Reply #5: It has nothing to do with polling percentages. It's about controlling the issues.

[cui bono]

The leading mainstream candidates have a history of shutting out the lesser knowns because of the issues they raise. There have even been debate rules changed to require a higher polling number in order to be "allowed" to participate. And that's done by PRIVATE organizations running the debates, they weren't government run debates. So why is that? Because they want to control the issues debated. If they can keep only mainstream candidates in the debates they don't have to dig very deep into the real issues affecting Americans. They won't have to worry about someone bringing up the "I" word. They can keep the debate moderate, only dealing with issues palatable to centrists, they won't have to be afraid that the people will find out that we don't have to worship corporations and allow them to be treated as citizens until it comes time for them to pay their share of taxes.

I think you really missed the mark with that piece, imho.