So what you are saying is that the Democratic candidates are cowards who can’t stand alone on principle?

I'm saying that the Democratic candidates are practical and won't shoot themselves in the foot just to prove the gun is loaded.

I’m sure they were all well aware of their principles before the emails, they just were not aware of everyone else’s principles. If once candidate didn’t attend, it hurts them and does nothing to rebuke Fox, so nobody wanted to make the sacrifice.

So what you are saying is that the Democratic candidates are cowards who can't stand alone on principle?

Well, considering they were unaware of their “principles” until deluged with emails from MoveOn.org types, color me skeptical.

I'm sure they were all well aware of their principles before the emails, they just were not aware of everyone else's principles. If once candidate didn't attend, it hurts them and does nothing to rebuke Fox, so nobody wanted to make the sacrifice. When the emails came, it gave them the opportunity to make it a group boycott, which not only makes the statement more powerful, but gets them about as much news coverage as an ordinary debate would have anyway.

To the extent that the nutroots can keep the democrats message getting out to anyone but the party faithful, I am torn.

Perhaps then it would help you to know that the "netroots" do not represent the party establishment, and are at odds with them more often than not. They do, however, seem to represent a large portion of the Democratic Primary voters.

It's not like the major candidates haven't ignored moveon.org in the past, so what makes you think they're beholden to them now? Could it be that maybe the candidates just think maybe the netroots had a point that they would be better served avoiding Fox News? Or does that just overly complicate your worldview?

If you haven't noticed, Edwards has been on Fox News many times. I bet he will be on it again before the dust settles on the 2008 election. Same for the rest of the candidates (okay maybe some of the lesser known haven't/won't but I suspect that is not principle, but opportunity in action). So they have to either accept the "RUN AWAY!" (images of men in poorly constructed armor speaking with British accents clanging towards the horizon) charge or draw a very interesting line as to why appearing on a Fox News show but not on a democratic debate hosted on Fox news is a principled stand.

To the extent that the nutroots can keep the democrats message getting out to anyone but the party faithful, I am torn. On the one hand it helps keep the persuadable from being persuaded. On the other hand, many of the positions they take may persuade the persuadable that the democratic candidates shouldn't be trusted with sharp objects let alone the presidency. So its a tough call as to whether this will make their election more or less likely.

Well, considering they were unaware of their "principles" until deluged with emails from MoveOn.org types, color me skeptical.

noting the recent fleeing from the FOX debate in Nevada

How about "principled stand against FOX's right wing bias" instead of "fleeing" ;-)

Are you suggesting that their activities be limited to legislating 24/7/365? Or that communicating with the electorate isnt a legitimate function of public representatives?

Not at all, maybe I was being too harsh. I'm would just like it if when I do see my elected officials on TV, they are doing something useful for me. When was the last time someone went on television to communicate something new and informative to the public? The airwaves seem to be used more to persuade the public to believe one meme or another, rather than to inform them of anything. Really, when Cheney goes on a sunday morning talk show and says that Democrats and Terrorists want the same thing, is that serving the public good, or serving Cheney's good?

Are you suggesting that their activities be limited to legislating 24/7/365? Or that communicating with the electorate isn't a legitimate function of public representatives?

Apparently, the Chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee

Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), the Democratic Caucus chairman, has told new Democratic members of Congress to steer clear of Stephen Colbert, or at least his satirical Comedy C...

"Why dont they just boycott every single show on television and be done with it."

Since we don't pay them to go on television, I don't see why this would be a bad idea. Maybe if they boycott campaigning too they would be worth re-electing.