much better job, but I sure wish we had Howard Dean back again. He knew how to win elections.

[alwaysinasnit]

9. Can anyone tell me why we allow campaigning for nearly two years before a presidential election?

What is the purpose of campaigning for so long?

[ChazInAz]

10. By election day

I detest ALL of the candidates, though I save my special loathing for the republicans.
Surely it's possible to have the conventions, campaign and vote within a month at most.

[alwaysinasnit]

11. They probably need more than a month to criss-cross the country (as presidential candidates),

but 2 years seems grotesque to me.