This story has been updated.
MSNBC and the New Hampshire Union-Leader will host an unsanctioned Democratic presidential debate just days before the state’s first-in-the-nation primary, the newspaper confirmed Tuesday.
“Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd and MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow will host the Feb. 4 debate, scheduled five days before the state’s primary, BuzzFeed news first reported.
There was no word on whether Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) or former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would participate, but former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley said in a statement he would attend the debate.
Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (D-FL), chair of the Democratic National Committee, has been dogged by criticism over the party’s limited debate schedule, with opponents saying hosting only six debates amounts to a “coronation” for Clinton as the nominee.
Across the aisle, the Republican National Committee has announced a dozen debates so far, with 12 candidates still in the race.
Wasserman-Schultz recently defended the debate schedule in a Jan. 12 interview with Lenny, a newsletter founded by Lena Dunham. She said she was trying to prevent “an explosion of debates” like in the 2008 race, which featured 26 contests, including six head-to-head debates that pitted Barack Obama against Clinton.
BuzzFeed noted DNC rules prevent candidates who participate in unsanctioned debates from participating in the party’s official debates.
Might be okay if they call it a Town Hall. Won’t work as a debate if only one to zero people show up.
Didn’t the Union Leader endorse Christie ? This may as well be a Republican hit job with Chuck Toad being the moderator.
With Rachel Maddow as co-moderator, it might be worth tuning in. Why Chuck Todd, though?
Rachel will be moderating? Now it’s worth watching just for that.
poor chuckles… both of his programs are disasters ratings wise… meanwhile, rachel has been killing it – and getting major (well deserved) props for bringing attention to the flint, michigan story, that would have remained a local one had she not given it attention.
msnbc counting on rachel to bring the ratings, and hopefully giving a boost to chuckles. ain’t gonna work. no one likes him.