Hillary has veto power over additional debates. The DNC will sanction additional debates but only if HILLARY agrees to participate.

[Luminous Animal]

Jen Palmieri, a spokesman for Mrs. Clinton, told The Union Leader, “Hillary Clinton would be happy to participate in a debate in New Hampshire if the other candidates agree, which would allow the D.N.C. to sanction the debate.”

From this thread.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=1073531

[Renew Deal]

1. I think it's half true

Meaning it's not true, but if all three candidates agree to show up, there will be no punishment.

[JonLeibowitz]

3. But functionally that meant the initial frontrunner gets the advantage as long as they don't lose it

It's still favoritism for the favorite going back to July. Just now the tables are turned.

[cherokeeprogressive]

6. So Palmieri is lying?

[Renew Deal]

8. No. She is telling the truth.

LA's statement is half true.

[daleanime]

7. And since it looks like Bernie has caught up to Hillary...

it's a safe bet that there will not only be townhalls and the like added to the schedule, but also some honest-to-god debates.

[Luminous Animal]

10. And both Sanders and O'Malley have called for additional debates. She has veto power.

[Purveyor]

13. Then the DNC needs to come out with a statement to that

affect and end this nonsense.

[JonLeibowitz]

2. See also my thread:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511073175

[elleng]

4. That's always been the case,

hrc via dws/dnc, nothing new here.

[hrmjustin]

5. The debate should happen.

Sanders and Hillary should just say yes and screw the DNC.

[Jackilope]

9. The limited debates was to help HRC. Whatever Hillary wants, Hillary gets.

Well, except Iowa and NH and my primary vote if it goes on long enough.

[Luminous Animal]

11. Without a doubt, if Hillary says yes, Sanders will. If only Hillary says yes, she will be barred

from participating in an future debates.

[Autumn]

12. Sanders should abide by Deb's little rule.

After all he is a guest in their house.

[malokvale77]

16. ^^^This^^^

It's damned sad when the guest is the only one with any manners.

[winter is coming]

17. If the debate "should" happen, DWS can sanction it. n/t

[Bonobo]

22. LOL. Now it's "screw the DNC", eh?

Did you not previously say the amount of debates was sufficient (when Bernie was losing badly, that is)?

[frazzled]

14. Sorry, but Sanders has opted out

Kind of disproving the premise of the OP. I guess it was he who had the power.

[Luminous Animal]

18. Nope. He won't be the second to opt in because Hillary has veto power.

As soon as she opts in, which she has not done, he'll be in, too.

Let's see her opt in.

[Flying Squirrel]

19. Eh?

Mr. Weaver added that if the Democratic National Committee did sanction the debate, the campaign’s stance would be different.

In other words, they want the DNC to sanction it FIRST before they agree to participate, because they don't trust that they won't be barred from future debates. The DNC caused this situation, it's squarely on the DNC to schedule debates and not on Bernie (or anyone else). If they want to schedule another debate, sanctioned by themselves, they should do so and then explain why they changed their minds about the number of debates.

[restorefreedom]

15. you noticed that too, huh?

apparently only one candidate has the power to create a sanctioned debate, just by her very presence....

[onehandle]

20. The primary is over.

Voting starts in four days. Time to focus on Hillary winning the GE.

[Lancero]

21. The primarys don't start until the 1st, and don't (officially) end until mid June.

Don't think the DNC has selected a candidate for this election cycle either, though since according to you the Primary is over I suppose they decided to forgo putting a candidate in this election.

[Renew Deal]

23. You know that Iowa isn't the only state right?

Some of us have to wait 2 months+ to vote.

[oasis]

24. At this point, I'm sure Bernie wants to pull a Roberto Duran: "no mas".

no mas por favor.

Hill is just to dominant.