@Jaxk where is the hypocrisy?
I asked “What, if anything, should the network reactions or responses be to this?” I am being hypocritical because I did not ask this same question back in 2008? Nobody gave a shit then and as far as I can tell, no one is up in arms about it now either.
While I will not contest what you say about the debates I will point out that the debates are controlled by the two major parties using the Debate Commission to both keep out those candidates of whom they do not approve or that might make it harder for their own respective candidates and also to make sure all questions asked meet the “softball” guidelines they set. All questions have to be put out there beforehand so candidates know before going into the debate what they are going to be asked and the Commission does have the final say over what is asked.
While you say you can respect the Republicans for refusing to “help them with thier smear campaign.” can you also respect CNN and NBC if they choose not to air Republican candidates for the same reason?
Do you forsee the upcoming election where only Republicans debate on Fox and only Democrats on every other channel? Will this mean the end of Presidential Debates where the parties face off? And, honestly, at this point, would that be such a big loss?