UPDATE: Fiorina will be able to participate in the CNN debate after all.
…excluded from CNN’s debate at the Reagan Library.
The way CNN is determining who will be on stage and who is not is nothing short of lazy. However, given the fact that the Republican National Committee and CNN have something to do with it, this should come as a surprise to no one.
If you have been following presidential politics, you’re likely already familiar with the silliness that comes with the national debate rules. In this case, rules passed on May 20, which say to use NATIONAL polls from three weeks BEFORE the first debate and five weeks AFTER, make up the averages for those who will be in the top ten to appear in Simi Valley Sept. 16.
I equate it to ESPN insisting on showcasing the Yankees v. Red Sox for the 15th time on Sunday Night Baseball. It’s predetermined, despite there being other teams that are charging in the standings and perhaps playing more compelling baseball, but totally based on ratings and name popularity.
Heck, would you really expect anything different with a reality TV star/beauty pageant mogul at the top of the ticket?
Here are the facts from Real Clear Politics and their polling numbers:
1) Carly Fiorina is between 4th and 7th in Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
2) In the latest national Quinnipiac poll, she comes in 7th.
3) Since the debate, she’s been consistently top 10 in the national polls; that alone should put her on the stage.
One would think that the programmers and the RNC would want to put a surging politician on the stage to see what she’s made of against the other guys.
If Fox Sports has scheduled in July the Washington Redskins v. New York Giants for a late December game and they’re both 4-10, Fox should be able to show the marquis Detroit Lions v. Green Bay Packer contest – the one everyone will really want to watch anyway.
Ms. Fiorina belongs on the stage. Republicans paying attention want to see her mettle.
Addendum: All this said, this might be the best thing for Fiorina and her supporters. If she can go to the under-card and do as well or better than before, there will be wind at her back that will propel her into the top tier – with a chip on her proponents collective shoulder.
