The Big Question Now: Will Democratic Primary Be Organized?

[mylye2222]

I know its everyone wishes over here.
But I really wonder if it will really happen...

My guess is that Thord Wayers will do anything to skip it, because their main candidate right now overlead. Anyway we still can hope since it is only the beginning.

Do you think Sanders will run? And what about O'Malley? Fpr now any other candidate will be a plus towards a real fight on issues.

[leftofcool]

1. There will be a primary and 3rd wayers have no say in it.

[aspirant]

3. Isn't money speech, so they say?

[NYC_SKP]

2. Will Hillary Clinton allow there to be debates?

Last edited Wed Apr 15, 2015, 11:11 AM - Edit history (1)

Does "her base" even want for there to be debates?

Her base:

[Jim Lane]

4. She probably can't get away with zero debates but she'll try to minimize them.

In her Senate re-election campaign in 2006, she had a progressive challenger in the primary. The polls showed her having a big lead, so she refused to debate him. Zero debates, nada, zilch.

Then in 2008, when she was trailing, she complained that Obama hadn't debated her enough.

For 2016, I'm sure she would prefer no debates at all. By now, however, the tradition of debates among Presidential contenders is so well established that for her to emulate her 2006 strategy would look bad. She would be harshly criticized by the media. I predict she will acquiesce to some debates but, like the leader in 2008, will be criticized by other candidates for not debating enough.

[NYC_SKP]

5. I imagine the conditions of any debate will be STRICT, very much so.

She'll want the questions in advance and veto power to eliminate any questions she doesn't want to have.

The ratings value, the money, are such that I'll bet she'll get her way and one of the conditions will be that the media don't share what the conditions are.

I'm gonna be sick.

[Jim Lane]

7. She might want that but I don't think she'll get it.

The real problem is that she won't need to.

Questions in advance? Come on, anyone who's been following the campaign and who has half a brain could write out a list of a couple dozen questions from which the actual debate questions will come. Clinton, like every other candidate, will be ready with canned answers.

Our classic candidate "debate" format has some value in presenting the candidates to voters, but these aren't really debates. They've been more accurately described as joint press conferences. I'd like to see genuine debates, in which the candidates spar more with each other and can ask each other questions.

[KoKo]

6. I have hope that a Primary can be held by Progressive Groups

if we can get any other candidates to declare they are running. A Dem Progressive Primary and if Hillary wants to attend then fine but if not it goes on without her.

Progressive Movements can get the Funding if they are willing to take the challenge.

"Democracy Now" even organized "Third Party Response" for Candidates in 2012 because they felt there were Candidates voices that were not being heard in the last election. I feel they would be on board for a "Primary for Progressive Democrats" along with "Move On. org", "People for the American Way" and other groups less well known. So, they would probably be on board for "Progressive Primary Debate" and would be a good group to organize it since they have a media following and are connected to the "Nation Institute." It's an idea, anyway.


Here's what Democracy Now did in 2012:

Third Party Candidates to Join in Real Time on Democracy Now!'s Live Coverage of Presidential Debate

As President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney square off in the first presidential debate tonight, Democracy Now! will broadcast live from Denver with a special expanded presidential debate from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. ET. We will air the Obama/Romney debate, pausing after questions to include equal time responses from two presidential contenders who were shut out of the official debate: Dr. Jill Stein of the Green Party and Rocky Anderson of the Justice Party.

Watch our interviews at the link:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/democracy-now/live-show_b_1936382.html

[sabrina 1]

8. Just heard tonight that Bernie might run. O'Malley, don't know, but some people are saying if he

does, it will be more for the Vice President position.

I'm interested more in those who are serious about winning.

We need a primary, but not sure if too many Dems want to go up against all that money and the party leadership who are probably not going to give them much support.