The list of candidates participating in Thursday’s debate from Ames, Iowa has been finalized. There are a few names missing from the lineup which, of course, means there is a bit of controversy from the slighted campaigns.
Participants: Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty, Ron Paul, Herman Cain, Jon Huntsman, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich
Date/Time: Thursday, August 11th – 9pm EST / 8pm CST on the Fox News Channel
Report from the Detroit Free Press:
WASHINGTON — Eight Republicans will be part of Fox News’ debate Thursday in advance of Saturday’s Iowa straw poll, but U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter of Livonia won’t be among them.
Michael Clemente, vice president of news, said this evening that McCotter didn’t meet the 1% support in the polls threshold the network and other sponsors required to be included.
By that criteria, the eight presidential hopefuls selected were Mitt Romney, Michele Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty, Ron Paul, Herman Cain, Jon Huntsman, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich.
McCotter has been waging a longshot campaign for the presidency and has secured a coveted spot at the straw poll scheduled for Saturday in Ames. But being left out of the debate likely hurts his chances of making a mark in the straw poll — though winning is often as much or more about organizing support as campaigning.
The straw poll carries no official weight but with a large field of candidates, all are looking for any edge they can find.
Obviously no Rick Perry either as he is not officially in the race until Saturday it seems.
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