Hillary Clinton told ABC in an interview published Monday morning that she would participate in a debate hosted by the network’s morning program “Good Morning America” to air on April 15.
“I want a debate,” Clinton told host George Stephanopoulos. “I’m confident that we can work out a time to do that.”
Clinton said something similar on an appearance on “Meet The Press” on Sunday.
Clinton’s campaign has sparred recently with the campaign Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as the campaigns attempt to reach an agreement for a debate in New York ahead of the state’s primary.
“‘GMA’ offered a debate during ‘GMA’ on Friday the 15th. I’ll be there,” Clinton said. “I think it’s a great opportunity to reach an audience that may not always be able because of other obligations to tune in to debates.”
The Sanders campaign had not accepted the invitation as of press time.
Watch an excerpt, via ABC:
So now what’s the Sanders campaign gonna whine about? Too early in the morning? Conflicts with Mrs. Sanders getting their tax records ready to share? Or what?
Not that I have a horse in this race, but if I were Sanders, I’d be pointing out the problem, with at least the optics, of Hilary Clinton accepting a solution from a former whizkid of Bill Clinton’s successful campaign(s).
Ball’s in your court, Bernie.
Actually, to prove his independence, Stephanopoulos will probably be tougher on Clinton–not less tough–than another moderator. And George and the Clintons had a famous falling out after he left the White House. So if this is Bernie’s excuse, it’s a pretty lame one. And Clinton is right: it’s a different audience. Why not mix it up–instead of the same format again and again? I’m not actually sure this plays to Clinton’s strengths–as I think she’s a stronger conventional debater than a View kinda gal. But I think it’s pretty hard for Bernie to not show up—and then claim he got stiffed for a debate.
Favoritism was not very much in evidence in 2008, as I recall.