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Ron Paul Cut from Debates
With the primary election season finally (mercifully) about to begin, two networks have given Ron Paul supporters a legitimate issue over which to cry "media conspiracy!" The two conglomerates in question, FOX and ABC, have summarily decided to exclude some candidates from forthcoming debates. While Paul may or may not make the roster for Saturday's ABC debate, he's definitely not being invited to Fox's on Sunday. Though Paul continues to lead the big AOL straw poll, proving that his followers spend more time online than any of the other candidates', the more traditional telephone surveys have not shown him attaining double digit levels of approval. But is that the whole story?Paul fans are particularly irate with Fox News, who seems to have pulled the plug on their man primarily because they don't agree with his ideas. How else to explain including Fred Thompson, the man who doesn't especially want to be president, at their January 6 round-table forum, while excluding Paul? While out-raising the entire GOP field in 4th-quarter fundraising with a total of over $19 million, Paul positively crushed Thompson, and "The Tennessee Stud's" poll numbers in Iowa and New Hampshire aren't exactly stellar.
The New Hampshire Republican Party isn't happy about Fox's decision, either. State party Chairman Fergus Cullen explains:
"...the New Hampshire Republican Party calls upon all media organizations planning pre-primary debates or forums for both parties to include all recognized major candidates in their events. The New Hampshire Republican Party has notified Fox News of our position..."
Fox isn't the only network to run afoul of the Paul campaign. Adding to the controversy, ABC has also decided to winnow the number of candidates on stage at a January 5th debate. This time, Paul may or may not make the cut. ABC's reasons, at least, seem somewhat more scientific.
The network has set new criteria for the debate, with candidates needing to meet one of three criteria: placing fiifh through fourth in the Iowa Caucuses, polling at higher than 5% in one of the last four major New Hampsshire polls, or polling at 5% or higher in one of the last four national polls.
While ABC is really just doing what a responsible media organization should, the motives behind Fox's preemptive decision to cut Ron Paul seem a touch more dubious. Paul and his fans have long been something of a thorn in Fox's backside. Following the previous Fox debates, they had the audacity to pick up the telephone and declare that Paul had done better than any of the other candidates, thereby winning each call-in poll. And, in one of the more memorable exchanges this year, Paul was asked by an incredulous Chris Wallace, "Are you running for the nomination of the wrong party?" Let's suppose for a moment that Paul comes in fourth in Iowa, ahead of Thompson? Would Fox still hold firm with its decision to exclude "Dr. No"? Stay tuned, Dear Viewers.
Recent Comments
(Page 1 of 9)Jim Cunningham9:33AMJan 2nd 2008
Wow! Fox must really love Ron Paul a ton to sacrifice the tiny shred of journalistic credibility that they had in order to promote all of this positive press coverage of Dr. Paul on rival news outlets. What a noble and selfless thing to do, Fox. I must admit as a Ron Paul supporter that I had a negative opinion of Fox until now. Thanks!
RAY9:46AMJan 2nd 2008
Boycott advertisers on Fox: Ford, Pepsi, Gatorade Frito Lay, Quaker, KFC, Pizza hut, AT&T, Verizon..Oh there are so many, you may have to change your lifestyle to do that. Are you willing to make that sacrifice?
Linda9:49AMJan 2nd 2008
If Ron Paul have been given ANY news coverage to this point he would be polling much higher. They have already decided to try to keep him out and haven't been successful so now they are trying with an iron fist.
Cynthia Roberts9:51AMJan 2nd 2008
I read last night that Ron Paul's campaign has alternative plans, and frankly, I'd love to see him have a town meeting that competes with the Fox debate. I know which one I'd be watching. Imagine if Paul's ratings were higher than Fox's! He could invite the other real candidates who are also being ignored (Kucinich, Gravel, anyone?), and we could watch some real, relevant discussions instead of the shameless politics of fear being shoved down our throats.
island88810:03AMJan 2nd 2008
97% agree that Fox News should not be doing this.
How incredibly stupid of the Fox News editors...except you know this goes up to Rupert Murdoch.
They are giving Ron Paul free press elsewhere by doing this. I wonder if they are dumb enough to want to film the "round-table" in front of a live audience.
Timothy10:06AMJan 2nd 2008
Then boycott their (News Corporation) products:
- Wall Street Journal
- New York Post
- TV Guide
- GQ
- Vogue
- SmartMoney
- MySpace.com
- Sky Digital
- FOX TV channel
- FOX Movie channel
- FOX News channel & FoxNews.com
- Fox Sports Net channel
- FX channel
- SportSouth channel
- SPEED channel
- FUEL TV
- National Geographic Channel
- The History Channel
- Photobucket.com
- IGN.com
- GameSpy.com
- RottenTomatoes.com
- AskMen.com
- Movielink.com
- Jumptheshark.com
- Twentieth Century Fox (Current movies include: Hitman, Alvin and The Chipmunks, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, 27 Dresses, Jumper, Alien Versus Predator Requiem, and Meet the Spartans)
- DirecTV
- National Rugby League
Hit them where it hurts... the money.
Dee10:15AMJan 2nd 2008
Im with Timothy forget boycotting there sponsers just stop watching fox in general. If there really are alot of Ron Paul supporters then start the boycott until the end of the election.
Then boycott their (News Corporation) products:
- Wall Street Journal
- New York Post
- TV Guide
- GQ
- Vogue
- SmartMoney
- MySpace.com
- Sky Digital
- FOX TV channel
- FOX Movie channel
- FOX News channel & FoxNews.com
- Fox Sports Net channel
- FX channel
- SportSouth channel
- SPEED channel
- FUEL TV
- National Geographic Channel
- The History Channel
- Photobucket.com
- IGN.com
- GameSpy.com
- RottenTomatoes.com
- AskMen.com
- Movielink.com
- Jumptheshark.com
- Twentieth Century Fox (Current movies include: Hitman, Alvin and The Chipmunks, Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium, 27 Dresses, Jumper, Alien Versus Predator Requiem, and Meet the Spartans)
- DirecTV
- National Rugby League
Hit them where it hurts... the money
Michelles10:20AMJan 2nd 2008
I will gladly pay the early termination fee to Verizon in order to make my point that Fox cannot be allowed to exclude Paul, who is polling above Thompson and often ties with McCain now. Soft money for Ron Paul I guess, but really a small price to pay to keep this country free (dare I say fair and balanced?)
I'm writing to Verizon now. Next up will be KFC, Pizza Hut and AT&T. I encourage others to do the same.
Brad Linzy10:30AMJan 2nd 2008
I smell a huge boycott coming. The American people are fed up with being bought off by bread and circus. We want our country back!
Jeremy10:31AMJan 2nd 2008
Send your heartfelt sympathy and warm message of peace and humanity to Rupert Murdock and let him know how pleased we are that he is excluding Ron Paul from the Jan. 6th Fox debate out of his pure cowardice. [sniff ...sniff] Smells like fear around here.
Contact Rupert:
rmurdoch@newscorp.com
Michelles10:32AMJan 2nd 2008
Thanks for the list--that's a big help.
Meanwhile, a message to Fox: believe in yourself. Dr. Paul is not really a threat to you, unless you believe that you cannot compete and do well on a level playing field. Devise a fair matrix and apply it objectively, like ABC is doing. Or do you secretly support Dr Paul? Is this why you are handing him all this free publicity?
ceitniear10:50AMJan 2nd 2008
Its a sad commentary to American politics when we think its good and right to allow the news media to pick and choose who our presidential candidates should be. As long as a candidate has not officially dropped out of the race, he or she should be included in all media functions.
Tyranny10:50AMJan 2nd 2008
He'll make ABC's debate. He'll place 1st, 2nd, or 3rd in the primary. So, that's not really a worry. I think he should have his own rally across the street from the forum. At other debates he's been left out of in the past, he's brought in more people than the actual debate brought in. RonPaul2008!
Bob C10:53AMJan 2nd 2008
Does anyone know where and what time the FOX NEWS
FORUM will be taped? Please post it here and every where else. (Ron Paul for President 2008 etc.)
It would only be right if a HUGE number of Ron Paul supporters were there to create a peacable demonstration. I beleive the 5 invitees, Romney, McCain, Guiliani, Thompson and Huckster as well as Fox shill Chris Wallace should have to walk through a massive gauntlet of sign waving, chanting Ron Paul supporters on there way into there little secret club, during the taping and on there way out....
If anybody knows the time and place please post on Ron Paul sites and let's get ready to exercise our rights to peacably assemble!
Gary W.10:54AMJan 2nd 2008
The Estabishment is SOOOO afraid of Ron Paul, they shriek when they see his name!!! They can't afford to broadcast his message. BUT... they can't actually silence him, either.
Thank God for the Internet. THANK GOD FOR RON PAUL!!!
njimn61510:55AMJan 2nd 2008
What are some of Ron Paul's positionsl
Ge us fir ioeb virdersm vyt against ant trade a;;oances.
He us against NATO
He us opposed to Universal Health Care,
Ge is against the present tax code, but solicated perks frin the government for his home district in Texas
He is against a strong Israel for stability in the Middle East.
He favors civil unions.
Opposes the present drug laws,
His supporters are littering the countryside with illegal posters.
He has collected millions of dollars on line, but refuses to spend it on advertising.
Once again people, we have a Ralph Nadar who mirrors the alternative lifestyle of anger in the nation.
Oh yeah, Let us not forget that the Aryan Nation people love him.
He has one good point. He opposed the invasion of Iraq, but so do a host of other candidates..
Fox and ABC are correct,
Ron Paul is Ayn Rand in drag
Ron Paul11:01AMJan 2nd 2008
Isn't that discrimination & racism??? I thought networks were required to give each candidate a time on TV? Can someone seu those mother *******???
DEBRA MACDONALD11:01AMJan 2nd 2008
Is this still America that I am living in?
Michael11:03AMJan 2nd 2008
Faux News is the guy zooming around town in his brand new shiney red Corvette, with a small penis.
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ciborium9:14AMJan 2nd 2008
At least ABC is waiting until after a real vote has been cast to narrow its field. If Fox said they were using the same criteria and Ron Paul failed to meet them, no one would be calling and e-mailing them for their hipocracy. Of course they are refusing ALL e-mails that even hint of this debacle now, so they obviously don't care.