In trying to find information about the upcoming GOP debate, I stumbled upon this article, which, its conservative bent aside, provides an interesting look at the debate to follow the proximate one--the debate to be sponsored by Fox News.
Cliff Kincaid seems to think that Rupert Murdoch intends that debate to be the unilateral coronation of Rudy Giuliani, and he doesn't like it:
Indeed, if the more conservative candidates are excluded from this debate, the odds increase that Giuliani, an advocate of abortion on demand and same-sex unions, will emerge from the debate and perhaps this southern state convention as the inevitable GOP presidential candidate. It may be impossible to stop him at that point.
Is Kincaid right? That's hard to say. After all, the May 3rd debate will be a huge event, and includes 10 hopefuls, ranging from the ostensible RINO Giuliani, to the hardcore-conservative Tancredo, to the libertarian Ron Paul. It's not as though the lesser candidates will have no chance to be heard. In fact, it's quite possible that the candidates who perform well in the first debate will end up included in the Fox debate, as Kincaid notes that:
Reports indicate that the candidates will have to register at one percent in various polls before being invited to the debate. But as the AP story noted, "In a variety of national and state polls, seven of the 10 candidates hover around one percent or less."
So it's quite likely that the name recognition that the first debate will provide would put all of the 10 in the clear. Mr. Kincaid probably doesn't have so much to worry about as he lets on.
However, his anguish is interesting. The right is in disarray, and neoconseratives are developing some vocal detractors. And, so unpleasant as it might be, it behooves all of us to pay close attention to their tribulations.
Ironic quote of the day? Mr. Kincaid, mumbling truth to power:
This is a form of censorship that should not be permitted. It is shocking that a news channel should be attempting to stifle debate.