SCGOP debate trims field before first question is asked
Published April 30th, 2007 in Editorial. 
According to South Carolina Republican Party Chairman, and FOX News who is hosting the GOP debate; only those candidates who have met certain criteria will be allowed on stage. The result could be the symbolic end of a number of Presidential campaigns, in South Carolina at least.  With the debate taking place so early in the Primary season (May), many candidates have not had the time to establish name ID, which is the source of much of the early polling numbers.Â
The criteria is as follows:
The party sent a letter to the candidates saying they must have filed papers establishing an exploratory committee or full-blown candidacy and paid the fees associated with the state primary ($25,000).
They also must have “garnered at least 1 percent in recent state and national polls leading up to the registration deadline, as determined by Fox News Channel and the South Carolina Republican Party.”
We’re not saying that setting standards by which candidates must qualify is wrong, but it certainly puts the lesser known, but still serious candidates on the hot seat. After watching the joint press conference that was the Democratic “debate”; it was clear that there can be no event that even comes close to resembling a debate with so many candidates on the stage. The problem is, candidates such as, Duncan Hunter, Tom Tancredo, Jim Gilmore, and others, who have not had the time to build their indentification nationwide but can be considered credible, will most likely not be allowed on the stage.
The result of the disqualification could spell the end of some campaigns in South Carolina.
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9 Responses to “SCGOP debate trims field before first question is asked”
- 1 Pingback on May 1st, 2007 at 2:20 am
Duncan Hunter has been doing well around the state at conventions and should be allowed to participate. But then again, John Cox can make that argument too, and there’s no way he should be allowed.
Romney, McCain, Rudy, Brownback, Huckabee, and Hunter. There is your field right there.
I don’t see why Duncan Hunter is on the list of doubtful participants. He’s paid his filing fee and is polling above the one percent requirement. It sounds like Morpheus has proposed a likely slate of participants.
Cox just paid his $25,000 filing fee to SC GOP. If they accepted his money, then he must be rated high enough to play? Can’t believe he has achieved 1% nationally?
I can understand if they include Tancredo and Paul in as well, but a nut like Cox has no business being included on this type of stage.
Cox has not met the polling criteria, however the SCGOP will still take his money to be on the ballot. He just won’t make th debate.
Depending on the poll, Hunter does not get 1% nationally.
The primaries should be a more open process - no matter how much one, few, or many may believe a particular candidate is a nut. If it is allowed that polls decide who can debate, then we allow the media to make the decisions as to who will be allowed to be on the debate stage and indirectly who will be available to vote for. Another criteria that is not the media should be used in order to decide debate participants. There are some past presidents that would not have made the criteria being spoken of here.
I agree with that, fully. Why does Fox News reserve the right to determine who debates just because they are broadcasting the debate? Since the SC GOP is hosting the debate, the ultimate decision regarding participants should be int he hands of the SC GOP - not Fox News.
If a candidate pays the $25000 filing fee he should be allowed to debate. How about Fred Thompson? He polled 9% in Lexington , I think he should be invited.
It is true that the Dems put on a press conference but they let all the candidates participate. Are we going to pick and choose? If “the powers that be” get to choose why even have a debate? Just let the “wheels” anoint someone.