CNN may exclude Kucinich and Sharpton from the Feb. 26 debate

[ringmastery]

Greenfield on CNN said they and the LA Times will decide soon if it's a 4 man debate with Sharpton or Kucinich or a two man debate with Edwards and Kerry.

Edwards would excel in a 2 man format without the clutter. It's what he's hoping for.

Dean isn't being mentioned because Greenfield expects him to drop out Thursday.

[DenverDem]

1. But the media is not framing the campaign,

nooooooooooo.

[Skip Intro]

20. Of course not. Media manipulation is just a crazy conspiracy theory.

Just ask 'em, they'll tell ya.

[democracyindanger]

2. Wow, bluestateguy has some serious pull

Just kidding. If they're still running, they should be in. CNN shouldn't be determining who's in the debate.

[Desertrose]

3. Oh, so its up to CNN to decide who is running...

I should have known that...:eyes:

*sigh*

Peace
DR

[ringmastery]

6. it's CNN's debate

and they are using viability standards. The same standards that will be in place during the presidential debates in the fall, probably. So we want every tom, dick, and harry running for president in THAT debate?

[Desertrose]

10. Kucinich is NOT every tom,dick & harry and since when

it is good to limit debate?
(Hell ,ya got W in it...can't get much more tomdick& harry that w)

I am really tired of the media making my choices and I am amazed at how many supposedly "politically enlightened" people here seem to be content with it.
CNN set up their own standards to be able to exclude who they want...

DR

[Dookus]

28. How has the media made your choice?

I recall seeing Kucinich at a plethora of debates. He was given every fair opportunity to make his case to the voters. They are not voting for him. At what point do we realize that no candidate is OWED a permanent platform for his vanity campaign?

Why shouldn't we be able to see a real debate between the candidates who actually have a chance to win? Must EVERY debate be half serious, half sideshow?

[Desertrose]

39. fortunately for me, I don't depend on the corporate media,

for my information or critical thinking....but there are are many others out there who do...and their choice has been made without them being aware of it. Sad, don't you think?

"I recall seeing Kucinich at a plethora of debates. He was given every fair opportunity to make his case to the voters."

We obviously didn't watch the same "debates" ( like these were ever DEBATES?) Most of the early debates DK got such minimal airtime..later on it was a only a slight bit more balanced. Didn't you ever notice the applause Kucinich repeatedly got? Haven't you noticed that Kucinich was the one who has consistently brought up issues that the other candidates then mentioned as though they thought them up? How many candidates used his phrases?

"At what point do we realize that no candidate is OWED a permanent platform for his vanity campaign? "

Please tell me you don't believe this is a vanity campaign....when a candidate speaks to issues like ending war, universal healthcare, corporate thuggery.... VANITY??? WHOSE????


"half serious, half sideshow??
We are definitely watching different debates......candidates who have a "chance to win"??...sure cause the media already told us that. But have you noticed thay haven't told you either one will beat Bush...cause I don't think either one of those two can do it.

Its pretty obvious the media hasa stke in who the winner will be...so why would you or anyone else belive anything they tell us? Beats me....If we are given all the facts & choices, if Kerry & Edwards are such extraordinary debaters, then what are you worried about by having others join in?

Peace
DR

[Kanary]

61. Enough with the "vanity" already

Just because you repeat something over and over and over, doesn't mean it's ACCURATE. It's a tactic that not only doesn't work, it doesn't add anything to your own image.

Apparently you know nothing about Dennis, which means it's all that much more important for him to be in the debates. If you knew *anything* about Dennis, you'd know that, of all the candidates, Dennis has the LEAST vanity of ANY of them.

There is not a vain bone in his body. That can't be said of some of the others. And, you don't see us raggin' on them about it.

Enough.

Kanary

[IrateCitizen]

78. Well, I haven't seen Kucinich mentioned in the NYT...

... since they ran their editorial calling for his exclusion from the debates.

Never mind his third-place finishes in WA and ME, both significantly ahead of Edwards and Clark. The only place in which they mentioned him was in their little box in which they give the candidates' upcoming campaign stops. If you read the articles in their coverage, you wouldn't even know that he existed.

Likewise when I read the last AP report of the last debate. The only mention he got was in the last sentence: "Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich also participated in the debate."

So the way the media influences the process can best be summed up with the following question: "If a tree falls in the woods and nobody reports it, do we know that it really fell?"

Some people really need to brush up on studies of how the US media controls debate and stifles alternative points of view.

[Dookus]

4. good

I want to see a debate between Edwards and Kerry. I like them both, could vote for either one. I'd like to see a real one-on-one debate to help me decide.

[stickdog]

70. Spy vs. Spy

I'm leaning toward Spy right now, but I'm willing to give Spy another look.

[mac2]

87. What's the hurry?

[adamrsilva]

5. They said you had to have gotten 10% in a primary to compete

so DK and Sharpton wouldn't make the cut. Personally, I don't care.

[Rooktoven]

14. I agree, I'm not sure what additional

voice they give to whom ever is disenfranchised by them not being electable.

[Cptn Kirk]

23. Hmmm...

Who's voice might Sharpton add? I wonder... Well, THOSE people aren't important for anything but a vote I suppose. <end sarcasm>

As for DK - I can tell you as a member of left side of the party, DK has done A LOT to have me vote Dem (regardless of the candidate) rather than green. I feel that at least we got a shot at having our candidate, and our position heard. If he is silenced I will strongly have to re-evaluate that position, and I know I won't be alone.

[Rooktoven]

68. I'm not sure what the "THOSE" people response is supposed to mean

unless it's a veiled accusation of racism. Seriously, though Sharpton is comic relief and can say what he wants, the man is for all intents and purposes a grand-stander in it for only Al Sharpton. I would vote for him over Bush (which says absolutley nothing), but I haven't forgotten the Tawana Bradley matter.

Also there are two things that should give any Sharpton supporter pause:


1) Why does he need to have his campaign spend on average 3000 dollars a night for his lodging (Kerry and Edwards spend about 200)?

2) Why is a republican operative who organized the goon squads to intimidate vote counters in Florida running his campaign?

Sorry. All Sharpton's absence will mean is a more serious discussion and fewer one-liners. Kucinich's absence will allow viewers tho focus on the differences between Edwards and Kerry, not the differences between Kucinich and the other two.

Sorry, if you can't make your 10% it's time to face reality.

[Cptn Kirk]

15. WRONG

Please do your homework. Kucinich has gotten 16% before in Maine, and Sharpton 20% and 10% in two states.

BTW - exclude Sharpton = exclude part of the minority vote.

Exclude Dennis = Count on more Green votes.

[Rooktoven]

69. no, YOU are technically wrong

Kucinich has only broken 10% in caucuses. Sharpton had 9.6% in SC and DC is non-binding.

[youngred]

99. Nope

Kucinich got 14% in Washington and 16% in Maine. check again

[no name no slogan]

30. DK is at 13%+ in Maine, or did you forget? (n/t)

[Cptn Kirk]

35. Correction

16%

[Rooktoven]

74. Closed caucus --nt

[mmonk]

7. Tell the media .......NO

[ringmastery]

8. Why?

Sharpton and Kucinich have had dozens of debates to talk about their message.

Edwards and Kerry can't have ONE debate mano-a-mano?

[David Dunham]

9. JK wants everyone included.

[ringmastery]

12. no shit

He's scared to go one-on-one with Edwards.

[IndianaGreen]

43. Bush fears Edwards more than he does Kerry, and Kerry...

fears going one on one with Edwards because that will expose his weaknesses.

[mmonk]

13. because they help make our case against bush

and I like the fact DK is pushing single payer healthcare. The Iraq perspectives they bring are also valuable.

[Desertrose]

16. dozens of debates?

Are you sure?? and with what % time going to either candidate compaed to Kerry, Dean or Edwards?

Kerry & Edwards...like they will say anything that we don't already know?
Like they will challenge each other?

*sigh*
DR

[no name no slogan]

42. What messages?

Kerry and Edwards spreading the same Clinton-lite Corpocrat doo-doo on CNN for 1.5 hours is not exactly a "debate". Not in any real sense of the word.

Cripes, watching a debate without DK, Dean or Sharpton would be about as exciting as listening to the collected speaches of Joe Liebermann on 8-track.

It'll also guarantee a Democratic ass-whupping come November, too. How can our voters get "excited" about a couple of Casper Milquetoasts whose only differentiating qualities from the BFEE is the fact that they're "not Bush"? 2000 wasn't enough????

[GreenArrow]

54. you nailed it!

It'll be like the second debate in Election 2000, where Bush and Gore agreed on virtually everything, or the "debate" between Lieberman and Cheney.

[spooky3]

11. I would like CNN to have the grace to postpone its

plans until Dr. Dean has had a chance to reflect on tonight's results and make some decisions.

[mmonk]

18. that too spooky

[Rooktoven]

25. Dr. Dean is in if he wants to be

And no one should have an issue with that. Nor with Clark, if he were to jump back in. They meet the "legitimate" threshold.

[Desertrose]

45. "legitimate threshold"?

by whose standards?

DR

[spooky3]

65. in another thread someone said that there was an agreement

(long-standing) that if a candidate had not gotten at least 15% in one primary, s/he could be excluded from this debate.

[Rooktoven]

71. Actually it's 10%

and the key is PRIMARY, not caucus.

[MidwestMomma]

17. Kerry and Edwards should refuse to participate

Our candidates need to start standing up to the media NOW! Whoever ends up winning the nomination is going to need every bit of everyone's help in getting elected and in fending off the media attacks. They simply can not play along with the media now when it helps them and then expect people to stand up for them when the going gets rough for them.

They need to start standing up to the media now and tell them, NO THANKS, these are OUR primaries and we'll decide who the party voters need to hear at the debates. We must make it clear that we will not 'play' by the medias rules...not now and not in the General Election.

[JasonBerry]

19. Kerry vs Edwards!

CNN should exclude Kucinich and Sharpton from the debate. They are not viable candidates for the nomination. They, frankly, have gotten more attention than a congressman on the fringe and a preacher from New York would normally get. Our party deserves a Kerry-Edwards debate without Sharpton's stand-up act and the Saint Dennis sermonizing.

[Skip Intro]

22. YAY! I hope the pro-war one wins!

/sarcasm

[JasonBerry]

24. No Affirmative Action in primary debates. Voters have spoken. N/T

[TheDonkey]

55. What is that supposed to mean!? A cut against AA?

[JasonBerry]

58. Uh, NO.

It means that we don't have "quotas" or AA for Pro-war candidates versus anti-war candidates in the debates. The voting has done the winnowing of the candidates.

[tritsofme]

21. Good idea,

I think we should have started excluding the vanity candidates earlier.

[Rooktoven]

26. here, here! --nt

[mmonk]

27. How can we have a democratic process

if we aren't going to stand up for it?

[JasonBerry]

29. How is it undemocratic?

There has to be some criteria to allow for participation in the debates. There have now been, what - 19 contests? Kucinich and Sharpton together haven't approached respectable numbers in any primary. VOTES have determined the criteria and CNN would be right to have a Kerry-Edwards debate.

[mmonk]

31. This is a democratic primary

where we have more than two candidates and a whole lot of delegates to be chosen. That's how it's not democratic if the media limits it to two. It's the principle.

[JasonBerry]

33. Other Dems haven't been in a SINGLE debate

There are MANY Democrats on the ballot in many of these states. Are we going to let them in too? As I said before, I think they've let Kucinich and Sharpton stay in these debates too long. They are simply not credible candidates. They speak for respective fringes. But, so do a lot of the other "minor" candidates that haven't made it into ONE debate. There simply has to be criteria and it must be followed. Saying a candidate must have received 15% in a primary by this time is NOT too much to ask!

[charlie]

34. Kucinich 16% Maine

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004/primaries/pages/states/ME/

Whoops!

[youngred]

37. and 15% in Washington

and Sharpton got 20% in SC

Double OOPS!

[mohc]

41. Uhm

Shaprton got 9.6% in SC, not 20%. Kucinich only got 8% in WA. The 16% in ME does not count based on what CNN said because its 15% in a primary not caucus, and ME was a caucus.

[hedgetrimmer]

32. Ha HA corporate whores want to squish the left!

If the media goes all crazy like this and the DNC looks the other way... let me tell you I will vote outside of the party if Kucinich does not get the nomination! CWCGTS!

[JasonBerry]

36. Well

That is pretty much why you hear that Kucinich and Sharpton appeal to "fringes". If it's Kucinich or bust - it's gonna be bust. Why would you think four more years of Bush is better than the Democratic party? Fringe candidates - and their followers - always pull this sanctimonious stuff. It's silly.

[youngred]

38. Better than trying to outright the right.

It's not Kucinich or bust but taking my voice, my conscience and my vote for granted makes me sick. It's not sanctimonious, its honest. I want Bush out so will be voting ABB, but I am tired of being marginalized and abandoned by those who are supposed to represent me.

Richard Nixon was more Liberal than many of today's Democrats and I'm f'ing sick of it

[revcarol]

40. Bull roar.

If the Democrats don't want a big tent and don't tell CNN that ALL candidates must be included, then the party has abandoned progressives and grass roots activists. And don't tell me it's sanctimonious to expect DEMOCRATS TO ACT LIKE DEMOCRATS AND BE DEMOCRATIC.

I've been a Democrat for 42 years and I'm rapidly becoming ashamed of some in my party.

They don't want us? Then just let the DLC take over the party and exclude labor, minorities, people who are working their tails off registering voters,GLBT'S, single women, etc. and let the corporatocracy try to manufacture votes out of money.

[JasonBerry]

44. Get busy

Then get busy in the off years and organize. The Democratic Party is a year round, every year operation. Don't show up with a protest candidate every four years and expect to be taken seriously.

[youngred]

46. some of us actually are

but keep getting sold out. Your lack of information destroys your point

[bobthedrummer]

81. I hear that!

eom

[revcarol]

49. I should put off supporting the best candidate we've had for a generation?

The last one was Bobby Kennedy. I have been organizing: FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. I personally have registered over 1000 voters, 90 % Democrats.
And have registered as Democrats over 100 Greens who came back to the party to vote for one of the candidates that you want to exclude!!

EDIT: AND I am a precinct chair, who turned out over 80% of the Dems in 2000 and over 62% in the Dem primary, mostly blue collar labor who wanted to vote for one of the Dems you want to exclude, because he is THE BEST LABOR CANDIDATE.

But there's always some excuse not to listen to the progressives. "Wait until the time is right.":nuke:

I've been waiting 40 years...and the time is right. :)

[Desertrose]

50. You are confused....

Kucinich is no protest candidate nor is he a fringe candidate.

...and telling *us* to get busy? exciuse me, you have NO idea what we've been doing and quite frankly I don't need your advice. Been around for long enough to see whats really going on...too bad more people don't have a clue.

If you want any of us who support what you call a "fringe candidate" to come around to your guy...then quit being so f**king condescending and patronizing.....Kucinich hgas been working his tail off for a whole lotta years and he doesn't need your snotty attitude. I take his ideal & issues very seriously and time will eventually prove that a whole lot of others should have taken them a bit more seriously too.

My bit of advice to you- get off your high horse while you can dismount gracefully.

Peace
DR

[JasonBerry]

51. How many DK supporters

How many who share DK's passion work in the off year when Democratic Party rules, etc. are being made DEMOCRATICALLY. If you want to be taken seriously as a movement and not "patronized" then simply get involved in other than the campaign years and take the party to where YOU think it should be. DK is indeed a fringe candidate by any standard definition of the word. A backbencher congressman who runs the "progressive caucus" and is laughed at by his colleagues is not going to be anything but a "fringe" candidate when he decides to run for president! Sorry if that sounds harsh, but DK is wayyy out there.

[youngred]

52. Three DK supporters just told you

how they get involved in off years and work, and don't just come around every 4 years and you ignored it to live in your world where Dennis and his fringe leftists don't matter.

[Name removed]

53. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Desertrose]

56. good grief....you are full of it

How do you know youngred doesn't have red hair? I already know he's a younger member of DU...revcarol...a lefty name...*giggle* and oh yeah,desertrose is a real far left name.... :eyes:

"...but I am being realistic when I say don't be expected to be welcomed with open arms into the party of John F. Kennedy"

huh????
So its up to you to determine from a few posts what we do and if we fit your idea of the dem party??
hell, Nixon was more liberal than many current dems...give me a break.
I remember fairly well the JFK days.... you are making no sense with this prattle....

Peace
DR

[youngred]

64. for the record I do have red hair

and politics resembling that.

:hi: DR

[mac2]

95. Red hair...

Me too. I'm like my ancestors who the Romans never beat. Egnlish try. We left for this country to escape kings, etc.

Many of our founding fathers were redhaired. We believe in democracy and fairness. Not fascism.

[Kanary]

63. My goodness. So you know what everyone here is doing in "off years"?

Or did you just have a snipe you needed to get off your chest?

Taking someone's head off is not exactly a good way to encourage more participation in the party.

Kanary

[Freddie Stubbs]

82. The voters and caucus goers have already done that

In state after state Democrats have shunned Sharpton and Kucinich. The have only give Sharpton 12 delegates. And they have given Kucinich no delegates. It is apperent that Democratic voters aren't interested in buying what they are selling.

[Desertrose]

85. No Freddie, what is apparent is, the sell job by the media & DLC is

more successful...

thats all...

How can people choose anything when they are not aware of it?
or it is constantly marginalized by the old unelectable meme and disappearing act??

I don't understand why people want thier choices and chances for positive change limited...makes no sense, unless we are all so into fear...which again, is a great sell job by the media/bush/corporate interests. Wake up people.....

DR

[Freddie Stubbs]

97. People are quite aware of them

They are just not choosing to support them. If they can't even convince die-hard Demcorats to support them, how would they be able to convince swing voters?

[mikehiggins]

47. How many people think Kerry and Edwards would refuse to show up?

Do they have the balls to call CNN on something like that?

And count Dean out? Greenfield is delusional, as usual. (Hey! That sorta rhymes!)

[corporatewhore]

48. Fuck CNN LATimes New York Times

[Adjoran]

57. They should

The primaries are well under way. Rep. Kucinich and Rev. Sharpton have had every opportunity to get their message across in the many debates so far. They have failed to attract meaningful support from actual voters.

I mean no disrespect to either candidate. They don't have to drop out. If they show rising strength in future primaries, they should be allowed back in the debates. Until they do, they are only distracting from the real choice at hand.

[JI7]

59. Kucinich and Sharpton supporters ?

i have to say as a Kerry supporter i do think Edwards would probably do better. but i'm not opposed to one on one debate between the two. but i wonder what kucinich and sharpton and their supporters would have to say about it. maybe they can do one with all of them and another with just kerry and edwards. maybe sharpton and kucinich themselves would agree to allow kerry and edwards to have at least one debate just between them two. what do you all think ?

[revcarol]

60. Just reminds me of Animal Farm.

All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.

[AP]

62. I'm afraid that if they do, and then Kerry cancels, the debate will get

cancelled.

[RetroLounge]

66. Must follow media script

[Cappadonna]

67. Take out the issue driven candidates and leave the Clinton-wannabes......

........I guess that's a night I'll ask for the late shift, since it will be about as exciting or intellectually engaging as watching paint dry. Yeah, Dean's loud, Kuincinich can be wee-bit loopy lefty and Sharpton comes off as a vaudville Step'n'Fetchit at times. But these guys are doing what Kerry and Edwards are not....they are talking about issues and ideas that most Americans will never hear.

You have two rich "moderates" who are not going to take the system to task in a debate, which needs to be done if you're going to get people off their asses and into the polling booths. But that's exactly what Kuicinich, Dean and Sharpton will do.......use the stage as big bullhorns about how screwed up the system really is and how the Chimp in the white house is taking us straight to hell. Even if they don't win, the three runner-ups will get people thinking......which isn't exactly a good thing for Karl Rove.


- Cappa

[MadHound]

72. And the corporate coronation proceeds apace

Kucinich and Sharpton probably won't win the primaries, but it is good for both the American people and the Democratic party to have these two in the debates. They go after Bush with unabated savagery, and have many viable and worthwhile ideas that need to be included in the party platform. In the past candidates like DK and AS were allowed to stay in the thick of things, and actually had great influence in shaping the Democratic platform. Now they are seen as "kooks" and "vanity candidates" by the DLC/New Dems, and thus are excluded. God forbid that they actually pollute the corporate platform with some old fashioned Democratic planks.

And some people wonder why folks are fleeing the Democratic party! Could it be because they are behaving in a very undemocratic manner?

[Iverson]

73. the primacy of the interlocutor

I am stricken by the ease with which voices on the left are removed from the discourse.

Animal Farm indeed, revcarol.

[DemCam]

75. Its time to let them go.

[rhite5]

76. Something to THINK About

Frankly I am shocked at the "innocent" suggestion that the entire democratic process be suddenly shelved just to please the corporate media. Haven't these DUers learned anything at all?

And to top it off they decide to condescend and assume supporters of the candidates they are dismissing are not really serious Democrats.

Well, I am a Kucinich supporter who happens to be nearly 70 years old. I am also an elected Precinct Chair and have been a delegate. I have run political campaigns. I am a very dedicated Democratic activist all year round every year.

But I may quit the Democratic Party this year. I do not like what I see happening.

Maybe the millions of Democrats out there that do not want to belong to a Republican-lite party will join me and form a new party. We do not seem to be wanted here -- that's minorities, organized labor, the peace and justice movement and the rest of the anti-war marchers, those of us who protested at WTO Seattle in 1999, all the seniors like me who want single-payer medical coverage, the dedicated environmentalists who want the U.S. to shape up and join the rest of the world to seriously work together to try to keep life on this planet sustainable. And the list could go on.

Think about it. I am about to send a similar message to Terry Mac who has hijacked our party.

[goodhue]

80. very well put n/t

[Desertrose]

83. BLESS you rhite5!! ...for all you have done and are doing....

too bad the dem party doesn't have a clue!

I couldn't agree with you more!!!

When you write that letter to Terry, be sure to let him know there are MANY who agree with you...probably way more than we know!!


I really do feel a new movement is just beginning to take root & gather strength!

:hug:
DR

[mgc1961]

86. Sad. To think...

...a lifelong, active Democrat considering leaving the party.

It appears many here would consider that a good thing, getting rid of the "fringe" element.

Ignore the "fringe" at your peril.

[mac2]

92. What shall we call it?

I'm with you. I am an "Old Democrat". What shall we call it? Progressive Party, Independents, Populists, Democracy Party, Constitutionalists(of Madison and Jefferson model)?

Terry was warned that he lost the Democratic party base..but continue in power. He remains to destroy us.

Ralph Nader is right..in the end, they are all the same corporate thugs...some more than others. There are heroes in the muck and mire of Washington. Could we get them to change? We need financial support. A drive for public funding is necessary.

When you think about it, no one is winning but a few under the present administration. There mistakes may be felt for many years.

I will vote to remove Bush. Then I will go and be a real liberal.

[Zomby Woof]

77. Maybe CNN will let Kobe and Janet Jackson debate instead

CNN has long sucked the big one. Ever since I started posting on DU, I have warned people they are just a soft-focus Fox, and have been since the... REAGAN era.

[ChiefJoseph]

79. And for good reason.

Neither have a prayer of winning the nomination. And Sharpton is nothing but a court jester at this point. His only utility lies in enlivening the debates.

[mac2]

84. One way to make sure a Democrat doesn't win....

Is to give him no press or money. FEC cut off Kucinich. Sharpton is a clergy and shouldn't run at all. Kucinich is the only one with real Democratic choices.

Kucinich gave Edwards his support in Iowa. Where's the support by Edwards to see that all candidates remaining get their message out there?

The Trade issue is important to Americans. Especially to workers. They want it GONE. We could lose if we don't attract the liberal base of the party. Remember?

[mac2]

88. Why decide now?

[revcarol]

89. WAAA: I want candidates with $200 blow-dried haircuts

who won't get to the meat of the real issues:

corporate welfare
jobs going overseas(mostly to China, Edwards!!)
the militarization of our economy
cooperation and diplomacy taking primacy over PPI or PNAC
health care that is care, not profit for pharma companies and insurance companies
labor that is free to join unions

Whoops, take me to the re-education camp!! Some here think I'm in the wrong party.

[mac2]

90. Right the issues are important

At the Boston Convention, I want these issues decided and discussed. He represents our platform, not the other way around.

We decide on a VP not the candidate...which has been the other way around in the last few years.

[edzontar]

91. Screw the media. Let everyone participate.

I don't understand why some of our colleagues are so anxious to shut this down.

We have primaries coming, and with some candidates (maybe) dropping out, SOME might want another look at the so-called "fringe" candidates...

Like MYSELF, who has NOT had the opportunity to VOTE yet.....

Let's not get too FLORIDEAN about this!!!!

[HuskerDem]

93. It'd be boring without Sharpton

maybe Sharpton and Kucinch could moderate. I'd PAY to see that.

[littlejoe]

94. They should be excluded n/t

[mac2]

96. No they shouldn't..

Let's bring the debate to the Democratic Convention where is belongs. The final candidates and platform is there....

[found object]

98. start saying goodby to the progressive and green voters...

and hello to Ralph Nader. With only a quarter of the delegates positioned, now is not the time to dismiss a sizable chunk of potential Dem supporters.