The Republican National Committee’s push to limit the number of debates in the 2016 presidential primary could end up creating an arms race of sorts, with groups denied the chance to hold “official” debates instead hosting candidate forums that would serve much the same purpose.
Even as groups ponder how to handle the RNC’s new dictate, which will be formalized in the coming weeks, potential candidates say they’re open to participating in forums outside of the officially sanctioned debates, saying they are crucial to giving voters the chance to test their would-be nominees.
“Twenty-plus debates may have been a bit much last cycle, but I think it is critical that there are enough debates to ensure each prospective candidate has an opportunity to explain their vision for our nation and speak beyond just talking points, canned answers and TV ads,” said former Sen. Rick Santorum. “Just as I was last cycle, I am a supporter of substantive candidate forums. This is not something that traditional debates with 1-minute answers and 30-second rebuttals allow. Voters deserve to hear who the candidate is as a person, what they believe and the direction they hope to take our nation.”
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