Ad rips network for excluding Graham from GOP debates
Backers of Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, the only military veteran in the Republican presidential field, are running an ad blasting Fox Business Network for barring him from Tuesday's debates based on what they say are flawed national polls.
The super PAC supporting Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina in the Republican presidential race will run a television ad Tuesday blasting Fox Business Network for excluding Graham from the debates it is broadcasting.
Security is Strength PAC argues in the 30-second spot that it is galling for the network to snub Graham, the only military veteran in the GOP field, on the eve of Veterans Day.
"Fox News decided to use an NBC/WSJ poll that did not even include Senator Graham's name (among others) in the polling (questions)," Andrew King, executive director of Security is Strength.
"While national polling is flawed relative to Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina to begin with, the criterion used was unfair and skewed to the frontrunners," King said. "Senator Graham brings a critical voice to this race and for Fox Business Network to silence him is a disservice to all veterans."
Graham, a prominent foreign-policy hawk in the GOP, served in the Air Force Reserves for 30 years, rising to the rank of colonel.
Lower polling candidates will meet in an hour-long debate at 7 p.m. on FBN, while the top nine in recent national polls are to debate for two hours beginning at 9 p.m.
In order to qualify for the prime time event, a candidate had to average at least 2.5 percent in the four most recent national polls leading up to the debate, Fox Business Network decreed. This time, that included surveys from Fox News, Investor's Business Daily/TIPP, Quinnipiac University and The Wall Street Journal/NBC News.
Candidates had to reach a 1 percent threshold in the polling to qualify for the earlier event. New Jersey Gov. Christie and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee fell from the main stage to the undercard. They will be joined by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.
Graham, who had been in the previous three early debates, did not make the 1 percent cut Fox Business News said. Neither did former New York Gov. George Pataki.
The ad is scheduled to air in Wisconsin, Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina and on the these national cable networks: Fox News Channel, Fox Business Network, MSNBC and CNN.
"It's time for the media to stop picking winners and losers and let the people hear and decide for themselves," King said.