The Democratic National Committee on Monday announced new rules requiring higher polling numbers and fundraising minimums to participate in November’s presidential primary debate.
Can we please add one that makes it so that everyone participating is an actual Democrat?
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By registration or by 20+ years of voting and caucusing?
I have no problem if one meets either criteria.
(BTW, I too would like to see Bernie drop out as I see Warren gathering more of his supporters than Biden, and while I prefer Harris, Warren beats Biden any day)
It’s time to cut this field down. DiBlasio leaving over the weekend made me hopeful, but it’s time to get the stragglers out. We’re almost in October. Let’s get to the serious ones and stop diluting the message.
The lesser candidates in polling numbers have had ample opportunity to make themselves heard. If they haven’t gained traction, that is no one’s fault but their own. They’ve had more time than in previous years to state their case and, if it hasn’t resonated, it’s time to move on and get behind the stronger candidates.
Enough already.
But how can we make an informed choice without adequate representation from the Green - Shirley MacLaine - Ramtha - Rent Is Too Damn High - Howard Schultz - Freedom Dividend - I Wanna Pony - Antivaxxer - Stealth Minsk - Let’s Topple Pelosi - Mike Gravel’s Not THAT Crazy - Slightly Chartreuse - Sarandonista faction of American politics?
Rigged!
My colleague here at the project just recounted his effort to get out of Houston yesterday while this was all going on. A bit of a nightmare from his account.
But as I said earlier today, I don’t think an endorsement from the great nation of India is really relevant or germaine to the campaign ahead.
Incrementalism seems endemic in the Democratic Party. I bet of the 11 who are qualified for October (with Tulsi Gabbard possibly to be the 12th) will this eliminate what, 3 of 11 maybe by the deadline? The October debate will be a 2 day affair 4 months before Iowa, so the top 3 may well not even be on the same stage so more wasted time. Even with 8 on stage in November it will be more lightning round answers, it’s time to let the voters seriously vet the top 5
Yes!
If you do not identify as Democrat by party…you should not be included in Democrat primary debate.
Democrats, Fuck Yeah!
I mean, it’s ONLY 3 months until the FIRST PRIMARY and ONLY 11 Months until the Democratic Convention!
LETS ALL DECIDE NOW! RIGHT NOW!
or
We could let the campaigns run their course and let the Democratic Primary Voters decide.
You know, Democracy and all that?
I’m with you on this, but the entire campaign has started about a year too early. Most aren’t paying attention now; most won’t pay attention for another six months. So the hope for some of these lesser candidates was dashed before they even started, because no one is listening.
The third debate reached 14 million viewers, according to ABC and Univision. That’s lovely. But in the last election, for better or for worse, over 120 million cast actual ballots for the Dems and the GOP. Not counting the third parties, but if we did, that 14 million represents about 10% of the voting population.
No one is paying attention now. We have too many candidates and the message is getting muddled. Stop already. Whittle it down to the top five and even THAT is too many.
and who will remember what is said in those debates come Nov. 2020?
Americans have very short Political Memories. Count on it.
Great idea, let’s make it so that Sanders runs as a third party candidate.
Seriously folks, get a grip.
We had this many candidates in 2004 and 2008 long after this time. The field is winnowing on its own. As long as the 3 top candidates are over-70, no, it’s not time to push anybody out.
I thought all these forums (refuse to call them debates) were an enormous waste of time and money and are encouraging two year long Presidential campaigns to become the norm.
In this day and age of instant communication, it is not required and needs to be stopped too.
I want bernie to stick around a while longer. The other eight viciously attacked Bernie and Warren relentlessly on single payer (no one bothers to even look at anyone else’s “lets continue to use tax dollars to subsidize private insurance companies” plans). I don’t think she should have to put up with that kind of moderator assisted attacks alone.
Really? You think Andrew Yang (whose message I love, but he’s just not getting traction) should still be on the stage? Tulsi? Tom Steyer?
I’m cool with raising the qualifications every 2 debates.
Why not just disqualify anyone over a certain age?
Seems to be the logical conclusion of that position…
(Is that you, Abbie Hoffman?)
I have no problem with allowing all of the current candidates into the debates as long as the first night is limited to the Top 6, based on polling, and the rest can debate on the following night(s). Ten people on the stage is too many and fuck the names outta a hat selection process for who is on which night.
Good luck finding networks willing to run the under card debates live, though.