Six Democratic Debates Set for 2016 Primary Cycle

By TONY SCHINELLA and DEB BELT

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley is criticizing the Democratic National Committee’s plan to host six primary debates for the 2016 presidential primary, noting the party held 16 debates in 2008 and 13 debates in the 2004 election cycle.

The national committee also issued a threat to candidates who accept any unsanctioned debate invitation or forum, according to news outlets.

Each of the early primary states – Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and Nevada – will host a single debate, according to the official schedule. Two other debates will be held in February or March in Florida or Wisconsin.

On Twitter O’Malley said: “The number of presidential debates should be dictated by voters—not @TheDemocrats in Washington. #WeNeedDebate”

On Wednesday O’Malley also tweeted on the subject: “@TheDemocrats think they can limit the number of debates we’re going to have before the Iowa caucuses…We need to have not just one debate, not just two, but many. Because they will shape the future of the country we give our kids.”

On a conference call, O’Malley for President New Hampshire State Director John Bivona said voters like him in the Granite State are “swayed by big ideas” and candidates that actually go out and meet first-in-the-nation primary voters in intimate settings, as has historically been done for generations.

“It’s simply wrong,” he said. “(The DNC) debate plan should be viewed as a non-starter. It’s DC bigfooting at its worse. The DNC should have no role in this process. Candidates should be able to participate without retribution.”

The retribution comments came after The Daily Beast noted in a story earlier this week that Democratic candidates that strayed from the rules would be punished, according to DNC officials.

Bernie Sanders, another Democratic presidential candidate, said he was “disappointed, but not surprised,” by the DNC’s six debate limit.

“At a time when many Americans are demoralized about politics and have given up on the political process, I think it’s imperative that we have as many debates as possible – certainly more than six,” he said. “I look forward to working with the DNC to see if we can significantly expand the proposed debate schedule.”

According to NECN, here are the locations and dates of the six debates:

• Oct. 13, 2015: CNN in Nevada
• Nov. 14: CBS/KCCI/Des Moines Register in Des Moines, IA
• Dec. 19: ABC/WMUR in Manchester, NH
• Jan. 17, 2016: NBC/Congressional Black Caucus Institute in Charleston, SC.
• February or March: Univision/Washington Post, Miami, FL
• February or March: PBS in Wisconsin