#AllowDebate Rally at DNC Headquarters   ... back >
Sept. 16, 2015 - Dozens of disgruntled Democrats, who have been pushing DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz to sanction more debates than the six currently planned (+), rallied in front of DNC headquarters.  Former Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-MD) has been a leading advocate for more debates, and several of his senior campaign staff attended the rally, as did supporters of Bernie Sanders.  Jonathan Mann even composed a little ditty for #AllowDebate:

Hey, Debbie Wasserman Schultz
We're gonna call and protest until we get results
Only 6 debates, we think that's whack
We think there ought to be at least triple that

Republicans held their second debate this evening, while the Democrats' first debate is not scheduled to occur until October 13.
O'Malley for President campaign manager David Hamrick addressed the rally.
A supporter of Bernie Sanders addressed the rally.
The DNC's Emily Gottschalk-Marconi accepted petitions.
Howard Park, an O'Malley supporter, brought a Hillary Clinton cutout with the message: "Please - let me talk about something besides old emails.  ALLOW DEBATE."  Park met O'Malley in 1983 in Iowa when they were helping out on Sen. Gary Hart's Iowa caucus campaign.  In 2003 he was grassroots campaign director of DC4Clark, which sought to bring Gen. Wesley Clark into the 2004 race.
About #AllowDebate

Allow Debate is a grassroots group of volunteer Democrats and Independents that does not endorse any specific candidate. We are pushing for the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to drop the unprecedented, undemocratic exclusion rule which bans candidates from participating in any debates other than the 6 sanctioned by the DNC.

Allowing all candidates to extensively debate the issues provides the public with clear and comparative information to help inform the upcoming primary vote. There are several critical reasons why we demand the DNC allow debates:

  • - Debates enable candidates to bring their message and viewpoints to the general public.
  • - More debates will allow the strongest candidate to emerge from the Democratic Party.
  • - More debates will give candidates more opportunities to improve their platform and will help them prepare for the general debates.
  • - Earlier debates will allow voters in New York the chance to see a debate before they must register for primary voting (currently, primary voting registration ends October 9th; the first debate is scheduled October 13th).
  • - More debates will allow voters from early primary states to see more than 4 debates before they must choose a candidate. 
  • - More debates will allow Democratic candidates to respond to the absurd ideas and fallacies espoused by Republican candidates.
  • - More debates will enable the Democrats to frame the issues as the general election approaches. 
It is imperative that the Democratic National Committee lift the exclusivity clause for Democratic candidates. If the debate schedule remains unchanged, the Democratic Party will lose momentum, votes, and possibly the White House.
The RNC had a bit of fun with the rally...
Republican National Committee
September 16, 2015

Media Advisory: #AllowDebate Rally at DNC Headquarters

WASHINGTON — On Wednesday, September 16, Democrats will protest the DNC’s debate schedule designed to protect Hillary Clinton, who is now behind in the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary. Democrat presidential candidates Martin O’Malley and Bernie Sanders have both called for adding more debates as have two DNC vice chairs. Details are as follows:
 
WHO:
Democrats Angry At The DNC’s Debate Favoritism    
   
WHAT: #AllowDebate Rally
   
WHEN:  Today, Wednesday, September 16, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM (ET)
   
WHERE: DNC Headquarters
430 South Capitol Street Southeast
Washington, DC 20003
   
CONTACT:  DNC Press Shop (202-863-8148) 
 
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