Sanders calls for bipartisan presidential debates

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is itching to debate Hillary Rodham Clinton — and some Republicans, too.

The Associated Press notes that the Democratic presidential contender is proposing that the 2016 primary debates begin as soon as July. And, in a twist, he'd like Republicans in the mix.

But that's not the plan. The Democratic Party says it will hold six presidential primary debates with its candidates, beginning in the fall. The first Republican debate will be in August.

 

Sanders said this morning on NBC's "Meet the Press" that "we need a lot more debates in this campaign."

To be sure, Sunday's morning news shows were something of a cross-party debating society of their own. Nine declared or likely presidential candidates appeared on the network programs.

 

Over at Raw Story, Eric W. Dolan recently mused about what a debate between Sanders and Republican Sen. Rand Paul would look like:

"The libertarian-leaning Paul and progressive Sanders actually share some common ground. Both senators, for instance, oppose the NSA’s mass surveillance of American’s telephone records. They both also support softening the nation’s drug laws. Neither of them are happy about America’s prison population — the highest in the world.

"But the two couldn’t be further apart when it comes to health care, taxes, net neutrality, welfare and a host of other issues."