Finally, incontrovertible statistical evidence that the Republican Party is nuts:
CNN, which is hosting a [GOP presidential] debate in Las Vegas on Oct. 18, has ... said candidates must reach an average level of support of 2 percent in three separate polls by news organizations published since Sept. 1. [Jon] Huntsman has reached 2 percent in two polls, but has been at 1 percent in the rest.
If he doesn’t reach 2 percent in a third poll by Oct. 16, Mr. Huntsman will not be on the stage.
We probably shouldn't begrudge CNN its qualifying druthers. After all, it can't allow just anyone to debate on its stage for the world's most powerful office; for heaven's sake, such free-for-all liberality would only distract from Michele Bachmann's noted lucidity, or Herman Cain's love of Nines, or yet another of Newt Gingrich's fffffundamental lectures on the media's responsibilities, or Rick Perry's struggle with syntax.
On the other hand, CNN, in a daring effort to break out of its third-rated cable status, could decide to stage a debate among the party's actual conservatives, although that would mean Jon Huntsman, on stage, alone, for two hours.