Though he's easy to dismiss as an oddity, distraction or product of the "viewpoint neutral" media (as NBC phrases it), how ironic is it that Dennis Kucinich tends to gravitate toward the top-tier ranks during debates?  Look, I already have my candidate selected and I have no plans (unless something drastic happens) to switch alliances.  But if you claim to be a Democrat, you have to admire Kucinich for his sheer chutzpah and altruistic motivation.  

Before you scoff, answer this.  Who's the last member of Congress you've heard of who has introduced a measure to impeach Cheney, called for (and obtained) a recount of the New Hampshire primary votes and filed a lawsuit against NBC to appear in a debate that he was disinvited from?  This guy does a longer patriot march for democracy in one day than most do in a full term.  You can tell that he has no fear of presumed repercussions as a result of anything he says or does.  He really walks like he talks, and shamelessly.  Yes, he may lack the x-factor that draws sexy media attention to the top three, but look past the artifice for a moment.  All the other candidates have glitches on their Iraq war records, except Kucinich.  His bravado may make him an easy target for a snicker or two, but it shows that he's more connected to Democratic principles than anyone else at the moment.

So I'm game for viewing this debate if Kucinich prevails despite NBC's appeal attempt.  It would send a strong message to the MSM: that you can't arbitrarily select debate participants on our behalf.  Dennis, I'm raising a tall glass of vino to you if you make it on the air tonight.  Godspeed, sir!

Update [2008-1-15 23:13:6 by nafamabo]: Democracy lost tonight, it seems. The wine was good, and so was "The Wire".