On June 13, 2011, the GOP presidential candidates will appear at a debate in New Hampshire, sponsored by CNN. Fred Karger wants to participate -- but CNN won't give him an answer. So, Fred sent CNN a detailed memo explaining why he should be invited. Here's an excerpt:
Fred's CNN MemorandumThere's more, but you get the point. There are very solid reasons why Fred should be on the stage on June 13th.
TO: Jim Walton, President, CNN Worldwide
Ken Jautz, Executive Vice President CNN
FROM: Fred Karger
Date: May 30, 2011
Re: Let Fred In the New Hampshire Debate
The June 13, 2011 New Hampshire Republican Debate that you are hosting along with the New Hampshire Union Leader and WMUR-TV is fast approaching, and I have yet to receive an invitation. My campaign has been in contact with CNN Senior Political Editor Mark Preston, Deputy Political Editor Paul Steinhauser and Producer Peter Hamby on several occasions. No one has given us a definitive answer regarding my participation, and we were told that you will not make the eligibility criteria public.
I am a serious candidate for President, and I would hope that you will include me in your debate on June 13, 2011.
I have 35 years of professional political experience, which I contend is longer than anyone else running or considering running for President in 2012. I was heavily involved in nine Republican Presidential races and dozens of other federal, state and local campaigns.
President Reagan Experience
I worked on Ronald Reagan’s 1980 election campaign and served as a senior consultant on his 1984 reelection campaign. I served as senior staff on his first Inaugural Committee in 1980 and 1981. My consulting firm was under contract to his Political Action Committee, Citizens for the Republic while he was President. No one else running has the Reagan experience that I have.
A Series of Firsts
I was the first to announce that he was considering running for the Republican nomination for President at a press conference in New Orleans at the Southern Republican Leadership Conference on April 10, 2010.
I was the first potential candidate to establish a Presidential Exploratory Committee on July 18, 2010.
And I was the first serious candidate to file for President with the Federal Election Commission on March 23, 2011. U S News and scores of news organizations reported on my filing, and my first interview as a declared candidate was on CBS News that day.
First Openly Gay Candidate to Run for President
My campaign has received tremendous worldwide coverage on major news outlets in over 25 countries. My candidacy is unique, as I run for President of the United States as the first openly gay candidate in history.
More Reasons to be Included in the CNN, New Hampshire Union Leader, WMUR-TV Debate
1) Polling: I have reached an average of 1% in five polls: Zogby, Fox News, CNN, ABC/Washington Post, CNN Poll. (The ABC/Washington Post Poll allowed for respondents to volunteer results.) The New York Times has me statistically tied with Gary Johnson. I have been included in at least 15 online polls and have usually finished in the top tier, including one by the Republican National Committee.
2) Strong Student Support: I won New Hampshire's largest straw poll of the 2012 cycle, held by St. Anselm College and the New Hampshire Institute of Politics, site of your Debate. I beat frontrunner Mitt Romney by 2%.
Over to you, CNN. If Fred isn't invited, CNN has some explaining to do....
