Stephanopoulos not set for ABC’s Dem debate in December

But it’s unclear whether George Stephanopoulos, anchor of ABC’s “This Week,” will participate as a moderator. A spokeswoman for ABC told the Washington Examiner media desk Friday that there hasn’t been any moderator selection yet.

When asked if the DNC is asking that Stephanopoulos not moderate the debate, a spokeswoman for the DNC said she wasn’t sure at this point.

Stephanopoulos fell under criticism in May after admitting he had donated $75,000 to the Clinton Foundation, which is run in part by Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton. As a result, he apologized and recused himself as moderator for the Republican presidential primary debate ABC is scheduled to host in February.

But his donation to a Clinton charity could cause a perception problem beyond the Republican debate. Baltimore Sun media critic David Zurawik said it would be inappropriate for Stephanopoulos, who worked in President Bill Clinton’s administration, to participate in the Democratic debate.

“I think ABC should keep him totally out of 2016 campaign coverage,” Zurawik told the Examiner.

But not everyone thinks Stephanopoulos should necessarily sit it out.

“I am not ‘for’ or ‘against’ anyone in the debates,” said Hugh Hewitt, a conservative radio host and Examiner columnist who is set to participate in CNN’s GOP debate in September.

Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley, also Democratic presidential candidates, have already complained that the limited debate schedule is tilted to favor Clinton. There are only six debates sanctioned by the DNC, leaving other candidates little time to catch up to Clinton.

“We need more Democratic debates — more than the 4 scheduled by the DNC before the Iowa caucuses,” Sanders said in a recent letter to supporters. “If Secretary Clinton wants more debates, we’ll get them.”

In an interview with The Hill last week, O’Malley said the DNC schedule was “all about trying to pre-ordain the outcome, circle the wagons and close off debate.”