DNC vice chair uninvited from first Democratic presidential debate

Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-Hawaii), a vice chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), claims that she was uninvited from the first Democratic presidential debate on Tuesday night after calling for her party to hold more debates.

“When I first came to Washington, one of the things that I was disappointed about was there’s a lot of immaturity and petty gamesmanship that goes on, and it kind of reminds me of how high school teenagers act.

“It’s very dangerous when we have people in positions of leadership who use their power to try to quiet those who disagree with them.

“When I signed up to be vice chair of the D.N.C., no one told me I would be relinquishing my freedom of speech and checking it at the door," Gabbard told The New York Times.

An aide to DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) said the party wants the focus to be on the candidates and not a "distraction."

"The focus of the debate in Nevada as well as the other debates and forums in the coming weeks should be on the candidates who will take the stage, and their vision to move America forward.

"All that was asked of Ms. Gabbard’s staff was to prioritize our candidates and this important opportunity they have to introduce themselves to the American people," the DNC said in a statement to Pundit Press.