United States

Candidates will have 60 seconds to answer questions and 30 seconds to respond to follow-ups. And there will be no opening statements, though candidates will have a chance to deliver closing remarks.

Debates can be defining moments for presidential candidates. Since they provide rare opportunities for voters to see candidates face off directly against one another, debates can produce viral moments and soundbites that get replayed on cable news and social media.

Presidential campaign debates should be fair. Everybody running for president deserves the chance to make their case to the public on a level platform. And yet, they can’t be completely fair. Right now, there are 178 Democratic presidential candidates who have filed with the Federal Election

But as often as not, losing a debate is a sign you are losing the race.

The DNC created new thresholds for inclusion in the first debates scheduled for June and July: reaching 1% in three party-recognized polls and accumulating 65,000 donors. These standards are not just low. They are easier to meet by appealing to the fringe than by career accomplishments alone.

The Democratic National Committee will make it tougher for candidates to make the cut for the next round of debates, so some debaters will be desperate to make an impression in their only national TV close-up.

As the first Democratic presidential debate approaches, journalists know one thing: The campaign craziness will get crazier.

As the first Democratic presidential debate approaches, journalists know one thing: The campaign craziness will get crazier.

Nearly four years after Republicans captivated the nation with a 12-debate series starring Donald Trump that paved the way for a White House win, Democrats will finally get their chance to counterprogram with their own attempt at a ratings blockbuster. Unlike in 2015, when Democrats scheduled two of

The large field and subsequent process for deciding who gets to debate whom (and when) have prompted plenty of questions.

Joe Biden’s advisers have been preparing him for an onslaught. Bernie Sanders is looking to cut a clear contrast on policy. Pete Buttigieg hopes to appear as “something completely different.” And Elizabeth Warren is all but certain to arrive in Miami next week with yet another new plan.

Two days. Five moderators. Twenty candidates. More than 200 minutes of questions, rebuttals and jabs.