Clinton Camp Says Sanders Rejects Debate Dates
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Hillary Clinton's campaign is accusing rival Bernie Sanders' team of playing "political games'' with a potential Democratic presidential debate before the upcoming New York primary.
Clinton spokesman Brian Fallon said the Clinton campaign has offered three different dates to debate Sanders in New York. Sanders is pressing for a debate before the state's April 19 primary.
Clinton's team says the Sanders camp has rejected debate offers for April 4, April 14 and April 15.
Fallon says the Sanders campaign should stop using the New York primary as a "playground for political games and negative attacks against Hillary Clinton."
"The voters of New York deserve better," he said.
Sanders' spokesman Michael Briggs issued a statement in response, saying the dates and venues that were proposed "don't make a whole lot of sense."
"The idea that they want a debate in New York on a night of the NCAA finals -- with Syracuse in the tournament no less -- is ludicrous," Briggs said. "We have proposed other dates which they have rejected. We hope we can reach agreement in the near future. The people of New York and America deserve to see and hear a debate on the important issues facing the state and country."
The Democrats last debated in March and have been negotiating two more debates in April and May.
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