News

Exclusive CNN Debate Skews Presidential Field

June 11, 2011

(Washington, DC) - Log Cabin Republicans call upon CNN to treat all presidential candidates fairly in allowing participation in televised debates.

"CNN, by applying inconsistent and arbitrary criteria in deciding who gets to participate in televised debates, is manufacturing a narrative rather than presenting the candidates," said R. Clarke Cooper, Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director. "The pointed exclusion of pro-equality candidates, such as former New Mexico governor Gary Johnson and openly gay Republican candidate Fred Karger, perpetuates the myth that Republicans are uniform in their opinions on social issues - a myth which hurts the Republican Party among independents, moderates and younger voters. As a gatekeeper to the presidential debates, CNN has a responsibility to accurately reflect the diversity of perspectives present in the current crop of candidates. While Log Cabin Republicans respect reasonable and fairly-applied standards about who can participate, it is ridiculous to suggest that a two-term Republican governor from a Democratic state with a strong record on the fiscal issues Americans care most about today does not merit a place in this debate."