GOP explores special debate rules to include low polling candidates like Fiorina and Carson

[devil21]

The RNC cuts the debate schedule down to 9 debates, requires candidates participate only in the RNC's 9 sanctioned debates AND wants to expand the field as much as possible to include candidates that previously wouldn't have been included? Debates won't be worth anything at this rate. Intentionally, of course.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...arson-fiorina/

Republicans face a tough task in trying to craft rules for their presidential primary debates — and in particular, making sure they write the rules so that Ben Carson and Carly Fiorina, who are running well behind in the polls, find a place on the stage.

The Republican National Committee has insisted on vetting all official debates in the run-up to the 2016 nomination battle, including approving the criteria that will determine who’s included. But with potentially close to two dozen candidates vying for spots, party officials are sure to ruffle feathers as they decide how to decide who makes it.

“Unless we really believe there is going to be a debate with 15 people, there is going to be a real controversy over where that line is drawn,” said Iowa GOP chairman Jeff Kaufmann.” If you don’t think there are going to be 15, there is going to be a businessman, or a governor or a senator who is not on that list.”

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[Brian4Liberty]

Fiorina is the Huntsman of this cycle. The establishment loves her, but no one else does.

[The Northbreather]

Oh wait a Paul is doing well, change the rules!

[William Tell]

Fiorina is the Huntsman of this cycle. The establishment loves her, but no one else does.

The difference though, is she's the only Republican woman so far this cycle. So they might manage to pump her up, I don't know.

[goRPaul]

Debates might not have ever been worth much of anything, with the exception of the Ron Paul moment with Rudy. The establishment was blindsided by that and took action to never let it happen again. Debates are more like football games, where the fans root for their favorite so they can smack talk later. Few fans root for their rivals after a rout.

[thoughtomator]

Carson and Fiorina have no popular support, it's ludicrous that they are being considered for inclusion in the debates at all. Get a constituency first and we'll talk, checking off an affirmative-action box doesn't cut it as qualification for wanting to run the federal government.

[Ronin Truth]

"explores special debate rules" is standard GOP speak for "just forget it".

[givemeliberty2010]

The RNC cuts the debate schedule down to 9 debates, requires candidates participate only in the RNC's 9 sanctioned debates AND wants to expand the field as much as possible to include candidates that previously wouldn't have been included? Debates won't be worth anything at this rate. Intentionally, of course.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/...arson-fiorina/

Since when is Ben Carson doing poorly in the polls? Last I knew, he was in the top five or six for the GOP.

[givemeliberty2010]

This is the most recent of the polls listed on Real Clear Politics: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/inte...vorable-slips/. Carson is tied for FIRST.

[devil21]

This is the most recent of the polls listed on Real Clear Politics: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/inte...vorable-slips/. Carson is tied for FIRST.

I assume WashTimes threw their names into the title and article just to take a shot at conservatives, regardless of where Carson and Fiorina stand in reported polling.

[Legend1104]

Oh good because they were so concerned when Gary Johnson was left out of debates in 2012 and Ron Paul in 2008.

[twomp]

More people being allowed to debate is a good thing. Just because Rand Paul is doing well doesn't me we should start becoming the like the people we loathe so much.

[georgiaboy]

affirmative action at its finest