Democrats interrupt party chair to demand more presidential debates

Activists Saturday repeatedly interrupted Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, R-Fla., chair of the Democratic National Committee, to demand that she add more presidential debates to the party’s schedule.

Chants of “more debates!” and “we want debates!” rang out from many of the estimated 4,000 people gathered at the New Hampshire Democratic Party convention in Manchester.

Wasserman Schultz tried to press on despite the interruptions, though she did show some frustration. “My friends, what’s more important, drawing a contrast with Republicans or arguing about debates?” she said. “Let’s focus on our mission and on our task at hand. Enough is enough.”

Wasserman Schultz has insisted she will cap the schedule at six debates during the nominating process and will bar candidates who participate in unsanctioned debates from participating in the party’s own events. “We’re having six debates period,” she said last week. “We’re not changing the process.”

Supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders, D-Vt., an independent seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination, led the cheers, but supporters of former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley and even of Hillary Clinton, who is seen by the other candidates as the least receptive to more debates, also joined in.

(c)2015 Bloomberg News

Visit Bloomberg News at www.bloomberg.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.