Why Kucinich’s Debate Exclusion Is OK

This is probably our last exclusive Kucinich post until he drops out, for what its worth, but he’s complaining about being excluded from tonight’s debate. The criteria included finishing in the top four in Iowa, or being above 5% in a national or New Hampshire poll. Kucinich complained, sending out the following press release shortly ago:

As complaints keep pouring in to ABC News regarding the network’s decision to exclude Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich from tonight’s Democratic Presidential debate, the most recent data from ABC and co-sponsor Facebook show Kucinich ahead of New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, who was invited to participate.

Kucinich, according to Facebook’s own figures, ranks fourth in popularity among Facebook members. In the latest ABC News Poll, Kucinich ranked ahead of Richardson. And, Kucinich has won more than a dozen major on-line polls and post-debate surveys, including one conducted by ABC News.

First of all, Kucinich cites being ahead in a “ABC News Poll” but does not mention what poll that even was. The latest polls from Washington Post and ABC News poll contain no poll result either in Iowa or New Hampshire where Kucinich out polls Richardson, nor any poll where Kucinich breaks 5% either nationally or in New Hampshire.

Citing online polls are a joke; with apologies to Ron Paul supporters, they only measure a self-selected sample group and are not representative. They measure fervency of support for certain, but in no way breadth of support.

The standards for the debate tonight are fair; it is late in the election season and it is not the job of any news station to allow for miracles to happen, particularly with candidates who have campaigned for months and still have a negligible amount of support.

Kucinich says the criteria are arbitrary and has even filed a complaint with the FCC; they are arbitrary. But they are also fair and realistic.

I would say the same to Mike Gravel and Duncan Hunter, both of whom also are likely unhappy.