Last week the RNC put forward an idea for monthly presidential debates, with participation coupled with fundraising events for the RNC and access to the RNC field and donor database for the candidates. Jonathan Martin is reporting that three potential GOP campaigns aren't enamored with this idea:
The aides said the plan - under which the RNC would determine the format and moderators for each of their approved forums - would take too much power out of the hands of the candidates and likely add more debates to a calendar already stocked with them.The last line is really interesting, but it draws out the obvious: Republican campaigns don't want to have to stand in public and be grilled on their ideas, neither by debate moderators nor each other. It's also curious for campaigns to be so quick to reject partnership with the RNC. I guess no one wants to turn over party stewardship to Reince Priebus after all...
“This is a matter that should be left to the campaigns,” said a staffer to one likely hopeful. “The RNC should be focused on Democrats and Obama. The ownership over this belongs to the campaigns. We can work with one another to come to an agreement.”
An adviser to a second probable candidate called the party’s proposal “well-intentioned” but “misguided.”
“It will not rectify the concerns campaigns have expressed over the debate process as it will increase the number of debates,” said the adviser. “It seems like there are easier ways to help the RNC with its financial condition.”
A representative of a third campaign added: “It would contradict the idea of having less debates.