I knew it: they're letting Rick Perry into the debate

[Enrique]

the "requirements" are a sham.

CNN Apparently Waives Its Own Debate Rules To Let Rick Perry In

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/01/cnn-says-perry-meets-criteria-for-debate-will-get-invited-but-has-he.php

“Yes, Gov. Perry will be invited to next week’s CNN debate,” said Edie Emery, director of public relations for Turner Broadcasting Systems, in an e-mail to TPM. “He has met the criteria.”

A follow-up e-mail to Emery, asking which criteria Perry has met, was not immediately returned.

According to CNN’s criteria for inclusion, a candidate must get at least 4th place in either Iowa or New Hampshire, or get 7% support in at least three national Republican or three South Carolina primary polls released in January. The requirements were posted online last Tuesday afternoon, several hours before before the Iowa caucuses began later that night.

Perry came in fifth place in Iowa, and sixth in New Hampshire. And currently, his national and South Carolina poll numbers do not show him meeting that threshold, either.

(...)

[hobbit709]

1. This will be fun to watch

Every time he opens his mouth, it's only to change feet.

[Richardo]

8. !!

[Chipper Chat]

30. MEGA-DUZY !!

[maddezmom]

2. obviously it's about the ratings and not the rules

pathetic

[Mojorabbit]

31. I think there is some big money behind Perry and that is the real reason. nt

[Scuba]

4. He makes the others seem less deranged. n/t

[Little Star]

5. Good! He's more entertaining than the comedy channel....

Let him show off his stupid!

[babylonsister]

6. Good-comic relief is always welcome. nt

[Javaman]

7. Maybe just for comic relief...

[yellowcanine]

9. Obviously the "rules" aren't worth a bucket of warm pi$$.

[Hubert Flottz]

20. Rules are for the lower 99%

And even a warm bucket of piss has more human DNA than Rick Perry.

[Scootaloo]

10. There's that "liberal media" again

[RZM]

15. Don't see what you mean

Is the media letting Perry in a sign of conservative bias? I don't think it's a sign of much of anything. I think what they're hoping for is another 'oops' moment that will draw attention to CNN and the debate.

LOL, a super-cynic could even argue that this is evidence of liberal media bias. He's such a moron that the MSM can't resist putting him in and making Republicans look bad. Hehe. I don't believe that personally, but I can see a Perry hater on the right saying that. And judging by his poll numbers, there are more than a few of those.

[limpyhobbler]

12. Um... it looks like maybe he did qualify after all. They found the third poll.

I was all like in a rant about CNN being untrustworthy. Oops. Rant deleted.



http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/rick-perry-qualifies-for-cnn-south-carolina-debate-barely_b106566

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/01/cnn-rick-perry-does-qualify-for-our-debate----heres-how.php?ref=fpb

[spanone]

13. why not, he's one of their brightest bulbs...bwahahahahaaa

[Sheepshank]

14. At this point it's more about making sure he never makes another election of any sort n/t

[HappyMe]

16. Oh happy day!

It will be comedy gold!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

17. I'm thrilled to hear this!

Sure it confirms CNN is all about the advertising sales and that they're painfully lacking in professional ethics. If that comes as a surprise to anyone here, contact me - I've got some lovely ocean front property in Nevada I'm willing to sell at a greatly reduced price.

The reason I'm so damn excited about this is I thought I'd seen the last of Perry's pitiful - and hilarious - attempts at debating. It honestly makes my day that I'm going to be treated to one more of his bumbling attempts to pimp his GOP cred.

Happy Day!

[rvt1000rr]

18. Par for CNN

These are not "debates" per se, just entertainment. CNN is simply trying to insure market share. Nothing new here.

[SteveW]

19. Of course. Perry knows how to bully. You don't say 'no' to a bully in this culture. nt

[tanyev]

21. Affirmative action for the moron who wanted to see Obama's transcripts.

[Puzzler]

22. Good ol' boys are always welcome in the club (nt)

[morningfog]

23. How else will they keep the "Re-invade Iraq" voters engaged?

[moriah]

24. They had to -- the drinking games for the debates would be incomplete without him! n/t

[99Forever]

25. Just one question, if you don't mind.

Why in the world should I care which clowns that are allowed to show their ass on the weekly GOTP Circus Show?

[Gman]

26. He's good for ratings

never know what's going to come out of his mouth that's dirt stupid. People love that stuff.

[Wistful Vista]

27. Sounds like good news to me. The more crazies they keep in the mix, the better!

I almost feel sorry for Huntsman, he's the only one who isn't shithouse rat nuts, and has about 1 percent. HAHAHA

[Doc Holliday]

28. You know something?

All this back-and-forth about Perry and CNN and their so-called rules is just noise.....

.....unless.....unless....y'all are actually gonna watch the debate.

I won't be watching, that's for sure. Life's too short.

Are there a lot of fellow DUers who plan to watch, and, if so, why?

[Enrique]

29. no, the discussion of debate rules has been going on for a long time

debates of both parties. Its not about Perry its about the media deciding who is an acceptable candidate.

[Major Hogwash]

32. But, that's not the whole story, Doc. Enrique is right.

The media is willfully pushing the "anti-Obama" theme.

[oldbanjo]

33. Money talks

It's all about money, rules mean nothing.

[dugaresa]

34. He is being invited because watching an idiot answer questions is entertaining

and this is CNN's way of making a mockery of the debates, not that I care.