redblueamerica.com

The underdog-loving, free-speech defending side of me really wants to see Dennis Kucinich in tonight's Democratic debate.

The pragmatist in me feels something else entirely.

MSNBC, which is putting on the debate, told Kucinich it wanted him to sit this one out -- preferring to focus on Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards -- so he went to court to get an order letting him participate. The order still stands, as of this writing. Good for him. But I'm not so sure it's so good for the rest of us.

Back before the primaries got underway, the early debates and their casts of thousands made sense. The primary process isn't just about choosing a nominee, after all; it's a chance for a political party to have a conversation with itself about the future. The debates have been a healthy part of that process, for both the Democrats and the Republicans, and more voices make for a more interesting conversation.

Now, though, it's really time to choose a nominee.

And there is no chance -- barring a disaster that kills off Clinton, Obama and Edwards -- that Kucinich will be that nominee. None. Zilch.

Which means that it is increasingly important that we hear from the candidates who still stand a chance to become president. Who is better on policy? Who will make a better leader? How will they get things done? These are important questions to answer, and it's frankly ridiculous that those questions be put to Kucinich.

Kucinich has been a remarkable advocate for civil liberties, the environment and against the war. His voice has been valuable as Democrats sort through the issues. But he's not going to be president; it's time he cede the spotlight to the people who might be.