Wisconsin's presidential race tightens as Sanders narrows the gap with Clinton, (VIDEO)

In the heat of the 2016 Democratic primary race, Bernie Sanders has been closing the gap with Hillary Clinton, according to a recent NBC News/SurveyMonkey poll. Sanders' presidential campaign has been reinvigorated following a series of primary wins, including victories in Utah, Idaho, and a string of West Coast primaries over the weekend in Washington, Hawaii, and Alaska.

However, a closer look at the debate participation in the current election season reveals a stark contrast to the 2008 election, where Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama faced each other in far more debates. Sanders and Clinton have only had eight debates so far, a number significantly lower than the debates Clinton and Obama participated in during the 2008 election.

In 2008, Clinton called for a 90-minute debate with Barack Obama, who had already participated in 26 debates at that point. Clinton's stance on debates was not limited to this instance. In a statement to the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, she expressed her belief that one should be willing to debate anytime, anywhere due to the importance and toughness of the presidency.

However, when Sanders' campaign manager, Jeff Weaver, called for Clinton to agree to a debate ahead of the April 19 primary in New York, Clinton rejected the demand, calling it a "stunt" by a "struggling" campaign.

In the 2008 election, Clinton's stance on debates was not just about quantity. She also criticised Obama for not being tough enough "to debate anytime, anywhere." This contrasts with the current election season, where Sanders has been officially supported by progressive figures such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, but no specific individual has officially supported him in a formal debate setting against Clinton before the New York primary.

The recent endorsement of Bernie Sanders by former Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin, Barbara Lawton, adds weight to his campaign. Lawton announced her endorsement, stating the election provides an opportunity to rebuild America's middle class and restore stability.

As the race heats up, the debate participation remains a point of interest for many voters. With the New York primary just around the corner, it will be interesting to see if Clinton and Sanders agree to more debates, following Clinton's 2008 stance on the importance of debating for the presidency.

This article was written by Zaid Jilani for The Intercept.