I am not a huge fan of Ron Paul nor am I a fan of Michelle Bachmann, but the fact of the matter is if you are going to hold debates like the ones that are held last night, purposely limiting candidates based on who the network believes will have the best chance of winning is a dangerous game to be playing. I have yet to hear any outrage from the other candidates, probably because they all had their fair time and then some, but it would be nice if the candidates stuck together in some respect and took over the debates from these networks. Mention someone here and there and allow them to get into the action. We all know who Cain, Gingrich, and Romney are, but to tell you the truth I had to do my own research on Bachmann and other candidates to see if they lined up with my point of view. The media did nothing to help in that cause, and that is because they are in the game of picking the winners and the losers.
Info Wars [7], which we all know to be a website by Alex Jones, a supporter of Ron Paul, points out that Ron Paul had only 89 seconds of air time the whole 90 minute debate. This is far from being fair, and in a debate fairness does count for something. We are watching it to learn more about the candidates, not just a few the media has decided would fit well with their ideological views. Like I have said before and will say again, I am no Ron Paul or Bachmann fan, but that does not mean I do not think they should have their time to speak and try to get people to support their candidacy. This is why we have these debates and why people should watch them. If the networks will censor the candidates, then why should I waste my time watching the debate?
This has happened in the past, as well. At the CNN debate not too long ago, at the end of the debate when everyone was giving a closing remark, CNN attempted to cut out before Bachmann had a chance to respond for the final time. She spoke up and got a few seconds in, but Ron Paul had been cut out altogether even though CNN knew there was enough time to keep going for another 2-3 minutes. They did not cut out to go to a commercial, but to go to another CNN host who was to do an interview. At the time I mentioned on Twitter how disgusted I was with the way CNN handled their debate and the format that they had set up, but the fact of the matter is many of you could care less because you do not support the man. I have read up on the man and know why I do not support him, but I am the exception to the rule. many of you have no idea who Ron Paul even is, yet the media, during the debates, make sure that he and others who the media feels does not have a chance do not get their shot at talking to the people for more than a few seconds.
The other candidates need to stand up for the others in the field and make sure they get time as well. I am not saying give up all their time in the next debate because Paul did not get a fair shake, but make sure that he does get worked in, along with Bachmann and the others who the media feel have no chance. Me, personally, I do not believe they have a chance at all either, but I would never allow what has happened in the past few debates ever happen if I was running the show. It makes me sick that the media would try to pick winners and losers and not even lie about it, and expect people like myself to believe that they are fair to every single one of the candidates.
Tweet, E-mail, Facebook, and call these media outlets and tell them you do not like them trying to choose your candidate for you, and you want these candidates to get fair time on the debates. If they are going to be there and are allowed to be there, then who gives the station running the debate the right to limit their time based on their readings of public opinion?
