So, do you have plans to watch the Democratic debate? If not, you may have company.
A lot of it.
As Democrats gathered in South Carolina Sunday for the fourth Democratic debate, the party’s leader, Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), was on the defensive, trying to explain how the party settled on a limited number of the structured events and why they have been scheduled, for the most part, on weekends.
Wasserman Schultz is taking criticism from many quarters over the debate schedule the past few debates have gone up against college football and the opening of the new "Star Wars" movie.
"I did my best to make sure, along with my staff and along with our debate partners, to come up with a schedule that we felt was going to allow for the -- to maximize the opportunity for voters to see our candidates," Wasserman Schultz told CNN.
The last Democratic debate, held the Saturday before Christmas, was seen by 7.8 million people. The Democratic debate prior to that one was seen by 8.5 million. The Republicans on the other hand, have been seeing 25 million or more viewers for their debates.
Wasserman Schultz has also been criticized by debate participants Sen. Bernie Sanders, (I-Vt), and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley who have argued that the number of debates (6) and when they are scheduled, gives front-runner former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton a clear advantage.
According to a New York Times story, Clinton supporters have expressed regret over the number of debates scheduled and when they are aired.
Primary voting for the 2016 presidential race begins in two weeks with the Iowa caucuses, and there are only two more Democatic debates scheduled -- one on Feb. 11 and the other on March 9. There are six more Republican debates.
Not only are the candidates complaining about the number of debates, but other groups have joined the chorus against Wasserman Schultz. CREDO Action, a social change organization “that supports activism and funds progressive nonprofits,” posted a petition recently alleging that she has "pursued her own agenda at the expense of the progressive base and basic principles of fairness."
"As DNC chair, you have repeatedly failed to act in the best interests of progressives and the Democratic Party," the petition read. "You have lost the trust of grassroots progressives and Democrats. Please resign immediately."
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