By splitting the Democratic presidential field’s top-tier candidates into two groups and dividing them evenly across two stages for the year’s first primary debates, the DNC had hoped to avoid a repeat of the GOP's “kiddie table” spectacle of 2016
Most candidates, if not all, had hoped to draw a lectern alongside Biden or Sanders, eager to draft off the early frontrunners’ stature — and to emphasize their own contrasts with them.“Everybody wants to be on stage with the frontrunners,” said Doug Herman, a Democratic strategist.
Appearing on the second night with four of the top-five polling candidates — notably Biden and Sanders, two white men in their mid-to-late 70s — could also allow Harris, 54, to stand out as a comparatively younger woman who falls somewhere between the two on ideological lines. One Democratic official described it as the “goldilocks theory”: not too liberal, but given her support for Medicare for all and the Green New Deal, not a moderate in the mold of Biden, either.
Jesse Ferguson, a former Hillary Clinton spokesman, said that regardless of who is on stage, the first night will attract interest from people who are only beginning to make decisions about the election.On the other hand, candidates debating on the second night will have had a full day to digest what any of their competitors say on the first night — and will have the opportunity to respond to them.
But the Democratic primary has still been defined far more by candidates’ criticism of President Donald Trump than of any other Democrat. And to the extent that the primary is a contest to determine which candidate is best prepared to confront the Republican president in a general election, staging in a primary debate may prove less consequential.
But staging concerns are largely outside of candidates’ control. The placement of candidates on each stage is expected to be based on polling and announced closer to the debate. Part of that demand will be satisfied by Trump, who is widely expected to tweet about the debates as they unfold. But the candidates who missed out on the debates have an opportunity to engage, as well.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Here’s Who Will Be Debating Each Night Of The First 2020 Democratic DebateThe debates will be on NBC on June 26 and 27.
Read more »
Here’s Who Will and Won’t Get to Face Joe Biden in the First 2020 Democratic DebateREUTERSNBC has determined which 2020 Democratic candidates will appear with each other on the Miami stage later this month for the first Democratic National Committee debate.According to a source in the room, the network broke down the two-night contest this way: One night will feature the “Purple” group
Read more »
Who's Officially Qualified for the 2020 Democratic Debates?Here's who made the cut
Read more »
2020 Democratic candidates set to clash as NBC officially sets debate lineupsNEW: Lineups for the first Democratic primary debates released, officially setting the stage for the first direct clash among the crowded field of candidates.
Read more »