Clinton accepts three debate invitations

Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton on Monday night said she will attend all three general election debates, in which she will square off against Donald Trump.

{mosads}“Secretary Clinton looks forward to participating in all three presidential debates scheduled by the independent debate commission,” John Podesta, Clinton’s campaign chairman, said in a statement.

“With so much at stake in the fall elections, she believes these debates will provide the American people with an important opportunity to hear from the candidates on issues critical to the country’s future.”

Podesta took aim at Trump in his statement, saying it’s uncertain whether the GOP nominee will follow through and debate the former secretary of State.

“The only issue now is whether Donald Trump is going to show up to debate at the date, times, places and formats set by the commission last year through a bipartisan process,” Podesta said. “We will accept the commission’s invitation and expect Donald Trump to do the same.”

The three debates are scheduled for Sept. 26 at Hofstra University in New York, Oct. 9 at Washington University in St. Louis and Oct. 19 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Late last month, Trump tweeted his opposition to the debate schedule, saying Clinton and the Democratic Party are “rigging” the debates by holding them on nights that coincide with two major NFL games.

The first debate in September falls on the same night as a game between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints. The other, on Oct. 9, airs during a game between the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers.