[J]ust days after the Bernie Sanders campaign launched a petition – and media push – urging the Democratic National Committee to hold more presidential debates starting this summer, he had amassed a list of nearly 100,000 electronic signatures supporting the request.
His efforts were both public, in a letter to the DNC, and in private appeals to his supporters.
“In my view, the candidates for president should engage in a series of debates beginning this summer,” his petition read, exactly the same as the text of his letter to DNC chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz, D-Fla.
It was reported in the New York Times First Draft blog Wednesday, after Sanders discussed his push in a Monday interview with Yahoo.
The Democratic National Committee told VTDigger on Friday that it received Sanders’ message … but that the original plan to host six debates was going to stand.
“We’re thrilled to see the Senator is eager to participate in our debates,” DNC spokeswoman Holly Shulman wrote in an email. “We’ve already released our primary debate framework, and we believe that six debates will give plenty of opportunity for the candidates to be seen side-by-side.
“I’m sure there will be plenty of other forums for the candidates to make their case to voters, and that they will make the most out of every opportunity,” she said.
Still, an email sent by Sanders’ campaign at 10:50 a.m. Friday boasted that, “more than 90,000 people have signed our petition.”
“Voters shouldn’t wait to hear candidates debate the very serious issues facing our country,” the email urged, asking potential supporters to help the petition reach the goal of 100,000 signatures.
“I asked the Democratic Party to work towards that goal this week, but they need to hear from activists like you if it’s going to become a reality,” Sanders wrote.
When asked about Sanders’ request to move debates earlier in the calendar year, from the originally planned September to a summer start, Shulman declined to answer.
“We’ll have more details in the coming weeks,” she said.
Sanders is one of four Democrats seeking the 2016 presidential nomination. Also announced are former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and former Rhode Island Sen. Lincoln Chafee.
Sanders’ email to supporters included a link to an online petition, which also polled signatories if they’d be willing to host a viewing party at their house for the debates.
Sanders spokesman Michael Briggs said the campaign wasn’t ready to throw in the towel.
“It’s clearly not resolved yet … it’s a situation that’s in play. We’ll see where it goes,” he said late Friday.
