Brent Budowsky: Dem debate showdown

[portlander23]

Brent Budowsky: Dem debate showdown

There will only be six presidential debates for Democrats in the 2016 cycle, and any candidate who participates in any others will be banned from the DNC debates. As recently as Wednesday, Wasserman Schultz, sounding like Vladimir Putin dictating to the Russian Politburo, declared that she will not budge on this.

Here is a proposal for Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and other Democratic candidates for the nation’s highest office: You should join together to publicly state that if any respected organization wishes to hold additional debates, you will participate in defiance of the Putin-like commands from Washington.

What will happen if this showdown offer is extended is that media organizations and others will come forward with new debate proposals. Other Democratic candidates will accept. Wasserman Schultz will ban those candidates from the DNC debates. Hillary Clinton will be forced to choose between being the only candidate on stage in the DNC-sanctioned debates, which would make her and the DNC look ridiculous, or participating in the rogue debates, which she would almost certainly do.

There is an overpowering feeling from grassroots Democrats outside Washington that Democrats inside Washington — and Clinton is identified as one — have created a party of consultants rather than conscience, a party of revolving door insiders who want to defend the status quo rather the men and women who yearn to change America through authentic and dramatic reforms.

The debate about debates is really about whether Democrats are a party of ideas and principles who welcome debates and the enthusiasm they generate, or a party of insiders who want to rig the rules and fix the game in favor of insider candidates by stifling the voices of true progressivism, reform and change.

Clinton supporters should join the revolt in favor of more debates and not fear it.

Clinton’s army of consultants, staffers and courtiers may not understand this, but she would benefit from more debates. Progressives are not as stupid as these insiders believe. Clinton is not as weak as certain advisers think when they feed her with poll-tested and focus-grouped platitudes that neuter her voice while they maneuver to shield her from more debates.

The popular revolt should succeed. More debates would benefit all Democrats.

[yeoman6987]

1. I definitely think we should see how they do first

Hillary is the only one to participate in national debates. It seems easy but some may find its not as easy as it appears.

[Fearless]

3. And she was awful

Obama came off much better. Second only to Biden crushing Rand Paul.

[restorefreedom]

2. one correction.. there are only FOUR debates

the last two are tentatively scheduled. dws hoped the nominee would be known before hillary would have to be in those last two debates.

she will get her wish. hillary's candidacy will be over long before those last two.