Clinton campaign declines invitation to California debate
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton meets with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) members at the union’s 2016 International Convention, Monday, May 23, 2016, in Detroit.
WASHINGTON >> Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton on Monday declined an invitation from Fox News to participate in a debate with rival Bernie Sanders in California before that state’s June 7 primary.
Clinton and Sanders are competing aggressively in California as primaries wrap up.
But Clinton is close to getting the delegates she needs to seal the nomination. Sanders says he has a chance to pass her in pledged delegates, though he admits he faces tough odds. Then he would have to persuade many superdelegates to switch their support to him.
Campaign spokeswoman Jennifer Palmieri said Clinton will compete hard in the remaining primary states, particularly California, while also turning her attention to presumptive GOP nominee Donald Trump.
“We believe that Hillary Clinton’s time is best spent campaigning and meeting directly with voters across California and preparing for a general election campaign that will ensure the White House remains in Democratic hands,” Palmieri said.
Clinton’s decision was quickly criticized by Sanders.
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“I am disappointed but not surprised by Secretary Clinton’s unwillingness to debate before the largest and most important primary in the presidential nominating process,” he said in a statement.
“Democracy, and respect for the voters of California, would suggest that there should be a vigorous debate in which the voters may determine whose ideas they support,” he said. “I hope Secretary Clinton reconsiders her unfortunate decision to back away from her commitment to debate.”
Bill Sammon, Fox News vice president and Washington managing editor, said the decision was unfortunate.
“Naturally, Fox News is disappointed that Secretary Clinton has declined our debate invitation,” he said, “especially given that the race is still contested and she had previously agreed to a final debate before the California primary.”
15 responses to “Clinton campaign declines invitation to California debate”
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What’s the front runner afraid of?
It’s long been understood as a tenet of political campaign strategy that a front-runner (no matter what the party affiliation) has very little to gain and a lot to lose by accepting an invitation to debate other candidates.
It’s also long been understood that shying away from debate shows weakness.
Absolutely. This is the time to show strength despite sagging support.
AND look back in history when the same hiLIARy wanted to debate frontrunner O! lol
(My very favorite example of an ill-advised debate though was the first Nixon-Kennedy debate. Nobody told Dick that his face was not TV friendly and the series of four televised debates influenced the decisions of quite a few voters by making a rather obscure Kennedy emerge as a serious threat to the incumbent VP. (not to mention the entertainment value of the William F. Buckley v. Gore Vidal WWF-style commentary match up.))
(Uh Oh, it seems that the SA’s content-filtering tool would prefer that I refer to the former President as Mr. Nixon or Richard even though he often referred to himself in his campaign literature using the diminutive that I wrote. Sorry 🙂 )
bernie sanders: ” “I am disappointed but not surprised by Secretary Clinton’s unwillingness to debate before the largest and most important primary in the presidential nominating process,” ”
pagliano awarded immunity from prosecution and immediately cooperates with the f.b.i. in the criminal investigation into hiliar’s felony use of a private server to process classified information from the state department.
lazar about to be awarded immunity from prosecution and is anticipated to cooperate with the f.b.i. in its criminal investigation of hiliar’s felony use of an unsecured email system to process classified information from the state department.
bill’s numerous fantasy flights aboard epstein’s pleasure plane to carribean islands.
disappointed, but not surprised.
She is reneging on an agreement to debate before the California primary. One more example that shows she cannot be trusted.
Please explain that to Cellodad.
All I said (and speaking as neither a Repub or Demo) is that it’s generally not advantageous to a front-runner to accept a debate offer. (recall: the election of 1960) Actually, I don’t like Hillary, Donald, or Bernie very much as my next President. nor Larry, Moe, or Curly.
They agreed to the debate.
No more debates already because you hear the same thing over and over in each debate. Clinton better hit the trail hard and not take anything for granted like she is now otherwise Sanders is going to pass her at the convention. She should concentrate on Sanders first before going after Trump.
Yes, Hilly is sinking fast. She might get a surprise come the convention. Too much baggage.
Mrs. Clinton and her handlers are nervous and rightfully so. Sanders continues to be a thorn in her side and she’s a lousy candidate. She comes off as angry, condescending, defensive and phony. Unlike her silver tongued spouse she is not a born politician. That being said the Clinton machine is not to be underestimated. When the general election comes her supporters will be busy busing voters to the polls thanking them for their support with a pack of smokes or a $5 dollar bill. Taking advantage of states that do not have voter ID requirements, illegals voting, etc. Not ot mention unions leaning on their members to vote democrat to keep the US treasury gravy train rolling.