Christie bumped from main stage, Pataki out — Fox Business debate

Fox News has set the rules for the 2016 presidential race by deciding who gets into the main debate and who doesn’t.

Immediately before the news broke, Christie adjourned a round-table meeting in Somersworth, N.H., where he discussed drug addiction and treatment with local law enforcement and advocates.

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee have been cut from the main stage at the upcoming 10 November Republican debate hosted by Fox Business News and the Wall Street Journal.

At present, seven more debates sanctioned by the Republican National Committee are scheduled through March 10.

“For a substantial portion of the DC crowd – and I think this probably goes beyond DC – Marco is well liked”, said one major Bush donor and fundraiser from Washington. The prime time debate will be two hours in length.

Jindal has appeared in the earlier forum in each of the three previous nationally televised debates among Republican candidates, as he has met the minimum standard for participation but not the higher mark required for a prime-time appearances, based on national polls.

“Regardless of this decision tonight, Senator Graham continues to be the foremost expert on foreign policy and national security in this field of candidates, on either stage”, Christian Ferry, his campaign manager, said in a statement. Once a leading GOP contender, he has slipped in national and early-state polls amid questions about his role in the Bridgegate scandal and conservative skepticism about his record. The more second-tier candidates participate in the undercard, the greater the incentive is to watch. While networks have the flexibility to change their formats, such a scenario remains unlikely. By limiting the debate to marginalia like Graham and Pataki, you’re basically saying that you’re holding the event as a desultory show of “fairness” rather than as an important forum that undecideds should strongly consider viewing.

After next week’s face-offs, just two debates remain before the opening primary contest in Iowa.

“I’m happy to debate anyone, anywhere, anytime”, Huckabee said.

Peoples reported from Manchester, New Hampshire.