Democrats exclude Lieberman from participating in debate by satellite

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Two Democratic presidential candidates will participate in Monday's Iowa debate by satellite, allowing the senators to continue fighting against a GOP-backed Medicare bill in Washington. One rival cried foul because he was excluded from the special arrangement.

``We think this is unfair,'' said Jano Cabrera, spokesman for Sen. Joe Lieberman.

The Connecticut senator, who is not competing in Iowa's caucuses, had rejected an invitation to attend the debate sponsored by the Democratic National Committee and NBC. Eight other candidates had agreed to attend.

At the last minute, Sens. John Edwards of North Carolina and John Kerry of Massachusetts said they could not attend because of the Medicare fight. The DNC agreed to allow them to participate by satellite from a Washington studio. Two onstage television screens will show Edwards and Kerry, alongside six rivals who will be there in person.

Lieberman asked to participate by satellite as well. The DNC consulted with the other campaigns, at least two of which said he should not be allowed to participate.

<snip>

Lieberman's spokesman said: ``The rules of the debate were changed and two candidates were allowed to participate remotely. Given these rule changes, we obviously were interested in debating. We're sure any technological problems can be worked out.''
http://www.startribune.com/stories/484/4229851.html

[drfemoe]

1. They should let him do it

I don't know why he turned it down to start with .. but he is on the Hill doing business too and I think it should be allowed. I hope they change their mind.

[phirili]

3. I agree. Really looking forward to when some candidates withdraw.

[Rowdyboy]

2. Very tacky

Stupid move for the DNC

[DrFunkenstein]

4. This Is Going To Be A Bizarre Debate!

When I said there should be less people on the stage, this is not what I had in mind!

[mitchum]

5. I will have to search out a TV

this sounds weirdly promising

[pasadenaboy]

6. I don't like Feebleman,

but this is unfair. Either they should all be allowed to participate via satelite or none.

We're not republicans, after all. We actually believe in fair elections.

[sandnsea]

7. He didn't RSVP

He said he didn't want to be there. The satellite changes were made because of the Medicare fillibuster. Joe hadn't planned on being there and there's no reason to make the same accommodations for him. Whatever they do is no big deal, I would rather they just had a smaller debate myself.

[genius]

8. The debates need to be fair

It looks bad for all the candidates when the deebates are run in an unfair fashion.

[GreenPartyVoter]

9. I'm not a fan of not including candidates in debates

Really, this is very undemocratic!

[OhioStateProgressive]

10. i agree

as I understand it, he will still be on the ballot in Iowa, just not campaigning...if your on the ballot, you deserve equal debate time within your own party

[LuminousX]

11. I think Lieberman got outmanuevered by Kerry and Edwards

Kerry and Edwards get the benefit of being part of the filibuster and debating. Lieberman was forced into choosing.

[JI7]

13. what do you mean ?

lieberman was forced to chose what ?

i understand now the reasons for his exclusion, but have a bad feeling with it for some reason. they probably shouldn't have done the sattelite thing for kerry and edwards. kerry had already said he wont do the debates and be in senate and they should have left it at that.

[w4rma]

12. Of course he should be allowed in the debate. (n/t)

[eissa]

14. Wait a minute

I thought both Kerry and Edwards had planned on being at the debate and only recently had to back out due to the vote. In this case, a satellite hook-up is justified. As far as I know, Lieberman was not even planning on being at the debate at all. It was only after the hook-ups were provided for Kerry and Edwards that he wanted in. Although I join in the call for fair debates, I personally would not miss Lieberman.