Other Dem candidates get 6 debates to challenge Clinton

LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Democratic National Committee has sanctioned six presidential primary debates, giving long-shot candidates chances to challenge front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton before television audiences.

The DNC said today that each of the four states that hold an early primary or caucus will host a debate: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina. The location of the other two debates was not announced. The first debate will take place this fall.

DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, a Florida congresswoman, said the debate schedule would give Democratic voters "multiple opportunities to size up the candidates for the nomination side-by-side" and allow the party to present its vision "no matter whom our nominee may be."

The DNC plan appears aimed at striking a balance between an interest in holding multiple debates and preventing the debate schedule from becoming unmanageable for the candidates. Republicans have scheduled nine primary debates. The Republican National Committee is having its first debate in August in Cleveland, where the party will hold its 2016 convention.

For Democrats, it remains unclear how many candidates will be on the stage. Clinton is seen as the leading contender for the nomination and looks to have few primary challengers.