Washington • The Democratic National Committee unveiled plans Thursday to hold six presidential debates starting this fall, with the first scheduled for Oct. 13 in Nevada.
With Republicans focusing on their first debate Thursday in Cleveland, Democrats released plans for a far-less-crowded schedule.
So far, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee are scheduled to participate in the officially sanctioned forums.
Vice President Joe Biden's staff has been kept informed about the scheduling but has not committed to attending.
Recent conversations between Biden associates and Democratic donors and operatives have led to speculation that Biden might challenge Clinton, though he has not announced a decision to his staff or said publicly whether he plans to run.
"There's always room for the sitting vice president if he chooses to run," said DNC Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. "In fact, there's room for anyone at this point."
Four debates are scheduled in early primary states before the Iowa caucuses Feb. 1, a number considered too few by candidates challenging Clinton. .Dates for the final two gatherings, planned for Wisconsin and Miami, have not been set, but the panel said they will be held in February or March.
In addition to the October forum, debates will be held Nov. 14 in Des Moines, Iowa; Dec. 19 in Manchester, N.H., and Jan. 17 in Charleston, S.C.
FILE - In this July 31, 2015 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. speaks in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Democratic National Committee unveiled plans on Thursday to hold six presidential debates starting this fall, with the first scheduled for Oct. 13 in Nevada. So far, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Sanders, former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley, former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee are scheduled to participate in the officially sanctioned forums.(AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)
FILE - In this July 31, 2015 file photo, Democratic presidential candidate, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton in Miami. The Democratic National Committee unveiled plans on Thursday to hold six presidential debates starting this fall, with the first scheduled for Oct. 13 in Nevada. So far, Clinton, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley, former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee are scheduled to participate in the officially sanctioned forums. (AP Photo/Gaston De Cardenas, File)
