Clinton open to more debates

by Jordain Carney - 09/05/15 5:40 PM ET

Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton on Saturday suggested she’s open to more presidential debates, amid pushback from her competitors about the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) light schedule.

“I am open to whatever the DNC decides to set up. That’s their decision,” she said during a stop in New Hampshire. “I debated a lot in 2008 and I would certainly be there with lots of enthusiasm and energy if they decide to add more debates, and I think that’s the message that a lot of people are sending their way.”

{mosads}Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), both of whom are competing with Clinton for the party’s presidential nomination, have criticized the DNC for only setting up six primary debates and barring candidates from participating in outside debates.

That’s roughly one-quarter of the number offered during the 2008 primary, and half of the number expected for Republican candidates this cycle. DNC Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) has defended the debate schedule as sufficient.

O’Malley’s campaign quickly pounced on Clinton’s comments. John Bivona, the New Hampshire state director for O’Malley for President, said that “it is time for Chairwoman Wasserman-Schultz and the Democratic National Committee to take themselves out of this process and end the unprecedented exclusivity rule.”

Tags Debbie Wasserman Schultz Hillary Clinton