In the News: Unfortunately for Kucinich, the courts are not ruling in his favor. First, his victorious suit against MSNBC (the station excluded him from the pre-Nevada Democratic debate for his low polling position) was overturned by the Nevada Supreme Court, who called his mandated appearance "an unconstitutional prior restraint" on the media station, violating their First Amendment rights. Then, the Texas Supreme Court refused to get involved when Kucinich's name was excluded from the state's primary ballots; Kucinich refused to take the Texas Democratic Party's "loyalty oath" (a vow that, should a candidate not get the party's nomination, he/she will "fully support" the party's nominee), and was therefore excluded. But Kucinich refuses to be deterred; he and star supporter Willie Nelson vow that they will take this ruling to the US 5th Circuit Court of Appeals. And finally, Kucinich has officially filed a complaint with the FCC against CNN for "arbitrarily establishing criteria" for the South Carolina Presidential Candidate Debate (again, Kuinich was not invited). Yet again, the media giant under fire responded that the criteria (the candidate must place in the top three of a DNC recognized presidential contest and have national poll numbers of 5% or higher) was not crafted to automatically exclude Kucinich: no conspiracy here.
Support: This past week, Kucinich has gained the endorsement of the Mexican American Political Association (MAPA) President Nativo Lopez. Also, this week Mrs. Kucinich launched an "Elect Dennis Kucinich Tour" in California.
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3 comments:
Wow! I feel a little bad for Kucinich...I can't lie. He just keeps on getting denied from the debates and he is barely pulling in any of the states that have had primaries/caucuses. I wonder when he is going to get the hint of when to drop out. Also, why is he wasting his time in courts? it honestly sounds like a lost cause. On the other hand, his wife's "elect Dennis" tour and his endorsement from the Mexican American Political Association may help him in the next primary. Lets hope the media starts including Kucinich a little in the debates and on the ballots, for his sake and the courts sake.
It is sad to see how politics are affecting the judicial system. This court case will be an important landmark for future cases involving press, and candidates such as Kucinich and Gravel are not greatly hindering the debates, and it is sad that someone feels the need to exclude them.
It is hard to watch Kucinich struggle through this race. He has been doing everything he can trying to join debates but being denied. Because of Kucinich’s decision to not take the “loyalty oath” for the Texas Democratic Party, he was excluded from it. Kucinich is not looking good as he struggles to be a part of everything and anything that will help his campaign but his constant exclusions have not been helping his cause.
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