Democrats are moving quickly to address problems faced by both parties in the last presidential campaign concerning early-stage debates. But whether the DNC’s new ideas will meaningfully improve the process is, at best, debatable.
Four years ago Republicans struggled with too many candidates, while Democrats had too few debates and scheduled some in undesirable weekend slots. This time, Democrats will hold debates early and often, beginning on successive weeknights this June. A lottery will divide the field, with as many as 10 participants going the first night and an equal number the next.
Also new: dual pathways for qualification. A candidate must either reach 1 percent in three national polls or collect at least $65,000 from 200 donors in 20 different states. The DNC says the rules will evolve further over the course of what will be dozens of debates.
