The Hill: "MSNBC, NH newspaper to hold unsanctioned Dem debate" on February 4

[Empowerer]

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/267072-report-nbc-nh-newspaper-to-hold-unsanctioned-dem-debate

[hrmjustin]

1. Good!

[nolabear]

2. Rachel and Chuck Todd are moderating!

I'm no Todd fan but I'm thrilled to see Rachel there. She's been working this like crazy.

[MoonRiver]

6. At first I thought you must be referring to Todd's wife (whose name I don't know).

But, no worries, I figured it out!

[nolabear]

13. Hah! It does sound that way. I imagine everybody knows "Rachel".

[NCTraveler]

3. That would be exciting after Iowa.

I would like to see a little more. If I called the O'Malley campaign and told them I was going to have an open house, they would pen me in and show up. Obviously a little over the top but it's one of the things I really like about him.

[libdem4life]

4. What a terrible fate..."unsanctioned". I see a trend in the making. You can only use that

word if there's an establishment "sanction"...yes DWS, that would include you.

Looks like you'll be out of two jobs soon. Thankfully, there is the socialist program called Unemployment Income. Now, it's not "fair", as I understand it, as the States control it. So for your sake, hope Florida is one of the more generous states.

Then there is the possibility of "What if someone called a sanctioned debate and nobody came?"

[Hortensis]

5. Great! Some Bernie supporters

seem upset after the town hall, in which Bermie did quite well. I was pleased with all 3 candidates and proud that they were ours.

My only guess is that they hoped Bernie would do so outstandingly great, and Hillary so unusually poorly, that he
Would be catapulted upward to national applause in time for Iowa 5 days from now.

Whatever. I'm one of those who feel unrealistic expectations must inevitably lead to outsize and unreasonable disappointment -- even when he's actually doing well-- but, oh well.

Here's another chance for Bernie. I do really believe he deserves respect for his impressive achievements, instead of angry excuses for not working near miracles on demand. He's working extremely hard to come through for you. Try not to let HIM down next time?

[winter is coming]

12. What a steaming pantload. n/t

[askew]

7. So far O'Malley is the only candidate willing to attend.

I would hope that Bernie and Hillary agree.

[morningfog]

8. Of the three, how many will risk the DNC sanction for violating

the exclusivity clause?

Will the DNC enforce the clause against the candidates who attend? All three?

[Buns_of_Fire]

9. Of the three, it'll only take two to thumb their noses at Little Debbie,

since the third would look pretty stupid standing out there all by their lonesome.

MOM's already accepted, so it'll only take Bernie and/or Hillary...

Ah, but there's the rub. I wouldn't bet that either one is willing to risk the Wrath of Wasserman. We'll see, I guess.

[DefenseLawyer]

10. The only thing Sanders can do is say he'll go if Hillary goes.

Otherwise it's a trick bag. If he says no, Clinton accepts and calls him a coward; if he says yes, Clinton declines and says he went back on his word on the agreed debate schedule.

[Buns_of_Fire]

11. ...and I doubt Clinton is inclined to cross the DNC, so you're probably right.

It would be nice to see DWS taken down a peg or two, though.