MSNBC To Appeal Judge's Decision To Let Kucinich Be In Debate

[orleans]

olbermann said msnbc is appealing the decision or will appeal it.

ARGH!!!

"Update: Keith Olbermann just said on Countdown that MSNBC will appeal the decision to include Kucinich. Sounds like this isn't over."

http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/msnbc/judge_forces_msnbc_to_include_dennis_kucinich_in_nevada_debate_74981.asp

[gateley]

1. What is their fucking problem?? What reason did they give for un-inviting

Dennis to begin with?

The very fact they did that, can't reflect well on them -- this will reflect even more poorly. Good.

[Ken Burch]

4. It's a "debate". You can't have anyone bringing up issues or ideas on a night like that.

It detracts from the real point: Seeing who has the best meaningless soundbite and who cries over not being called "likeable".

Can't have talk of working people or peace or justice taking time away from the important stuff like that.

:sarcasm:

I really hope Keith isn't BACKING MSNBC on this. He's better than that.

[gateley]

8. ......

Why do we even bother researching candidates ourselves? Obviously the media knows better than we do who we want. :grr:

[99th_Monkey]

6. Basically that they changed their minds (after Iowa & NH)

nothing more substantial than that...

[gateley]

9. Yeah, after I posted I looked it up and they just "changed the policy" -- from

the top four to the top three. Just 'cuz they wanted to, apparently.

[Annces]

2. They can't take it that money does not buy them everything

What idiots.

[Glimmer of Hope]

3. They are so ridiculous. This is not democracy.

[Kucinich4America]

5. That fucking piece of shit Chuck Todd is behind this.

Anti-Kucinich. Anti-Dean. It's obvious who he works for. :grr:

[orleans]

12. olbermann talked to chuck todd and introduced him as

msnbc's "political" something-or-other, i forget. so that's what i was thinking or wondering...if it was chuck todd's decision to cut kucinich by changing the rules to the top 3.

[Pastiche423]

14. Is this what the asshole looked like?

[Kucinich4America]

16. Yep, that's the bastard

makes me ashamed of wearing a goatee. :evilfrown:

[balantz]

7. My concern is they won't play and the Judge says no debate.

Smells fishy to me! I want this debate to happen!

[ursi]

10. Harry Reid and his son will be in tears if it gets canceled.

[balantz]

11. That would put me over the edge for that Reid sonofabitch!

[Justice Is Comin]

13. I think MSNBC is on strong legal footing for reversal.

They made an initial offer to include Kucinich in the debate based on the fact he had reached a pre-established threshold in the national polls. However in New Hampshire he dipped considerably below it and they rescinded the offer, which they should have every right to do.

The only possible argument Kucinich would have is an oral contract. A contract must have three parts:

1. Offer

2. Acceptance

3. Consideration


Since MSNBC was the controlling entity, they received no consideration from Dennis to consummate a binding contract. That would have been accomplished by his appearance in the debate. However, because MSNBC changed their mind based on criteria which had been previously set before the offer, the offer conditions were not met and the contract is simply being rescinded. I don't see any basis where a judge should have the right to dictate the conditions of the initial offer. Especially in the volatile sphere of politics and by an independent news organization.

There also must be a "meeting of the minds" in any contract. Both parties must clearly understand the terms of the contract and agree. It was Dennis who fell short of the contract 'terms' by his showing in New Hampshire. MSNBC initially was going to include him in the debate based on the assumption he would still maintain the necessary voter popularity criteria they had set as a minimum. He didn't.

I would be surprised if a higher court would not hold for MSNBC.

[upi402]

15. Clinton gave them the right to repress news and debate

with his Telecommunications Act.

Thanks for that, corporate Dems all. Yay for repression! Yay and shut the fukkup! Yaaaaaay!!!!!

[candymarl]

17. What's the big deal?

He's still in the race. Let him speak. The M$M is at it again.