Fringe Candidates

I tried watching the Ragister's Republican debate, but I couldn't stay with it.

Carolyn Washburn is just awful (a paper cut is more entertaining) and the scientific community is united in that fact.

David Yepsen, political columnist, at least has a personality and TV experience.

I love Alan Keyes (I lost some respect for him after his Illinois Senate carpetbag run against Obambi) but he had no business being there.

The Ragister has this supposed criteria used to invite participants...

1. Candidates must have filed an FEC Form F-2 “Statement of Candidacy” with the Federal Election Commission, and

2. Candidates must have publicly announced an intention to run for the nomination of the Republican or the Democratic Party for President of the United States, and

3. Candidates must have had a campaign office inside the State of Iowa as of October 1, 2007, and

4. Candidates must have employed at least one paid campaign staff representative to perform full-time campaign duties in the State of Iowa on behalf of the candidate since at least October 1, 2007, and

5. Candidates must have had at least a 1% support showing in the Des Moines Register’s October, 2007 Iowa Poll.

Alan Keyes did not meet criteria 3 or 4.

Keyes did register 2% in their October poll (Keyes polled 0% in their November poll).

I don't believe Duncan Hunter meets their criteria on 3 or 4 either.

This same criteria is being used to exclude Dennis KOOK-cinich and Mike Gravel for today's Dummycrat debate.

KOOK-cinich goes 5 for 5 in the Ragister's criteria, but the Ragister said...

"It was our determination that a person working out of his home did not meet our criteria for a campaign office and full-time paid staff in Iowa."

Per the left wing blog Daily Kos...

The Federal Elections Commission recognizes that the Kucinich campaign has paid staff in Iowa. The IRS recognizes the legitimacy of a home office.

I guess the Ragister caught the SNL Fringe candidate's debate.