My Letter to the Editor of The Des Moines Register About Excluding Dennis Kucinich from Its Debate

[Krashkopf]

I think The Des Moines Register’s decision to exclude Dennis Kucinich from the upcoming Democratic debates (based on the flimsy pretext that he has not rented space for a Campaign Headquarters in Iowa) does a real disservice, not only to the Kucinich campaign, but also to the entire Democratic Party nomination process.

The Iowa caucuses (and the New Hampshire primaries) are accorded special status by both of the major political parties. By allowing your two states to maintain your “first in the nation status,” the rest of us are granting Iowa and New Hampshire disproportionate influence over the nomination process. Clearly, the Iowa caucuses and the N.H. primaries have national implications . . . thus, in my opinion, your two states have an ethical obligation to the rest of the nation to be fair and inclusive (especially to a candidate like Kucinich who, so obviously, speaks for the progressive wing of the Democratic party).

If The Des Moines Register wants to make decisions on the debate it is sponsoring based solely on parochial Iowa considerations, that is certainly its right, however, if that is the case, I think it is time for “the rest us” to reconsider our decision to allow Iowa to “go first,” as that decision no longer seems to be serving the "national" interest.

Signed,
(Actual Signature)
Centennial, Colorado
An Edwards supporter

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Good one!

[slipslidingaway]

2. Thank you, K&R n/t

[Krashkopf]

3. Thanks for the "recs"

. . . and keep 'em coming! I've never made the "Greatest Sorted by Time" list before . . . I'm so excited!

[kenfrequed]

4. I agree

I sent something a bit more lengthy and inarticulate and topped it off with an incoherantly angry phone message. I like your letter.

[redqueen]

5. I would have mentioned the fact that Keyes was invited,

despite his not having an office.

[Krashkopf]

6. I thought about that . . .

but, then, I read in another string on DU that the GOP "debate" was not sponsored by The Des Moines Register.

[redqueen]

7. Whoever said that is either blathering in ignorance, or a fucking liar.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/13/opinion/main3614663.shtml

[Krashkopf]

8. Just got done watching the Dem Debate on "the Span" . . .

and it certainly was less robust than it would have been with Dennis Kucinich "stirring the pot."

Krash

[superkia]

9. Great post! I dont think the people of Iowa deserve anymore...

than the rest of the country. They definitely hurt the political process by not allowing DK's voice to be heard, he has ben speaking for the people on the important issues that everyone else wants to take a backseat on.

[Kurovski]

10. K&R.

Boy, howdy YES. I'm sick of the goofball process to begin with. But this malarky?

Very well-written LTTE.

[MuseRider]

11. Very nice.

Iowa, or those establishments in Iowa, have no right IMO to determine who we can hear and who we can't in a national election. He did not spend money in Iowa? Too bad, waaaaa. This is a national election and to let a few people in one little state start off the process like this is exactly what you said, a disservice to the country.

Thank you Krashkopf, Edwards supporter.