Kucinich files complaint on ABC debate (FCC Equal Access claim re: Kucinich, Gravel & Duncan Hunter)

AP via Yahoo ^ | 1/4/2008 | DAVID BAUDER, AP Television Writer

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

NEW YORK - Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich filed a complaint with the FCC on Friday after ABC News excluded him, fellow Democrat Mike Gravel and Republican Duncan Hunter from its prime-time debates on Saturday.

Kucinich argued that ABC is violating equal-time provisions by keeping him out of the debate and noted that ABC's parent Walt Disney Co. had contributed to campaigns involving the four Democrats who were invited.

"ABC should not be the first primary," the Ohio congressman said in papers filed at the Federal Communications Commission.

< snip >

Fox News Channel is sponsoring a debate in its mobile studio Sunday that excludes Paul and Hunter. Huckabee, Giuliani, Romney, Thompson and McCain have been invited.

< snip >

[paudio]

What happened to Keyes and Cox?

[Always Right]

I want equal time too! I would love to be up on stage with all those left-wing kooks. I demand equal time!

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

So you support media blackouts of presidential candidates?

[J40000]

I hate to say it, but ... good for Kucinich.... this time.. he’s right. (I think Duncan Hunter should be allowed in on this)

[Anti-Bubba182]

The garden gnome speaks!

[Berosus]

Mike Who?

[RichInOC]

I still question whether Dennis is even a native-born earthling, let alone a native-born American.

[Kakaze]

Kucinich argued that ABC is violating equal-time provisions by keeping him out of the debate and noted that ABC's parent Walt Disney Co. had contributed to campaigns involving the four Democrats who were invited

Kuchinich is right on this one.

[Dante3]

This is one time I agree with Kucinich. Hunter should be allowed, along with the others. MSM has all along deliberately ignored Hunter.

[cripplecreek]

Sad to say it but Kucinich shows more manhood than the majority of the GOP again.

[xjcsa]

Kucinich argued that ABC is violating equal-time provisions by keeping him out of the debate and noted that ABC's parent Walt Disney Co. had contributed to campaigns involving the four Democrats who were invited

Wouldn't the bigger problem here be corporate contributions to political candidates, which is very illegal? Or is this not true?

[The Pack Knight]

I don't particularly like their exclusion of those three, but the "equal time" argument is pretty ludicrous. Last I checked, there were more than 30 Republicans and almost 20 Democrats who have filed as candidates. Do they all get equal time? If not, then what criteria do you use to decide who's "legitimate" or not?

The only thing ABC can do is exercise their discretion. Now, I think they're making the wrong decision, but it's their network.

[Farmer Dean]

Just let Dennis into the debate.But make him wear a beannie with a propeller on top,and give him a yo-yo.That would pretty much sum up his mental state and viability as a candidate.

[eleni121]

Kuci and Gravel are whacked out..but why on earth would they leave out Hunter?

What an insult to Hunter to be placed in the same boat as the other two lunatics. And they actually kept RuePaul? Smell? Stinking fish emanating from ABC.

[The Pack Knight]

I'll add that the real problem is that the candidates and the parties should never have given control of the debates over to the networks to begin with.

Unfortunately, all the candidates were too tempted by the free airtime to consider the harm being done to our political process.

[doug from upland]

Kuchinich nailed them on this one.

[The Spirit Of Allegiance]

Unlike the “Fairness Doctrine” or “Net Neutrality” — and while the implementation of Equal Access seems arcane and arbitrary — the principle itself is arguably of merit.

While discretionary use of private property is a vital interest to consider, Equal Access for ideas can help prevent gatekeepers who hold a position of public trust and in many cases a public broadcasting license from stifling open debate.

As is happening here.

If more people would turn off and tune out of these advertising-driven dog and pony shows and tell the advertisers why there’s a moratorium on purchasing their product...this biased reporting could be fixed in a hurry.

I definitely agree with Kucinich on this particular matter.

[weegee]

Next thing you know he’ll be asking to see the questions as is the case when Hillary is in a debate...

[Kakaze]

Wouldn't the bigger problem here be corporate contributions to political candidates, which is very illegal? Or is this not true?

If ABC is giving support to the campaigns and then only offers them airtime, I would think that airtime would then have to be counted as a monetary gift!