Mike Gravel Kicked out of AARP Debate

[MetalCanuck]

http://www.democrats.org/page/community/post/observer/CQxT

[DavidDvorkin]

1. He was excluded

"Kicked out" implies that he was physically ousted while it was underway.

Whether it was fair to exclude him is a separate issue.

[Kolesar]

4. Tazed him and betrayed him?

har har

[MetalCanuck]

9. That is what I meant sorry.

[DavidDvorkin]

11. Sorry for jumping on you

We see posts by DUers who are furious about the way their candidate was treated, and those posts aren't always justified. I assumed this was one of that type.

[brooklynite]

2. Let's try for accuracy...

The actual title was AARP Excludes Mike Gravel from Upcoming Debate. To be "kicked out" Gravel would need to have been in the Debate in the first place.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

3. He Should Get His Dues Back...

I think it's about sight dollars a year...

[polichick]

5. That's really sad, especially since Gravel is the most senior candidate. nt

[saracat]

6. I agree with AARP and The HRF and the Harkin Steak Fry who eliminated the candidates who

do not have offices and staff in IOWA. IOWA is a key state and if you can't either be bothered to either raise enough money to have at least 1 office and 1 staffer in IOWA or persuade someone to donate them, you are not considered a "serious" candidate in the next election and should not be taking time away from those candidates amongst whom the IOWA voters are going to have to choose!

[durrrty libby]

7. Haha ...... what a stupid ass title. Sometimes this place is like

a damn tabloid. Grow up!

[MetalCanuck]

8. Comeon, I used the wrong words..sorry.

Geeze, I was getting ready to leave and I wrote it in a rush.

[Totally Committed]

10. I think he and Kucinich should have just showed up together, and demanded

a podium on the stage.

It is absurd to have them excluded, until and/or unless they withdraw.

TC

[EV_Ares]

Why couldn't the other candidates have protested and demaned

that they be included. Evidently, they didn't care.

[MetalCanuck]

12. That would have been great.

I we shall see if they do this in another debate.

[onenote]

14. what about the other candidates that have filed with the FEC but don't have offices in Iowa

http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=BZZ82001

http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=692

http://www.vote-smart.org/bio.php?can_id=22270

[youthere]

15. They were not eligibleto attend according to the guidelines established by AARP.

AARP invited ALL candidates to participate in the forum so long as they met the following guidelines:

* Have filed an FEC Form F-2, "Statement of Candidacy," with the Federal
Election Commission;

* Have publicly announced an intention to run for the nomination of the
Republican or the Democratic Party for President of the United States;

* Have a Campaign Office inside the State of Iowa; and,

* Have employed at least one paid campaign staff representative to
perform full-time campaign duties in the State of Iowa on behalf of the
candidate since at least August 1, 2007

Gravel has no office in Iowa, therefore does not meet the requirements set forth by AARP. Neither did Kucinich or Del LaMagna or Albert B Howard or James Prattas or Danny M Francis...all candidates running for president.

[onenote]

16. exactly

[Debi]

13. He was invited

he was given a set of criteria that needed to be met in order to attend. He chose not to meet the criteria. Just like he chose not to meet the criteria of the AFL-CIO for the Forum in Chicago and wasnt able to attend. :banghead: