Fox News is trying to sweeten the pot to get the Democratic presidential debate in California by offering Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, and the DNC any weeknight they want, excluding Friday or Saturday nights, for the California debate.
In a statement provided to PoliticusUSA, VP and Washington Managing Editor of Fox News said, “Fox News has suggested several debate venues in California to the Democratic National Committee and both candidates. We are also offering a variety of dates, being careful to exclude Friday and Saturday nights, per the agreement between the DNC and candidates. Fox will release further debate details as appropriate, given that only one of the two candidates has accepted our debate invitation so far.â€
Fox News really wants this debate. Bernie Sanders really wants this debate. Hillary Clinton is a lock to win the Democratic nomination, so the Clinton campaign probably isn’t big on the idea of another debate.
One has to wonder what purpose a Democratic debate before the California primary would serve. It would provide an evening of early summer entertainment, and putting the debate on Fox News would provide enough intrigue to deliver a near record rating, but the debate wouldn’t change anything.
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Hillary Clinton will clinch the Democratic nomination on June 7. The proportional delegate allocation system has already taken care of this eventuality. If Sanders had won New York, Pennsylvania, or both, the conversation would be different.
Fox is pulling out all of the stops to land the debate, but it is up in the air whether or not there will be a debate. The safe bet is that the final Democratic debate never happens, and Fox News gets offered some kind of a town hall.
Fox News made the potential final debate a real possibility, and they are trying everything to close the deal.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
