DNC chief ‘thrilled’ by GOP debates

Anne Wernikoff

Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) predicted on Wednesday that the second GOP presidential debate will help her party by alienating voters.

{mosads}“I am actually thrilled at the voters across America being able to see the 16 Republican candidates in the food fight they’ll engage in tonight,” she said on MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports.”

“[They’ll] be doubling-down on extremism,” she added.

“[They’ll be] alienating immigrants to this country who simply come to make a better life for themselves,” Wasserman Schultz said. “Alienating women by suggesting we’re providing too much healthcare funding for them and wanting to take away quality, affordable healthcare for all Americans.”

Wasserman Schultz’s remarks come as the GOP prepares for its second televised debate Wednesday evening.

She also dismissed criticism that her own party’s presidential contenders lack the visibility of their Republican counterparts.

“We are going to have plenty of time for our candidates to be seen in many different forums without spreading them so thin,” Wasserman Schultz said, comparing the 2008 election cycle’s 26 events to next year’s six.

“Our initial focus in the primary states is on making sure the retail politics can really be robust,” she said.

“Every time a candidate has to engage and get ready for a debate they have to come off the trail,” Wasserman Schultz added.

“That means that they are not going to get as much of a chance to be seen up close and personal by the voters.”

The DNC’s 2016 presidential debate schedule is dividing the party into two halves.

Critics argue that it prevents the lesser-known competitors from getting equal exposure before voters. Supporters counter that the current schedule saves the DNC valuable time and resources.

Both Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Gov. Martin O’Malley have said that the present schedule tips the scales for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the Democratic front-runner.

Tags Debbie Wasserman Schultz GOP debate

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