ABC cuts 3 from presidential debates (Ron Paul in; Duncan Hunter out)

San Jose Mercury News ^ | 4 January 2008 | David Bauder

[CounterCounterCulture]

ABC cuts 3 from presidential debates

NEW YORK—ABC News is eliminating Republican presidential candidate Duncan Hunter and Democrats Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel from its prime-time presidential debates Saturday night because they did not meet benchmarks for their support.

The Republican debate three days before the New Hampshire primary will include Iowa caucus winner Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul. It starts at 7 p.m. EDT.

[CounterCounterCulture]

Hunter didn’t really bother with Iowa. His focus has been more on places like New Hampshire, Wyoming, Nevada.

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Yeah. I might do the same thing. There are candidates I just cannot vote for no matter what. I can’t be party to putting them in power.

[mysterio]

I think both of them should be included in the debate.

[Brilliant]

You’ve got to get the support of the liberal media if you want to be president.

[mysterio]

It is supposed to be one person, one vote in this country. Here in WA state, I have very little to no say whatsoever in who our candidate is. That’s crap.

Same thing here in Indiana. I think our primary isn't until May. That gives us exactly zero impact on the primary. And we are a state that the Republicans count on every time. We should have a say. I think the solution is a national primary day or something like it.

[Earthdweller]

"Since when did we give multi-national media corporations the authority to PICK CANDIDATES for the PRESIDENCY?"

About 95 years or so ago...when the media first got bought out by wall-street and the Goberment became their slaves and we their sheep. It only got worse when they all got infiltrated by commies.

I'm all for rising to the top...but this is not a Republic..it's a monarchy.

[trisham]

bump

[BlazingArizona]

But Paul is more of an embarassment to the GOP than Hunter and Hunter poses a challenge to the status quo candidates.

What's really embarrassing is that several successive Republicans ran on smaller-government platforms, then ballooned government during their administrations. Paul is just holding these guys to their promises.

[PLD]

What the other candidates should do is not show up and let ABC do their own debate with their so called news people..if the others had any smarts they would tell ABC to go jump off a bridge..but of course they won’t..I have not watched one of the silly debates because I get sick of all the lies I know these jokers are telling..All except Duncan Hunter that is..I check out the people myself to see what the truth is and how they voted and what they did while in office.The only one I agreed with is Duncan Hunter..So his name will be written in even if it doesn’t show up on the ballot

[PLD]

What the other candidates should do is not show up and let ABC do their own debate with their so called news people..if the others had any smarts they would tell ABC to go jump off a bridge..but of course they won’t..I have not watched one of the silly debates because I get sick of all the lies I know these jokers are telling..All except Duncan Hunter that is..I check out the people myself to see what the truth is and how they voted and what they did while in office.The only one I agreed with is Duncan Hunter..So his name will be written in even if it doesn’t show up on the ballot

[wideawake]

Hunter didn’t really bother with Iowa. His focus has been more on places like New Hampshire

Polling indicates that he isn't doing noticeably better in NH than in IA.

[cripplecreek]

No kidding, I doubt Hunter feels threatened by Ron Paul and I doubt Paul feels threatened by Hunter. I say let them both in and Paul voters should call for the inclusion of Hunter.

[Earthdweller]

It’s not just ABC..Fox is doing this as well...remember, they all use the same marxist-butt-kissing advertisers.

[mysterio]

I agree with you.

[CAluvdubya]

THey can hide him (Hunter) all they want, I’ll still cast my vote for him!

[PLD]

Then they should all stay away from every one of the debates..It is already decided by the media who they want to win.why give them any more ratings they don’t deserve them..I stopped watching lots of the news shows even FOX because of the reporting.

[rb22982]

Paul is a libertarian, not a Libertarian. He disagree with the LP on numerous issues including abortion and not allowing illegal immigration.

[Earthdweller]

Paul is being used because he has some good points about government corruption but he is goofy as well. He serves to discredit all people who believe in government/media axis corruption.

You will not see an articulate libertarian come into the media spotlight...for obvious reasons.

[TBP]

At least they acknowledge cutting Hunter. They are once again ignoring Keyes so hard that they can’t ven mention that they didn’t include him either.

I guess the liberals regard Keyes as “uppity.”

[Trueblackman]

Duncan Hunter should do what I told Bob Elrich to do when he first ran against the Democrat Machine here in Maryland, by taking it to the streets. Duncan needs to campaign on radio and have debates, complete with potted plants in the home of his supporters.