2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumDemocratic Party Chair Says Clinton Will Get Primary Challenger
Wasserman Schultz says shes talking to potential Clinton challengers.Apr 17, 2015 5:12 PM EDT
Kathy Kiely
Hillary Clinton may be the only Democrat officially in the race for the White House, but the head of her party doesn't expect it to stay that way long.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, who doubles as chair of the Democratic National Committee, is so convinced that there will be a contested primary for the presidential nomination that she has has begun planning for "a series of sanctioned debates that we expect our presidential candidates will participate in," she told C-SPAN's Newsmakers program on Friday. Referring to Bloomberg's poll showing that Democrats want a challenge to Clinton, Wasserman Schultz said, "I expect that voters who believe we should have a Democratic primary will get their wish."
Wasserman Schultz said she has been talking about the planned debate series with both official candidates (so far, there's only one) and potential entrants. She mentioned Vice President Joe Biden, former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, former Senator Jim Webb of Virginia, former Senator (and Governor) Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island and Senator Bernie Sandersalthough she noted that Sanders, a Vermont independent, would have to change parties to qualify for a Democratic primary.
Voters who believe we should have a Democratic primary will get their wish.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Interviewed from New Hampshire, where she was observing and offering tart commentary on a two-day conference featuring GOP presidential hopefuls ("a clown car," is how Wasserman Schultz described the gathering), the congresswoman was especially critical of her fellow Floridian Jeb Bush. Noting that she had served in her state's legislature for six of the eight years of Bush's governorship, Wasserman Schultz called him "inflexible" and "unreasonable."
"He had absolutely no interest in working with anyone who didn't share his opinion," she said of Bush, who is having difficulty convincing some conservatives in his own party that he's rigidly ideological enough.
MORE...
http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-04-17/democratic-party-chair-says-clinton-will-get-primary-challenger
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)djean111
(14,255 posts)According to Debbie, Jeb will not compromise. GOP gold!
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)davidpdx
(22,000 posts)If you think that is a competitive primary, maybe you need a reality check.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)davidpdx
(22,000 posts)I'm saying if you think Webb, Sanders, and O'Malley qualify as a competitive primary you are the one that needs the reality check.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)Competition.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)DonCoquixote
(13,616 posts)You only hope was to be a Hillary Cheerleader.
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)to debate with herself or not even have one.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)Myrina
(12,296 posts)Oh goody.
KMOD
(7,906 posts)It would be expected to see Joe Biden run. O'Malley considering a run is a pleasant addition. I'm sure no one strong armed Webb or Chaffee to join the fray, and I think it's wonderful if Bernie Sanders joins in.
I was surprised to hear from some in the Party, (Reid, Schumer) that primaries are counterproductive. I think it would be a huge turn off for most voters, if there was no choice.
I know when I vote my ballot, I leave all uncontested races blank. I find it rather insulting when I see it. What is the point of me coming out to vote, if there is no race? Just my opinion.
If no one runs against Hillary I will write someone in.
My thoughts exactly
Rosa Luxemburg
(28,627 posts)rury
(1,021 posts)Hillary does NOT have my support and this should not be a cakewalk for her.
I look forward to some lively debates!
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)That is a pretty weak field. It is like sending someone with a water gun to fight a tank. Nothing compared to 2008.
IMHO Chafee is a non-starter even if he does run it weakens the field even more.
bigdarryl
(13,190 posts)davidpdx
(22,000 posts)It is a weak field if those are the only ones that run.........
LiberalFighter
(50,950 posts)At least wait until there are other candidates and they start campaigning.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)It's preemptively putting out fires. There are other things you could call it as well.
Mike Nelson
(9,959 posts)...but debates will be good for Clinton, her challenger(s) and the public.
think
(11,641 posts)appalachiablue
(41,146 posts)Thrill
(19,178 posts)Wasserman Schultz is the one that needs a challenger