National Ledger - Ron Paul Debate: New Hampshire Diss Fair?

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By Jim Roberts Jan 3, 2008

The good doctor Paul may be in trouble in New Hampshire but its not with voters it is with the networks. Ron Paul, a ten term US Congressman from the state of Texas has been dissed by the networks again and it appears that he not only won't get an invite to the debates held by Fox news, he may be run out of the debates that the ABC News network is scheduled to host as well. Right now, unless Paul pulls in big numbers in Iowa he is out.

Ron Paul Debate: New Hampshire Diss Fair? (NBC)

Both GOP presidential candidates Duncan Hunter and Ron Paul have been excluded from what Fox news is calling its "presidential candidates forum" in New Hampshire. The debate is scheduled on January 6, just two days before the primary. The reasons given are that there is not enough space for all of the candidates. They have invited what they consider the top five based on polling.

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That would be a fair point if it weren't so close to the primary and Paul wasn't pulling in such decent numbers in polling in the state. Still, this could all turn around and Iowa holds the key. If Paul can get a top four finish in the Hawkeye state, say right behind Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and Arizona Senator John McCain then it will be impossible to bump him out. Perhaps they would have to bump Fred Thompson instead.

I'm not certain anyone would care if Fred were bumped, perhaps even the candidate himself. According to a report from CNN, a roster of participants for ABC's back-to-back, prime-time Republican and Democratic debates Saturday in New Hampshire will be determined after results of Thursday's Iowa caucus become clear.

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I see no reason to exclude Dr. Paul at this late date. If networks were going to bump candidates they likely should have done it before now. Hunter and Paul should be invited if they are still alive and plan on participating in the race.

Paul supporters are livid and rightly so. Their guy has a lot of ground support in the Granite State and certainly allowing him into the debates will not cause any harm.

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