It looked like the Democratic candidates had a schedule and debate in Wisconsin on February 11, 2016, which would have been broadcast on PBS. Now there is news that the New Hampshire Union Leader announced last Tuesday, saying that it will partner with MSNBC to host a Democratic debate much earlier. This is what is currently known about the Next Democratic Debate Possible New Start Time, Channel (MSNBC), How to Watch Online and Livestream.
According to NBC News, Hillary Clinton called on Bernie Sanders to join a proposed Democratic debate in New Hampshire next week, and told MSNBC's Chris Matthews that she is "anxious" to make the debate happen. She wants the Democratic National Committee (DNC) to sanction this debate, and NBC and the New Hampshire Union Leader newspaper announced on Tuesday the proposed sponsoring a debate on February 4th, two days before the Republicans are scheduled their next debate on ABC.
Both Clinton and Martin O'Malley said that they want this unsanctioned debate, but Bernie Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver has said he is not interested, and that "The DNC has said it is not going to sanction any more debates until after February 9th. We look forward to working with the DNC and the other campaigns to schedule a series of debates to follow those currently scheduled. Our position will be that there should be at least three or four more".
According to the Washington Post, Weaver has also said that the moves from Hillary Clinton might be politically motivated, saying: "Now she is asking to change the rules and ask for a debate next week that is not sanctioned by the DNC. Why is that? The answer is obvious. The dynamics of the race have changed and Senator Sanders has significant momentum."
According to CNN Money, the DNC has an "exclusivity clause" which says that any candidate who participates in an unsanctioned debate will be excluded from one of the official six, and four have already taken place. The DNC then said last Tuesday that "We have no plans to sanction any further debates before the upcoming First in the Nation caucuses and primary, but will reconvene with our campaigns after those two contests to review our schedule."
If this debate occurs (and it looks like it is more of a question of when on February 4), it will be occur five days before New Hampshire voters go to the polls. The Union Leader states that the event upholds a longstanding tradition and will be the Democratic presidential candidates' only face-to-face debate after the Iowa caucuses and before the first-in-the-nation primary.
Should the debate end up being on February 4th, then it will be moderated by Meet the Press host Chuck Todd and MSNBC anchor Rachel Madow, and will include questions from local reporters live on MSNBC sometime during prime time viewing times. At this point in time, it is too early to say at when the start time is, as well as live streaming or how to watch online.
