DNC sets primary debate schedule, accused of ‘rigging’ process

The Democratic National Committee on Thursday released its schedule for six presidential primary debates that will start in October, sparking a sharp rebuke from candidates and Democratic-allied groups frustrated that the plan is set up to favor Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who previously threatened of punish candidates or media outlets that break from the schedule, said that a fall start in and fewer debates would be good for candidates, voters and the party.

The first four debates will occur one per month in early-voting states: Nevada in October, Iowa in November, New Hampshire in December and South Carolina in January.

The final two debates are tentatively scheduled for sometime in February or March in Florida and Wisconsin.

Sen. Bernard Sanders, a Vermont independent and avowed socialist who has emerged as Mrs. Clinton’s chief rival for the Democratic nomination, said that he was “disappointed, but not surprised, by the debate schedule.”

“At a time when many Americans are demoralized about politics and have given up on the political process, I think it’s imperative that we have as many debates as possible — certainly more than six,” he said. “I look forward to working with the DNC to see if we can significantly expand the proposed debate schedule.”

The scheduled also drew fire from the campaign of former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, a long-shot contender for the 2016 Democratic nomination who has been an outspoken critic of the party’s manipulation of the debates.

“Rather than giving the appearance of rigging the process and cutting off debate, the DNC should take themselves out of the process,” Bill Hyers, a senior strategist for the O’Malley campaign, said in a statement.

“They should let individual and truly independent news, political, and community organizations create their own debates and allow the Democratic candidates for President to participate,” he said. “There is a long, proud tradition of voters in early states like Iowa and New Hampshire getting to hear early and often from candidates for President — the DNC schedule kills that tradition, and we shouldn’t stand for it.”

Mr. Hyers also said the DNC had made the debate process “less democratic.”

“The schedule they have proposed does not give voters — nationally, and especially in early states — ample opportunity to hear from the Democratic candidates for President. If anything, it seems geared toward limiting debate and facilitating a coronation, not promoting a robust debate and primary process,” Mr. Hyers said.

Mrs. Wasserman Schultz said the schedule ensures caucus-goers and primary voters will get to hear from the candidates, and offers the candidates a platform to highlight the contrast between the middle-class values of the Democratic Party and the “out of touch and out of date policies” of the GOP.

But the schedule also got a thumbs down from Ilya Sheyman, executive director of MoveOn.org Political Action, which is one of the liberal groups that have been skeptical of Mrs. Clinton.

“Voters need vigorous debate on issues. Proposed DNC schedule fails the test, would hurt party, nominee & country. Back to the drawing board,” Mr. Sheyman tweeted.

The Democratic debates will proceed in the following order:

• Oct. 13 in Nevada hosted by CNN;

• Nov. 14 in Des Moines, Iowa, hosted by CBS/KCCI/Des Moines Register;

• Dec. 19 in Manchester, New Hampshire, hosted by ABC/WMUR;

• Jan. 17 in Charleston, South Carolina, hosted by NBC/Congressional Black Caucus Institute;

• February or March in Miami hosted by Univision/Washington Post;

• February or March in Wisconsin hosted by PBS.