Democratic debate schedule announced, set to begin on October 13

[Mr. Morden]

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/03/dems-to-set-debate-schedule-this-week.html

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UPDATE: Here it is:

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/08/democrats-debate-schedule-nevada-october-13-121092.html

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Ugh, the fall probably means after the solstice. 6 isn't that many. They should have more, and have an empty chair for Hillary if she doesn't show up.

[Mr. Morden]

DWS is flying to Cleveland to shadow the GOP debate:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/fl-wasserman-schultz-republican-debate-20150804-story.html

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I would imagine that the Democratic debate schedule might be unveiled at one of these two events.

[Mr. Morden]

I'm disappointed, but not surprised, that Clinton wanted only 6 debates.

She wanted fewer than 6 debates.  But 6 debates is what they're giving her.

[The Other Castro]

CNN hosting the first debate in Nevada on October 13th.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/06/politics/cnn-democratic-debate-host/index.html

[Landslide Lyndon]

I'm disappointed, but not surprised, that Clinton wanted only 6 debates.

Why would there be more than that? It's not like there is a ton of serious Democratic candidates out there who need to have their voice heard.

[Likely Voter]

Remember that the Dems have half the candidates of the main GOP debate, which means they get twice as much airtime per debate.

As for Clinton, let's face it she wishes the primaries were all happening now. Her entire campaign is one of mitigating losses. She is the big frontrunner. She has little to gain and much to lose in these debates. Her best strategy is do the fewest necessary to ensure she doesn't look like she is avoiding it and no more.

[Mr. Morden]

Here's the schedule:

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/08/democrats-debate-schedule-nevada-october-13-121092.html

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[Mr. Morden]

So one in October, one in November, one in December (six days before Christmas), and one in January.  Those four are pre-Iowa.

Then "two scheduled for either February or March".  Super Tuesday is March 1st.  For all we know, the nomination will be clinched on that date and everyone except the de facto nominee (presumably Clinton) will drop out.  Will a debate scheduled for post-March 1st actually happen?  Even if it did, wouldn't Clinton most likely skip it, if she's already close to having a majority of delegates?

[Mr. Morden]

Also….

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[Likely Voter]

Interesting, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, PBS, Univision.  No FOX is not a surprise but no MSNBC? Rachel Madow will be crushed!

Also….

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As I predicted, that is the same exact criteria CNN is using for their September GOP debates (with the added criteria that the top 10 in average get the primetime debate).  I suspect that all the Dems will make it, even Chafee has 4 polls with 1% in the last six weeks.

On the other hand, that same rule could likely keep Gilmore out of the CNN September debate, others have already qualified.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Honestly surprised we aren't seeing a Buzzfeed debate.

[An American Tail: Fubart Goes West]

Also….

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They really shouldn't be that nervous. Ok, maybe Chafee should be. There's not as many polls as there are for the Republicans, but 1% in three polls over 6 weeks shouldn't be that big of a hurdle. It's far more lenient than Fox's top ten based on five really recent polls.

[Landslide Lyndon]

I'm disappointed, but not surprised, that Clinton wanted only 6 debates.

Why would there be more than that? It's not like there is a ton of serious Democratic candidates out there who need to have their voice heard.

By your logic we may as well have only one or two debates.

Stop whining dude.

[Mr. Morden]

They are not exactly scheduling these things at prime viewing times:

-Oct. 13: a Tuesday (OK, viewership on this one at least should be good by CNN's standards)
-Nov. 14: a Saturday
-Dec. 19: a Saturday, and 6 days before Christmas
-Jan. 17: a Sunday, which isn't necessarily bad, but it's a day when there'll be NFL divisional playoff games....will they wait until the games are over to begin the debate?

The remaining two debates haven't been scheduled yet.

At first glance, it may seem like they're trying to bury these things.  However, debates 2 and 3 are on CBS and ABC respectively and, unlike news channels like CNN and Fox News, the broadcast networks don't want to preempt their normal primetime schedules just to air a primary debate.  So they stick it on a Saturday, which is a pretty dead night for TV viewing.  ABC and CBS also have GOP debates in February, and they'll also be on a Saturday in each case.

Still, putting one on the weekend before Christmas is rather silly.  Who is actually going to watch that?

[IceSpear]

6 debates is easily enough when there's only 5 candidates and 3 of them are totally irrelevant.

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

6 debates is easily enough when there's only 6 candidates and 3 of them are totally irrelevant.

FTFY. Biden seems serious.

[IceSpear]

6 debates is easily enough when there's only 6 candidates and 3 of them are totally irrelevant.

FTFY. Biden seems serious.

I'll believe it when I see it.

[Bigby]

I'm disappointed, but not surprised, that Clinton wanted only 6 debates.

She wanted fewer than 6 debates.  But 6 debates is what they're giving her.

I assume she wanted six less than six?

[Attorney General, Senator-Elect, & Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

I'm disappointed, but not surprised, that Clinton wanted only 6 debates.

She wanted fewer than 6 debates.  But 6 debates is what they're giving her.

I assume she wanted six less than six?

No. Hillary's said on twitter that she's looking forward to debating. She just doesn't want to do it 6 times.

[Amenhotep Bakari-Sellers]

This would have been memorable; had Sanders kept his momemtum. But, it will be more stump speech; as Clinton locks down nomination in SC and preps for GE😍

[Vega]

-Dec. 19: a Saturday, and 6 days before Christmas

... Okay. It's not like it's Christmas Eve. I don't know why it's relevant to say "6 days before Christmas".

[Kingpoleon]

This would have been memorable; had Sanders kept his momemtum. But, it will be more stump speech; as Clinton locks down nomination in SC and preps for GE😍

South Carolina?

... I understand backing Clinton, but these hearts are honestly a tad annoying.

[/]

I'm disappointed, but not surprised, that Clinton wanted only 6 debates.

She wanted fewer than 6 debates.  But 6 debates is what they're giving her.

I assume she wanted six less than six?

No. Hillary's said on twitter that she's looking forward to debating.

Well, then it must be true, of course.

[Mr. Morden]

I actually think whether or not Chafee qualifies for the first Dem. debate is kind of a big deal in determining how the debate will play out, since he's been so aggressive in his attacks on Clinton, far beyond what any of her other challengers are doing.