first dem debate not expected until SEP or OCT....is this acceptable?

[restorefreedom]

from the Washington Times

The Democrats’ first debate this year isn’t expected until sometime in September or October, robbing Mrs. Clinton’s rivals of an early chance to go toe-to-toe with her and get some national TV exposure.
.......
"The DNC is in a pickle: Either give Sanders and O'Malley a fair shot or admit the fix is in,” said political strategist Doug Heye, a former communications director for the Republican National Committee.
.......
As the front-runner, Mrs. Clinton has the most to lose in a debate. Her campaign already is showing signs of losing momentum as she is forced to stay on the defensive and fend off questions about her email scandal at the State Department and foreign donations to the Clinton Foundation.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/aug/5/debbie-wasserman-schultz-has-democrats-wait-to-deb/?page=1

[FSogol]

1. Washington Times?

[restorefreedom]

3. i quoted them

because they were the first to put in print what we all know is true...dws putting off the first debate till the fall.

om is as pissed as anybody about this.

[FSogol]

7. If O'Malley, Sanders, Webb, or Chafee critisize the debate scheduling, they are doing it to

increase their chances of winning the nomination.

When the Wash Times (a Unification Church RW propaganda organization that no longer even bothers to print their dreck) criticizes the debate schedule, they are doing it to harm the Democratic Party in general and HRC specifically. There is nothing to be gained by helping them spread anti-progressive shit.

[Fred Sanders]

9. The first vote being cast is still 7 months from today...The Moonie Times mention that?

Are Democrats supposed to jump aboard the Clown Train schedule because.....reasons?

[Armstead]

18. Because postponing them gives an unfair advantage

As the undisputed front runner, Clinton can prevent the other contenders from getting the visibility that is needed to gain traction -- or even a foothold.

At least giving the others a chance for exposure and to introduce themselves is a fucking good reason to have debates sooner rather than later.

If Clinton holds her own and does lot better than the others, good for her. But stifling any real competition is not good. That just a Kubuki Dance.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

12. News is news but there's a lot of editorializing in that news

I rarely curse but fuck the Washington Times.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

2. Your second cut says it all.

Despite the snide dismissals, Debbie Wasserman Schulz is worried that debates will allow Bernie to seriously cut into Hillary's votes, and wants to do everything she can to minimize that.

[yeoman6987]

14. My problem with this is that all candidates agreed to 6 debates

And now want to change it. Why not change it back when asked if 6 were good enough a few months ago?

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

15. Maybe they expected the first to be a wee bit earlier than October?

Getting to go onstage and hit their talking points in front of a much larger audience is a good way to boost enthusiasm, support, and monetary donations for the other candidates who don't have millions to burn on TV ads. So basically, they're strangled of that audience for several more months, which keeps the potential donations cut off, especially for those who might be more likely to get recurring monthly small donations, rather than large, one shot maximums.

[yeoman6987]

16. Great point.

[Bjorn Against]

25. No, the DNC and the Hillary campaign agreed to six debates

Both the Bernie and O'Malley campaigns have made it clear that they want more than six debates.

[yeoman6987]

26. Not when they were originally asked

[Bjorn Against]

29. Do you have a link?

[liberal N proud]

4. What is the fucking rush?

Just because the clowns are putting on a circus a full year before they open the big top doesn't mean Democrats have to rush in.

Typical election cycle was to have candidate announce a little less than a year from election, campaign in Iowa and New Hampshire then after those contest there is usually a debate followed by subsequent primaries.
Once the primaries are over in May/June time, they head to the conventions and state fairs, would someone please hand Trump a corn dog.

Voters are going to be burned out by these candidates campaigning on Halloween (boo, it Dubya2), Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve.

[NCTraveler]

5. Republicans should not be used as our homing beacon.

"Her campaign already is showing signs of losing momentum"

As is someone else. That is the reason for this issue being so prominent right now. When is the first election? September is more than acceptable. What isn't is the fact that all candidates don't know dates, locations, and topics.

[GoneFishin]

6. The right wing of both parties is the same, win at all costs, ethics be damned.

This sleazy behavior confirms what I already knew about the corporatists. They will say anything and do anything to cling to power. It's about the power and money.

[DetlefK]

8. What? The DNC-circus starts only 14-15 months ahead of the election?

[Fred Sanders]

10. Canada's election is 10 weeks away and the first of three debates, coincidentally, is tonight. No one is complaining.

Contrast, compare and weep for the state of American democracy and media.

[Armstead]

19. Since the candidates have altready kicked off the campsign, it's underay, like it or not

So, all of the should have the opportunity for exposure at this point.

[leftynyc]

11. The Moonie Times

This is the crap allowed here now? We need an unrec button.

[FSogol]

13. Agreed. n/t

[bigwillq]

17. Yes (nt)

[zappaman]

20. yes

unrec for source of this OP

[restorefreedom]

27. fine. when dws announces it

on the dnc website, will everyone feel better?

stifling debate to benefit one candidate is the issue.

[apnu]

21. Yes. But also, the Washington Times sucks. (nt)

[DCBob]

22. There is no fix and Sanders and Omalley have plenty to opportunities to get their message across.

If 6 debates is not enough then 20 wouldnt be either.

[Orangepeel]

23. Yes.

The Iowa caucus is February 1. October is plenty early enough for me.

[olddots]

24. televised debates won't educate the uneducated

Discusions about life changing issues don't have whats called TV. Q .

[restorefreedom]

28. it will be october.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141168646

different source, same problem