But now that Comrade Sanders has a better hand to play, he's playing it wisely; "I'll see your one more debate before New Hampshire, and raise you two":
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/pos ... c-debates/Bernie Sanders calls for an additional three Democratic debates
MASON CITY, Iowa -- Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders on Wednesday proposed holding an additional three Democratic debates, as the jockeying among the party’s candidates continued over how often they should face off in the weeks ahead.
Under rules put forth by the Democratic National Committee, the party’s presidential debates are limited to six this cycle, four of which have already taken place.
In a television interview Wednesday, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton called on Sanders to agree to participate in a debate next week in New Hampshire that hasn’t been sanctioned by the DNC and said she hoped the DNC would agree to sponsor it.[That wont be a problem; anytime Slick Hillie says "shit!" Pinocchio-Shultz squats and strains...]
Sanders initially balked at the idea after news surfaced that the Feb. 4 debate was being planned by the New Hampshire Union Leader and MSNBC, saying he did not want to take part in an event not blessed by the DNC.
In a statement issued Wednesday night, Jeff Weaver, Sanders’s campaign manager said that Sanders has long been interested in more debates.
“Secretary Clinton has not,” Weaver said. “Now she is asking to change the rules and ask for a debate next week that is not sanctioned by the DNC. Why is that? The answer is obvious. The dynamics of the race have changed and Senator Sanders has significant momentum.”[ya think?]
Weaver said Sanders would be “happy to have more debates” but added: “We are not going to schedule them at whim of the Clinton campaign.”
He said Sanders would like to see additional debates in March, April and May -- and none of them on Fridays or Saturdays or holiday weekends, as has previously been the case.
If the Clinton campaign would commit to that schedule, Weaver said, Sanders would join Clinton in asking for the DNC to arrange a debate in New Hampshire next week.
The latest skirmishing over the debate schedule comes just five days before the Iowa caucuses. Clinton’s once-formidable lead in the polls has evaporated in recent weeks, and Clinton and Sanders are now locked in a tight race.
Bernie's got this one right...
Why the hell should he agree to give Hillary a debate right before New Hampshire, (which he is poised to win handily, whether he wins or loses narrowly in Iowa) unless he can get some benefit in return?
The DNC tried to screw him seven ways to Sunday with their paltry Saturday night debate schedule...Why should he cut the Clinton campaign any slack now that he's riding high?
The boy has some leverage now, he should use it...If I were in his position, I'd take the exact same stance...
(Of course Hillary Clinton agreeing to do something, and Hillary Clinton actually doing it are two different things...but at least it's a start...)
