Big media vs the Ron Paul Campaign: Now it gets kind of obvious

If anyone is still harboring any doubts that the corporate media are actively shaping and steering the 2008 US Presidential Election, they should take a good look at what’s happening this week.

After raising over $19,000,000 in the Q4 ’07 and bringing in more campaign cash in a single day than any other presidential candidate ever, Ron Paul has been excluded as a participant in the upcoming Fox News Republican forum. Their reasoning? There’s not enough room in their studio.

ABC News has decided to “narrow the field” of candidates for their upcoming prime-time debates based on the results of Thursday’s Iowa Caucus.

Do they really think this is what we need at this stage of what might be the most pivotal national election in our lifetimes? Fewer ideas, less disagreement, milder debate, and no representation for an obvious grassroots movement that’s demanding real change in these critical times?

Polls, if you believe the polls, show Ron Paul currently either even with or ahead of Thompson and Giuliani in Iowa. They can ignore the fundraising records, fueled by 10s of thousands of individual donors. They can ignore the spontaneous, enthusiastic volunteerism and energy of the Ron Paul supporters across the country. But will they be able to ignore a significant showing for RP in the Iowa Caucus when all the votes are counted?

And maybe the bigger question is, with the last two Presidential elections in mind: Will they allow it?