Open Up the Debates

[Commentary] Let me lay out a scenario. A candidate running for president holds federal elective office, has run for president before, is thoughtful and thinks outside the box on a number of issues, has the capacity to raise a ton of grassroots dollars, finished strong in the Iowa straw vote this summer, is currently running in the top three in nearly every national poll, and is polling second in both the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary. Hmmm, seems like a fact set where you would be taken seriously. But not if you are Rep Ron Paul (R-TX).