The Dumbest Thing I Ever Read

From Allen Wastler, managing editor of CNBC, to Ron Paul supporters, on why CNBC pulled their post-debate poll:

So there was our after-debate poll. The numbers grew ... 7,000-plus votes after a couple of hours ... and Ron Paul was at 75%. . . . You folks are obviously well-organized and feel strongly about your candidate and I can't help but admire that.

But you also ruined the purpose of the poll. It was no longer an honest "show of hands" -- it suddenly was a platform for beating the Ron Paul drum. That certainly wasn't our intention and certainly doesn't serve our readers ... at least those who aren't already in the Ron Paul camp.

If Romney, Giuliani, McCain, and Thompson all really have 4-5 times the support of Republicans that Paul does, why in the world aren't any of their supporters willing to vote in these debates? And how in the world is their laziness or indifference the fault of those who agree with Ron Paul?

It is very easy for Paul to win these debates. Provided he doesn't flub the facts, all he has to do is make coherent sentences and he wins. Sure, Ron Paul fans are more motivated to vote, but even disinterested observers would concede that he wins, and supporters of other candidates, knowing their guy lost, wouldn't vote at all.