[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.

[hellbender]

Last I checked, there were more than 30 Republicans and almost 20 Democrats who have filed as candidates.

This debate is held in NH as a runup to the NH primary. I doubt that all the "joke" or "vanity" candidates are on the NH primary ballot. Hunter certainly is, and is doggedly campaigning there, God bless him. Go Hunter!

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

I don't care if a 100 people filed to run for POTUS.

If they're candidates, then they deserve to be heard.

[LibertyRocks]

If you want to play the equal time game, how about all the Libertarians, Socialist, Communist, Natural Law Party, Constitution Party, Independent Candidates, etc... etc... etc...

Granted, this is during the primaries, so it’s a tad bit different than this Fall for example, but I can see where having 50 people up on stage would make a debate rather pointless.

I don’t think anyone could come to an agreement on what the cutoff should be because there will always be one or more candidates just under the line who feel slighted...

Don’t know what to say about this really.

As for Walt Disney contributing to campaigns — a little more information on that point might be a good place to start re: the MSM influencing the elections.

[savedbygrace]

If not, then what criteria do you use to decide who's "legitimate" or not?

Are they on the ballot or not? If they're on, then their views should be heard.

[ChurtleDawg]

These are legitimate candidates who are appearing on primary ballots across the country. Kucinich and Hunter and Ron paul all have substantial followings