We don't want to talk about it!!!
Foreword: No you didn't miss Volumes 2, 3 or 4. Since I didn't write about the first four 2008 debates, I started this series with Volume 1 which was really for the fifth debate, which I found confusing. So I decided to start numbering the series according to the debate we are celebrating. As a good friend of mine often said: "Clear as mud, but it covers the ground", whatever the hell that means? You can find
Volume 1 5 here.
With that said, welcome to the 8th anniversary of the 6th 2008 Democratic Presidential Debate!!! Yeehaw! Those were the good 'ol days!
Way back in 2008 we had a total of 26 Democratic Presidential Debates, with the first debate commencing on April 26, 2007.
This edition is a very special one indeed!! As you all know the DNC has tentatively approved 6, yes six, total debates for the 2016 cycle. If this were 2008, this would be the last primary debate of the cycle!
It's now Aug 4th, 2015 and this is the current 2016 Democratic Presidential Debate Schedule.
Yep, that's right the number of those 6 debates that are currently scheduled with dates, time, locations and sponsors is... Wait for it... Zero!!! Nada, zilch, zip, nix, nill, null, none, nothing, not even diddly-squat!
And here we are, the day after the first Republican "Forum" and just 2 days away from the first Republican Primary debate of the season(grab your popcorn) and the first Democratic debate hasn't even been scheduled!!! Way to go Debbie Wassermann Schultz!!! Debbie, you're doing a heckuva job!™
And our good friend, Debbie Wassermann Schultz, still hasn't explained that whole threshold thingy the DNC has planned to limit who can actually get on our debate stage. DNC Chair Says Candidates Must Meet 'Threshold' For Debates, Though Criteria And Dates Still Unclear.
If you're wondering why these aren't scheduled, you're not alone. In fact, people way back on May 6th, 2015 were already pondering the reasons why. We had a lively discussion in a diary published by me on July 17th, DNC Accused of Rigging Debate Schedule to Benefit Hillary Clinton. Lively indeed!! Some agreed, some disagreed... But time goes on.
I hope I don't have to keep writing this series, but according to the 2008 Democratic Presidential Debate Schedule, it looks like I'll have to write at least a couple more because in 2007, debate number 7 occurred on August 7th, followed by number 8 on August 9th and yet another, number 9, on August 19th. Let's hope we have our first debate firmly scheduled before September 1st since back in September of 2007, debates 10, 11, 12 and 13 were held.
For those interested and want to make sure they have enough popcorn on hand, here is the 2016 Republican Primary Debate Schedule. Be careful with the drinking games. When deciding words to use for "take a shot", be sure to avoid things like "Obamacare", "repeal", "Iran", "immigration", "jobs", "boots on the ground", "ISIS", "religious freedom" and a new one I learned last night at the forum, "cartel". We don't want to lose any Democratic voters due to alcohol poisoning!
I do however, think it would be safe to use the phrase "income inequality" or the name "Bernie Sanders" for "chug the rest of the bottle". I think it's a safe bet you won't hear either of those trickle down the lips of any of the clowns. I also don't think you'll hear the phrase "Jeb! Swag Shop™" again, but we'll need to wait for the debate to see if he's courageous enough to bring that up again!
We have right to hear our candidates discuss the issues and debate them in a forum open to all voters. Follow me over the fold for some action items and a poll.
If you're as disgusted about the non-existent debate schedule as I am, here are few links you can use to contact the DNC, Debbie Wassermann Schultz and a few more to petitions you can add your name to.
You can reach the DNC at their website Democratic National Committee
You can find the email address for Debbie Wasserman Schultz here.
Credo debate schedule petition, Tell the Democratic National Committee: Let the Candidates debate!
There is also a change.org petition you can sign Give Senator Bernie Sanders a Fair Chance by Increasing Number of Sanctioned Debates
And no, I never did receive a response from the DNC or Debbie Wassermann Schultz on my request for information on the debates. I guess they don't want to talk about. Apparently, they don't want our candidates talking about it either!