So...what's the criteria for the Jan 28 debate?

[Leaning Libertarian]

Are they gonna surprise us at the last minute? Surprise! Only the top 2 get into the debate!

Or more like the first debate where everybody is invited?

Rand's decision to skip the undercard debate entirely was genius. Becoming the enemy of the MSM and Polsters has energized his base constituents and nearly doubled his twitter followers in just one night of live streaming town hall Q&A. He should skip all the remaining debates, both main and undercard, and continue this revolution without them all together. This would be a real Karate chop to their egos.

 

[limequat]

The problem with all of this, is that it could be Rand vs Trump heading into NH. Then WTF? Is the establishment really gonna split their vote 4 ways with Kasich, Christie, Jeb, and Marco all polling about 10% in NH?

 

[01000110]

Heard that the polls won't matter....you had to be in the last debate in order to qualify.....

Also as secondary qualifications your name cannot rhyme with SAND.

Yes.

But if you want to make SAND glow, you are automatically included.

 

[SilentBull]

Interesting take.

If I was them, this is what I'd do. Keep Rand out of the last debate. Run with the narrative that his campaign is dead and hope like hell it catches.
If I get caught with my pants down in Iowa -well- Iowa doesn't matter. Santorum won Iowa. Huckabee won Iowa. Who cares if Rand wins Iowa? NH is where it's at.

Good points. Unfortunately, this makes sense. They may be thinking of doubling down because it's too risky for them to include him. I hope that's not the case. I'm just not sure how they can keep him out. I imagine his poll numbers will rise starting next week.

 

[georgiaboy]

Rand may do them a favor by skipping the next debate anyways.

They're all undercards when you're Rand Paul.

 

[statist slayer]

Rand has to be in the debate. Remember, we don't have to win the nomination outright to count it a victory. All we need is to secure enough delegates to be the lynch pin for a nomination at the convention, securing Rand the vice presidency or a similarly prestigious position. I think being entirely excluded from the MSM coverage of both of the last debates would basically end his campaign.

 

[mit26chell]

my prediction - they will continue to ignore Rand and will also stop including him in any polls moving forward.

 

[Dianne]

I think they will have all on stage for the next one. It is doubtful they will ask Rand a question, but he will be on stage.

 

[derek4ever]

The problem with all of this, is that it could be Rand vs Trump heading into NH. Then WTF? Is the establishment really gonna split their vote 4 ways with Kasich, Christie, Jeb, and Marco all polling about 10% in NH?

That's the beltway's problem! They had their chance when Rand went after Trump in the first debate! They can all rot in hell and go and whimper like the good pussies they are! HA!

 

[cjm]

I'd like to see him receive an invitation and turn it down. With only a few days before the caucus, it might be a better move to get supporters' energy up than to try to gain a few more through a television appearance. We all know that the focus groups and pundits will determine he lost the debate anyway.

 

[derek4ever]

Rand may do them a favor by skipping the next debate anyways.

They're all undercards when you're Rand Paul.

LOL! That's right! But Rand should be in the next main debate! I also remember Trump and Carson threatening not to be in one of the debates a few months ago! However, they ended up caving! At least Rand's consistent: you either get me in the main debate or else! And you don't want to know what the "else" means!

 

[Valli6]

I think they will have all on stage for the next one. It is doubtful they will ask Rand a question, but he will be on stage.

If that were to happen, Rand should (secretly) have an online Townhall already set up, hopefully with the kinks worked out. During his final statement he can bring up how ineffective the debate process has become and invite everyone (the audience, not other candidates) to join him in 30 minutes for his post-debate Townhall meeting.

 

[jkob]

It feels like Ron is going to steal the nomination via collecting delegates all over again, I very much doubt that Fox expands the field again and if anything they'll probably shrink it again. Rand is going to need a bump in the polls I think and even then I think they'll be hesitant to expand the stage, we'll probably have to knock someone off.

 

[derek4ever]

It feels like Ron is going to steal the nomination via collecting delegates all over again, I very much doubt that Fox expands the field again and if anything they'll probably shrink it again. Rand is going to need a bump in the polls I think and even then I think they'll be hesitant to expand the stage, we'll probably have to knock someone off.

You think so? If that's the case, I hope Rand has a legal team disecting all the aspects of what they did to Ron in 2012. I think we're in for a roller coaster ride. I don't know if we're going only for the delegates or only for the popular vote or a mix of both or even having ninja delegates in other camps. But, let's see what happens!!

 

[hells_unicorn]

After seeing how snarky Fox's bimbo anchorettes were following his announcement that he wouldn't participate, it wouldn't surprise me if they just say they are going to do a full 10 candidate debate with Rand and tell him that he doesn't count as a candidate because he didn't kiss the RNC's ring and do the under-card last time, and they might just mock all of his supporters as kooks for good measure. We should respond accordingly with more of this:

 

[DP714]

Damn I didn't realize there was still another debate. I'm a little nervous.... they will do whatever they can to keep him off of that stage, and will likely succeed. I just hope Rand has a different Townhall set up. Perhaps on Youtube and in a studio. Jason Stapleton, host of the Jason Stapleton Program, offered his studio for Rand to use last night, and I'm pretty sure he would do it again (he's a libertarian).

 

[GunnyFreedom]

one quarter of 1% more than whatever Paul is polling at at the time, of course.

 

[FriedChicken]

I'm going back and forth on if he should boycott again if he qualifies.
I thought I saw a tweet, and I don't even have Twitter, saying something along the lines of "should I let them know now that I'm not going to be at the next stupid debate either?"

 

[65fastback2+2]

I'm going back and forth on if he should boycott again if he qualifies.
I thought I saw a tweet, and I don't even have Twitter, saying something along the lines of "should I let them know now that I'm not going to be at the next stupid debate either?"

i was thinking about that too....he said it last night.

I think they switched to full on anti-msm mode

 

[69360]

The Donald will be debating his toupee. No other candidate or hairpieces are invited.