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What debate would be complete without Dr. Ron Paul? The US Congressman for Texas has made an appearance at every single Republican debate so far this year. None of them have helped his campaign. He's been beaten up in several exchanges, one very notable on was by New York mayor Rudy Giuliani over his "blowback theory" in one of the very early debates. Paul supporters were livid, they believed that their man was treated poorly, but most undecided voters and casual observers took the side of Rudy Giuliani.

Ron Paul: Debating the Good Doctor No (NBC)

The confrontation was in May. "Have you ever read about the reasons they attacked us? They attack us because we've been over there. We've been bombing Iraq for 10 years," Paul said. Asked by a moderator if he was suggesting the United States invited the attacks, Paul said: "I'm suggesting we listen to the people who attacked us and the reason they did it. And they are delighted that we're over there because Osama bin Laden has said: I am glad you're over on our sand because we can target you so much easier."


Rudy pounced. "That's an extraordinary statement, as someone who lived through the attack of September 11, that we invited the attack because we were attacking Iraq," said Giuliani, who leads national polls in the Republican race.

"I don't think I've ever heard that before, and I've heard some pretty absurd explanations for September 11th," Giuliani said to wild applause, asking Paul to withdraw the comment. Rudy's campaign surged after that exchange.


Next the good Doctor No decided he would challenge war hero John McCain. McCain swung for the fence and connected big at the YouTube debate in late November. "Congressman Paul, I've heard him now in many debates talking about bringing our troops home, and about the war in Iraq, and how it's failed. And I want to tell you that that kind of isolationism, sir, is what caused World War II...You allow Hitler to come to power with that kind of attitude of isolationism..."

Paul tried to answer with a long-winded explanation about the differences between "isolationism" and "non-intervention" but he was booed and again was used as a whipping boy.


That may have turned around John McCain's campaign. He is now surging as well. If he actually continues he may win and he may need to thank Ron Paul for an assist. It appears that beating up on Paul can do a campaign good. So some may see it as a bit odd that Ron Paul is complaining that he may not be allowed at the debates in New Hampshire. It appears that he may be shut out of the debates that will be hosted by Fox News.

He's furious and says Fox News "is scared of him." He believes they are afraid of his message. The worst thing that happens to Paul is airtime and message. Even lightweight Tim Russert on NBC's "Meet the Press" beat him up for about thirty minutes last Sunday. Airtime is not really Paul's friend.


Paul has a pretty good gimmick campaign that is moving right along. He's grass roots and would be better off skipping this debate and firing up his supporters by complaining that the big mean Fox News is picking on him. Debates don't help Paul, he's terrible on television and he has lost every exchange so far this campaign season.

That said, I say let Dr. Paul into the debates. There are some polls that have him finishing as high as third in New Hampshire. Not allowing him a voice seems a bit unfair.