Centrists: Should Dennis Kucinich STILL be excluded from the debates?

[IrateCitizen]

I was just wondering what the prevailing thought was among people who called for his exclusion, considering the fact that he just finished third in the last two contests (Maine and Washington), ahead of both Edwards AND Clark.

Do you think he should still be excluded? If so, then who should be included?

[La_Serpiente]

1. No

[JohnnyFianna1]

4. From what I've Heard...

NO, but I don't see why they continue ignoring him. From what I understand it's because they want to give as many of the presidential candidates who actually have a chance to unseat *AWOL as much "face time" as possible. Kucinch would cut into that time.

[IrateCitizen]

8. It's because they want the campaign to be about image...

and not issues. Issues are OK, so long as certain thresholds aren't crossed. They have to be about broad generalities and things like prescription drugs, social security and the like. Not that those aren't important -- but there are such bigger issues out there right now.

Dennis blows right through the thresholds. He talks frankly about the problems with "free" trade. He is unflinching in his criticism of not just Iraq, but of militarism. He speaks up for those for whom the Bill of Rights no longer applies due to the PATRIOT Act. He's a teller of unpleasant truths -- AND gives ideas of how we can get back on track again.

After he's come in third in WA and ME, you would think it would get at least a passing mention in the big media. Wrong. They pretend like he doesn't even exist.

They've pretended like he doesn't exist throughout the entire campaign, and during the run-up to it.

F***ers. :grr:

[leyton]

14. I think DK should be included, but not because he's great on policy.

In fact, I find him to be rather unrealistic compared to the other Democrats (this is just my own opinion). We will find it impossible to change the country overnight but we can start taking it in the right direction, in the hopes that others will continue our work. I think that Kerry or Edwards will be more effective at getting us started, and guys like Kucinich will be better later on. At the moment I find him too unrealistic.

[library_max]

21. Who's "they"? /nt

[IrateCitizen]

24. "They" is the establishment

As exemplified by the editorial in the NYT shortly after the IA and NH contests, calling for Kucinich to be excluded from the debates because they weren't "viable" candidates and their time took away from the important time of the other more "electable" candidates.

Never mind the fact that the NYT has acted as if Kucinich doesn't even exist -- other than listing his campaign stops in a little box in the politics report -- throughout the entire contest. They didn't highlight his leadership in the House against IWR. They haven't highlighted the fact that he was exactly right concerning WMD's. They have literally made every effort possible to ignore anything that he does or talks about.

And as I recall, there were a fair share of DUers who, at the time, felt that Kucinich should be excluded.

[JohnKleeb]

7. since when are you and the others responding centrists

:)
I will answer Irate. Of course he shouldnt. I hope he did well today in my state and TN.

[Benhurst]

2. Absolutely not.

[redqueen]

3. So far so good

but we're only at 2 posts here. :)

[Padraig18]

5. 'Still'?

When has he been excluded?

[redqueen]

6. I think he's asking if the sentiment is still there n/t

[Padraig18]

10. As long as he's an active candidate, he should be included, IMO.

:)

[BL_Zebub]

9. I don't think Dennis has a snowball's chance in my living room.

But that doesn't mean he shouldn't have a voice in the party. Absolutely , he should stay in the debates, and in the race as long as he is able to do so. I would say the same for Al Sharpton if he hadn't been revealed as a Republican plant. He needs to drop out immediately.

[IrateCitizen]

12. I don't think Al Sharpton is a Republican Plant, per se...

I think Al Sharpton is an Al Sharpton plant. As entertaining as he can be at times (and I don't mean that in a degrading way, I just think he comes up with colorful ways of stating some basic truths), his main goal in this candidacy has been to further his standing within the black community and take over the mantle of leadership from Jesse Jackson. More than anything, he wants a spot on that convention floor to give a speech. And he also probably wants to do the same kind of think to the national Dems in 2004 as he did in to Mark Green in the 2001 NYC Mayoral election -- just to improve his own standing and profile.

His campaign is, like most of what Al Sharpton does, all about Al Sharpton.

HOWEVER,

I would agree that the presence of a Republican mole in his campaign at its highest levels is highly disconcerting, I don't think it's proof that Sharpton is a Republican. Rather, it's indicative of how far Sharpton is willing to go to further himself -- no matter the greater cost.

[MAlibdem]

11. No

Allowing DK into nationally televised debates legitimizes his demonized positions - which are perfectly legitimate

[IrateCitizen]

13. Glad to hear that from a Kerry supporter

His positions are perfectly legitimate -- and provide a clear alternative to the current gang of criminals.

[MAlibdem]

16. Kerry is a liberal

A Massachusetts liberal in fact. Just dont let anyone else know, tell only people you can trust not to tell the media. LoL.

[IrateCitizen]

17. Maybe so -- but Dennis is the reincarnation of Fighting Bob

Just don't let anyone in on that one, OK? :D

READ ABOUT FIGHTING BOB LAFOLLIETTE HERE

[Eurobabe]

15. WTF?

He should be heard until he removes himself from the race! And even THEN he should STILL be heard.

I voted for Clark, but Dennis has some very valuable ideas that need to be integrated into this party.

[Mass_Liberal]

18. no

[Product of Evolution]

19. Absolutely not...

Being from Ontario, I feel particularly strongly about this issue because the Green candidate was excluded from the CBC debates even though the Greens were running a province-wide slate of candidates.

[library_max]

20. What the - ? Who called for his exclusion?

If he's still in the race, he belongs in the debates. And by "still in the race," I mean he hasn't dropped out yet.

:wtf:

Dammit, we need to let the candidates themselves decide when it's time to drop out, with no coaching from the sidelines, especially from the supporters of other candidates! How are Kucinich supporters supposed to react to this? How are Democrats who simply appreciate fair play supposed to react to this?

We should be getting ourselves prepared for unity. I don't mean unity this minute, but unity when a nominee is actually selected. We're not going to get there by getting hurt and angry over every little thing, but even more we're not going to get there by attacking each other or dissing each other's candidates!

[IrateCitizen]

25. The NYT and several agreeing DUers, for starters

The NYT editorial board put out a piece shortly after NH and IA in which they called for the exclusion of Kucinich and Sharpton from the debates. There were a fair number of DUers who actually agreed with that assessment, too.

For the record, I'm a die-hard "Kucitizen". I most certainly do NOT think he should be in any way excluded, and have been incensed at the way in which the mainstream media has gone to great lengths to ignore his candidacy.

[Iverson]

26. Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

Just remember that it took the DLC, not the NYT, to compare Kucinich to Rumsfeld.

Let that be a lesson to liberals: far better to work within the party.

[YouMustBeKiddingMe]

22. NO! ALL of the candidates should be included in the debates.

[kiahzero]

23. Nope

I'm willing to admit my mistakes... Kucinich is doing relatively well.