Portsmouth, New Hampshire (CNN) Hillary Clinton told reporters on Saturday that she would participate in additional presidential debates if the party's national committee sanctioned them, opening the door to more public contests between the Democratic presidential hopefuls.

Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley has repeatedly called for more than the six debates than the Democratic National Committee has sanctioned and used a speech before the committee in August to blast the decision as biased towards Clinton. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has joined O'Malley in those calls.

"I debated a lot in 2008 and I would certainly be there with lots of enthusiasm and energy if (the DNC) decide to add more debates," Clinton said during a press conference in Portsmouth. "And I think that's the message a lot of people are sending their way."

The comment is a departure from what Clinton has said about debates in the past. When asked by reporters in August about the debate schedule, Clinton said she would not comment on scheduling.

The debate issue has dominated much of what O'Malley -- who is polling in the basement and is struggling to establish himself in the race -- has talked about for the last few weeks.

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