Rep. Ron Paul Rejects Invitation to NewsMax GOP Presidential Debate; Slams Participation of Donald Trump as “Beneath the Office of the Presidency” – 12/3/11

GOP Rep. Ron Paul has rejected an invitation to participate in a NewsMax Presidential Debate to be held December 27 in Des Moines, Iowa. The debate will be moderated by Donald Trump.

In rejecting the invitation, Paul slammed Trump’s participation, calling it “beneath the office of the Presidency,” and saying he will make it a “circus-like atmosphere.”

CNN: At least one Republican presidential hopeful is declining to participate in a debate moderated by real estate mogul Donald Trump.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul’s campaign released a statement Saturday calling the debate a distraction from the real issues of the campaign.

“The selection of a reality television personality to host a presidential debate that voters nationwide will be watching is beneath the office of the Presidency and flies in the face of that office’s history and dignity,” Jesse Benton, Ron Paul’s national campaign chairman, said in a statement.

He added, “Mr. Trump’s participation as moderator will distract from questions and answers concerning important issues such as the national economy, crushing federal government debt, the role of the federal government, foreign policy, and the like. To be sure, Mr. Trump’s participation will contribute to an unwanted circus-like atmosphere.” . . . . Read More

So far, Gov. Jon Huntsman has also rejected the invitation. No word yet on whether the other candidates will participate. The debate is scheduled to be broadcast on the ION Network.