Will Ron Paul Be Excluded from Iowa Debates?

JonesReport.com | November 6, 2007

A press release today indicates that Ron Paul could be excluded from the December 4 Iowa Debates if he doesn't average at least 5% in poll indexes related specifically to telephone polls, the American Research Group, Inc. poll and the Des Moines Register poll.

The exclusionary tactic comes just after Ron Paul raised a record $4.2 million online in a single day-- gaining national coverage and boosting his campaign profile.

However, a brief post from Des Moines Register does list Ron Paul as included, but leaves off Duncan Hunter and Tom Tancredo:

That would include former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Arizona Sen. John McCain, U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson. It could leave out U.S. Reps. Duncan Hunter of California and Tom Tancredo of Colorado.

But Ron Paul only polled 4% in the October 1-3 Des Moines Register poll and only 1% in the American Research Group, Inc. poll. The rules state that eligibility will be based on the "most recent" polls, so the question of his inclusion is still unclear.

The registration deadline for the debate will be the last day in November, according to a spokesperson from the Republican Party of Iowa.

Paul has typically not done well on 'land line' telephone polls, yet has dominated the straw polls across the nation and has unprecedented support online and has led nearly every post-debate poll in the primaries.

Ron Paul skeptics point to his 5th place position in the Ames Straw Poll, yet he placed above Giuliani, Fred Thompson and John McCain.

Contact the Republican Party of Iowa at (515) 282-8105.

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