DNC planning primary debates for Hillary

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) says she’s still planning for primary debates, in expectation of a challenge to presidential contender Hillary Clinton.

“I expect the voters who believe we should have a Democratic primary will get their wish,” Wasserman Schultz told C-SPAN’s “Newsmakers” during a video interview from Manchester, N.H.

Party officials were thus mapping out a “series of sanctioned debates that we expect our presidential candidates to participate in,” she added.

{mosads}Wasserman Schultz said she had already spoken with Clinton, the clear Democratic frontrunner, and other likely candidates about a possible primary down the road.

Clinton, who announced her run last Sunday, remains the only official Democratic candidate. A number of others though have said they are weighing a run.

The DNC chairwoman mentioned Vice President Biden, former Gov. Martin O’Malley (Md.), former Sen. Jim Webb (Va.) and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chaffee as other likely contenders.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), she added, would be a welcome entrant provided he switched party affiliations for the primary.

Wasserman Schultz was in New Hampshire scouting the GOP’s field of 2016 candidates. Most of the likely Republican contenders are visiting the Granite State this weekend.

Wasserman Schultz blasted the GOP field as a “clown car” on Friday, with special ire for her former Florida governor, Jeb Bush (R).

“He has absolutely no interest in working with anyone who didn’t share his opinion,” Wasserman Schultz said of her time spent working with the “inflexible” and “unreasonable” Bush.

Bush has yet to publicly declare his White House hopes. If he does, he will join Sens. Ted Cruz (Texas), Rand Paul (Ky.) and Marco Rubio (Fla.), who have announced their bids.