Text of Letter to DNC Chair from Bernie Sanders on 2016 Debates
Source: 4President Blog
NEW YORK, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, on Monday urged Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the Democratic National Committee chair, to consider a series of debates among Democratic candidates beginning this summer.
Sanders also suggested that Democratic candidates would benefit by engaging in early debates with Republican candidates.
Sanders also called for a "50-state strategy" in which debates would be held in states that, at this time, are not electing Democratic candidates.
Text of the letter follows:
Washington, D.C
Honorable Debbie Wasserman Schultz
Chair Democratic National Committee
430 South Capitol Street SE
Washington, DC 20003
Thanks for doing the excellent job you are doing.
The purpose of this letter is to discuss the issue of debates in the upcoming Democratic primary nominating process. In recent weeks, as I have traveled around the country, I have been hearing concerns from voters about the need for vigorous candidate debate. The people of this country are tired of political gossip, personal attacks and ugly 30-second ads. They want the candidates to engage in serious discussion about the very serious issues facing our country today.
In my view, the candidates for President should engage in a series of debates beginning this summer. I want to outline my reasons why these debates would be very beneficial to the cause of the Democratic Party and progressive politics in America.
Voter Turnout: In recent years, low voter turnout has hurt progressive candidates all across our nation. As you know, the lower levels of turnout in both 2010 and 2014 have resulted in huge Republican gains in the House and Senate as well as in statewide and legislative races. Its obvious that when more people vote, more Democrats win elections, and so the purpose of our campaign should be to encourage as much voter participation as possible.
I believe a larger number of debates beginning in the weeks ahead would encourage such voter participation and I think we have ample evidence to demonstrate that fact. First, the large number of debates in the 2008 Presidential campaign is probably one of the reasons why that campaign was so successful in helping not only elect President Obama to an historic victory but for the Democrats to control the House of Representative and elect sixty members of our Democratic Caucus in the Senate. Those debates helped voters, beginning in the primary process, to understand more about the candidates and their positions on issues.
I believe that we should not learn the wrong lessons from the past but instead should look at the fact that an engaged and vigorous nominating process was one of the keys to success in registering voters early on and convincing people they had a meaningful stake in the general election in November. In 2008 voter turnout was extremely high, and that vigorous process of multiple debates and an engaged nominating process, was one of the reasons for this increased voter turnout that enormously benefitted Democrats at all levels of politics.
Inter-Party Debates
In addition to having a number of early debates beginning this summer and continuing through the primary and caucus process, I believe we need to go beyond the bounds of traditional party debates. I am extremely concerned by the fact that many working-class Americans are voting against their best economic interests by supporting right-wing Republicans whose agenda represents the interests of the billionaire class, and not the needs of working Americans. Why are millions of struggling Americans voting for Republican candidates who want to cut Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and education while giving huge tax breaks to the very richest people in this country?
That is why I believe we should be open to a less traditional form of debating by welcoming the opportunity to debate not only amongst members of the Democratic Party but also having debates between Democratic and Republican candidates during the primary process. I believe that these inter-party debates would put in dramatic focus the shallow and at times ridiculous policies and proposals being advocated by the Republican candidates and by their partys platform. It would also serve to engage large numbers of voters who typically do not pay attention to the process until much later when the general election begins to come into focus. By engaging these voters early and raising the stakes around the election I believe we can get people to participate at higher levels which will undoubtedly benefit Democrats up and down the ticket.
Further, I also think it is important for us to debate not only in the early states but also in many states which currently do not have much Democratic presidential campaign activity. While a number of these non-target states have not in the past had much organized campaign presence, I believe it is critical for the Democratic Party and progressive forces in America to engage voters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. By expanding the scope geographically of debates beyond the early calendar states we can begin to awaken activism at the grassroots level in those states and signal to Democrats and progressives in places like Texas, Mississippi, Utah, and Wyoming that their states are not forgotten by the Democratic Party.
I would be happy to discuss these ideas and proposals with you or members of your staff. In the meantime, I hope we can use this as an opportunity to build a constructive dialogue around this issue and others affecting the nominating process.
Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Senator Bernie Sanders
Read more: http://blog.4president.org/2016/2015/06/text-of-letter-to-dnc-chair-from-bernie-sanders-on-2016-debates.html
Apparently Bernie Sanders isn't in agreement with the prevailing opinion about DWS here at DU?
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)Did you think he was going to end the letter with an insult? Really, now..sheesh.
brooklynite
(95,014 posts)...if he doesn't think it merits acknowledgement.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)It seems to me to be no more than a cordial remark, why you're reading so much
into, I have no idea.
djean111
(14,255 posts)today. It is getting sadly funny and predictable. And accomplishes absolutely nothing.
Bless their hearts.
Purveyor
(29,876 posts)like poisoning the well but we all know how "they" operate.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)Do you agree with Sen Sanders? Or would you like to see the debates limited?
cui bono
(19,926 posts)Do you have any inkling of what diplomacy is?
SMH
BrotherIvan
(9,126 posts)So there's this big long letter with one sentence at the end--that's the important one!! He reinforced my bias! Forget about all that other shit, this means that DINOs are the beeeeeeeeeeeest!
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)Creative bumper-sticker you've got going on. Like pop music, it's insubstantial and petulant, but it pretends its premise is serious.
passiveporcupine
(8,175 posts)Do you really expect him to get any kind of cooperation from her?
kenfrequed
(7,865 posts)I think this is excellent! People need to hear earlier on to differentiate the message and policies of candidates and parties.
still_one
(92,528 posts)much as the political junkies might like to see such an endeavor, I suspect they would not get that much interest or viewership generated.
Wilms
(26,795 posts)Er, that doesn't even qualify as a "cheap shot". But you may want to tend to that bullet hole in your foot.
Well said, Wilms.
The Velveteen Ocelot
(116,004 posts)"Dear Chairperson Schultz, You suck as DNC Chair. Here are some ways I'd like you to change the debates...."
There are certain courtesies one affords, even if one privately thinks the recipient sucks.
Wilms
(26,795 posts)SoapBox
(18,791 posts)DinahMoeHum
(21,839 posts)Yes!
50-State Strategy, baby!!
zeemike
(18,998 posts)And it worked...so they did the logical thing and stopped doing it.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)It would be nice to have an Americans Abroad debate. Of course of the six debates we already know three are promised to Iowa, NH, and Florida. I'm sure the others were promised to "important" states that have never had debates in prior elections.
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)LynneSin
(95,337 posts)First even if the Democrats would agree to it the GOP never would. And if we could get the GOP to agree to it - it would be a joke. The GOP debates are nothing more than who can prove who is More-Conservative, More-Fundie, More-Anti-Gay, More-'Jesus-loving' (although not the Jesus of the Gospels), More Anti-Taxes while wrapping the American Flag and hold the bible the tightest. At no times do real issues impacting real people actually get discussed during the GOP debate because who cares about these folks. A debate like that would be a joke at this time.
SmittynMo
(3,544 posts)TO WIN!!!!
Very smart man.
TDale313
(7,820 posts)I think we could use more debates. Discussion is good. Not sure I like the idea of the cross-party debates before the general. Have to think about that one.
Not an unusual thing for the one behind in polls to want as many debates as possible while the front runner wants as few as they can reasonably get away with. It's politically the smart stance.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)DNC is funded sufficiently to pull this off?
I really believe Bernie can attract people of all parties and regions, and so can Hillary.
And the points he makes about the Congressional elections can not be overstated.
Our campaign should begin this summer so we have the time to get our message out and not be caught with last minute negative campaigns by Koch monies next October and November. In fact, the Koch money is in play right now, the GOP always runs a long-term game, so we must do the same.
Thanks for posting this. I got a questionnaire from the DNC about what were my priorities. Keeping the presidency in Democratic hands is essential, but no less fighting for the states as the GOP is not kidding about calling an Article V convention. Enough red legislatures and they will enact what they've been planning for a long time.
stuffmatters
(2,574 posts)Last edited Mon Jun 1, 2015, 07:39 PM - Edit history (2)
People love to watch political debates no matter what party. It's political "Survivor/The Batchelor."
The Dems need to take advantage of the millions of dollars in this free public exposure to (re) educate the country on
what we stand for.
Instead of letting the Repubs pollute the airways with their draconian false choices like whether abortion should be illegal after 20 months or at conception, whether to privatize social sec or raise CPI & the retirement age, whether to abolish the EPA/FDA/IRS or just death by defund, whether to deport all undocumented immigrants before or after adulthood, whether to give defense (war) more or less than 60% of the budget...As long as these anti Democratic loons control the airways and the debate, the more people start to think their ideas are normal.
Dems need to present the real solutions - diplomacy over war, scrap the cap for social security & enrich all Americans by allowing for
negotiation of drug prices & medicare for all, emphasize women's right to choose & equal pay for equal work, civil and voting rights for all, end of 1% tax loopholes & return to fair corporate taxation instead of sticking the 99% with their tax bills....these are the kinds of real issues & solutions that Americans want & need to hear. Our message is overwhelmingly popular, but it's drowned out by the info pollution of the RW propoganda machine.
The microphone of tv debates hits all fifty states and costs our party nothing. This is how we get our message out for not just the presidential candidates but also the whole ballot...from winning back the Senate & House all the way down to city councils & school boards.
This is more important than hiding HC away/protecting her until after the primaries. People need to be reinformed ASAP and reminded regularly what our Dem Party and candidates stand for. It'll make all Dems (including HC) more appealing as candidates.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)can not be concluded from a polite letter.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)Good lord.
tarheelsunc
(2,117 posts)cui bono
(19,926 posts)He's running as a Democrat.
Gregorian
(23,867 posts)This continues to amaze me. In the past it has been about ME.
I am so loving this man and what he stands for and what he is doing for our country already. Now I know we aren't as dumbed down and conservative as the main stream whores would have it seem.
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)Enrique
(27,461 posts)I would LOVE to see Bernie challenge the GOP candidates in a way that the nominee never does. They're all taking a populist pose, let's see them try that with Bernie on the stage with them.
Gregorian
(23,867 posts)The corporations do not want this. The people absolutely need it.
Enrique
(27,461 posts)last time the debate over corporate taxes was whether to CUT them to 28% or 20%. That makes everyone think that represents the range of debate. Neither candidate mentioned that corporate profits were at record highs (even then), and so why are we cutting corporate taxes at all?
MrModerate
(9,753 posts)ChiciB1
(15,435 posts)He may not get there because he doesn't have the BIG $$$$, but he's sure got the heart, soul and FIGHT of so MANY Democrats who remember what the "real" Democratic Party looked like. Some of us remember a different time! Eisenhower would be a Democrat today and my father thought he was a REAL Repuke!
GO BERNIE!
Horizens
(637 posts)Neither the Dems nor the Reps will agree to Bernie's debate proposals. I think Bernie should then challenge
other candidates (one at a time) to a one on one, Lincoln/Douglas style debate. The question will then be "why won't anyone debate Bernie".
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)YOHABLO
(7,358 posts)Ruby the Liberal
(26,219 posts)As for your comment - was that really necessary? What was he supposed to say, Dear Miserable Failure?
cosmicone
(11,014 posts)If it did, he will be beaten up by rethugs in front of a Faux news audience then tarred and feathered as a communist.
Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)frylock
(34,825 posts)Oh wait, you're serious. Let me laugh even harder! bwahahahaha!
drray23
(7,638 posts)is unequivocally states he his a democrat. Yes, I know he stated he is running on the ticket and his campaign website has him a a democrat from Vermont. Thats good. Now what about doing the same on his senate website ?
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/about
from his about page :
His previous 16 years in the House of Representatives make him the longest serving independent member of Congress in American history.
While its true that up to now he was identifying as independent, He needs to formally sign on as member of the party and have senate roll calls reflect his new affiliation. These things matter. You cant have your cake and eat it too.
cosmicone
(11,014 posts)He will use the democrats but not be one of us. Even if it did now, it will be specious. Why didn't he join before?
INdemo
(6,994 posts)Hillary is not a Democrat and probably more of a corporatist than Obama
frylock
(34,825 posts)gooble-gobble
bigwillq
(72,790 posts)Zorra
(27,670 posts)INdemo
(6,994 posts)Debbie Wasserman Shultz should not be the DNC chair. She should have been replaced right after the slaughter Democrats got after midterms.
Debbie Wasserman Shultz is Rahm Emanuel with boobs and a skirt
FSogol
(45,595 posts)are a bad idea? Lets those clowns pare their numbers down. Why sully the Democratic brand, by have debates with proven losers like Santorum, Jindal, and Perry? Why give them notoriety? Why let them mug for one-liners and gotcha points? Why treat them like serious candidates?
It will be like sending the 1927 NY Yankees to play Central Springfield Little League All-Stars.
jeff47
(26,549 posts)The Republican base gets exactly what they want: Santorum all over the podium hurling a mountain of stupid at everyone else. The problem is it will be utterly apparent that the Republicans and their base are idiots, while the Democrats have nothing but good candidates.
The filter that produced McCain and Romney removed most of the insanity from the Republican position before they faced Obama. That made Republicans artificially look good when most people were paying attention.
Let's show everyone the utter insanity and evil that is the Republican party instead of letting them cover it up.
FSogol
(45,595 posts)Why help or give them a target? If it is 10 repubs vs themselves it is chaos. 5 repubs vs Bernie gives them a focused target.
jeff47
(26,549 posts)By the time most people are paying attention, they've buried most of the bullshit.
You don't need to cower in fear from people you can easily defeat.
In addition, it's not like they need the debate format to launch attacks. They'll be doing plenty of that anyway. Let's show everyone just how crazy the Republicans have become.
FSogol
(45,595 posts)yurbud
(39,405 posts)and Democratic candidates like Bernie and O'Malley could show they are the real alternative.
brooklynite
(95,014 posts)...because my comments weren't negative about Bernie. I believe he does think DWS is doing a good job. I think it's some of his supporters who seem to be having a bad reaction.
frylock
(34,825 posts)cosmicone
(11,014 posts)Bernie is a class act and has never attacked Hillary Clinton. He refused to do so even when baited by the media. He has conducted himself as the gentleman of gentlemans. His supporters ... especially here on DU ... quite the opposite.
Many base their opinions on the Iraq war resolution and wall street support without realizing that it is easy to be a politician in Vermont and oppose war while being labeled unpatriotic -- not so much in NY especially if one is a freshman senator.
Also, it is nearly impossible to be a senator from NY and take on Wall Street. No senator, republican or democrat has done it - not even Daniel Patrick Moynihan -- but Hillary is singled out. The only governor who tried to go against wall street was Eliot Spitzer and see what happened to him.
In other words, Bernie, being well-known in Vermont for a long time has no "tough" votes -- he can vote to crucify Jesus all over again and still win an election. That was not the case with Hillary and some understanding of that fact is warranted.
quadrature
(2,049 posts)Bernie would wipe the floor with HRC.
perhaps some type of townhall meeting
where woman's issue are discussed,
with Bernie allowed to attend
brooklynite
(95,014 posts)Or because Hillary can only discuss "women's issues"?
Cheap shots and sexism in one go...
quadrature
(2,049 posts)I have asked that several times.
remember that Pres.Obama has
'Bush was a failure'.
brooklynite
(95,014 posts)...and the plan is to roll out policies during the summer.
whatthehey
(3,660 posts)It is asinine to consider giving up Dem attention and time to the clown car. Anybody interested enough to switch it on and intelligent enough to understand the words already knows the difference betweeen the parties, so why dignify the Carsons and Cruzes with attention and respect they don't deserve.
More debates certainly benefit the lesser-known challengers over HRC, but since no Dem candidate is too likely to have a 47% or Maccaca moment, and the likelihood of an ever-leftward competition for extremism akin to the Republican death spiral of disavowing all science is pretty remote so we won't see our candidates supporting nationalization of hot dog vendors or other such nonsense, I fail to see a drawback in a greater amounter of respectful highly-publicized essentially free infomercials for the Democratic agenda, which is what well-managed primary debates would become.
I certainly feel holding these in deep red states, as well as purple ones, would be an excellent piece of both PR and politics. NYC is safe. Let Dallas and Atlanta get some Dem facetime and spotlight.