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January 05, 2008
ABC Cuts 3 From Today's Presidential Debate
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.
ABC said the candidates left out of the debates failed to meet benchmarks for their support that were outlined to each campaign prior to the Iowa caucus. Kucinich did not complain about these rules ahead of time, said spokeswoman Cathie Levine, who had no further comment since she hasn't seen the FCC filing.
ABC said it hoped to encourage more conversation and interaction among the candidates during the debates, which will both be moderated by Charles Gibson. The stakes are high as candidates take the stage three days before the New Hampshire primary.
The Republican debate will include Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney and Ron Paul.
It starts Saturday, January 5th, today, at 7 p.m. EST.
Wild Thing's comment.........
Republican starts at 7 pm followed by the Democratic at 9 pm..... Both sessions are to be 90 minutes each.
Posted by Wild Thing at January 5, 2008 12:47 AM
Comments
Since when does ABC have the right to censor a candidate by exclusion. It is bad enough that the news they report is not what really happened but a story they wrote and edited to fit their agenda. But now they are picking the candidates for us.
At what point do they make the next cut and who will be eliminated and by what criteria do they make these cuts.
But most important of all where are the rights of the candidates to be heard. This is not a decision to be made by ABC but by the people, we still have a constitution, as diluted as it is. It is still there.
Posted by: Mark at January 5, 2008 08:44 AM
Now I don't need to waste my time watching the debates. ABC excluded the only candidate I trust in at all, Duncan Hunter. I can spend that time now doing something of more value like cleaning a litter box.
Posted by: TomR at January 5, 2008 09:39 AM
Censorship--Walt Disney would be turning over in his grave!
I thought each candidate was suppose to get equal time. ABC isn't allowing that.
Shame on them. Think I'll email them.
Posted by: Lynn at January 5, 2008 09:45 AM
I don't like it one bit and I think it's wrong.
But, I'm going to play devils advocate here. ABC is a private company and as a private company they can invite whoever they please. I think all of us here are against the Fairness Doctrine for talk radio. Well, TV isn't any different. Like Lynn said, it'll take people emailing them to make them change their minds.
Posted by: BobF at January 5, 2008 01:50 PM
Well something just struck me, the debates are tonight starting at 7 pm ?
The Steelers and the Jags are on at 8, don't they want anybody to watch the debates ? I know I won't be watching the debates. Of course maybe thats why they are on tonight. Afterall it won't be any fun with out Dennis and his Alien encounters with Shirley McClain.
Posted by: Mark at January 5, 2008 03:00 PM
ABC isn't alone. FOX scheduled a Chris Wallace Republican forum tomorrow in New Hampshire from their news trailer and due to "limited space" didn't invite Ron Paul and Duncan Hunter. These network/MSM debates are, in fact, not debates but a farce when it comes to informing the public on issues. They are instead geared as "gotcha" events hoping to see a candidate fall on their sword.
They succeeded in this when Hillary Clinton lost it answering a question about New York's plan to issue drivers licenses to illegal aliens. If the networks and candidates really want a large audience they can schedule The Presidential Duels similar to sports playoffs.
Pair up the candidates, have them walk ten paces, and then turnaround and Fire! Repeat the process until they get down to the final two and then we will have a President. Makes as much sense as the current primary and general election process.
Posted by: Les at January 5, 2008 03:59 PM
Mark I agree, they have no right to stop any of these people from being in a debate. It is wrong in every way.
Posted by: Wild Thing at January 5, 2008 05:13 PM
Tom, hugs to your kitty. And that would be time better spent for sure.
Posted by: Wild Thing at January 5, 2008 05:14 PM
Lynn I always thought so too. This is just so weird and so WRONG.
Posted by: Wild Thing at January 5, 2008 05:15 PM
Bob, I agree, Lynn is right. I emailed then late last night when I read about it.
Posted by: Wild Thing at January 5, 2008 05:16 PM
Mark, LOL
hahahahahaa
OH yesss you bet, football wins out for sure.
Posted by: Wild Thing at January 5, 2008 05:17 PM
Les oh wow I didn't know that about tomorrows. Well you are absolutely right about the whole thing. This stinks to high heaven.
Posted by: Wild Thing at January 5, 2008 05:19 PM
Atheists Broadcast Communist nutwork that glorifies Desperate Housewives & The View & Oprah doesn't get my $upport nor Sponsorships...
We do watch some sporting events on ABC... some!
Posted by: darthcrUSAderworldtour07 at January 6, 2008 03:31 AM
Darth, same here. It has to be a show we like a lot. We don't watch the ones you mentioned either.
Posted by: Wild Thing at January 6, 2008 04:10 AM
