Bachmann and Paul shut out at CBS Debate: CBS Goofs – sends Email to Bachmann Staffers noting Limited Time during Debate

CBS News Debate Moderate Scott Pelley intentional slight of GOP Candidates

From The San Francisco Chronicle article “CBS' 'oops' moment in GOP debate”: Apparently, CBS intended to limit the time allotted to Michelle Bachmann in the debate arena this past Saturday. CBS News’s Political Director sent an email, by mistake, to the Bachmann Campaign detailing the intended slight on the candidate. The reasoning given was Ms. Bachmann’s current standing in the national polls. The format, which was, perhaps the worst in televised debate history, aired the first hour on broadcast, with the last half hour online (obviously not prepared for the traffic, the site crashed.) In addition, during the debate, the CBS moderator, refused to acknowledge or allow a rebuttal to Ms. Bachmann on several occasions, that was seen during the televised debate. At the time, one just assumed that the moderator was just arrogant,or sexist, shutting down Ms. Bachmann who, as a tax attorney, who sits on the Intelligence Committee is more than qualified to answer and pose an articulate response.

Where a candidate may stand in any polls, (see article here on poll methodology used by Marist.) at this point in time is moot, considering that fortunes can and do change in any general election between November and January (General election history proves that the fluidity of political fortunes at this stage, might see a candidate thought to be beyond survival, go on to win the nomination of their party). More time was afforded John Huntsman in this debate, who, with all due respect to the candidate, has a lower standing in the polls than Bachmann.

One must also question, CBS News decision to allow Ron Paul only (89) eighty-nine seconds in the debate on foreign policy. Paul's standing in the polls, according to Real Clear Politics places him 5th, with Bachmann 6th, and Santorum and Huntsman in 7th and 8th respectively. Real Clear Politics combines and averages all polls taken to date in any given election cycle.

It is getting to the point, where a Public Apology by CBS (among other so-called “news” organizations) is due both the campaigns and the general public.